EP2613079A1 - LED-light source - Google Patents

Abstract

The lamp (1) has a board (2) with multiple light emitting diodes (3) supported by the board, a control electronics, and a connection element (5) for connection of the control electronics to the mains voltage. The board carries the control electronics or substantial components of the control electronics. Another board (8) having other light emitting diodes (9) between the boards includes an electrically conductive connector (10) for supplying the light emitting diodes of the latter board through the control electronics. An independent claim is included for a kit with a lamp.

Description

The present invention relates to a preferably tubular lamp, in particular an LED tube, according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a kit with such.

Tubular lamps are known and widely used for lighting rooms, halls, outdoor areas or the like. This is especially true for fluorescent lamps, also called fluorescent tubes. In industrial use, operating times of eight or more hours per day are often achieved. This leads to both a limited life of the lamp as well as to a considerable power consumption, which leads to high energy and maintenance costs.

Lamps with light emitting diodes, also called "light-emitting diodes" or LEDs, offer both a much longer operating time than conventional lamps such as fluorescent lamps and a much higher efficiency, as compared to fluorescent lamps with LEDs, a similar luminous flux with a factor of two to ten reduced power consumption can be achieved. For this reason, efforts are increasingly being made to replace conventional lamps such as fluorescent lamps with LED lamps.

The US 8,072,124 B2 relates to a light emitting diode with light emitting diodes on a circuit board in a tubular housing. On the one hand, the housing has a heat conducting device for cooling the light emitting diodes, on the other hand, a further printed circuit board with a control electronics is provided, which is arranged in a separate housing part. However, this requires relatively large tube diameters, which is undesirable in many cases and can lead to incompatibilities with existing versions.

The US 7,988,492 B2 relates to a connector for connecting a board with light-emitting diodes, which is arranged in a tubular housing. Terminals connected to the board are used to contact pins that protrude out of the housing for connection. A control electronics for network operation is not apparent.

Previously known LED lamps for operation with mains voltage on the one hand have a carrier board with the LEDs, on the other hand, a control electronics for Supplying the LEDs on a separate board, which may be arranged in the housing of the bulb or outside.

If the control electronics integrated in the housing of the lamp, safety distances between the control electronics and the light emitting diodes carrying circuit board must be provided to prevent short circuits. This requires relatively large diameters especially in the case of tubular lamps. Alternatively, the control electronics can be arranged outside of the lamp, whereby only the boards with the LEDs must be accommodated in the housing of the lamp and also designs with smaller diameters possible. However, this has the disadvantage that an external electronics must be installed, connected and stowed.

Furthermore, differently long carrier boards with light-emitting diodes are used for differently long tubular lamps in the prior art, which leads to a high development and production and logistics effort in the production of lamps of different lengths.

An object of the present invention is to provide a light source, in particular an LED tube, wherein a compact design can be achieved even with direct suitability of the light source for mains voltage and / or can light bulbs of different lengths produce more flexible.

The above object is achieved by a luminous means according to claim 1 and by a kit according to claim 15. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The proposed illuminant, in particular an LED tube, has at least one first circuit board and a plurality of light-emitting diodes, which are carried by the first circuit board. Furthermore, the proposed illuminant has or receives a drive electronics for the supply of the LEDs, which is preferably designed for operation with mains voltage. A connection means is provided to connect the control electronics to mains voltage.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the first board carries the control electronics or at least essential parts of the control electronics. So it is the same board used to carry both LEDs and the control electronics. Therefore, the arrangement of several boards for the light emitting diodes and the control electronics side by side or with each other in a housing of the light bulb can be dispensed with and the light source 1 can be made more flexible, smaller or with a smaller diameter. The light-emitting means is therefore preferably free of stacked or juxtaposed or mutually arranged boards.

Next, the material for the additional board is saved and an error-prone cable connection between the control electronics and the board with the light-emitting diodes can be avoided. The latter is additionally advantageous in terms of production costs, since connections between different boards usually can not be produced automatically and are therefore particularly complex.

Another aspect of the present invention, which can also be implemented independently, relates to a proposed luminous means which has at least one second circuit board with a plurality of light-emitting diodes. Between the first, the second and / or further board an electrically conductive connector for supplying the LEDs of the second and / or further board is made by the control electronics.

This advantageously makes possible a flexible and / or modular construction of the luminous means, in particular wherein the length of the luminous means can be flexibly fixed by attaching a second or further circuit board. Thus, different illuminant lengths can be made using only one type or two types of boards. By using the connector is achieved in particular that no fault and wear-prone cable connection or complex manual solder joints must be made to scale the length of the bulb can. Thus, a simple, cost-effective, flexible and reliable scalability, in particular the length of the lamp, is achieved by the proposed illuminant. In addition, a mechanical coupling or locking of the boards to each other can be achieved with the connector.

Furthermore, the combination of the above, also independently realizable aspects is particularly advantageous. In particular, by the placement of the control electronics or essential parts of these on the first board and by the use of the connector in each case make an error-prone use of cable connections avoidable. In a synergetic way, the combination of the aspects makes possible a particularly robust, reliable and durable illuminant, preferably entirely without cable connections.

In addition, the disadvantageous realization of the control electronics on a separate board in the prior art is due to its reusability in different Leuchtmiffeln. The proposed bulb, however, preferably uses several, in particular with conductive connectors coupled boards with light emitting diodes, of which at least one, preferably arranged on the front side in the light source, board carries at least substantial parts of the control electronics. This allows the use of the same control electronics in different bulbs at the same time reduced space requirements, improved reliability and easier and cheaper installation.

A cable or a cable connection in the context of the present invention is a preferably flexible, flexible and / or in particular radially and / or at least partially surrounded by an insulation electrical conductor which is at least partially free in space laying. For example, a cable according to the present invention may be or have a stranded wire, a bell wire or the like. In particular, a rigid and / or at least partially or essentially non-insulated, electrically conductive connecting pin does not constitute a cable in the sense of the present invention.

A lighting means in the context of the present invention is preferably a means for emitting electromagnetic waves in the optically visible region, which is particularly suitable for illuminating rooms, floors, walls, ceilings, objects, outdoor areas or the like. The light-emitting means is therefore preferably suitable for providing a sufficient amount of light for illumination, improving its visibility by illumination of an object or emitting a sufficient amount of light, for example a luminous flux of more than 10 lumens, preferably more than 100 lumens, in particular more than 300 lumens so that this amount of light can be perceived by a human eye even after reflection by an object. A light-emitting means is therefore in particular not a pure status LED or the like which, although it can also light up, but in which primarily or exclusively the direct light emission is used as a display.

A circuit board according to the present invention is a preferably flat-shaped arrangement comprising an insulating and a conductive material, preferably wherein the insulating material forms a support for at least one line of the conductive material. Preferably, the board may be one for printed circuits, a so-called "printed circuit board" or PCB acting, in particular epoxy-based (insulating material) and / or with Kupferkaschierung (conductive material).

A light-emitting diode in the sense of the present invention is preferably a semiconductor component which is designed to emit electromagnetic waves, preferably in the region detectable or visible by the human eye. It preferably has a semiconductor junction which flows through current in the direction of flow of the diode causes a light emission.

Fig. 1

ein Leuchtmittel gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 2

einen ausschnittsweisen Längsschnitt des vorschlagsgemäßen Leuchtmittels gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

einen Querschnitt des vorschlagsgemäßen Leuchtmittels gemäß der Schnittlinie III - III aus Fig. 2; und

Fig. 4

ein vorschlagsgemäßes Starterersatzmittel.

Further aspects, details, features, properties and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the claims and from the drawings and the following description of a preferred embodiment of the proposed illuminant. It shows:

Fig. 1

a lighting device according to the present invention;

Fig. 2

a partial longitudinal section of the proposed bulb according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a cross section of the proposed bulb according to the section line III - III Fig. 2 ; and

Fig. 4

a proposed starter replacement agent.

In the figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar parts, and corresponding or comparable properties and advantages can be achieved, even if a repeated description has been omitted.

Fig. 1 shows a proposed bulb 1, which is designed as an LED tube. It has at least one first board 2. From the first board 2 a plurality of LEDs 3 are supported.

Fig. 2 shows a partial longitudinal section of the proposed illuminant 1 from Fig. 1 , The first board 2 preferably has on its rear side or on the side facing away from the LEDs on a control electronics 4 and / or carries at least essential parts of the control electronics. 4

However, it is also possible that the LEDs 3 and the control electronics 4 are at least partially disposed on the same side of the board 2. However, a placement of the control electronics 4 on the side facing away from the LEDs 3 of the board 2 is preferred because this can be avoided by components on the one hand lateral shadowing of the LEDs 3 and on the other hand, the aesthetic impression is not affected by superficially visible electronic components.

The proposed illuminant 1 further comprises a connection means 5, formed in the illustrated example by two or more pins 6. The end faces of the light-emitting means 1 are closed with end caps 7, which preferably have at least one opening for the pins 6. It is sufficient if connection pins 6 are provided and / or connected only on one of the front sides of the luminous means 1. For the compatibility of the lamp 1, however, a symmetrical structure is preferred, are provided in the connection means 5 on both end sides, which but not both must be connected.

The light-emitting means 1 has, in an independently realizable aspect, at least one second circuit board 8 with a plurality of light-emitting diodes 9 in addition to the first circuit board 2.

The first board 2 and the second board 8 are connected by a connector 10 electrically conductive with each other. Preferably, a supply of the light-emitting diodes 9 of the second circuit board 8 is enabled or realized by the control electronics 4 via the connector 10.

The boards 2, 8 are preferably flat and / or elongated and / or suitable for use, in particular insertion into a tubular housing 11 of the proposed illuminant 1 suitable. The first circuit board 2 and the second circuit board 8 can preferably be connected to one another at the front end by the plug connection 10, in particular electrically conductive and / or mechanically, for example by clamping, latching or the like.

The boards 2, 8 and / or the connector 10 may be formed such that the boards 2, 8 are at least substantially in a plane and / or on a straight line. This allows in particular a use of connected by means of the connector 10 boards 2, 8 in the tubular housing 11th Particularly preferably, the longitudinal edges of the boards 2, 8 form alignments for insertion and for holding the boards 2, 8 in the housing 11th

The flat, elongate blanks 2, 8 preferably have a longitudinal extent that exceeds the transverse extent, preferably more than a factor of three or five, in particular more than a factor of eight. Further, the boards 2, 8 preferably have a thickness of the board material that exceeds the transverse extent, preferably by more than a factor of five, in particular more than a factor of ten. Boards 2, 8 of this form are particularly suitable for enabling a compact, elongated luminous means 1.

It is further preferred that the first board 2, the second board 8 and / or the further board have at least substantially uniform dimensions. Alternatively or additionally, it is advantageous if the first circuit board 2, the second circuit board 8 and / or the further circuit board have dimensions which are between 90% and 100% of the result of a division of 1.80 m with an integer divisor, preferably smaller or is 20, in particular 2, 3, 4, 6 and / or 9, is.

For example, the main extension of one of the sinkers 2, 8 may be greater than 8 cm, preferably greater than 13 cm, in particular greater than 27 cm and / or at most 60 cm, preferably at most 30 cm, in particular between 12 and 15 cm, between 27 cm and 30 cm and / or between 54 cm and 60 cm. As a result, a modular structure and a flexible scaling of the length of the proposed illuminant 1 is favored. Particularly preferred are main extents of the boards 2, 8 of about 9 cm to 10 cm, 14 cm to 15 cm, 19 cm to 20 cm and / or 29 cm to 30 cm, since with these lengths a modular realization of typical or standardized lamp lengths especially can be effectively achieved.

The connector 10 may have at least two insulated conductive connections, in particular with plugs, sockets, Klammem and / or terminals. This allows the supply of the LEDs 9 in the second board 8 by means of a circuit or by the control electronics. 4

The connector 10 may be formed in several parts, in particular with at least one plug and a socket. Particularly preferably, the connector 10 allows both an electrical connection of the boards 2, 8 with each other and a mechanical support of the boards 2, 8 together. The Connector 10 may be disposed between the boards 2, 8 and / or on the light emitting diodes 3, 9 facing side (top) of the boards 2, 8. However, an arrangement of the connector 10 is preferably on the side facing away from the LEDs 3, 9 of the boards 2, 8 (bottom). As a result, lateral shadowing of the LEDs 3, 9 can be avoided by the connector 10. The connector 10 may be arranged at least on the same side of the respective board 2, 8 with respect to the LEDs 3, 9.

Alternatively or additionally, the plug connection 10 can also be arranged on that side of the boards 2, 8 facing the light emitting diodes 3, 9. This allows, for example, that the second board 8 or another board need only be formed on one side or in one layer with conductive structures. However, at least the first circuit board 2 is preferably provided with double-sided or multi-layered electrically conductive structures, preferably at least partially electrically connect the connection means 5 to the control electronics 4, on the other hand, the supply lines of the control electronics 4 to the light emitting diodes 3, 9 form. Furthermore, plated-through holes 12 between the LEDs 3, 9 facing and opposite sides of at least one of the boards 2, 8 may be provided. This allows an electrically conductive connection between the top and bottom of the boards 2, 8 and between the control electronics 4 and the light emitting diodes 3, 9 for power supply.

The use of both sides at least partially with metal, in particular copper, occupied boards 2, 8 is also preferred because this an improved heat distribution and dissipation can be achieved. According to one aspect of the present invention, all boards 2, 8 are at least partially, in particular at least 40%, preferably 50%, in particular 60%, covered on both sides with metal, in particular with copper or copper alloys. Furthermore, it is preferred that the metallizations or conductive structures are at least substantially covered by an insulating protective layer. This can improve the short circuit resistance and prevent corrosion.

In a further embodiment, it is possible that the connector 10 more than two electrical contacts between the boards 2, 8 produces. In particular, in this way it is for example possible to outsource parts of the control electronics 4 from the first board 2 to the second board 8 or to scale the control electronics 4 or parts thereof, in particular according to the total number of light emitting diodes 3, 9. So it is possible that by plugging the second circuit board 8 and / or another board to the first board 2, the control electronics 4 is automatically adjusted or scaled.

The control electronics 4 is preferably designed for operation at mains voltage. Mains voltage in the context of the present invention is a voltage that may be, for example, between 80 and 800 V, in particular at 230 V, 380 V or 110 V AC and / or on the house installation or the like. is available. It is therefore preferred that the control electronics 4 allows operation of the lighting means 1 on the public power grid. In particular, the control electronics 4 allows operation of the light source 1 directly in standardized light sources for mains operation. The light bulb 1 off Fig. 1 can be used for example in a fluorescent lamp socket and operated in this. Alternative illuminant forms and / or compatibility with other socket types is alternatively or additionally possible.

For operation of the LEDs 3, 9 with mains voltage, the control electronics 4 may be designed to provide a certain current, which is preferably compatible with the specifications of the LEDs 3, 9. Such a current may for example be between 1 mA and 200 mA, in particular between 20 and 120 mA per LED 3, 9 or series connection of these. In particular, the control electronics 4 may be designed to influence a voltage for operation of the light-emitting diodes 3, 9 such that the light-emitting diodes 3, 9 are supplied with an at least substantially constant current. For this purpose, the control electronics 4 may have a control or regulation, in particular a constant current regulator "CCR". Devices, connectors 10 and / or light emitting diodes 3, 9 in SMD form are preferred because of the simpler and less expensive production.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the light-emitting diodes 3, 9 are actuated independently of one another by the control electronics 4 in such a way that the function of further light-emitting diodes 3, 9 or groups of the light-emitting diodes 3, 9 is not impaired if one of the light-emitting diodes 3, 9 fails. For example, light emitting diodes 3, 9 or groups of light emitting diodes 3, 9 can be supplied in parallel to one another by the control electronics 4. In this case, a failure of a light-emitting diode 3, 9 or a group of light-emitting diodes 3, 9 does not block the light-emitting diodes 3, 9 controlled in parallel for this purpose.

The connection means 5, in particular at least one connection pin 6, can be fastened to the first circuit board 2 and / or can be electrically conductive with the circuit board 2 be connected. This allows a stable mounting of the connection means 5 through the first circuit board 2, whereby a fixed mounting of the connection means 5 on the end cap 7 and / or an error-prone cable connection between one of the circuit boards 2, 8 and the connection means 5 can be dispensed with. It is preferred that the light-emitting means 1 is constructed cable-free, since this can improve the durability and reliability of the light-emitting means 1.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can also be implemented independently, the control electronics 4 or the lighting means 1 is transformer-free. Transformers are used to convert line voltage into lower, easier-to-handle voltages. However, the use of transformers has the disadvantage that due to the limited magnetic coupling of the transformer windings and core losses relatively large power losses occur through the transformation, which both reduces the efficiency of the lamp 1 and leads to a relatively high heating of the lamp 1. The additional heating requires effort and facilities such as heat sink to dissipate the heat and also restricts the selection of possible materials. The present invention takes a different approach and preferably dispenses with transformers. Instead, in particular rectified mains voltage is used directly to supply a constant current regulator or DC-DC converter to supply the LEDs 3, 9. As a result, the efficiency of the luminous means 1 can be improved, in particular since by eliminating the transformer losses with the same current consumption, a better luminous efficacy or, with the same luminous efficacy, a lower current consumption can be realized.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the control electronics 4 is constructed at least on the output side exclusively with non-electrolytic capacitors. Electrolytic capacitors offer the advantage of a very high capacity density and lower manufacturing costs in terms of capacity. Therefore, it is customary to use electrolytic capacitors, in particular for stabilizing the supply voltage for the LEDs 3, 9. Non-electrolytic capacitors, in particular ceramic layer capacitors, film layer capacitors or the like, are more expensive in terms of the capacity and were therefore previously avoided, in particular if large capacitance values were to be achieved for stabilizing the supply voltage for light-emitting diodes 3, 9. It has been assumed that only with a cost in terms of capacity condenser and a cost-effective light source 1 can be achieved. This prejudice overcomes the present invention and is preferred at least on the output side in the control electronics 4 exclusively non-electrolytic capacitors.

It has surprisingly been found that non-electrolytic capacitors in addition to better high-frequency characteristics, which are less relevant in the present case, even at lower frequencies are much lower loss than electrolytic capacitors. By using non-electrolytic capacitors, the heat development can be reduced by the control electronics 4, which allows a significantly reduced material and production use for the cooling of the proposed illuminant 1. Furthermore, the reduced heat development in the luminous means 1 makes it possible to use materials which are more sensitive with respect to the ambient temperature, but less expensive, better to process or otherwise contribute to the function or the production costs of the luminous means 1. In addition, non-electrolytic capacitors lead to the advantage that there is no electrolyte that can dry out and thereby lead to a defect in the luminous means 1, which is a frequent source of error. The use of exclusively non-electrolytic capacitors in the luminous means 1, for the light-emitting means 1 and / or in the control electronics 4, in particular on the output side, thus enables improved durability of the light-emitting means 1.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the lamp 1 according to the section line III-III Fig. 2 , An independently realizable aspect of the present invention relates to an at least substantially transparent or translucent cover 13 of the housing 11, which particularly preferably comprises polymethyl methacrylate - PMMA - or consists of PMMA. The housing 11 may therefore comprise PMMA or at least substantially consist of PMMA.

A PMMA cover 13 is excellent in visible light transmission property, has high UV resistance and good impact properties, and does not yellow, unlike conventional polycarbonate covers. So far, polycarbonate is used because of its higher temperature resistance, but has poorer transmission properties and yellows after a short time. Consequently, a PMMA cover can be used to realize a shock-resistant luminous means 1 with improved UV resistance, whose luminosity and efficiency are improved due to improved transmission properties of the cover and whose function is not degraded over time due to yellowing effects. By using the cover made of PMMA, the efficiency of the luminous means 1 can thus be improved, that emitted by the outstanding transmission properties of the cover light output can be increased.

However, one prerequisite is that the temperature of the luminous means 1 can be kept low enough that the use of PMMA is possible. An active cooling and / or an enlarged cooling surface of the housing are possible, but mean a high additional material and labor. The present invention preferably or additionally prefers a transformer-free and / or at least output side constructed exclusively with non-electrolytic capacitors control electronics 4, in particular as described above. As a result, the heat development in the lighting means 1 can be reduced to such an extent that no additional cooling surfaces are required. A combination of the PMMA cover with the control electronics 4, which is transformer-free and / or constructed at least on the output side exclusively with non-electrolytic capacitors, is therefore particularly advantageous, since this allows both a particularly economical and particularly bright light-emitting means 1.

A second cover 14 may be connected to the translucent cover 13, in particular clamping and / or latching or positive and / or non-positive. The second cover 14 is preferably made of a heat-dissipating material, in particular aluminum, steel or the like, but may also comprise or consist of PMMA and / or polycarbonate (PC). The second cover 14 may have a means, in particular a groove 15, for receiving, for insertion and / or for holding the boards 2, 8. Alternatively or additionally, the boards 2, 8 can also be held by or with the translucent cover 13. Furthermore, the second cover 14 may have grooves, beads or cooling ribs, in particular on the outside and / or along the housing 11, in order to promote heat dissipation into the environment for cooling the luminous means 1.

According to a further, independently realizable aspect of the present invention, the housing 11, the transparent or translucent cover 13, the second cover 14 and / or the end caps 7 made of plastic, in particular PMMA and / or polycarbonate or PMMA or polycarbonate , Further, it is possible that the housing 11, the cover 13, the second cover 14 and / or at least one of the end caps 7 are integrally formed. In particular, the cover 13 and the second cover 14 may be formed in one piece and / or of the same material, in particular as a section of a PMMA pipe. The entire housing 19 and / or the end caps 7 may be made of plastic. This allows a particularly robust light source that can emit light in several directions at the same time or be sealed against water or other chemicals.

The use of PMMA for the preferably entire housing 11 is particularly preferred since PMMA allows a luminous means 1 which at least substantially does not yellow and / or is UV-resistant. It can be provided that the housing 11 or the second cover 14 is metal-free and / or free from cooling ribs. In particular, the housing 11 may be at least substantially riefenfrei, furrow-free and / or smooth. In this case, it can be provided that a radius of the housing 11, the transparent or translucent cover 13 and / or the second cover 14 has an outer surface which, with respect to a radius in cross-section, is less than a deviation from a mean radius 10%, preferably less than 2%, in particular less than 1%, and / or less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.7 mm, in particular less than 0.5 mm.

The lighting means 1 or the housing 11 may have the shape of an elongated tube, in particular having a length greater than 25 cm, less than 200 cm, substantially 30 cm, 45 cm, 60 cm, 90 cm, 120 cm, 150 cm or 180 cm and / or with a substantially round cross-section, preferably greater than 7 mm, in particular greater than 15 mm and / or less than 40 mm, preferably less than 30 mm, in particular at least substantially between 16 and 28 mm.

Furthermore, it can be provided that different boards 2, 8 of the luminous means 1 carry the control electronics 4 or essential parts thereof and the connection means 5. Preferably, however, the placement of the control electronics 4 on the first board 2 of the lamp together with the connection means 5. In addition, it is preferred that the first board 2 is arranged in the housing 11 frontally, which simplifies a network connection. But there are also other solutions conceivable, in particular wherein the mains voltage is transmitted by means of the connector 10 or the like to another board 2, 8.

The control electronics 4 is preferably arranged only on one side, in particular on the same side as the connection means 5, the first circuit board 2. As a result, mains voltage areas of consumer areas of the board metallizations can be arranged separately on different sides of the boards 2, 8, which is advantageous for operational safety.

Another, independently realizable aspect of the present invention relates to a kit with the proposed illuminant 1 and with a starter substitute 16, in particular as in Fig. 4 shown. The starter replacement means 16 is preferably designed to supply the lighting means 1 or the control electronics 4 of the lighting means 1 with mains voltage, ie to connect them to the power grid. The luminous means 1 and the starter replacement means 16 are preferably designed for use in a fluorescent lamp holder. The starter replacement means 16 may in particular be a short-circuiting bridge or the like. The starter replacement means 16 may include a terminal 17 compatible with the starter receptacle of a fluorescent lamp socket or other socket for a starter. The starter replacement means 16 is thus preferably used to replace a starter and / or the lighting means 1 in as a substitute for a fluorescent lamp. Accordingly, the types and connections of lamp 1 and starter replacement means 16 are preferably compatible with the interfaces of a fluorescent lamp socket.

Individual aspects of the present invention can also be implemented independently of each other and in any combination, at least partially similar or other properties or advantages as those described can be achieved.

In particular, it is advantageous to form the control electronics 4 arranged on the underside of the first circuit board 2 transformer-free and / or electrolytic capacitor-free. This allows a small design, wherein the reduced power loss can still be adequately dissipated via a correspondingly smaller housing surface. Further, it is advantageous to use the cover 13 with PMMA with preferably exclusively double-sided metallized boards 2, 8, since the thus improved heat dissipation for the durability, in particular of the PMMA, is beneficial. The same applies to a combination of the control electronics 4 with electrolytic capacitors with one or more of the above, preferably to reduce the power loss suitable aspects, in particular with a transformer-free control electronics 4 and double-sided metallization of the boards 2, 8. This can reduce the lamp temperature, the life the electrolytic capacitors and the lighting means 1 are improved. However, these are merely examples of a variety of advantageous combinations of different aspects of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Lamp

2

first board

3

led

4

control electronics

5

connection means

6

pen

7

end cap

8th

second board

9

LEDs

10

connector

11

casing

12

vias

13

translucent cover

14

second cover

15

groove

16

Starter substitutes

17

connection

Claims (15)

Luminous element (1), in particular LED tube,
with at least one first board (2),
with a plurality of light-emitting diodes (3) carried by the first circuit board (2),
with a control electronics (4) for supplying the light-emitting diodes (3), and
with a connection means (5) for connecting the control electronics (4) to mains voltage,
characterized,
that the first board (2) carries the control electronics (4) or at least essential parts of the control electronics (4); and
in that the luminous means (1) has at least one second circuit board (8) with a plurality of light-emitting diodes (9) and that between the circuit boards (2, 8) an electrically conductive plug connection (10) for supplying the light-emitting diodes (9) of the second circuit board (8) is produced by the control electronics (4). Illuminant according to claim 1, characterized in that the first board (2) is arranged on the front side in the luminous means (1). Illuminant according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the luminous means (1) has a tubular housing (11) and the circuit boards (2, 8) are designed for insertion into the housing (11). Illuminant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blanks (2, 8) have a longitudinal extent which exceeds the transverse extent by more than a factor of three. Illuminant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting means (1) comprises the first board (2), the second board (8) and a further board, which have at least substantially uniform dimensions. Illuminant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second board (8) is adapted to be plugged by the first board (2) the control electronics (4) automatically to scale according to the total number of LEDs (3, 9). Illuminant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the boards (2, 8) are elongate and are connected to one another by the plug-in connection (10) on the front side. Illuminant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blanks (2, 8) lie at least substantially in a plane and / or on a straight line. Illuminant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the boards (2, 8) at least substantially the same dimensions and / or each have a main extension which is between 90% and 100% of the result of a division of 180 cm with an integer divisor smaller or equal to 20. Illuminant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control electronics (4) at least substantially on the light emitting diodes (3, 9) facing away from the first board (2) is arranged. Illuminant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of light-emitting diodes (3, 9) can be controlled independently of one another by the control electronics (4) such that if one of the light-emitting diodes (3, 9) fails, the function of further light-emitting diodes (3, 9) or light-emitting diode groups is not impaired. Illuminant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection means (5) on the first circuit board (2) is fixed and / or electrically conductive pins (6) for electrically contacting a fluorescent tube socket. Illuminant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting means (1) is formed cable-free, that the control electronics (4) transformerless and / or at least the output side is constructed exclusively with non-electrolytic capacitors. Illuminant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the luminous means (1) has a preferably tubular housing (11) and / or a cover (13) made of polymethylmethacrylate. Kit with a luminous means (1) according to one of the preceding claims and with a starter replacement means (16) for a fluorescent tube holder, wherein the starter replacement means (16) enables supply of the control electronics (4) of the lighting means (1) with mains voltage.

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