EP2650866A2 - Housing for receiving an operating device for operating one or multiple light sources - Google Patents

Abstract

The housing (10) has a housing portion (20) and a housing cover (30) attached to the housing portion. An operation apparatus for operating LEDs, is accommodated in the housing portion. The fastening metal sheets are provided for fixing the operation apparatus to the housing cover. A battery or accumulator is arranged inside the housing, for supplying power to the operation apparatus. An independent claim is included for lamp.

Description

The present invention relates to a housing which is provided for receiving an operating device, wherein the operating device for operating one or more light sources, in particular for operating LEDs is formed. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a so-called escape sign luminaire, in which a corresponding housing with an operating device therein is used, wherein the housing also serves to hold a device for emitting light with a plate-shaped light guide.

Escape sign luminaires are intended to indicate the direction of escape routes within buildings or larger building complexes. By means of appropriate pictograms, persons who are inside the building are shown in a simple and understandable way, in which way or in which way, in case of an emergency, this is to leave. The representation of the rescue route is carried out here by means of a light source illuminated icon.

So far, it has been customary to backlight the icon of a escape sign luminaire with a flat arrangement of light sources. However, since such a solution takes up relatively much space, solutions are increasingly used in the meantime in which the light is emitted with the aid of a planar light-guiding element. The principle here is based on using one or more light sources to radiate light over a narrow side in the existing of a transparent material planar element. By means of reflections, the light is transmitted within the light guide element and distributed substantially over the entire element, in which case a part of the light is emitted in each case via a substantially perpendicular to the light coupling surface aligned flat side with the aid of special so-called Lichtauskoppelstrukturen. The advantage of using such light-guiding elements is that the light provided by the light sources can be emitted uniformly over a relatively large area, and nevertheless a compact arrangement is achieved. When using this light control technology in escape sign luminaires, it is also possible to apply the pictogram directly to the flat side of the light-guiding element used as the light-emitting surface. Accordingly, such an arrangement consists of relatively few parts or elements, despite everything It is ensured that the pictogram is uniformly backlit over its entire surface and is accordingly clearly visible.

If such light-guiding elements are used in escape-sign luminaires, they are then usually not arranged inside a housing, but are mounted in such a way that they protrude freely into the room. It is possible to attach the light guide either only on one side or to arrange suspended by wire ropes or the like. In both cases, however, an operating device for operating the light source or light sources, which are to be arranged directly on the light-guiding element, must then be accommodated in a separate housing. From the operating device located in the housing then lead power supply lines to the light sources.

The attachment of a control gear, such as a so-called electronic ballast (ECG), within a housing is usually via a screw. The box-shaped, in most cases somewhat elongated operating device has at its two end portions plate-shaped extensions or extensions, each having holes, via which a screwing of the operating device with a holder, such as a wall of the housing or the like is possible. Such a procedure is usually no problem if there is sufficient space within the housing to accommodate the operating device available.

However, there are quite efforts to keep the case as compact as possible to accommodate the operating device. In particular, in the escape sign luminaires described above, in which light-conducting elements which protrude freely into the room are used, usually a very compact or filigree design of the entire luminaire is desired. Too large a housing for receiving the operating device would significantly affect the overall impression of the luminaire, which is why the housing should be made as compact as possible, but at the same time a reliable and secure mounting of the operating device and the other components should be guaranteed. The present invention is based on the object to offer a corresponding solution.

The above object is achieved by a housing for receiving an operating device for operating one or more light sources, in particular for operating LEDs, according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The solution according to the invention is based on the idea to dispense with the usually provided plate-like projections or extensions at the ends of the operating device. For fixing the operating device within the housing special mounting plates are provided instead, which are formed on the one hand for attachment to a housing wall and on the other hand for fixing the operating device. It has been found that by the use of this mounting surface as well as a simple and secure fixation of the operating device is made possible within the housing, at the same time, however, the housing can be made more compact in terms of its dimensions.

Accordingly, the invention proposes a housing for receiving an operating device for operating one or more light sources, in particular for operating LEDs, wherein the housing has means for fixing the operating device in the housing and according to the invention the means for fixing the operating device comprise at least one mounting plate, on the one hand are designed for attachment to a housing wall and on the other hand for fixing the operating device.

Through the use of specially designed mounting plates so an operating device can be used, which is seen in particular in the longitudinal direction is made more compact. This in turn allows a more compact or filigree design of the housing itself. In this case, preferably two mounting plates are provided, which are to be arranged in each case at the two front ends of the operating device.

According to a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that one of the mounting plates is additionally designed to accommodate connection terminals for the power supply of the operating device. Furthermore, it may be provided that a battery or a rechargeable battery for emergency power supply of the operating device or the lamp is disposed within the housing, in turn, then one of the two mounting plates an additional web for holding a the operating state of the battery or the accumulator indicating status LED having. The mounting plates thus fulfill several functions in these variants or preferred embodiments, so that in spite of the newly proposed inventive measures a total of only a few elements are required to arrange all components in a reliable and secure manner within the housing and secure.

The attachment of the mounting plate or the mounting plates on the housing wall is preferably carried out via a screw connection. The sheets may have certain projections or tabs, which cooperate with corresponding openings in the housing wall to ensure a correct position fixation and in particular to prevent twisting. At the same time, the mounting plates for fixing the operating device may have at least one projection or tab, which then cooperates with the operating device housing, for example, this engages over or engages in a recess of the operating device to fix this in the desired position.

As already mentioned, the use of the corresponding housing according to the invention in a escape sign luminaire is a preferred example of application of the present invention. Accordingly, according to a particularly preferred embodiment, the housing may additionally be provided for holding a light-emitting device supplied by the operating device, this arrangement for emitting light a planar Lichtabstrahlelement and at least one arranged on the Lichtabstrahlelement light source, preferably comprises a plurality of LEDs.

In particular, the housing of the invention may consist of a trough-like or pot-like housing part and a lid, wherein on one of the two elements, preferably on the lid, the operating device is arranged and the other element is designed to hold the arrangement for light output. In this case, the housing may in particular have a recess which serves to receive an end region of the light emitting element. Alternatively, however, can also be provided to arrange an adapter element within the recess of the housing, which is provided for holding rope-like suspension elements for the arrangement for light emission. With the help of the adapter element can therefore be chosen freely, whether in the escape sign invention, the Lichtabstrahlelement is directly held by the housing or suspended from the housing is attached. This idea, which allows a great deal of flexibility in the design and arrangement of escape sign luminaires, is also the subject of a further independent claim.

Figur 1

eine erste Variante einer Rettungszeichenleuchte mit einem erfindungsgemäß ausgestalteten Gehäuse zur Aufnahme eines Betriebsgeräts;

Figuren 2 und 3

Ansichten eines trog- oder topfartigen Gehäuseteils zum Bilden des erfindungsgemäßen Gehäuses;

Figur 4

den Deckel des Gehäuses;

Figur 5

das Gehäuse mit dem darin befindlichen Betriebsgerät in Explosionsdarstellung;

Figur 6

eine Schnittdarstellung des Gehäuses mit dem darin befindlichen Betriebsgerät;

Figuren 7 und 8

Ansichten eines ersten Befestigungsblechs;

Figuren 9 und 10

Ansichten eines zweiten Befestigungsblechs;

Figuren 11 und 12

Schnittdarstellungen der Rettungszeichenleuchte gemäß Figur 1,

Figur 13

eine zweite Variante einer Rettungszeichenleuchte mit einem erfindungsgemäß ausgestalteten Gehäuse;

Figur 14

ein Adapterelement zur abgehängten Halterung der Anordnung zur Lichtabgabe bei der Rettungszeichenleuchte gemäß Figur 13;

Figuren 15 und 16

Schnittdarstellungen der Leuchte gemäß Figur 13;

Figuren 17 und 18

Ansichten eines Gehäuseteils bei einer zweiten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Gehäuses zur Aufnahme eines Lampenbetriebsgeräts;

Figur 19

den zu dem Gehäuseteil gemäß Figuren 17 und 18 gehörenden Deckel;

Figur 20

die zweite Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Gehäuses in Explosionsdarstellung;

Figuren 21 und 22

Ansichten eines dritten Befestigungsblechs und

Figur 23

eine Schnittdarstellung der zweiten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Gehäuses mit dem darin angeordneten Lampenbetriebsgerät.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

a first variant of a rescue sign lamp with an inventively designed housing for receiving a control gear;

FIGS. 2 and 3

Views of a trough or pot-like housing part for forming the housing according to the invention;

FIG. 4

the lid of the housing;

FIG. 5

the housing with the operating device therein exploded;

FIG. 6

a sectional view of the housing with the operating device therein;

FIGS. 7 and 8

Views of a first mounting plate;

FIGS. 9 and 10

Views of a second mounting plate;

FIGS. 11 and 12

Sectional views of the escape sign lamp according to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 13

a second variant of a rescue sign lamp with a housing designed according to the invention;

FIG. 14

an adapter element for suspended support of the arrangement for emitting light in the escape sign lamp according to FIG. 13 ;

FIGS. 15 and 16

Sectional views of the luminaire according to FIG. 13 ;

FIGS. 17 and 18

Views of a housing part in a second embodiment of a housing according to the invention for receiving a lamp operating device;

FIG. 19

to the housing part according to FIGS. 17 and 18 belonging lid;

FIG. 20

the second embodiment of the housing according to the invention in an exploded view;

FIGS. 21 and 22

Views of a third mounting plate and

FIG. 23

a sectional view of the second embodiment of the housing according to the invention with the lamp operating device arranged therein.

As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a escape sign is described below. However, the inventive concept is by no means limited to such luminaire types but can in principle be used when a light output with the aid of light-guiding elements is to take place and the operating device for operating the light sources is to be arranged in a separate housing. For example, the present invention can also be used in luminaires in which light sources are arranged on different or several narrow sides of the light-guiding element.

In the FIG. 1 illustrated in perspective view and generally provided with the reference numeral 1 escape sign light is thus designed such that the light guide 100 is attached directly to the housing 10, more precisely on the underside thereof. In this case, the rescue route is represented by the fact that the light of a plurality of light sources, in the present case of a plurality of LEDs, is radiated from the upper side into the light guide element 100 which has a wedge-shaped cross section. An elongate printed circuit board with a plurality of LEDs is mounted on the upper side of the light-guiding element 100 for this purpose. By reflection effects, the light is then forwarded in the downward direction. On both surfaces or the two opposite flat sides 101 and 102, the light guide 100 in a known manner so-called Lichtauskoppelstrukturen on which incident light rays are partially deflected such that they leave the light guide 100 via one of these two sides 101 and 102. On the surface of the light-guiding element 100, this is further printed with a pictogram 103, through which the direction of the escape route is displayed. By means of an appropriate design of the light extraction structures, it is ensured that light is emitted uniformly over the entire surface on both flat sides 101, 102, with the result that the pictogram 103 is illuminated uniformly and is accordingly clearly visible.

To operate the LEDs, a separate operating device is required, which converts the available supply voltage - usually the mains supply voltage of eg 220 V - into a suitable operating current and the LEDs. The operating device itself takes up a certain amount of space and accordingly can not be arranged directly on the light-conducting element 100. Instead, it is provided that this is fastened within the housing 10. In this case, however, the housing 10 should be made as compact as possible, in particular it should extend as little as possible over the light guide 100 at both end faces. According to the present invention, special measures are provided for mounting the operating device within the housing 10, by means of which this desired compact configuration can be achieved. These measures will be explained in more detail below.

The FIGS. 2 to 4 show in this context, first, the basic components of the invention designed according to housing 10. Strictly speaking, this consists of two elements, a trough-like or pot-like first housing part 20, which in a perspective view in FIG. 2 and in section in FIG. 3 is shown, as well as a lid 30, which is separately in FIG. 4 is shown. The attachment of the lid 30 to the housing part 20 takes place by means of screw, for which the cover 30 has at its two end faces downwardly directed tabs 31, each having a bore 32. Via corresponding bores 21 on the end walls of the first housing part 20 then screwing both elements 20, 30 together allows.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the housing 10 is not only intended to receive the operating device for operating the LEDs, but also serves to hold the light guide 100. The measures for holding the light-guiding element 100 will be described later. The measures for fixing the operating device within the housing 10 according to the invention will now be explained first.

In this context shows FIG. 5 an exploded view of the housing 10, wherein the operating device 200 is already attached to the housing cover 30. FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the housing with therein operating device 200. The peculiarity is that the operating device 200 is not - as usual - at its two end faces plate-like projections, via which a screwing with the housing cover 30 is made possible. Instead, the fixing or holding the operating device 200 to the housing cover 30 by means of two mounting plates, which in the FIGS. 7 and 8 or the FIGS. 9 and 10 are shown. These are two differently designed mounting plates, which perform different functions.

So that serves in the FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrated first mounting plate 40 additionally also the holder of connection or supply terminals 210, via which the connection of the power supply to the operating device 200 is made. In order to enable a reliable mounting of these connection terminals 210 in the housing 10, a contact surface which is as flush as possible should be provided and sufficient space is available, which is why this first fastening plate 40 preferably has a bead or opening at its plate-like central part 41 in the region of a bore or opening Groove 42 is provided. With the help of a countersunk screw, the mounting plate 41 can then be attached to the housing cover 30, wherein in spite of everything a flat receiving surface for the terminals 210 is created. Two further openings 43 allow the placement and locking of located on the underside of the terminals 210 pins, so that the terminals 211 can be securely mounted on the mounting plate 41.

At the same time, this first mounting plate 40 has an angled aligned tab 44, which engages in a corresponding recess or recess of the housing cover 30. As a result, on the one hand a correct position arrangement of the mounting plate 40 is ensured, furthermore, a rotation of the mounting plate 40 is excluded in the mounted state. The actual mounting or fixing of the operating device 200 is then carried out with the aid of two tabs 45, which cooperate with the housing of the operating device 200 in a suitable manner, for example, engage in a corresponding recess or recess and / or against abutment surfaces on the outside of the operating device 200 in plant come and thus fix this frontally. Strictly speaking, these tabs 45 center the operating device 200 laterally, press it on the equipment carrier, so the lid 30 and serve in the longitudinal direction as a stop.

At the opposite end portion of the operating device 200, a further mounting plate 50 is provided, as in the FIGS. 9 and 10 is shown. This too is screwed to the housing cover 30 and accordingly has first a first plate part 51 with a bore or opening 52. From this plate member 51 then extends a transverse web, at the top of a horizontally aligned abutment web 53 is arranged and from the underside further extends a tab 54. The function of this tab 54 is as well as that of the tab 44 of the first mounting plate 40 is to ensure a correct arrangement of the second mounting plate 50 on the housing cover 30 by engaging in a corresponding recess or depression and further to prevent later rotation. The plant web 53 in turn acts again in the corresponding Way with the housing of the operating device 200 together such that it is fixed to the front side in the longitudinal direction and further holds on the support surface of the housing cover 30.

The positioning and fixing of the operating device 200 in the housing 10 thus takes place in that first the operating device 200 is placed on the lid 30 and then with the help of the two mounting plates according to the invention 40 and 50, which are each screwed to the lid 30, fixed. Subsequently, the terminals 210 are snapped onto the first mounting plate 40 and the lid 30, which is preferably already mounted on the ceiling of a room, can be screwed to the housing part 20 after the electrical connection has been made.

In this case, the plate-like light guide 100 is still attached to the housing part 20 before, which in turn takes place via a screw connection. Essential here is that - as in particular the sectional view of FIG. 3 shows - the housing part 20 on its underside an elongated recess or recess 22, in which the front-end and upper end portion of the light guide 100 is used. Like the sectional views of the FIGS. 11 and 12 Thus, the housing 10 surrounds the upper end region of the light-conducting element 100 with the light sources arranged therein, with the result that they are particularly well protected against the ingress of moisture and dust. Also on the outside of the housing 10 down flowing water can not reach the area of the light sources, so that a use of the lamp 1 according to the invention in so-called wet rooms would be conceivable. The attachment of the light-guiding element 100 takes place with the aid of two threaded pins 105 arranged on the upper side thereof, which pass through corresponding openings in the bottom surface of the recess 22 of the housing part 20. From the upper side or inner side of the housing part 20, corresponding nuts 106 are then screwed on in order to achieve the final fastening of the light-guiding element 100. Subsequently, as already mentioned, the screwing of the housing part 20 with the housing cover 30 and there is ultimately the arrangement, as in FIG. 1 as well as in sectional representation in the FIGS. 11 and 12 is shown.

In addition, the housing 10 designed according to the invention also makes it possible to fasten the light-guiding element 100 suspended therefrom. A corresponding variant is in FIG. 13 shown, in the escape sign 1 now the light guide 100 is not attached directly to the housing 10 but instead hung by means of two rope-like suspension elements 107 at this is. These suspension elements 107 also serve to supply power to the light sources which are arranged on the light-guiding element 100.

For this type of suspension, in turn, the housing 10 already described in detail can be used, but now in the recess 22 of the housing part 20, a laminating or adapter element is used, as in FIG. 14 is shown. This adapter element 60 is formed by an elongated aluminum part, which completely fills the recess 22 or recess of the housing part 20. According to the sectional view of FIG. 15 the attachment of the adapter part 60 to the housing part 20 by means of two screws 61, which are screwed from the inside of the housing part 20 ago with the adapter part 60. This has for this purpose two middle longitudinal webs, which form a screw. Two openings 62 in this screw channel of the adapter part 60 enable the insertion of cable holders or so-called Reutlinger parts 63. These are elements for holding the cable-like suspension elements 107, via which the length of the respective suspension element 107 can be changed or adapted in a simple manner can. These Reutlinger parts 63 are thus inserted into the openings 62 and mounted in each case with the aid of a hexagon nut secured against rotation, so that in turn a very simple but reliable attachment of the light guide 100 is achieved on the housing part 20. In the inserted state, only a small part or the lower end of the cable holder 63 can be seen from below or outside, but these can still be operated in a known manner to adjust the cable length. The electrical connection is in this case preferably via so-called flying terminals, which are attached by friction to the housing part 20 and reduce the risk of jamming wires or lines when joining the housing part 20 with the lid 30.

Finally, in this variant, the assembly of the lamp 1 in the manner described above. That is, after mounting the operating device 200 to the housing cover 30 by means of the two mounting plates 40 and 50, attaching the terminals 210 and making the electrical connection, and attaching the light guide 100 to the lower housing 20, covers 30 are formed and housing part 20 screwed together, so that in the Figures 13 . 15 and 16 shown arrangement results.

Another variant of a housing 110 according to the invention is in the FIGS. 17 to 19 and in exploded view in FIG. 20 shown. This housing 110 corresponds essentially to the variant of FIGS. 1 to 16 , although now the Housing 120 and the housing cover 130 are sized slightly wider. The reason for this is that - as in particular the exploded view of FIG. 20 can be removed - in addition to the operating device 200 within the housing 110 and an emergency power supply in the form of a battery or a rechargeable battery 220 is to be included. This accumulator 220 is arranged laterally next to the operating device 200 and fixed to the cover 130 by means of corresponding holders 225.

Also in this variant, the fastening or fixing of the operating device 200 to the housing cover 130 by means of two mounting plates, wherein the first mounting plate in turn also serves to hold the terminals 210 and in its embodiment the sheet 40, as shown in the FIGS. 7 and 8 is shown corresponds. The arranged on the opposite side of the operating device 200 second mounting plate 70, however, is designed differently and in the FIGS. 21 and 22 shown. The reason for the other embodiment of this second mounting plate 70 is that this not only serves to hold and fix the operating device 200 but is also intended to hold a status LED 221. With the aid of this status LED 221, the operating state of the accumulator 220 is to be displayed in order to signal, for example, that in the event of a power failure, in fact, sufficient energy is available to be able to display the escape route in a reliable manner.

Accordingly, this second fastening plate 70 has, in turn, first a plate-like element 71 with a bore 72, by means of which screwing onto the housing cover 130 is made possible. Further, in turn, a contact web 73, which cooperates with the housing of the operating device 200, as well as a non-rotating arrangement ensuring strap 74 are provided. From the first plate-like part 71, however, a further web 75 now extends at a right angle thereto, which at its upper end has a lug 76 with an opening 77 aligned perpendicular thereto. In this opening, the status LED 221 is finally inserted (see FIG. 20 ), wherein the shape of the ridge 75 is dimensioned such that the LED 221 is then arranged in an opening of the housing part 120 visible from below, in order to indicate the operating state of the accumulator 220.

With regard to the further embodiment, this embodiment corresponds to that of FIGS. 13 to 16 , That is, also here a suspended arrangement of the light-guiding element 100 is provided, which is why in the recess 122 of the housing part 120 in turn the adapter element 60 is arranged. The assembly of Components and the final assembly of the elements to the housing 110 is analogous to the above-described procedure, which of course would also be possible in this variant, alternatively to fix the light guide 100 directly to the housing part 220.

Ultimately, therefore, a possibility is created to arrange an operating device for one or more light sources in a very compact housing. The housing also provides the ability to easily attach a light guide thereto, which can be attached either directly to the housing or in suspended form.

Claims (11)

Housing (10, 110) for receiving an operating device (200) for operating one or more light sources, in particular for operating LEDs, wherein the housing (10, 110) has means for fixing the operating device in the housing (10, 110),
characterized,
in that the means for fixing the operating device (10, 110) comprise at least one fastening plate (40, 50, 70), which on the one hand is designed for fastening to a housing wall and, on the other hand, for fixing the operating device (200). Housing according to claim 1,
characterized by t,
in that the means for fixing the operating device (200) have two attachment plates (40, 50, 70) provided at the two front ends of the operating device (200). Housing according to claim 2,
characterized,
in that one of the mounting plates (40) is designed to receive or hold connection terminals (210) for the power supply of the operating device (200). Housing according to claim 2 or 3,
characterized by t,
in that a battery or a rechargeable battery (220) for the emergency power supply of the operating device (200) is arranged within the housing (10, 110), wherein one of the fastening plates (70) has a web (75) for holding a state of operation of the battery or of the rechargeable battery (220) indicating status LED (221). Housing according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the attachment of the fastening plate or mounting plates (40, 50, 70) to the housing wall takes place via a screw connection. Housing according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the fastening plate (40, 50, 70) for fixing the operating device (200) has at least one projection or tab (45, 53, 73) which cooperates with the housing of the operating device (200). Housing according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that it is designed to hold a light-emitting arrangement which is supplied by the operating device (200) and which has a planar light-emitting element (100) and at least one light source arranged on the light-emitting element (100). Housing according to claim 7,
characterized,
that this consists of a trough-like or cup-shaped housing part (20, 120) and a cover (30, 130), wherein on one of the two elements, preferably on the cover (30, 130), the operating device (200) is arranged and the another element for holding the arrangement for emitting light is formed. Housing according to claim 7 or 8,
characterized,
in that the housing (10, 110) has a recess or indentation (22, 122) for selectively receiving an end region of the light-emitting element (100) or an adapter element (60) for holding cable-like (107) suspension elements for the light-emitting device is provided. Housing (10, 110) for receiving an operating device (200) for operating one or more light sources, in particular for operating LEDs, and for holding a powered by the operating device (200) arrangement for emitting light, which a flat Lichtabstrahlelement (100) and at least a light source arranged on the light emitting element (100) has
characterized,
in that the housing (10, 110) has a recess or indentation (22, 122) for selectively receiving an end region of the light-emitting element (100) or an adapter element (60) for holding cable-like (107) suspension elements for the light-emitting device is provided. Luminaire, in particular escrow light (1) with a housing (10, 110) according to one of the preceding claims and one in the housing (10, 110) arranged operating device (200) and held by the housing (10, 110) arrangement for emitting light.

Images