EP2850360A1

EP2850360A1 - Connecting module, power supply module and connecting set for light strips

Info

Publication number: EP2850360A1
Application number: EP13725592.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tobias Staeber; Steffen Strauss
Original assignee: Osram GmbH
Current assignee: Osram GmbH
Priority date: 2012-05-16
Filing date: 2013-05-16
Publication date: 2015-03-25
Also published as: CN104379989B; US9525233B2; DE102012208249A1; US20150104971A1; CN104379989A; WO2013171305A1

Abstract

The invention discloses, in particular, a connecting set for mechanically and electrically connecting light strips (6, 8) and for supplying power to the light strips (6, 8). The connecting set has a connecting module (2) which has contact sections (30, 32) for connection to a power source and can mechanically connect at least two light strips (6, 8). A power supply module (4) can be connected to the contact sections (30, 32) by contacts.

Description

description

Connection module, power supply module and connection set for light strips

Technical area

The invention relates to a connection module according to the

The preamble of claim 1, a power supply module for powering at least one light strip and a connection set for the mechanical connection and the power supply of light strips.

State of the art

From the LINEARLight Flex series from the company Osram GmbH an LED strip is known, which consists of one or more flexible LED modules. Each LED module has a ribbon-shaped flexible printed circuit board ("Flexband" or "Flexboard"), which is equipped with light-emitting diodes ("LEDs") on the front side.The LED module can be made up of uniform basic elements, between which the LED module The LED modules can be mechanically and electrically connected to each other via a proprietary connector, eg from the CONNECTSystem series from Osram GmbH, as well as to a power supply is designed as a separate, packaged power supply unit, for example from the OPTOTORONIC series from Osram GmbH A length of a single, contiguous LED band is limited due to a drop in a supply voltage with increasing distance from an infeed point. In DE 10 2009 021 846 AI a light strip is disclosed, which at one end with a

Power supply module is powered. Alternatively, the power supply module between two

Luminous bands are arranged as intermediate feeders. To avoid irregularities in a light pattern of the light band, in particular in a light source distance ("pitch"), the power supply module has a plurality of LEDs.

A disadvantage of this solution is that the power supply module is designed device-consuming.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a connection module for light strips, which is simple in terms of device technology and is flexible and versatile. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a device-technically simple and flexibly usable power supply module. In addition, the object of the invention is to provide a connection set with a connection module and a power supply module of the device technology is simple and flexible.

The object is achieved with regard to the connection module according to the features of patent claim 1, with regard to the power supply module according to the features of patent claim 5 and with regard to the connection set according to the features of patent claim 13. Particularly advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a connection module for the mechanical and electrical connection of two respective at least one semiconductor light source, in particular one

LED, having light strips provided. The light bands are in particular ribbon-shaped flexible printed circuit boards. The connection module preferably has at least two electrical contacts arranged in a housing, which each have two contact sections for electrical contacting, in particular of end regions, of the light bands. In addition, a respective contact has a contact portion which penetrates the housing to the outside to connect to a power supply thereto.

This solution has the advantage that the connection module can be used on the one hand for the electrical and mechanical connection of light bands and in addition to the power connection of the light bands is used. A current can thus be fed in a simple manner between two light bands by the device technology very simple configured connection module. Such a center feed has the advantage that a possible length of the light bands is increased since a voltage drop occurs in two directions. By the device extremely simple embodiment of the connection module, it is also possible to design this space-saving and compact with little effort, whereby a pitch of the light-emitting diodes between two connected to the connection module light bands is not increased advantageously. Preferably, the contact portions of the contacts provided for the power supply pass through the housing from a common connection side, which points approximately in an emission direction of an adjacent semiconductor light source. The connection side is thus an easily accessible top.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the housing has two mutually repellent, in particular approximately parallel to each other extending, connecting sides. A respective connection side is used for mechanically connecting a respective light band. The

Connection side is then advantageously formed between the connection sides and extends in particular perpendicular to these. It is conceivable to provide additional connection sides in addition to the two connection sides in order, for example, to mechanically and electrically connect further light bands via the connection module.

Aesthetically, the housing may be configured, for example, cuboid, in order to adapt it to the outer shape of the light strips.

In a preferred manner, a respective contact section of the contacts used for the power supply opens in the longitudinal direction of the connecting element, ie approximately in the direction of the luminous bands, approximately in the center of the connection side. In the transverse direction, the contact portions can then be easily spaced from each other. This has the advantage that the connecting module can be designed symmetrically by the central arrangement of the contact portions and thus in one Any orientation between two light bands can be used.

The contacts of the connection module are in particular arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction at a parallel distance from each other.

According to the invention, a power supply module for supplying power to at least one light strip is provided. This is advantageously designed such that it is electrically and in particular mechanically connected to a connection module according to the invention. In contrast to the prior art explained at the outset, the power supply module merely serves to supply power to the light bands and not to mechanically connect them. The power supply module can thus be configured independently of the connection module, except for the interface to the connection module. Furthermore, if a plurality of light bands having a plurality of connection modules are used, it is advantageous that the power supply module can be flexibly set to any connection module. The attachment of the power supply module does not interfere with the length extension of the connection module and lightbands. It is conceivable that the power supply module can thus be offset in a simple manner even after installation of one or more connection modules with a plurality or plurality of light bands or is offset with additional mounting of further connection modules and light bands. The power supply module may have a connection side in which contacts open for contacting contacts of the connection module. Preferably, a number of the contacts of the power supply module corresponds to the number of contacts of the connection module. The contacting of the contacts between the connection module and the

Power supply module can be force, material and / or positive. It is conceivable, for example, a plug connection or a frictional connection with abutting contact surfaces of the contacts.

The power supply module is preferably designed such that it is flush with the connection module aesthetically seemingly mechanically connected. The connection module can in this case be configured, for example, parallelepipedic. The connection of the

Power supply module with the connection module can also force, material and / or form-fitting. Advantageously, the connection is designed as a detachable connection, in particular as a snap connection or as a magnetic connection.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the power supply module has an outer side facing away from the connection side, which may extend approximately parallel to this, and formed between the connection side and the outer side edge sides. At least one supply line for connecting the contacts of the power supply module to a power source opens in this case advantageously in one of the edge sides. Due to the lateral design of the supply line or a cable version, these lead essentially away from a radiation direction of the light emitting diodes of the light bands. Furthermore, the

Power supply module thereby a comparatively small amount. If the power supply module, for example, arranged together with the connection module and the light bands on a common surface, so is a lateral lead-out of

Supply lines comparatively space-saving.

For easy contact of the contacts of the power module with the contacts of the

Connection module can be the contacts of the

Power supply module each having a contact surface with at least two surface sections. Through the plurality of surface portions of a respective contact surface, the power supply module may be contacted with the connection module in a plurality of orientations. Preferably, the

Surface portions arranged such that the power supply module in at least four different orientations with the connection module is electrically connectable.

Surface portions of a respective contact can be easily arranged on a pitch circle, wherein a surface portion of a respective contact in the connected state of the power supply module with the

Connecting module is arranged approximately on a transversely to the longitudinal direction extending transverse axis and a further surface portion on an approximately longitudinally extending longitudinal axis. It would also be conceivable to make the contact surfaces sickle-shaped or annular. Preferably, two contacts of the

Power supply module provided, whose

Surface sections are each arranged on a common or on different pitch circles. If three contacts are provided, then the surface sections of two contacts can be arranged, for example, on a common pitch circle. With four contacts, it is conceivable to arrange the surface sections of two contacts on a common pitch circle. According to the invention, a connection set is provided for the mechanical connection and for the power supply of light bands. This has at least one inventive power supply module and an inventive connection module. Such a connection set is extremely easy to use for mechanical connection and electrical contacting of light bands. If several connection modules are provided, a power supply module can be connected flexibly and, depending on the application, to a respective connection module. For example, it is conceivable that a plurality of light bands are subsequently extended in a simple manner. If, for example, two light bands are laid with a connection set according to the invention, and two further light bands with at least one connection module according to the invention are connected to the existing light bands, for example, the power supply module can be converted to the new connection module.

The contacts in the connection side de

Power supply module d / or the contacts de connection side of the connection module de Connection set are preferably designed such that the power supply module is electrically connectable in a plurality of orientations with the connection module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be explained in greater detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment. The figures show:

Fig. 1 in a perspective schematic

Depicts a connection set with a power supply module and a connection module;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connection module with two light strips;

Fig. 3 In a plan view of the connection module with two

Luminous bands; Fig. 4 In a bottom view, the power supply module.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

FIG. 1 shows a connection set 1 which has a connection module 2 and a power supply module 4. The connection module 2 is used for connecting two light strips 6 and 8. The substantially cuboid configured connection module 2 has a formed on a housing 9 first connection side 10 and a repellent thereof extending approximately parallel to this second connection side 12. A respective connection side 10 and 12 has a receiving opening 14 for receiving a respective luminous band 6 or 8. A respective light strip 6 and 8 is designed as an LED module and has a band-shaped flexible carrier, on the upper side 16 light emitting diodes, not shown, are arranged. A rear side of the light bands 6 and 8 can have an adhesive tape in order to fix them flat, for example, on a heat sink, not shown.

With power the light bands 6 and 8 are supplied via the power supply module 4, which is also configured substantially cuboid and is connected flush with the connection module 2. The power supply module 4 has an outer side 18 facing away from the connection module 2 or upper side, which is encompassed by four edge sides 20. A supply line 22 or a power supply cable extends from a longitudinally extending edge side 20. The supply line 22 opens approximately centrally in this edge side 20. Due to the lateral arrangement of the supply line 22 of the connection set 1 is designed to be relatively flat and space-saving.

According to Figure 2, the connection module 2 is shown in a longitudinal sectional view together with the light bands 6 and 8. The left-hand light band 6 in FIG. 2 is inserted into the left-hand receiving opening 14 of the left-hand connection side 10 with an end portion 24 and the right-hand light band 8 into the receiving opening 14 of the right-hand connection side 12 with an end portion 26. The end portions 24 and 26 are arranged in the connecting module 2 approximately in a same plane and spaced from each other. The light bands 6 and 8 are on held in the conventional manner in the receiving openings 14 of the connection module 2. The holder can be force, shape and / or cohesive. The light bands 6 and 8 are thus mechanically connected to one another via the connection module 2. For electrical connection of the light bands 6 and 8, a plurality of contacts 28 are arranged in the connection module 2, one of which can be seen in FIG. One or more further contacts are arranged in the direction of a drawing plane of FIG. 2 in series with the contact 28. Thus, at least a plurality of contacts are arranged one behind the other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the connection module 2. A respective contact 28 is configured arcuate and has a first and second contact portion 30 and 32. A respective contact portion 30 and 32 is in this case on the upper side 16 of the light bands 6 and 8 for electrical contacting, according to Figure 2, the contact portions 30 and 32 are slightly spaced from the light bands 6 and 8 for better illustration. The contact 28 is inserted and retained in the connection module 2 in such a way that, when the light bands 6 and 8 are inserted into the connection module 2, it is tensioned and the contact sections 30 and 32 are pressed onto the light bands 6 and 8 with a tension force, whereby they are pressed into the connection Connection module 2 can be supported and a secure electrical contact is created. The same applies, of course, for the one or more further contacts, not shown. The arcuate contact 28 thus substantially spans the end portions 24 and 26 of the light bands 6 and 8, respectively. The contact 28, as well as all further contacts, not shown, has a further contact portion 34 which passes through an upper terminal side 36 of the housing 9. The connection side 36 extends from the light bands 6 and 8 away in the direction of the power supply module 4 of Figure 1. The contact portion 34 passes through the connection side 36 seen in the longitudinal direction approximately centrally and also extends approximately centrally from the arcuate contact 28 projecting away. According to FIG. 3, four contact sections 34, 38, 40 and 42 opening into the connection side 36 are shown in plan view of the housing 9 of the connection module 2. The contact portions 34, 38 to 42 each have an approximately rectangular contact surface 44. The number of contacts 28 depends on the light emitting diodes to be energized. For example, if one or more white LEDs or white LEDs of the light bands 6, 8 are energized, it would be sufficient to use only two contacts. For the electrical supply of the contacts 28 of Figure 2, the power supply module 4, see Figure 4, is provided. This likewise has a connection side 46 which, in the connected state of the connection module 2 and the power supply module 4 according to FIG. 1, faces the connection module 2 and is arranged opposite the connection side 36 of the connection module 2 from FIG. The power supply module 4 has a corresponding number of contacts 48, 50 52 and 54 as the connection module 2 in order to contact this electrically. A respective contact 48 to 54 each has a contact surface with two surface portions 56 and 58, the sake of better representability, only at contact 48 are provided with a reference numeral. The surface portions 56 and 58 respectively open in the connection side 46. The remaining contact 48 may in this case be arranged in the housing 60 of the connection module 2. The surface portions 58 of the contacts 48 to 54 are arranged one behind the other as seen in the longitudinal direction and the surface portions 56 seen in a transverse direction one behind the other. Thus, the surface portions 58 approximately along a first line and the surface portions 56 extend approximately perpendicular thereto along a second line, wherein the lines intersect symmetrically. A distance of the surface portions 58 and the surface portions 56 within a line is selected so that it corresponds to the distance between the contact portions 34, 38 to 42 of the connection module 2 of Figure 3, so that in the connected state of the power supply module 4 with the connection module 2 of Figure 1 the contacts 48 to 54 of the power supply module 4 can rest against the contacts 28 of the connection module 2. The surface portions 56 and 58 of the contacts 50 and 52 lie on a first common small pitch circle and the surface portions 56 and 58 of the contacts 48 and 54 on a second large common pitch circle. By this arrangement, the surface portions 56 and 58 of the contacts 48 to 54, these can in four different orientations with the

Contact portions 34, 38 to 42 are connected from Figure 3. The contacts 48 and 54 with their surface portions 56 and 58 are thus connected flexibly to the connection module 2 by their symmetrical arrangement. This is advantageous if the Pad 46 of the power module 4 is formed substantially square. In contrast to the illustration according to FIG. 3, it is advantageous if the connection side 36 of the connection module 2 is designed to be square, as a result of which the connection side 36 and the connection side 46 can lie flush in the connected state.

A mechanical connection of the connection module 2 to the power supply module 4 takes place, for example, via a conventional snap connection, which can be formed laterally of the connection module 2 and of the power supply module 4.

According to the invention, in particular, a connection set for the mechanical and electrical connection of light bands and for the power supply of the light bands is disclosed. The connection set has a connection module which has contact sections for connection to a power source and can mechanically connect at least two light strips. A power supply module with contacts can be connected to the contact sections.

Reference sign list

1 connection set

2 connection module 4 power supply module

6 light band

8 light band

9 housing

10 connection side 12 connection side

14 receiving opening

16 top

18 outside

20 edge side

22 supply line

24 end section

26 end section

28 contact

30 contact portion 32 contact portion

34 contact section

36 connection side

38 contact section

40 contact portion 42 contact portion

44 contact area

46 connection side

48 contact

50 contact

52 contact

54 contact

56 area section Surface section housing

Claims

claims

1. Connection module for the mechanical connection of two each having at least one semiconductor light source having light bands (6, 8) with at least two in a housing (9) arranged electrical contacts (28), each having two contact portions

(30, 32) for electrical contacting of the light bands (6, 8), characterized in that the electrical contacts (28) for connection to a power supply respectively through the housing (9) with a further contact portion (34).

2. Connection module according to claim 1, wherein the power supply provided for the contact portions (34) of the contacts (28) pass through the housing (9) from a common connection side (36) ago, which has approximately in the emission direction of the semiconductor light source.

3. Connection module according to claim 2, wherein two mutually repellent connecting sides (10, 12) on the housing (9) for connecting the housing (9) each having a light strip (6, 8) are provided and the connection side (36) between the

Connecting sides (10, 12) is formed.

4. A connection module according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a respective provided for connection to the power supply contact portion (34, 38, 40 and 42) of the contacts (28) in the longitudinal direction of the connection module seen approximately centrally in the connection side (36) opens.

Power supply module for powering at least one light strip (6, 8), wherein the power supply module (4) is configured such that it is electrically connectable to a connection module (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

Power supply module according to claim 5, wherein it has a connection side (46) with at least two contacts (48, 50, 52, 54) for contacting contacts (28) of the connection module (2).

Power supply module according to claim 5 or 6, wherein it is designed such that it is substantially flush with the connection module (2) connectable.

Power supply module according to Claim 6 or 7, having an outer side (18) facing away from the connection side (46) and edge sides (20) formed between the connection side (46) and the outer side (18), the supply line (22) for connecting the contacts (48 to 54) of the power supply module (4) opens into one of the edge sides (20).

9. Power supply module according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a respective contact (48 to 54) of the power supply module (4) has a contact surface for electrically contacting a contact (28) of the connection module (2), wherein a respective contact surface has at least two surface portions (56, 58) around the power supply module (4) in a plurality of orientations with the connection module

(2) to connect electrically.

Power module according to claim 9, wherein the surface portions (58) of a respective contact (48 to 54) are arranged on a pitch circle, wherein a surface portion (58) of a respective contact

(48 to 54) in the connected state of the power supply module (4) with the connection module

(2) is arranged approximately on a transversely to the longitudinal direction extending transverse axis and a further surface portion (58) on an approximately longitudinally extending longitudinal axis.

Power supply module according to claim 9 or 10, wherein two contacts (48 to 54) are provided, the surface portions (56, 58) are each arranged on a common or on different pitch circles, or wherein three contacts (48 to 54) are provided, wherein the Surface portions (56, 58) of two contacts (48 to 54) are arranged on a common pitch circle, or wherein four contacts (48 to 54) are provided, wherein the surface portions (56, 58) of each two contacts (48 to 54) a common pitch circle are arranged. A connection set for the mechanical connection and supply of light bands (6, 8) comprising a power supply module (4) according to one of claims 5 to 11 and a connection module according to one of claims 1 to 4.

A connection set according to claim 12, wherein the contacts (48 to 54) in the connection side (46) of the power supply module (4) and / or the contacts (28) in the connection side (36) of the connection module (2) are designed such that

Storm supply module in a plurality of orientations with the connection module (2) is electrically connected.

14. Connection set according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the power supply module (4) and the connection module (2) are detachably connectable.