EP3114404B1 - Light fixture comprising a carrier element and detachably securable lighting module - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a luminaire, which has an elongated support element and at least one light module detachably fastenable to the support element.

The idea of interchangeably arranging lighting modules on a carrier element is known in particular from so-called continuous line lighting systems. These are lighting systems which have an elongate support element, for example a downwardly open U-shaped mounting rail, in or on the lines for the electrical power supply and possibly also for signal transmission. Depending on the design of the system then lighting modules can be arranged at certain predetermined positions or freely at any point of the support rail. In this case, each light module special contacting elements - for example in the form of so-called rotary knob - on which on the one hand cause a mechanical attachment to the mounting rail and on the other hand ensure a contacting of the lines. Furthermore, the lighting modules generally each have their own operating device which converts the mains supply voltage, which is made available via the current lines running along the mounting rail, into a suitable operating voltage for operating the light sources of the lighting module.

For example, the shows US 2011 / 0075413A1 a PCB on which LEDs are mounted. The PCB together with the LEDs is then connected to spring contacts of a carrier. This connection is provided by the provision of electrical contact surfaces on the bottom surface of the PCB.

A detachable arrangement of individual modules, which each contain light sources, would also be useful for individual luminaires, in particular if the light sources used are LEDs. Compared to conventional light sources such as light bulbs or fluorescent lamps, replacing defective LEDs or defective LED boards is usually difficult for the end user to perform, so that in case of a corresponding Defect either the lamp replaced or sent to the manufacturer or repair work must be performed by a trained electrician. This is due to the fact that for safety reasons usually LED boards must be installed in such a way that they are not readily accessible. One reason for this is that in this way the risk of electric shock is eliminated or at least reduced. Furthermore, accidental touching an LED board to so-called ESD damage, so cause damage due to an unwanted electrical discharge. As a result, LED light sources in luminaires are usually arranged in a special shielded or encapsulated manner, and access to the circuit boards is often achieved only by destroying certain components that provide appropriate protection.

There are starting points to circumvent the above-mentioned problem by providing the LEDs in special encapsulated modules which are releasably attached to the luminaire and electrically coupled to corresponding power supply means. In the event of a defect in the LEDs, it is then not the individual board that is replaced individually but the entire module, which as a rule can also be carried out relatively easily by the end user.

However, in order to actually allow a simple replacement of individual modules by the end user in lights of the type described above, it must be ensured that when changing a light module or the first time placing a light module to the support element reliably and safely the electrical connection to the operating device of the lamp will be produced. The present invention is based on the object to offer a solution for this.

The object is achieved by a luminaire having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Compared to previously known solutions, in which primarily connector systems were used, it is proposed according to the present invention, the Power supply of the or to be connected lighting modules to produce by means of contacts, which are formed according to the invention by spring contacts.

According to the present invention, therefore, a lamp is proposed with an elongated support element and at least one light module, which is detachably fastened to the support element. In this case, the lamp further comprises means for supplying power to the light module, which comprise contacts which are arranged on the carrier element or on a device carrier held by the carrier element, wherein the contacts are formed by spring contacts, wherein the light module on a carrier element facing bottom surface mating contacts for interacting with the spring contacts, and wherein the lighting module has two groups of mating contacts, which are arranged such that the lighting module can contact the spring contacts in two rotated by 180 ° positions.

It has been found that by using the spring contacts, the electrical connection between the operating device and the light module can be made easily but very reliably. The replacement of a defective module by the end user is thereby significantly simplified.

In this case, the luminous module-side mating contacts can be formed in particular by contacting areas applied to the bottom surface of the luminous module. As a result, on the one hand, the contact in a very simple and safe way possible, on the other hand, the light module in this embodiment, a flat rear side. This is not only in a transport of the light module advantageous because this damage to protruding elements such as plugs or sockets can be avoided, a flat bottom surface also ensures a flat resting on the support element of the lamp. This is relevant insofar as a not inconsiderable amount of heat is generated during the operation of the light sources, which are transmitted very efficiently due to the surface contact between the light module and the support element and can then be released to the environment.

As described above, two groups of contacts, in particular two groups of the above-mentioned Kontaktierungsfelder are provided on the light module, which are arranged such that the light module can contact the carrier element-side spring contacts in two rotated by 180 ° positions. Reason for this measure is that in this case also lighting modules can be used, which cause an asymmetrical light output, in which case these modules can be arranged in different orientations on the support element. In the case of an elongated luminaire, it would be quite conceivable, for example, to use light modules in the end regions of the carrier element which emit light in a specific direction, in which case symmetrical light output is required to achieve a uniformly symmetrical light emission at the opposite end of the carrier element. So turn to use asymmetric lighting modules, however, are positioned rotated by 180 °. With the aid of the above-mentioned two groups of contacts, it is ensured that in both positions the light module can be efficiently coupled to the spring contacts, so that in any case a power supply is ensured.

The spring contacts used according to the invention are preferably not arranged directly on the carrier element itself but on a device carrier held by the carrier element. This is arranged in particular on the side facing away from the light module of the support member, in which case pass through the spring contacts formed in the support member recesses. These measures ensure that further current-carrying elements can not be touched by the side accessible by the end user and accordingly a change of a single module can be carried out simply and safely.

Ultimately, therefore, it is ensured by the solution according to the invention that work to be carried out primarily by trained electricians can now be performed simply but safely by the end user.

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

Figur 7

eine Schnittdarstellung entsprechend Figur 6, wobei nunmehr das Leuchtmodul an dem Trägerelement befestigt ist;

Figur 8

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Endbereichs des Trägerelements der Leuchte mit den daran befindlichen Federkontakten und

Figur 9

die Ansicht des Endbereichs eines Geräteträgers, der gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform an dem Trägerelement angeordnet wird und an dem die Federkontakte angeordnet sind.

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

FIG. 7

a sectional view accordingly FIG. 6 , wherein now the lighting module is attached to the support element;

FIG. 8

a perspective view of an end portion of the support member of the lamp with the spring contacts thereon and

FIG. 9

the view of the end portion of a device carrier, which is arranged according to a preferred embodiment of the support member and on which the spring contacts are arranged.

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 support element 5, in that, on its lower side or its light emission side, this forms a receiving area which is described in more detail later in the cross section and in which a plurality of lighting modules can be interchangeably arranged. The support element 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 are releasably secured to the support member 5.

FIG. 8 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 in the present embodiment, approximately cuboid. As in particular the sectional views of FIGS. 6 and 7 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. 8 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. 6 ) 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. 6 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. On the other hand, the light of the LEDs 31a located in the edge region should not be emitted with the aid of lenses, 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 several of the lighting modules 20 are attached to the support element 5 of the lamp 1, so that there is an appearance from the bottom or the Lichtabstrahlseite forth, as 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 according to the present invention 41, which cooperate with arranged on the back of the LED board 30 contact pads 35. The spring contacts 41, which are connected in a manner which will be described in more detail below with the operating device of the luminaire 1, are here in each case at an eg in FIG. 6 recognizable contact block 40 which, through a corresponding recess 10 in the bottom surface 7 of the Receiving portion 6 of the support member 5 protrudes. 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 and thus ultimately the power supply of the lighting module 20 is ensured.

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 20 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 pads 35 are used and accordingly more spring contacts 41 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 providing two similar, but rotated by 180 ° to each other arranged contact field groups can be made possible in a simple manner a corresponding optional arrangement of the lighting modules 20, without that they would have to be otherwise modified.

The FIGS. 6 and 7 show as already mentioned a sectional view of the lamp 1, wherein initially in FIG. 6 the light module 20 spaced from the support member 5 and arranged in FIG. 7 is attached to the support element 5. The representation of the FIGS. 6 and 7 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.

Preferably, the contact blocks 40 with the spring contacts 41 are not arranged directly on the carrier element 5 but instead on a so-called. Device carrier 50, which in FIG. 9 is shown. This is formed by an elongated sheet metal part and serves as a central holding element for the components for powering the lighting modules 20. The contact blocks 40 with the spring contacts 41 are again not directly disposed on the equipment carrier 50 but instead mounted on so-called connection boards 45. These connection boards 45, one of them in FIG. 9 is shown, in each case have two contact blocks 40 with spring contacts 41, so are ultimately designed for contacting two light-emitting modules 20.

The arrangement of the connection boards 45 on the equipment carrier 50 is again preferably done without tools, which is achieved in that the boards 45 have elongated projections 46 on their longitudinal sides. These are intended to be connected to the device carrier 50 in the sense of a bayonet lock. The cross-sectionally C-shaped device carrier 50 has for this purpose two elongated side walls 51, on each of which recesses 52 are formed, which open into undercuts 53. The connection board 45 is then removed from the Top side (as shown in FIG. 9 ), such that the projections 46 engage in the recesses 52. Subsequently, the board 45 is moved in the direction of the arrow relative to the device carrier 50, so that the projections 46 engage in the undercuts 53. As a result, the board 45 is securely stored on the device carrier 50, without the need for a tool or additional connecting means would be required. On the equipment rack 50, a plurality of corresponding connection boards 45 are arranged in this way, so in the present case, half as many boards 45 are required as lighting modules 20 are to be attached to the support member 5 of the lamp 1.

In addition, a connector 44 or a terminal is arranged on each interconnection board 45, which is connected to the contact blocks 40 via interconnects, not shown in greater detail. The plug 44 is located on the side opposite the contact blocks 40 side of the board 45 and is connected to the operating device 100 - which is also disposed on the equipment carrier 50 - via cables. In this way, therefore, the electrical connection between the operating device 100 and contact blocks 40 is ensured.

The preassembled unit of the device carrier 50 with the operating device 100 located thereon and the connecting plates 45 is then inserted from the top into the carrier element 5 and locked with this, so that ultimately in the FIGS. 6 and 7 shown configuration results. As already mentioned, in this case the individual components are arranged such that the contact blocks 40 with the spring elements 41 protrude through the openings 10 of the carrier element 5, while all other current-carrying elements are inaccessible from the underside from which the lighting modules 20 are mounted or removed are.

The solution according to the invention thus allows a simple production of the electrical connection and thus the power supply of the exchangeable lighting modules. The illustrated preferred embodiment is also characterized by the fact that the lighting modules have a flat back and thus can lie flat against the support element, which also represents a clear advantage in terms of efficient dissipation of heat generated during operation of the lamp.

Claims (7)

1. A luminaire (1) with

   • an elongated carrier element (5),

   • at least one lighting module (20), which can be detachably secured to the carrier element (5), as well as

   • means for supplying power to the lighting module (20), which means comprise contacts, which are arranged on the carrier element (5) or on one of the device carriers (50) held by the carrier element (5),

   wherein at least a part of the contacts is formed by spring contacts (41), and wherein the lighting module (20) has counter contacts on a bottom surface facing the carrier element (5) for interacting with the spring contacts (41),
   characterized in
   that the lighting module (20) has two groups of counter contacts, which are arranged in such a manner that the lighting module (20) can contact the spring contacts (41) in two positions rotated by 180°.
2. A luminaire according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the counter contacts are formed by contacting fields (35) applied to the bottom surface.
3. A luminaire according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in
   that the bottom surface of the lighting module (20) is formed by the back side of a LED board (30).
4. A luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the spring contacts (41) are arranged on a device carrier (50), which is arranged on the side of the carrier element (5) facing away from the lighting module (20), wherein the spring contacts (41) or the contact blocks (40) holding the spring contacts (41) pass through recesses (10) formed in the carrier element (5).
5. A luminaire according to Claim 4,
   characterized in
   that a lamp operating device (100) is arranged on the device carrier (50), which lamp operating device is connected with the spring contacts (41).
6. A luminaire according to Claim 5 or 6,
   characterized in
   that the device carrier (50) can be detachably connected, in particular, locked with the carrier element (5).
7. A luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the carrier element (5) forms a U-shaped receiving space (6) in cross section for one or several lighting modules (20).

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