EP2218961A1 - Light element, connection element and system comprising a light element and a connection element - Google Patents

Abstract

The element has a base plate (10) with a cylindrical casing surface, which has an undercut groove. A light unit i.e. LED, is arranged on a front side of the base plate. The groove divides the base plate into two sections, where both sections have electrical contact surfaces. The contact surfaces are spaced from each other and stand in electrical contact with the light unit. External threads are arranged on the casing surface of the base plate, where a covering element is screwable into the threads and made of metal. An independent claim is also included for a connecting unit comprising two contact surfaces.

Description

The invention relates to a luminaire element according to claim 1, a connecting element for use with such a luminaire element according to claim 13 and a system consisting of such a luminaire element and such a connecting element according to claim 15.

Due to their high efficiency, LEDs are becoming increasingly popular in lighting technology, including domestic applications. Typical white LEDs as they are used today have a power consumption of about one watt, which can achieve a luminosity that corresponds approximately to that of a 10-watt halogen bulb. The power supply is usually via low voltage of 12 or 24 volts.

The present invention has as its object to provide a modular lighting system, which can be mounted and changed by the end user to create suitable for the intended use lights.

This object is achieved by a lighting system comprising at least one luminaire element according to claim 1 and a connecting element according to claim 13.

The luminaire element has a base body with a cylindrical lateral surface. On an end face of this lateral surface of the light source, preferably an LED is arranged. In the lateral surface an undercut groove is arranged, which has at least one access opening and which the main body preferably completely circumscribes. In this access opening, a front portion of a connecting element can be inserted according to claim 13 and then initially moved freely in the undercut groove around the main body. The undercut groove divides the base body into a first and a second section, these two sections of the base body each having at least one electrical contact surface. These two contact surfaces are each in electrical contact with the lamp. The connecting element has two generally made of metal, U-shaped contact pieces, which are electrically separated from each other by an insulating layer. After introducing an end portion of such a connecting element in the undercut groove of the main body of the lamp element thus one of the two U-shaped contact pieces is assigned to a first portion of the body and its lateral surface, while its second contact element is associated with the second portion of the body and its lateral surface.

Preferably, according to claim 2, the lateral surface of the base body further comprises at least one thread on which a first cover element can be screwed. After screwing this cover element, a connecting element whose one end portion is inserted into the undercut groove, clamped and at the latest, electrical contact between the first contact piece of the connecting element and the first contact surface of the body and between the second contact piece of the connecting element and the second contact surface of the body.

Depending on the specific embodiment, the respective contacts can be made directly between the connecting element and the base body, in particular within the undercut groove, over the cover element or by a combination of both.

In a further preferred embodiment, two threads are provided on the main body, wherein a cover element can be screwed onto each thread, so that after completion of the assembly, the connecting element is clamped between the two cover elements.

In a further preferred embodiment, the main body has two main body elements, which may further preferably be identical. The two basic body elements are separated by an insulating disk. The two basic body elements here are preferably turned parts made of metal. As a result, can be produced in a rational way a very robust and durable durable lighting element, which can be mounted and dismantled almost any number of times.

In a system which consists of the described luminaire element and the described connecting elements, as many luminaire elements can be coupled to one another, so that a luminaire with the desired luminosity can be produced individually.

Figur 1a

eine Draufsicht auf ein erstes Grundkörperelement,

Figur 1 b

einen Schnitt entlang Linie A-A in Figur 1a,

Figur 2a

eine Draufsicht auf einen Leuchtmitteiträger,

Figur 2b

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie B-B in Figur 2a,

Figur 3a

eine Draufsicht auf eine Isolierscheibe,

Figur 3b

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie C-C in Figur 3a,

Figur 4a

eine Draufsicht auf ein Verbindungselement,

Figur 4b

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie D-D aus Figur 4a,

Figur 5

sämtliche Bauteile eines Leuchtenelements und ein Verbindungs- element in einer den Figuren 1b. 2b. 3b und 4b entsprechenden Schnittdarstellungen,

Figur 6

einen Grundkörper in einer der Figuren 5 entsprechenden Darstel- lung,

Figur 7

eine Draufsicht aus Richtung R in Figur 6.

Figur 8

das in Figur 6 gezeigte mit in die hinterschnittene Nut eingeführtem Endabschnitt eines Verbindungselements sowie zwei noch nicht montierte Deckelemente in einer der Figur 5 entsprechenden Dar- stellung,

Figur 9

das in Figur 8 Gezeigte nach Aufschrauben der Deckelemente,

Figur 10

ein Leuchtensystem bestehend aus zwei Leuchtenelementen, wel- che mittels eines Verbindungselementes verbunden sind, in einer der Figur 9 entsprechenden Darstellung,

Figur 11

eine Variation zu dem in Figur 9 Gezeigten,

Figur 12

ein erstes und ein zweites Deckelement, welche jeweils eine Ein- führöffnung aufweisen, in einer seitlichen Draufsicht,

Figur 13

eine zweite Ausführungsform der Erfindung in einer der Figur 8 ent- sprechenden Darstellung und

Figur 14

eine Mischform aus erster und zweiter Ausführungsform.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the other dependent claims and from the embodiment now shown in more detail with reference to the figures. Hereby show:

FIG. 1a

a top view of a first base member,

Figure 1 b

a section along line AA in FIG. 1a .

FIG. 2a

a plan view of a Leuchtmitteiträger,

FIG. 2b

a section along the line BB in FIG. 2a .

FIG. 3a

a top view of an insulating disc,

FIG. 3b

a section along the line CC in FIG. 3a .

FIG. 4a

a plan view of a connecting element,

FIG. 4b

a section along the line DD FIG. 4a .

FIG. 5

all components of a lamp element and a connecting element in a Figures 1b. 2 B. 3b and 4b corresponding sectional views,

FIG. 6

a basic body in one of the Figures 5 appropriate representation,

FIG. 7

a plan view from direction R in FIG. 6 ,

FIG. 8

this in FIG. 6 shown with inserted into the undercut groove end portion of a connecting element and two not yet mounted cover elements in one of FIG. 5 appropriate representation,

FIG. 9

this in FIG. 8 Shown after screwing on the cover elements,

FIG. 10

a luminaire system consisting of two luminaire elements, which are connected by means of a connecting element, in one of FIG. 9 appropriate representation,

FIG. 11

a variation to that in FIG. 9 shown,

FIG. 12

a first and a second cover element, which each have an insertion opening, in a lateral plan view,

FIG. 13

a second embodiment of the invention in one of FIG. 8 corresponding representation and

FIG. 14

a mixed form of first and second embodiment.

It will now be first with reference to the FIGS. 1 to 5 the components of a luminaire element and a connecting element 80 to be used with the luminaire element are explained in more detail:

The FIGS. 1 to 4 show all components of a body 10, wherein in the FIGS. 1a and 1b only one of two identical base body elements, namely the first base member 20, is shown. In FIG. 5 Both basic body elements 20, 30 are shown. The two basic body elements 20, 30 are identical parts, which are preferably made as turned parts made of steel or aluminum. These basic body elements 20, 30 have a flat-cylindrical shape, wherein an external thread 21, 31 is arranged on its cylindrical lateral surface. It should be noted that the height of the outer thread bearing lateral surfaces is less than the total height of the base body member, so that between the lower edge of the lateral surface and the underside of the base body member remains a distance a in the axial direction. The end faces 23 each have a trough 23a, 33a. Through these end faces 23 a through holes extend, namely 3 screw holes 24 and a Kontaktierungsdurchbrechung 25, 35. On the front side opposite side is the shown embodiment, another trough provided. In the edge region of the inside is in each case an annular groove 22, 32. At one point in each case an incision in the lateral surface is further provided (in the FIGS. 1 to 5 not shown).

In the trough 23 a of the first base member 20 is in the FIGS. 2a and 2 B arranged light source carrier 40 is arranged, which carries a light emitting diode 47 and a ballast 46. There are two electrical guide elements 44, 45 are provided which extend through corresponding holes, namely the first bore 41 and the second bore 42 of the illuminant carrier. There are still screw holes 48 available.

In the FIGS. 3a and 3b For example, an insulating washer 50 having a through hole 52 and screw holes 58 is shown.

In the FIGS. 4a and 4b Finally, a connecting element is shown, the structure and function will be shown later.

In the FIG. 5 two Abdekkeelemente 60 and 70 are further shown in addition to the components mentioned, which each carry an internal thread 62, 72, which are screwed onto the external threads 21 and 31 of the base body members 20 and 30, as will be seen later. The first cover element 60 has a transparent or translucent window element 64, which may be formed, for example, in the form of a lens. This window element 64 is in the assembled state above the light emitting diode 47. The Abdekkelemente can, as shown, be made substantially in one piece, or it can be provided in each case a separate ring which carries the internal thread.

The FIG. 6 shows the main body 10, which consists of the two basic body elements 20, 30, the arranged in the trough of the first body member 20 illuminant carrier 40 with its components and between the two Basic body elements 20, 30 arranged insulating washer 50, which completely separates the two main body elements 20, 30, consists.

It can be seen that an undercut groove 36 is formed by the two grooves 22, 32 of the two base body elements 20, 30, which completely surrounds the base body; the slot height h _{s of} this undercut groove 36 is slightly more than 2a. How to get the FIG. 6 furthermore removes, is the light emitting diode 47, or standing with the light emitting diode 47 in electrical contact upstream electronics 46, with the two main body elements 20, 30 in electrical contact. Incidentally, the two base body elements 20, 30 are electrically separated from each other by the insulating washer 50. The basic body is replaced by in FIG. 6 not shown, extending through the screw holes screws, which are preferably made of plastic, held together. Thus, the first base member with the Leuchtmittetträger forms a first portion of the base 10 and the second base member 30 forms a second portion of the body 10. These two sections are separated by the insulating disk 50 and the undercut groove 36. The undercut groove 36 further separates the lateral surface of the two base body elements from each other and thus divides the base body 10 and its lateral surface into a first and a second section. Since the two basic body elements 20, 30 are made of metal, all their accessible surfaces, in particular their external threads 21, 31 and the inner surfaces of the undercut groove 36 can serve as contact surfaces.

How to get the FIG. 7 , which is a plan from direction R in FIG. 6 is, removes, an access opening 37 is provided in the undercut groove 36, at which the slot height h _{s of} the undercut groove 36 increases to the maximum height h _{m of} the undercut groove 36. This access opening 37 is formed by the above-mentioned incisions.

In the FIGS. 4a and 4b a connection element 80 is shown. This connecting element 80 consists of a first U-shaped contact piece 82 and a structurally identical second U-shaped contact piece 84. These two contact pieces 82, 84 are mechanically connected to each other via an insulating view 86 and electrically separated from each other. In the in FIG. 4b shown cross-section, the connecting element 80 has the shape of a double Ts. It thus has two end sections 80a, 80b and a middle section 80c connecting the two end sections. The width b _{v of} the connecting member 80 is slightly smaller than the width b _{z of} the access opening 37 of the undercut groove 36, the height h _{e of} the end portions 80a, 80b is slightly less than the maximum height h _{m of} the undercut groove 36 and the height h _m , the middle portion 80c is slightly less than the slot height h _{s of} the undercut groove 36. Thus, how to FIG. 8 takes an end portion 80a, 80b of a connecting member 80 is inserted through the access opening 37 in the undercut groove 36 and moved in this around the body around. This results in a contact between the first contact piece 82 of the connecting element 80 and the first base member 20 and the second contact piece 84 of the connecting element 80 and the second base member 30. Since insulating 50 and insulating layer 86 are at the same height, there is no short circuit here. The end faces 80a of the connecting member 80 are concave with a radius corresponding to the radius of the inner surface of the undercut groove executed. This increases on the one hand the contact surfaces between the connecting element and the base body and on the other hand facilitates the movement of the inserted into the undercut groove end portion within the undercut groove.

The connecting element 80 is located at the desired location, the two cover elements 60, 70 are screwed onto the base body 10, so that the connecting element 80 is mechanically fixed by clamping. If the two cover elements 60, 70 are made of metal, which is preferred, they too contribute to the production of the electrical contacts. In a less preferred, but possible Ausführungsbesipiel the clamping can also be done only by means of a screw-on cover element.

How to get the FIG. 10 As a rule, any number of luminaire elements 5 can be coupled to one another by means of connecting elements 80, whereby the light emitting diodes 47 are connected in parallel to each other. The power supply can also be effected via such a connecting element, wherein the placards of a transformer (for example 12 or 24 volts) are connected to the first and second contact piece 82, 84, respectively.

The FIG. 11 shows a variation to that in FIG. 9 Shown. It can be seen that it is also possible to arrange a light source carrier with a light source - in this case an LED - on both end faces of the main body. The two basic body elements do not have to be changed for this purpose, only the insulating washer requires a second through hole 52.

To shorten the assembly time, an insertion opening 66, 76 may be provided in the cover elements 60, 70, as shown in FIG FIG. 12 is shown. These insertion openings 66, 76 each extend inwardly from the lateral surface. In a pre-assembly step, the cover elements 60, 70 are screwed onto the base body 10 such that the insertion openings 66, 76 lie in front of the access opening 37. After insertion and a front portion of a connecting element 80 and displacement of the connecting element 80 - as described above - is then sufficient, for example, every half a turn to one turn to tighten the cover members 60, 70 and clamp the connecting member 80. Of course, such an insertion opening can also be provided if only one cover element is screwed on.

The FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment of the invention, in which completely dispenses with threads. Here, the electrical contact and the mechanical connection between the base body 10 and connecting element 80 takes place exclusively between the undercut groove 36 and the connecting element 80. In order to improve the mechanical connection in particular, it is preferable to design the undercut groove 36 with a greater depth T, including ring projections 38 are provided in the illustrated embodiment of the second embodiment, which are parallel to each other and rotate the main body 10 except for the region of the access opening 37.

The assembly in this embodiment takes place in that - as in the first embodiment also - the front portion of the connecting member 80 is inserted through the access opening 37 in the undercut groove and then moved in the undercut groove. Thus, the electrical and mechanical connection between the base body 10 and connecting element 80 is completed. Subsequently, the cover elements 80 are only plugged and held for example by clamping or glued.

In order to improve the electrical and mechanical connection, the insulating layer 86 of the connecting element 80 may be made of an elastic material such as rubber. Here, the dimensions are selected so that the insulating layer 86 is compressed during assembly, so that they in the in FIG. 13 shown state is compressed and the two contact pieces 82, 84 presses apart.

Like in the FIG. 14 is shown, a mixed form of the two described embodiments is possible, wherein a base member 30, an external thread 31 and the other base member 20 carries a ring projection 38.

The system is very modular, in particular, different cover elements can be arranged on a base body.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

5

lights element

10

body

20

first basic body element

21

external thread

22

groove

23

front

24

screw hole

25

Kontaktierungsdurchbrechung

30

second basic body element

31

external thread

32

groove

33

front

34

screw hole

35

Kontaktierungsdurchbrechung

36

undercut groove

37

access opening

38

annular shoulder

40

Lamp support

41

first hole

42

second hole

44

first guiding element

45

second guide element

46

Vorschaltslektronik

47

led

48

screw hole

50

insulating

52

Through Hole

60

first cover element

62

inner thread

64

window element

66

insertion

70

second cover element

72

inner thread

76

insertion

80

connecting element

80a

front

82

first contact piece

84

second contact piece

86

insulating

Claims (15)

Luminaire element (5) with a cylindrical surface having a base body (10) with at least one end face (23) on which a light source is arranged, wherein the lateral surface has at least one access opening (37) having undercut groove (36), which the main body (10) and its lateral surface are divided into a first and a second portion, and wherein both portions of the base body each having at least one electrical contact surface, which are spaced from each other and each in electrical contact with the lighting means. Luminaire element (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that on the lateral surface of the base body at least one thread (external thread 21,31) is arranged, on which a cover element (60,70) can be screwed. Luminaire element according to claim 2, characterized in that the cover element (60,70) at least partially made of metal. Luminaire element according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that a cover element (60) carries a transparent or translucent element, for example in the form of a lens. Luminaire element according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the base body (10) carries two axially spaced apart threads (external thread 21,31), so that on each side of the undercut groove (36) has a thread (21,31) is, and that on each thread, a cover member (60,70) is screwed. Luminaire element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (10) has two base body elements (20,30), so that a first base member to the first section of the main body and a second basic body element belongs to the second section of the main body. Luminaire element according to claim 6, characterized in that the two base body elements (20,30) are cylindrical, wherein each base body portion has a portion (groove 22, groove 32) of the undercut groove (36). Luminaire element according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that the base body elements (20,30) are identical. Luminaire element according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the two basic body elements consist of metal and by means of insulation (insulating disc 50) are electrically separated from each other. Luminaire element according to claim 5, characterized in that both end faces of the base body carry a light source. Lighting element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the illuminant is an LED. Luminaire element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the undercut groove completely surrounds the base body. A connector (80) for use with a lamp element (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising two U-shaped contacts (82, 84) which are mechanically interconnected and electrically isolated from each other by means of an insulating layer (86) Connecting element has a double-T-shaped cross-section. Connecting element (80) according to claim 13, characterized in that the insulating layer consists of an elastic material. System comprising at least one luminaire element (5) according to one of claims 1 to 12 and at least one connecting element (80) according to claim 13 or claim 14.

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