EP2815170B1 - Lighting element with keying element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a luminous element with at least one coding element.

As luminous bodies, so-called LED modules (LED: light-emitting diode, an LED module comprises, for example, at least one semiconductor light-emitting element and, for example, at least one further functional element, for example an electronic, optical or mechanical component) are known. In such LED modules with matching socket (e.g., for mounting in a luminaire), there may be several variations. In particular, variants for different mains voltages are possible. Since the electronics used on the lamp or module must be designed for a specific input voltage, the modules and sockets are protected by coding elements against accidental exchange. A module of a variant fits so only in a corresponding associated version and not in a version of another variant.

For different input voltages as mutually different operating modes different LED modules are used, each with adapted electronics. Each LED module may contain a specific, fixed coding element, which allows insertion of the module only in that socket, which also ensures a suitable power supply. Thus, the LED module can only be operated with the appropriate voltage.

It is known to provide an LED module with electronics that is suitable for a variety of different input voltages. This LED module can be used without a coding element in sockets with different voltage supply.

It is disadvantageous that the LED module has a complex and expensive electronics in order to implement different mains voltages suitable. For example, different converters (boosters, buck converters, etc.) are required to supply the LED module appropriately, depending on an unknown mains voltage. Such electronics are relatively expensive and often require space that is often not present in LED modules or for other purposes, e.g. for cooling, is needed.

D1 ( DE 202008015948 U1 ) discloses an LED lamp with a screw base, which can be screwed in place of a conventional light bulb in a screw socket. By a switch, which is actuated by the central contact of the base, the lamp is operable either via a mains voltage or an internal battery.

The object of the invention is to avoid the abovementioned disadvantages and, in particular, to provide a luminous element with at least one coding element which, with a still simple structure, nevertheless allows use in different operating modes, in particular at different input voltages.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claim. Further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

To achieve the object, a luminous element is provided with at least one coding element, wherein the coding element can have at least two switching states and an operating mode of the luminous element is adjustable depending on a switching state of the coding and wherein the at least two switching states of the coding element are designed for voltage adjustment and at least two different Input voltages to operate the light emitting element correspond. For this purpose, the coding element is designed to be adjustable, so that several, in particular two switching states of the coding element are adjustable by this adjustment. The setting of the switching states is preferably carried out by insertion into a socket having corresponding recesses or projections for this, in order to adjust the coding element, the coding element having corresponding projections or recesses.

Thus, a voltage adjustment is made possible by one or more switchable coding elements. By means of the coding element, a switching function can take place in the luminous element, so that, depending on the setting of the coding element, a circuit for operation of the luminous element with 220V or a circuit for operation of the luminous element with 110V is active. For example, by means of the coding element in this way efficiently a voltage divider can be switched differently, so that the light-emitting element can be operated with half or twice the mains voltage. This considerably simplifies the circuit complexity in the luminous element and at the same time increases its flexibility. Thus, no elaborate and space-consuming boosters and / or buck converters are required, based on which different network voltages are transformed to the voltage level of the luminous element.

One or optionally also two or more alternating movable coding elements, which are designed as switches or are connected to a switch, give the luminous element or its module already on insertion into the socket information about the variant of the socket. In particular, this makes it possible to automatically switch the appropriate input voltage in the electronics, in particular mechanically.

A further development is that the luminous element is designed with a base, on and / or in which the coding element is arranged. To arrange the coding element on the base allows structurally known sockets to be modified and used for inserting the luminous element with a coding element and to switch on the operating modes depending on the socket.

Another development is that the coding element for adjusting the switching state in the socket pressed, in particular hineindrückbar is formed. As a result, two different switching states can be defined in a simple manner. In one of the switching states, the coding element engages, for example, in a corresponding recess of the socket. In a second switching state, the coding element is pressed in by the opposite socket wall and switches the second switching state. Other switch configurations may be, for example, a switching element in the sense of a changeover switch, rocker switch or a rotary switch.

In particular, it is a development that the coding element in the luminous element switches a first operating mode in the non-depressed switching state and a second operating mode in the at least partially depressed switching state. The coding thus acts as a switch which switches between two different switching states. However, other switching states can also be provided, which are switched, for example, by different indentation depths of the coding element.

It is also a development that the coding is designed as a mechanical switching or probe element. This allows a technically simple design and switching between electronic components, which implement a circuit adaptation to different mains voltages. Furthermore, other types of switches can be used. A simple mechanical mechanism, in particular switch, can make the necessary voltage change in the module. A detection electronics for detecting the mains voltage (or any other voltage) can be saved.

In the context of an additional development of the operating mode or electronics of the light-emitting element is designed to take defined, in particular discretely defined operating states depending on the current switching state of the light emitting element. A discretely defined switching state means that the respective switching state corresponds to a specific input voltage applied to the lighting element. This makes it possible to use particularly simple and thus cost-effective electronic components. It can e.g. a serial / parallel circuit of two electronic blocks are provided, e.g. for the voltage of 110V, connect the two blocks in parallel and for the voltage of 220V to serially couple the two blocks.

A next development is that the operating mode of the light-emitting element is based on an output or mains voltage of a socket in which the light-emitting element can be inserted. Accordingly, then as the operating mode, a voltage selection of the input voltage depends on the socket type and their output or mains voltage adjustable. Thus, a single module type can be provided for both or possibly also several voltage ranges.

One embodiment is that the coding element is designed to accept the various switching states depending on a socket in which the lighting element can be inserted. This makes it possible to use the light-emitting element in versions of existing light-element socket systems.

Another embodiment is that the coding element is arranged such that a switching state is set before a voltage is applied. For example, when inserting the module or the base of the luminous element, the coding element projects so far into a socket that only a setting of the Coding must be done before an electrical contact takes place. Such movable coding elements, which are designed as switches or are connected to a switch, give the luminous element or its module already at the onset, that is to say before the voltage is applied, information about the version of the socket. As a result, the appropriate input voltage can be switched even before the actual application of the voltage in the electronics. The voltage information is available by inserting the coding element before applying the voltage. Protective circuits against overvoltage can thus be omitted preferably.

Such a light-emitting element is designed in particular as a lamp or semiconductor light-emitting element, in particular light-emitting diode or retrofit light-emitting element. Thus, in particular, an LED module is provided with an electronic system which is suitable for certain predefined input voltages.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated and explained below with reference to the drawings.

Fig.1

schematisch einzelne Komponenten eines Leuchtelements, bei dem ein Betriebsmodus des Leuchtelements abhängig vom Schaltzustand eines verstellbar ausgebildeten Kodierelements einstellbar ist, wobei das Leuchtelement zusätzlich in zwei verschiedenen Betriebszuständen dargestellt ist, und

Fig.2

ein demgegenüber modifiziertes Leuchtelement.

Show it:

Fig.1

schematically individual components of a luminous element, in which an operating mode of the luminous element is adjustable depending on the switching state of an adjustable coding element, wherein the luminous element is additionally shown in two different operating states, and

Fig.2

a contrast modified light element.

Fig.1 shows in the top center a luminous element 101 in an exemplary underside view of a base 102 of the luminous element. In addition to the sketched components, the Luminous element 101 further components, for example, at least one lamp, in particular a semiconductor light-emitting element, a light-emitting diode (LED) and to the base 102 contact elements for applying a current or a voltage.

The light-emitting element 101 can be used with its base 102 in differently configured sockets 103, 104, as shown in FIG Fig. 1 sketched below left or right. The sockets 103, 104 differ, for example, in that they provide different voltages and apply them to the contact elements of an inserted lighting element 101. For example, the first version 103 provides a voltage of 220V and the second version 104 provides a voltage of 110V.

In order to prevent inadvertent insertion of a false light element, these sockets 103, 104 are coded differently. The coding consists of recesses as coding counter-elements 107, 108 and 109, which are formed in the inside circumference of the receiving area of the sockets 103, 104. In the coding counter-elements 107, 108 engage in particular when inserting such a light-emitting element 101 accurately fitting coding elements 105, 106 a. The coding elements 105, 106 stand, for example, as pin-shaped projections away from the outer circumference of the base 102.

In this case, a first pair of such a coding element 105 and such a coding counter element 107 serves to adjust the light element 101 to be used in a defined position of the luminous element 101 to the version 103 or 104. At least one further pair of such a coding element 106 and such Coding counter-element 108 is on the circumference of the base 102 and the inner periphery of the socket 103, however, arranged offset at another defined circumferential position, as in Fig.1 sketched below left. This can actually only one regular such luminous element 101 are used with its base 102 in the socket 103, which fits in terms of its functionality, in particular voltage, to the functionality of the socket 103. The position of the second pair of the encoder member 106 and the code counter element 108 is opposite to a first alignment line 110, which leads through the first pair of the coding element 105 and the coding counter element 107 and the center of the socket, along a second alignment line 111 offset a first angle.

In the version 104 in Fig.1 bottom right is also a second pair of a Kodierelement and a Kodier-Gegenelement 109 provided on the circumference of the socket and the inner periphery of the socket 104, but this at a different position, so that thereby a different functionality, in particular voltage, of the light element can be coded , The position of the further provided second pair of the coding element and the coding counter element 109 lies opposite to the first alignment line 110 along a third alignment line 112 and unlike the second alignment line 111.

In order to enable insertion of the same light-emitting element 101 in this second version 104, the coding element 106 is adjustably arranged on the base 102. In particular, the coding element 106 can be pushed in and thus also inserted into the socket 104, as shown at the bottom right in FIG Fig.1 outlined. In order to bring the pushed-in or pushed-in coding element 106 back into the original position after removal of the luminous element 101 from the socket 104, this can be carried out elastically (for example with a spring).

Thus, the light-emitting element 101 takes no damage when inserted into the socket 104 or the functionality of the light-emitting element 101 is ensured, the voltage to Operation of the light emitting element 101 is adjusted depending on the state of the coding element 106. When the coding element 106 is pressed in, it is possible to switch over to a different supply voltage for the lighting element 101.

For switching, the coding element 106 is e.g. designed as a switch, which affects depending on the switching state, an electronics 114 or circuit of the light-emitting element 101. For example, in the circuit depending on the switching state of the switch 106, voltage dividers or circuit blocks can be connected differently. The electronics 114 effect various modes for operating the light emitting element 101 at various voltages.

Fig.2 shows a modified luminous element 201. This has in addition to the adjustable coding element 106, a further adjustable coding element 202. Both coding elements 106, 202 are connected to the circuit 114.

The use of the luminous element 201 results in different evaluable operating modes based on the positions of the coding elements 106 and 202. If two states (on / off) are possible per coding element 106, 202, a total of four distinguishable operating modes result from two coding elements. For example, 2 ⁿ states can be coded by means of n coding elements.

Alternatively, it is possible that coding elements are designed as switches, i. a mechanical coupling between coding elements takes place so that the state of the one coding element influences the state of the other coding element.

Other advantages:

For example, alternating coding elements can also be used. Upon insertion of the adjustable coding element of a first variant, the adjustable further coding element is automatically and in particular mechanically pushed out according to an adjustable variant for a socket with a differently positioned counter-coding recess.

The coding element can not be inserted according to a further embodiment, but works on an axis, e.g. parallel to the drawing plane away.

The coding element can also be displaceably mounted and is pushed, for example, during or before insertion into the socket 103, from the counter-element coding position of the coding counter-element 109 of the socket 104 to the counter-element coding position of the coding counter-element 108 of the first socket 103.

reference numeral

101

light element

102

base

103

Socket for a working condition

104

additional version for a different operating condition

105

fixed coding element

106

adjustable coding element

107

Coding counter element

108

Coding counter element

109

Coding counter element

110

snapline

111

second alignment line

112

third alignment line

114

electronics

201

light element

202

another adjustable coding element

Claims (10)

1. Light-emitting element (101; 201)

   - having at least one coding element (105, 106; 202),

   - wherein the coding element (105, 106; 202) can have at least two switching states and an operating mode of the light-emitting element (101; 201) can be set on the basis of a switching state of the coding element (106),
   characterized in that
   the at least two switching states of the coding element are designed for voltage adaptation and correspond to at least two different input voltages for operating the light-emitting element (101; 201).
2. Light-emitting element according to Claim 1, having a base (102) on and/or in which the coding element (106; 202) is arranged.
3. Light-emitting element according to Claim 2, in which the coding element (106; 202) is designed to be able to be pressed into the base (102) to adjust the switching state.
4. Light-emitting element according to any of the preceding claims, in which the coding element (106; 202) switches a first operating mode in the not-pressed in switching state and a second operating mode in the at least partially pressed in switching state.
5. Light-emitting element according to any of the preceding claims, in which the coding element (106; 202) is designed as a mechanical switch element or key element.
6. Light-emitting element according to any of the preceding claims, in which the operating mode or an electronics system (114) of the light-emitting element (101; 201) is configured to take on defined, in particular discretely defined, operating states on the basis of the present switching state of the light-emitting element (101; 201).
7. Light-emitting element according to any of the preceding claims, in which the operating mode of the light-emitting element (101; 201) is based on an output or grid voltage of a socket (103; 104), into which the light-emitting element (101; 201) can be inserted.
8. Light-emitting element according to any of the preceding claims, in which the coding element (106, 202) is designed to assume the different switching states on the basis of a socket (103; 104), into which the light-emitting element (101; 201) can be inserted.
9. Light-emitting element according to any of the preceding claims, in which the coding element (106; 202) is arranged such that a switching state is set before a voltage is applied.
10. Light-emitting element according to any of the preceding claims, which is designed as a lamp or semiconductor light-emitting element, in particular LED module or retrofit light-emitting element.

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