EP3114400B1 - Light fixture or lighting assembly comprising an elongated carrier element and detachably securable lighting module - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a luminaire or a lighting arrangement, which has an elongated carrier element, to which at least one lighting module can be detachably fastened.

Luminaires or lighting arrangements of the type described above can be realized in different ways. Especially known are so-called light band systems, which often have an elongated support element in the form of a U-shaped support rail. Within the support rail run in the longitudinal direction of lines for power supply and for signal transmission, in which case so-called. Luminaire units can be arranged on the support rail. Depending on the configuration of the mounting rail with the lines running therein, the lamp units can be mounted at fixed positions or freely at any point over the entire length of time. By means of special contacting and locking elements, both a mechanical fastening of the lamp unit to the mounting rail is achieved as well as a contacting of the cables is made.

For example, the shows US 20040184276A1 a vehicle lighting system.

In addition to these light band systems, which have almost any length and can extend esp. Over very large distances away, but also individual lights are used, which are based in principle on a comparable principle. Again, an elongate support member is provided, which serves as a central holding element for all essential components of the lamp. Esp. On this support element usually means for fixing the lamp eg. On the ceiling of a room and an operating device for providing a supply voltage for the lamps arranged. The lamps themselves are then part of individual modules, which are arranged on the carrier element and are connected via electrical connection means with the operating device.

Usually, several individual lighting modules are used, which can be optionally replaced.

This above-described embodiment with interchangeable lighting modules is especially suitable when LEDs are used as light sources. The reason for this is that LEDs must be better protected against external influences compared to conventional light sources such as light bulbs or fluorescent lamps. One reason for this is that inadvertent contact with LEDs can often lead to so-called ESD damage, that is to say damage which can be attributed to unwanted electrostatic discharges. Furthermore, LEDs are usually arranged on boards, in which case the tracks used to power the LEDs are freely accessible. In this case, there is the danger that, if the LEDs or the circuit board are accidentally touched, current-carrying elements are also touched, which entails the risk of an electric shock. For this reason, according to the corresponding safety regulations, LEDs are to be arranged in a particularly protected manner within luminaires, which as a rule makes it more difficult to replace defective LEDs or LED circuit boards. As a rule, such work can only be carried out by trained electricians or by the luminaire manufacturer himself. In the case of the above-mentioned exchangeable lighting modules, however, this problem does not exist, since then the LEDs are protected within the module and only the module must be connected to the operating device of the lamp. That is, the replacement of individual modules is also easy to perform by the end user.

In the support elements of these lights or the support rail of an elongated lighting system, it is usually made of sheet metal or aluminum profile elements. For manufacturing reasons, these elements are usually open at their ends and then have to be completed for optical reasons by special end pieces. These are usually placed on the profile part and there, for example. fixed with the help of a screw connection.

The present invention is now the task of facilitating the attachment of the end portions of such support elements, so that the Assembly of a lamp or lighting system is associated with a lower workload.

The object is achieved by a luminaire or a lighting arrangement, which has the features of 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 of configuring the end parts in such a way that they can be arranged loosely in each case in an easy manner on an end region of the support element, wherein they are then subsequently fixed by the luminous module arranged on the support part.

In accordance with the present invention, therefore, a luminaire or lighting arrangement with an elongated carrier element is proposed, wherein the luminaire or lighting arrangement furthermore has at least one luminous module which can be detachably fastened to the carrier element. Furthermore, end pieces are provided for the support element, which can be arranged in each case at an end region of the support element, wherein the end parts are fixed by the light module fixed to the support member, wherein the support member is adapted to hold a plurality of light modules arranged longitudinally behind one another, wherein the first and fix the last light module in each case one of the end pieces.

The solution according to the invention therefore makes it possible to save a separate working step of attaching the end parts to the carrier element of the luminaire or lighting arrangement. Instead, the end parts are automatically fixed when arranging the light module or the light modules on the support element, so that thanks to the solution according to the invention furthermore also special fastening means are no longer required.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the means by means of which the lighting modules fix the end pieces are comparable to the means by means of which the lighting modules are arranged on the support element. That is, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lighting modules are locked to the support member, in the same way, the end parts then with the Luminous module are locked. For this purpose, on the one hand on the support element corresponding recesses may be formed, in which latching tabs of the or the lighting modules intervene. Corresponding recesses are then also provided on the front parts. The end parts themselves are preferably first pushed onto the carrier element from the respective front side. In this position, the lighting modules can then be arranged on the carrier element and fix the end parts in the manner according to the invention.

Ultimately, therefore, the attachment of end parts to support elements of lights or lighting arrangements is simplified by the inventive solution.

Figur 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Leuchte in perspektivischer Ansicht von schräg oben;

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Leuchte;

Figur 3

eine vergrößerte Seitenansicht des Endbereichs der Leuchte;

Figur 4

eine Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Leuchte von unten;

Figur 5

ein an der Leuchte auswechselbar zu befestigendes Leuchtmodul;

Figur 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Endbereichs des Trägerelements der Leuchte;

Figur 7

eine Schnittdarstellung der Leuchte quer zur Längsachse, wobei das auswechselbare Leuchtmodul beabstandet zu dem Trägerelement angeordnet ist;

Figur 8

eine Schnittdarstellung entsprechend Figur 7, wobei nunmehr das Leuchtmodul an dem Trägerelement befestigt ist;

Figur 9

eine vergrößerte Darstellung der mit dem Trägerelement verrasteten Leuchtmodule;

Figur 10

den Endbereich des Trägerelements mit dem daran angeordneten Stirnteil und

Figur 11

ein einzelnes Stirnteil.

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

FIG. 1

a lamp according to the invention in a perspective view obliquely from above;

FIG. 2

a side view of the lamp according to the invention;

FIG. 3

an enlarged side view of the end portion of the lamp;

FIG. 4

a view of the lamp according to the invention from below;

FIG. 5

a luminous module to be mounted replaceable on the luminaire;

FIG. 6

a perspective view of an end portion of the support member of the lamp;

FIG. 7

a sectional view of the lamp transversely to the longitudinal axis, wherein the interchangeable light module is arranged spaced from the carrier element;

FIG. 8

a sectional view accordingly FIG. 7 , wherein now the lighting module is attached to the support element;

FIG. 9

an enlarged view of the latched with the support element lighting modules;

FIG. 10

the end region of the carrier element with the front part arranged thereon and

FIG. 11

a single front part.

As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a single luminaire will be described below. However, as already mentioned, the concept according to the invention can also be used with larger illumination arrangements, in particular with so-called light band systems.

Figures 1 and 2 show different views of the generally provided with the reference numeral 1 inventive lamp. The lamp 1 is formed in the illustrated embodiment as a pendant light and can be attached in this case via at least one suspension element, in the illustrated case over several cables 2 to a support element, not shown, for example, on the ceiling of a room. In a slightly modified way, however, the luminaire 1 according to the invention could also be used as a ceiling-mounted luminaire.

As can be seen in the figures, the lamp 1 is a total elongated and extends along a longitudinal axis L. The shape of the lamp 1 is in this case determined primarily by a support member 5, which is the central element of the lamp 1 and on the all other components are arranged or attached. An essential feature of this carrier element 5 is that this forms on its underside or its Lichtabstrahlseite a later described in more detail, in cross section U-shaped receiving area in which a plurality of lighting modules can be arranged interchangeable. The support member 5 is preferably formed by an aluminum profile, which is closed at its two end-side end portions by end caps 15 which in turn releasably arranged on the carrier element 5 and are fastened in the manner described in more detail below according to the invention.

FIG. 6 shows the end portion of the support member 5 from the underside ago, now the receiving area 6 for the replaceable lighting modules can be seen. This receiving area is formed by a bottom surface 7 and two downwardly directed U-legs 8 extending on both sides of the bottom surface 7. Together with the already mentioned end elements or end caps 15, the elongate cup-shaped receiving region 6, which is U-shaped overall, is thus formed. In this then several light modules - in the illustrated embodiment 14 light modules - arranged, one of them in FIG. 5 is shown in perspective view.

The lighting module 20 is thus formed approximately cuboid. As in particular the sectional views of FIGS. 7 and 8 can be removed, while the lighting module 20 consists of a cup-shaped, formed from at least teillichtdurchlässigem material so-called lens carrier 21 having a bottom surface 22, which forms the light emitting surface of the light module 20, and four side walls 23, 24. At the two shorter side walls 24 in each case two locking tabs 25 are formed, via which a fastening to the carrier element 5 of the lamp 1 takes place. Like the presentation of FIG. 6 can be removed, 5 corresponding recesses or slots 9 are formed for this purpose in the bottom surface 7 of the receiving portion 6 of the support member, in which engage the locking tabs 25 of the light module 20.

The bottom surface of the light-emitting module 20 is arranged through the rear side of a circuit board 30 with a plurality of LEDs 31, preferably matrix-like, distributed among them (see FIG FIG. 7 ) educated. These LEDs 31 represent the light sources of the light module 20, wherein the LEDs 31 are associated with different optical means for influencing the light output.

As in FIG. 7 can be seen, 21 lens body 26 are formed in the central region of the lens carrier, which are each associated with individual LEDs 31. The light of the LEDs located in the edge region 31a, however, should not with the help of Lens be directed directed, but rather cause a diffused luminous surrounding frame. This is achieved by a special diffuser frame 35, which is inserted into the lens carrier 21 and, in comparison to the lens carrier 21, which preferably consists of a clear material, is formed from a light-scattering material or contains light-scattering particles. It should be noted, however, that of course the design of the optical elements of the individual lighting modules could also be designed otherwise, if another light emission is desired. The design of these optical elements is not relevant to the gist of the present invention. It is essential that one or more of the lighting modules 20 are attached to the support member 5 of the lamp 1, so that there is an appearance from the bottom or the Lichtabstrahlseite the lamp 1 ago, as shown in FIG. 4 is shown.

The rear side of the light module 20 forming LED board 30 is locked to the lens carrier 21. For this purpose, corresponding latching elements 27 are formed on the two side walls 23, which cooperate with the board 30 in such a way that they can be easily placed on the lens carrier 21 from the rear side and then pressed down. In this way, a stable structural unit is formed, by which in turn the individual LEDs 31 are efficiently protected against external influences.

The power supply of the arranged on the support member 5 lighting modules 20 is carried out with the aid of special contacting means comprising spring contacts 41 in the illustrated embodiment, which cooperate with disposed on the back of the LED board 30 contact pads 35. The spring contacts 41 are here in each case at an in FIG. 7 recognizable contact block 40 which projects through a corresponding recess 10 in the bottom surface 7 of the receiving portion 6 of the support member 5. That is, these spring contacts 41 are accessible from the receiving region 6 of the support member 5 forth so that they arrive when inserting the light module 20 in abutment against the contact pads 35 of the light module 20. As a result, the electrical connection between the spring contacts 41 and the lighting module 20 is ensured, so that this with the actual means for providing an operating current for the LEDs 31 is connected.

Like the presentation of FIG. 5 can be taken from a plurality of contact pads 35 are formed on the back of the LED board 30, wherein not necessarily all contact fields 35 must be used depending on the operating mode of the lamp 1. This depends inter alia on whether only a simple switching on and off of the modules 20 is provided or they should allow an individual controllability. In the illustrated embodiment, only two spring contacts 41 are used, so that therefore the modules 20 are supplied exclusively with a suitable supply voltage or a supply current and, accordingly, all modules are operated uniformly. A communication that would also allow, for example, the feedback of error information or the like, is not provided in the illustrated embodiment, in which case optionally more of the contact fields 35 are used.

Another special feature is that - as in FIG. 5 recognizable - two rows of contact pads 35 are provided, which are arranged with respect to a longitudinal axis 1 of the light-emitting module 20 rotated by 180 ° to each other. The reason for this measure is that this makes it possible to arrange the light module 20 optionally in different orientations, in particular in two orientations rotated by 180 ° on the carrier element 5. This may be of interest if the optical elements of the light-emitting module 20 are designed in such a way that they cause an asymmetrical light emission amplified in one direction. In this case, it may possibly be provided that, for example, the lighting modules 20 arranged at the respective end regions of the carrier element 5 are aligned with respect to one another in a twisted manner, which in turn would cause a symmetrical light emission of the luminaire 1 as a whole. By arranging two similar, but rotated by 180 ° to each other arranged contact fields 35, a corresponding optional arrangement of the lighting modules 20 can be made possible in a simple manner, without these would have to be otherwise modified. As an alternative to the illustrated spring contacts and contact surfaces could electrical coupling, however, other system, in particular plug-socket systems are used.

The FIGS. 7 and 8 show as already mentioned a sectional view of the lamp 1, wherein initially in FIG. 7 the light module 20 spaced from the support member 5 and arranged in FIG. 8 is attached to the support element 5. The representation of the FIGS. 7 and 8 can also be taken from the shape of the support member 5, it can be seen that this above the U-shaped receiving portion 6 for the lighting modules 20 has two longitudinally extending side walls 12 which a narrower, directed upward and turn U-shaped form second receiving area 13 in which the lamp operating device 100 and possibly additional units 60 are arranged for the realization of an indirect lighting, which will not be discussed in more detail below, however.

Further shows FIG. 9 in an enlarged view, two adjacent, latched to the support member 5 lighting modules 20, which can be seen that use both modules 20 with their locking tabs 25 together the corresponding detent opening 9 in the bottom surface of the support member 5.

The present invention relates in particular to the arrangement and fastening of the end parts 15 on the end open carrier element 5, which will be explained in more detail below.

A single front part is isolated in this case FIG. 11 shown, wherein it has primarily a vertical wall 16, which is intended to complete the receiving area 6 of the support member 5 frontally. The vertical wall 16 is accordingly matched in terms of their height and width to the dimensions of the receiving space 6 and has lateral roundings, through which a corresponding continuous transition to the side walls of the support element 5 is achieved.

The arrangement of the front part 15 on the carrier element 5 is initially carried out by means of two tabs 17, which are provided on the upper side of the vertical wall 16 and aligned at right angles to the wall. These tabs 17 are in corresponding recesses 11 of the support member 5 introduced as the representation of FIG. 10 can be removed. The recesses 11, which form a guide for the tabs 17, can also be the sectional views of the FIGS. 7 and 8 be removed.

With the help of the tabs 17 so the front part 15 can then be pushed from the front side on the support member 5 and in the in FIG. 10 shown position. However, in this state it is not yet fixed to the carrier element 5. For this purpose, additional holding means were previously used, for example. Special screw or the like. Such additional holding means can be omitted according to the present invention, which is achieved in that now the lighting modules 20 are used even for locking the end portions 15.

As the representation according to FIG. 11 can be removed, on the side of the wall 16 of the front part facing the guide plates 17 additional locking means 18 are provided, via which a locking with the light module 20, more precisely with the locking tabs 25 of the light module 20. These locking means consist of a formed in the vertical wall 16 recess 19a and a recess spanning strap 19b. These elements are dimensioned such that the previously mentioned locking tabs 25 of the lighting modules 20 engage in these and can lock with them. The light modules 20 respectively arranged on the front ends of the carrier element 15 thus do not engage in recesses 9 of the carrier element 5 with their outer lugs 25, that is, facing the front end, but instead interact with the latching means 18 of the respective front element 15.

When mounting the lamp 1, therefore, the end portions 15 are first pushed onto the carrier element 5 as described above. Subsequently, the lighting modules 20 are arranged on the support element and locked with this, in which case by the first and the last light module 20, the fixing of the end parts 15 takes place. There are then no further measures for additional support of the front part 15 is required because this is blocked by the associated light module 20 and can not be deducted.

Ultimately, therefore, the assembly of the lamp according to the invention is further simplified by the inventive measure and it can be dispensed with additional fastening means for locking the end parts. Of course, the solution according to the invention is not limited to lights of the type shown. In principle, the idea of the invention can always be used when end pieces are to be arranged and fixed on a carrier element of a luminaire or a lighting arrangement, whereby at the same time exchangeable lamp units or luminaire modules are also provided on the carrier element. In all these cases can be done by a special design of the interchangeable lighting modules simultaneously fixing the front parts, so that can be dispensed with additional steps in attaching the end parts.

Claims (7)

1. Luminaire (1) or lighting arrangement with

   - an elongated support element (5),

   - at least one lighting module (20), which is detachably fastened to the support element (5), as well as

   - end parts (15) for the support element (5), each of which may be arranged on an end region of the support element (5),

   wherein the end parts (15) are fastened to the support element (5) by the at least one lighting module (20),
   characterized in that
   the support element (5) is designed to hold a plurality of lighting modules (20) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first and the final lighting module (20) are each fixed to one of the end parts (15).
2. Luminaire or lighting arrangement according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the lighting module (20) may be latched to the support element (5), wherein the end parts (19) may likewise be latched to the lighting module (20).
3. Lamp or lighting arrangement according to claim 2,
   characterized in that
   the lighting module (20) comprises latching tabs (25), wherein corresponding recesses or latching means are formed on the support element (5) and the end parts (15).
4. Luminaire or lighting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the end parts (15) on the support element (5) are slidable.
5. Luminaire or lighting arrangement according to claim 4
   characterized in that
   the end parts (15) comprise guide tabs (17) for sliding on the support element (5).
6. Luminaire or lighting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the lighting module (20) may be fastened in several orientations on the support element (5), in particular in two orientations twisted through 180°.
7. Luminaire or lighting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the support element (5) is formed by a profile element.

Images