EP2650596A2 - Light and plug connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The lamp (1) has a base unit (2) with a base housing (21) and a lamp unit (3) with a lamp unit carrier (31) and an illuminant (32). The base unit carries the lamp unit in a mounting condition of the lamp. A contact unit (23) is fixedly mounted to the base unit. Another contact unit (33) is fixedly mounted to the lamp unit. Both contact units are movable relative to each other around four millimeters in an assembled and contacted condition in direction, in which the contact units are plugged together, and in another direction which runs normal to the former direction. An independent claim is included for a method for mounting a lamp.

Description

The invention relates to the field of electric lighting and in particular to a lamp, a connector and a method for mounting a lamp according to the preamble of the corresponding independent claims.

In DE 201 14 642 U1 a luminaire is described in which an electronic operating device such as a ballast is housed in a separate housing, and a light source is arranged in a separate protective housing. The bulb is mounted with an electrical connector on the housing with the electronic control gear. The plug connection is not described further.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lamp, a connector and a method for mounting a lamp of the type mentioned, which allows improved handling of the lamp during assembly.

This object is achieved by a luminaire, a plug connection and a method for mounting a lamp with the features of the corresponding independent patent claims.

The luminaire thus has a base unit with a base housing, as well as a luminous means unit with a luminous means carrier and a luminous means, wherein the Illuminant unit can be mounted on the base unit and in a mounted state of the luminaire, the base unit carries the illuminant unit. In this case, the base unit has a first contacting unit and the lighting unit has a second contacting unit. In the mounted state, the first contacting unit and the second contacting unit form two or more electrical connections between the base unit and the lighting unit. In this case, the first contacting unit is fixedly mounted on the base unit and the second contacting unit is fixedly mounted on the lighting unit.

It is therefore not necessary to first make the electrical connection, while the lamp unit is not even held by the base unit. This is e.g. laborious when mounting to a ceiling. Instead, the base unit can be mounted on the ceiling, and then readily be mounted without the usual intermediate step for establishing an electrical connection between the base unit and lamp unit, for example by means of luster terminals, cables with plugs, or to terminals of a ballast without the usual intermediate step.

By "base housing" is not necessarily a complete housing with closed walls to understand it may be, for example, after one or more pages open housing part, or even a plate, such as a metal plate, which can be attached to a wall or ceiling , or which forms part of a floor lamp.

The fixed connection of the two contacting units to the base unit or lighting unit is in contrast to known connectors in which plugs or sockets are flexibly mounted on a unit to compensate for inaccuracies, or in which a plug attached to the electrical conductors but otherwise is free to move.

• in einer ersten Richtung, in welcher die Kontaktierungseinheiten zusammensteckbar sind, um eine Toleranz von mindestens zwei Millimetern relativ zueinander verschiebbar, und
• in einer zweiten Richtung, welche normal zu der ersten Richtung verläuft, um eine Toleranz von mindestens vier Millimetern relativ zueinander verschiebbar.

In one embodiment, in a mated and contacted state, the two contacting units

• in a first direction, in which the contacting units are plugged together, by a tolerance of at least two millimeters relative to each other displaceable, and
• in a second direction, which is normal to the first direction, displaceable relative to each other by a tolerance of at least four millimeters.

The electrical connections between the contacting remain. In other words, the two contacting units are displaceable relative to one another by at least two or at least four millimeters in the respective direction, without interrupting the electrical contacts. The tolerances in the relative position of the two contacting units make it possible to compensate for position inaccuracies between the base unit and the lighting unit and / or inaccuracies in the attachment of the two contacting units to the respective unit, while ensuring a secure electrical contact.

From the tolerance with respect to displacements, ie relative translation, in the two directions mentioned, it follows that a tolerance with respect to rotation, ie with respect to rotation of the contacting units relative to one another, is present around an axis of rotation which is normal to the first and normal to the second direction. For example, a rotation of at least +/- 10 degrees or at least +/- 20 degrees or more is allowed without interrupting the electrical contacts.

In one embodiment, the two contacting units are additionally displaceable by at least 0.5 millimeters in a third direction, which is perpendicular to the first and perpendicular to the second direction. This tolerance can be achieved by elasticity of the electrical contacts and by space between interlocking elements of the contacting units.

Furthermore, according to further embodiments, there may also be a tolerance for rotation about the first direction and / or a tolerance for rotation about the second direction. These two tolerances are possible, for example, in that spring contacts and, to a limited extent, also contact lugs of the contacting units are elastic, and secondly because the shape of interlocking elements of the contacting units leaves room for the mutual movement. For example, the tolerance for rotations about an axis parallel to the first direction is at least +/- 5 degrees or at least +/- 8 degrees or at least +/- 10 degrees and the tolerance for rotations about an axis parallel to the second direction is at least + /. - 5 degrees or at least +/- 10 degrees.

In one embodiment, either
the first contacting unit mounted on the base unit has a first guiding element, and the illuminating unit has a second guiding element which is not part of the second contacting unit mounted on the illuminating unit,
or it points
the second contacting unit mounted on the illuminating unit has a second guiding element, and the base unit has a first guiding element, which is not part of the first contacting unit mounted on the base unit.

In both cases, the two guide elements engage each other and thereby define the relative position of the base unit and the lighting unit to each other in at least the second direction. It is thus possible to compensate for inaccuracies in the assembly of the (in the first case) on the lighting unit respectively (in the second case) of the base unit mounted contacting unit, so that the Position (in the first case) of the lighting unit respectively (in the second case) of the base unit with respect to the other contacting unit, which has the first guide element is precisely defined by the interaction of the two guide elements.

In one embodiment, the lamp has fastening elements for fastening the lamp unit to the base unit, wherein the fastening elements in the first direction allow a relative displacement between the base unit and the lamp unit of at least five millimeters. The fasteners are for example brackets, tabs, screws, etc.

• insbesondere wenn die Leuchtmitteleinheit im Wesentlichen waagrecht gegen die Basiseinheit montiert ist, wobei eine Steck-Richtung der Steckverbindung waagrecht verläuft und typischerweise die Basiseinheit an einer Wand montiert ist,
• oder sogar wenn die Leuchtmitteleinheit senkrecht unterhalb der Basiseinheit montiert ist, wobei die Steck-Richtung senkrecht verläuft und typischerweise die Basiseinheit an einer Decke montiert ist.

In one embodiment, a holding force between the first contacting unit and the second contacting unit is greater than a force with which the plug-in connection is pulled apart due to the weight of the lighting unit,

• in particular when the illuminant unit is mounted substantially horizontally against the base unit, wherein a plug-in direction of the connector runs horizontally and typically the base unit is mounted on a wall,
• or even if the lighting unit is mounted vertically below the base unit, the plugging direction being vertical and typically the base unit is mounted on a ceiling.

It can thereby carry the plug connection alone the lamp unit, even if the lamp unit is exclusively connected via the connector to the base unit, and a part of the weight or the entire weight of the lamp unit pulls the connector apart. The holding force refers to the connector as a whole, so it is the force that must be used to pull apart the connector respectively to separate.

• Montage der Basiseinheit an einer Wand oder einer Decke;
• Anschliessen der Basiseinheit an eine elektrische Speisung;
• Verbinden der Leuchtmitteleinheit mit der Basiseinheit durch Zusammenstecken der beiden Kontaktierungseinheiten ;
• Loslassen der Leuchtmitteleinheit, wobei die Leuchtmitteleinheit alleine durch die Steckverbindung zwischen den beiden Kontaktierungseinheiten gehalten wird
• Verbinden der Leuchtmitteleinheit mit der Basiseinheit durch Befestigungselemente.

Thus, method for assembling a luminaire is feasible with the following steps:

• Mounting the base unit to a wall or ceiling;
• Connecting the base unit to an electrical power supply;
• Connecting the lamp unit to the base unit by plugging together the two contacting units;
• Releasing the lamp unit, wherein the lamp unit is held solely by the connector between the two contacting units
• Connecting the lamp unit to the base unit by fasteners.

In one embodiment, in a mated and contacted state, the two contacting units do not engage one another. So they do not form a latching or snapping connection. As a result, the mutual displacement remains within the tolerances - depending on the direction of displacement - even after mating.

An electrical plug connection, preferably for a luminaire, thus has a first contacting unit and a second contacting unit, wherein in a mated and contacted state, the two contacting units in a first direction, in which the contacting units are plugged together, by at least two millimeters, and in one second direction, which is normal to the first direction, are displaceable by at least five millimeters relative to each other, wherein electrical connections between the two contacting units remain.

Further embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims. Characteristics of the method claims are analogously combined with the device claims and vice versa.

Figur 1

Elemente einer Leuchte;

Figur 2

eine Leuchte in einem montierten Zustand;

Figur 3

eine Variante einer Leuchte;

Figur 4

einen Ausschnitt mit Führungselementen;

Figur 5

eine erste Kontaktierungseinheit in Form eines Steckers;

Figur 6

eine zweite Kontaktierungseinheit in Form einer Buchse; und

Figuren 7 - 8

Schnitte durch die Kontaktierungseinheiten;

The subject matter of the invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each show schematically:

FIG. 1

Elements of a lamp;

FIG. 2

a lamp in a mounted state;

FIG. 3

a variant of a lamp;

FIG. 4

a section with guide elements;

FIG. 5

a first contacting unit in the form of a plug;

FIG. 6

a second contacting unit in the form of a socket; and

FIGS. 7 to 8

Cuts through the contacting units;

Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

FIG. 1 1 schematically shows a luminaire 1 in a not completely assembled state, with a base unit 2 and a luminous means unit 3. The luminous means unit 3 has a luminous means carrier 31, which carries a luminous means 32. The illuminant carrier 31 and the luminous means 32 can be designed as an integrated unit, or in such a way that the illuminant 32 can be exchanged while maintaining the illuminant carrier 31. The base unit 2 may have an operating device, such as a ballast 22, which is designed to power the illuminant 32. For electrical connection of the base unit 2 and the lighting unit 3 and for powering the light source 32, a first contacting unit 23 is arranged on the base unit 2 and a second contacting unit 33 is arranged on the lighting unit 3, typically as a plug and socket, or vice versa. The two contacting units 23, 33 are in each case fixedly connected to the base unit 2 or lighting unit 3, for example by means of screws, rivets, clamps, Snap connection, etc. This has the consequence that in the mechanical assembly of the lighting unit 3 to the base unit 2, the electrical contact between these units is readily made.

The connector formed from the two contacting units 23, 33 is provided for low voltages, ie for voltages up to 1000 volts AC, in particular for 230 volts or 400 volts AC. The ballast 22 may also be arranged on the lamp unit 3, in which case the plug connection is arranged in the feed before the ballast 22 and may need to be designed for a different voltage.

FIG. 2 shows the lamp 1 in an assembled state in which the lighting unit 3 is mounted by means of schematically illustrated fastening elements 25 to the base unit 2 and the two contacting units 23, 33 establish the electrical connection. The fastening elements 25 can also be present in places other than drawn in and are typically detachable connections, for example by means of screws, clamps, snap connections, etc. In the embodiment of FIG Figures 1 and 2 For mounting, the illuminating unit 3 is guided with a translatory movement against the base unit 2 and thus also the first contacting unit 23 against the second contacting unit 33.

FIG. 3 shows a variant of a lamp. Here, the illuminating unit 3 is guided for assembly with a rotary movement or rotational movement against the base unit 2 and thus also the first contacting unit 23 against the second contacting unit 33. For this purpose, for example, a hinge 39 between the base unit 2 and the illuminating unit 3 are present.

FIG. 4 shows a section with guide elements 24, 34 for mutual positioning of base unit 2 and lighting unit 3. It is a first Guiding element 24 is arranged on the base housing 21, and a second guide element 34 on the second contacting unit 33 on the illuminant carrier 31. The two guide elements 24, 34 define the mutual position of the base housing 21 and the illuminant carrier 31 at least in one direction. Since the first guide member 24 is disposed on the base housing 21 and not on the first contacting unit 23, inaccuracies in positioning (represented by a double arrow) of the first contacting unit 23 on the base housing 21 can be corrected. Because, as will be explained below, a relative displacement between the two contacting units 23, 33 is also permissible, the contacting is not impaired by this inaccurate positioning of the first contacting unit 23.

In an analogous embodiment, conversely, one guide element is arranged on the illuminant carrier 31 and the other is arranged on the first contacting unit 23. Accordingly, an inaccuracy of the positioning of the second contacting unit 33 on the illuminant carrier 31 is permissible and is absorbed by the tolerance between the two contacting units 23, 33.

FIG. 5 shows in an exploded view a contacting unit 33 in the form of a plug, with spring contacts 37 and a plug housing of a housing lower part 36a and a lid 36b. The spring contacts 37 are exemplified as spring-type terminals respectively spring terminals. As protection against contact, an insulating contact protection 38 is arranged as part of the lower housing part 36a around each contact area of a spring contact 37.

FIG. 6 shows in an exploded view a contacting unit 23 in the form of a socket, with contact lugs 27 for contacting the spring contacts 37 of a plug and a socket housing of a housing lower part 26a and a cover 26b. One of the contact lugs is formed as a ground contact 27 'and has a Connection element for screwing and contacting with a metal housing. Between the contact lugs 27 each partition walls 29 are arranged.

In the mounted state of the lamp 1, so in the assembled state of the two contacting units 23, 33, the spring contacts 37 of the plug, each with lying around contact protection 38, in the recesses 28 between the partitions 29 of the socket. An outer width d _{a of} the contact guard 38 to a spring contact 37 is less than an inner width d _{i of} the recess 28 between two partitions 29. This makes it possible - in the context of the elasticity of the spring contacts 37 and contact lugs 27 - the two contacting units 23, 33 to rotate against each other and so also compensate for inaccuracies in the relative rotational position.

For example, with a length h of the contact protection 38 of approximately six millimeters, the outer width d _{a of} the contact protection 38 is about 3.5 millimeters and the inner width d _{i of} the recess 28 is about 4.5 millimeters.

In the drawn examples there are five connections per connector, but of course it is also possible a different number, for example, two, three, etc. to 8 or more connections. Plugged together, the connector has dimensions of a few centimeters, for example, a width (in the direction along which the contacts are lined up) of two to five centimeters and a height (in the first direction) of one to three or four centimeters.

FIGS. 7 to 8 show sections through the contacting units in the assembled state (corresponding to the mounted state of the lamp 1), with the elements already described. In the FIG. 7 is a relative displaceability between first contacting unit 23 and second contacting unit 33 in a first direction, in which the contacting units 23, 33 are pluggable, shown by a double arrow. This displaceability is, for example, two, three, five, ten millimeters or more, without the electrical contacts between the two contacting units 23, 33 being impaired. In the FIG. 8 is a relative displaceability between the first contacting unit 23 and the second contacting unit 33 in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, shown by a double arrow. This displacement is, for example, four, five, ten millimeters or more, without affecting the electrical contacts. The second direction runs parallel to the surface of the contact lugs 27. In one embodiment of the invention, the displaceability in the first direction is two to three millimeters and in the second direction four to six millimeters.

Claims (10)

Luminaire (1), comprising a base unit (2) with a base housing (21) and a lighting unit (3) with a light source (31) and a light source (32), wherein the light source unit (3) on the base unit (2) can be mounted and in a mounted state of the luminaire (1) the base unit (2) carries the illuminant unit (3),
wherein the base unit (2) has a first contacting unit (23) and the lighting unit (3) has a second contacting unit (33), and in the assembled state the first contacting unit (23) and the second contacting unit (33) have two or more electrical connections between the base unit (2) and illuminant unit (3),
characterized in that the first contacting unit (23) is fixedly mounted on the base unit (2) and the second contacting unit (33) is fixedly mounted on the lighting unit (3). Luminaire (1) according to claim 1, wherein in a mated and contacted state, the two contacting units (23, 33) in a first direction, in which the contacting units (23, 33) are plugged together by at least two millimeters, and in a second direction which is normal to the first direction, displaceable by at least four millimeters relative to each other, wherein the electrical connections remain. Luminaire (1) according to claim 2, wherein the shape of interlocking elements of the contacting units (23, 33) in the assembled and contacted state relative rotation of the contacting units (23, 33) to each other about an axis parallel to the first direction by at least +/- 8 degrees, the electrical connections remain. Luminaire (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the shape of interlocking elements of the contacting units (23, 33) in mated and contacted state relative rotation of the contacting units (23, 33) to each other about an axis parallel to the second direction by at least +/- 15 degrees, the electrical connections remain. Luminaire (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein either
the first contacting unit (23) mounted on the base unit (2) has a first guide element (24) and the illuminating unit (3) has a second guide element (34) which is not part of the second contacting unit (33) mounted on the illuminating unit (3) is
or
the second contacting unit (33) mounted on the illuminant unit (3) has a second guide element (34) and the base unit (2) has a first guide element (24) which is not part of the first contacting unit (23) mounted on the base unit (2) is
and the two guide elements (24, 34) engage with each other and thereby define the relative position of the base unit (2) and the lighting unit (3) to each other in at least the second direction. Luminaire (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, comprising fastening elements (25) for fastening the lamp unit (3) to the base unit (2), wherein the fastening elements (25) in the first direction relative displacement between the base unit (2) and Permit illuminant unit (3) of at least four millimeters. Luminaire (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a holding force between the first contacting unit (23) and the second contacting unit (33) is greater than a force with which, in particular if the lighting unit is mounted substantially horizontally against the base unit and a Plug-in direction of the connector is horizontal, due to the weight of the lamp unit (3) the connector between the first contacting unit (23) and the second contacting unit (33) is pulled apart. Luminaire (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a mated and contacted state, the two contacting units (23, 33) do not engage with each other. Electrical plug connection (23, 33), preferably for a lamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a first contacting unit (23) and a second contacting unit (33), wherein in a mated and contacted state, the two contacting units (23, 33 ) in a first direction, in which the contacting units (23, 33) are mating, at least two millimeters, and in a second direction, which is normal to the first direction, displaceable by at least five millimeters relative to each other, wherein electrical connections between the two contacting units (23, 33) remain. Method for mounting a luminaire (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps: ■ mounting the base unit (2) on a wall or ceiling; ■ Connecting the base unit (2) to an electrical supply; Connecting the illuminant unit (3) to the base unit (2) by plugging together the two contacting units (23, 33); Releasing the illuminant unit (3), the illuminant unit (3) being held solely by the plug connection between the two contacting units (23, 33) (see above); ■ Connecting the lamp unit (3) to the base unit (2) by fastening elements (25).

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