EP4063718A1 - Lighting arrangement and coupling unit for a lighting arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting arrangement (1b; 1b'; 100; 100') with a rail (3"; 109), an indirect lighting module (40; 140) for providing indirect lighting, and a coupling unit (7"; 108). The rail is designed for coupling and/or at least partially accommodating a lighting module (11, 11a) or a lighting unit (111a, 111b) and has an inner area (5; 125) in which a conductor device (6; 126 ) is provided at least to provide electrical energy for the supply of the lighting module or the lighting unit. The coupling unit can be coupled to the rail and is set up to receive at least electrical energy from the conductor device and to supply the indirect light module with electrical energy. The rail has a web (3a; 109a) which is designed as a delimitation of the inner area, the rail having a through-opening (50; 110) in the area of the web. A contact section (7a"; 108a) of the coupling unit can be guided through the through-opening in order to bring about an electrical coupling of the indirect light module with the coupling unit. The invention also relates to a coupling unit (7"; 8; 108).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a lighting arrangement with a track and a coupling unit for a lighting arrangement with a track, in particular for lighting purposes in buildings, for example in the interiors of these.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Lighting arrangements based on rail systems, for example for lighting purposes in buildings, are already known. For example, systems have already been proposed in which electrical conductors for providing a supply voltage and control signals are integrated into a rail profile. Such rail systems include, for example, a number of light inserts of different types, for example spots or linear light inserts, which can also be combined.

Furthermore, for example in the EP 3 336 420 B1 describes a lighting system that includes a channel for receiving a lighting unit that can be inserted into it. A connector insertable into the channel is configured to electrically couple bus bar sections together. When inserted into the channel, the lighting unit and the connector can be arranged in an overlapping manner within the channel.

the EP 3 495 726 A1 describes a lighting device with a connecting body which can be mechanically and electrically connected to a guide and which can be inserted into and removed from the guide at least in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the guide.

Furthermore, for example in the EP 3 217 090 B1 describes an adapter intended to carry a lighting device and electrically connect it to an electrified rail.

In addition, the EP 3 719 394 A1 a lighting device with a lamp and an adapter. The adapter is used to connect the light to a rail as a carrier. A connecting section of the adapter has a sliding element which can be slidably connected to the rail serving as a carrier. The lamp in turn has a guide rail with first electrical contacts, while the adapter has a carriage with second electrical contacts, which is slidably connected to the guide rail. An intermediate section is provided between the carriage and the connecting section and defines a pivot joint between the carriage and the connecting section.

In addition, a rail system has already been proposed that can be mounted suspended and can provide an additional indirect light component.

Conventionally, however, the installation of the components that provide the indirect light component is often only possible in an inflexible manner and/or with relatively great effort.

This is a condition that needs to be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the invention is based on the object of specifying a lighting arrangement that makes it possible to provide an indirect light component in a simpler manner. Furthermore, a coupling unit for the formation of a lighting arrangement is to be specified, which makes it possible to effect a coupling with another component of the lighting arrangement, such as a component for indirect lighting, in a simple manner.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a lighting arrangement having the features of patent claim 1 and/or by a coupling unit having the features of patent claim 15 .

A lighting arrangement with a rail, at least one indirect lighting module and a coupling unit is proposed.

The rail is designed for coupling and/or at least partially accommodating at least one lighting module or at least one lighting unit and has an inner region in which a conductor device is provided along the rail at least for providing electrical energy for supplying the lighting module or the lighting unit. The indirect light module is designed to provide indirect lighting. The coupling unit can be coupled to the rail and is set up to receive at least electrical energy from the conductor device and to supply the indirect light module with electrical energy. In this case, the rail has a web which is designed as a delimitation of the inner area of the rail that is equipped with the conductor device. In the area of the web, the rail has a through-opening. The coupling unit has a contacting section that can be passed through the through-opening in order to bring about an electrical coupling of the indirect light-emitting module to the coupling unit.

Furthermore, a coupling unit for a lighting arrangement, in particular such a lighting arrangement according to the invention, is proposed. The coupling unit can be inserted into a rail of the lighting arrangement and can be coupled to the rail. In this case, the coupling unit has a first contact device in order to make electrically conductive contact with conductors of a conductor device extending along the rail. Furthermore, the coupling unit has a contacting section which is designed to be inserted into a through-opening in a web of the rail when the coupling unit is inserted into the rail. A second contact device arranged on the contacting section is provided here to make electrically conductive contact with a contact device of another component and to electrically couple the coupling unit to the other component. The other component can in particular be an indirect light module.

An idea on which the invention is based is that by providing a through-opening in a web of a rail and inserting a contacting section of a coupling unit into the through-opening, a significantly simplified supply of the other component, which is designed in particular as an indirect light module, is achieved. In particular, an advantageous simplification can be achieved if the other component is to be arranged on the other side of the web with respect to the coupling unit.

The supply of the other components, in particular the indirect light module, therefore does not require any conventional, cumbersome cabling at a factory-predefined location, which is carried out, for example, on the construction site, but can be done by making the through-opening - for example as a prefabricated opening in the web, or through its flexible installation on the construction site - and the use of the through-opening for electrical coupling can be simplified considerably. In this way, the conductor device in the inner area of the rail can advantageously be used to supply the other component, and the establishment of the contact requires, in particular, only a few manipulations.

Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention result from the further dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures.

In one configuration, the coupling unit and the indirect lighting module are set up for electrical coupling to one another in such a way that the indirect lighting module can be displaced relative to the coupling unit coupled to the rail along a longitudinal direction of the rail. This enables adjustments with regard to the position of the indirect light module along the rail even after the coupling unit has been inserted and the coupling unit and indirect light module have been electrically coupled.

In particular, the contacting section is arranged on a side of the coupling unit that faces the web when the coupling unit is inserted into the rail. This contributes to easy insertion.

In a preferred embodiment, the contact section is designed as an extension of a body of the coupling unit. In particular, the contact section is arranged rigidly on the coupling unit. This, too, can contribute to simple, expedient handling of the coupling unit.

In some configurations, the outlay on cabling for the supply of the other components, in particular the indirect light module, can be significantly reduced or cabling for this purpose can even be completely avoided.

In one embodiment, the coupling unit has contact elements, in particular punctiform contact elements, through the interaction of which with associated elongated contact elements of the indirect light module, the, in particular displaceable, electrical coupling to the indirect light module can be brought about. In particular, the contact elements of the coupling unit are provided on the contacting section of the same. For example, in the case of an indirect light module that is designed to be elongated, for example, contact elements that are designed to be elongated can be provided relatively easily on this module, and a comparatively compact contacting section becomes possible. Such a configuration can help to avoid cabling costs and enables a particularly simple and quick installation.

In a development, the elongated contact elements extend with their longitudinal direction in a state of the indirect light module coupled to the rail along the longitudinal direction of the rail. This advantageously contributes to a simple and convenient sliding coupling.

In particular, the elongated contact elements of the indirect light module are designed in the form of strips.

More preferably, the elongate contact elements of the indirect light module are arranged on a side thereof that faces the coupling unit when the coupling unit is inserted into the rail and the indirect light module is coupled to the rail. This enables a further simplification of the electrical coupling of the indirect light module and the coupling unit.

In one development, the contact elements of the coupling unit are designed in the manner of pins or pin heads.

In one configuration, the indirect light module has a double-sided printed circuit board, with the contact elements of the indirect light module being designed as conductor tracks on a main surface of the printed circuit board. Such contact elements can be manufactured expediently.

In particular, the double-sided printed circuit board is provided with light-generating devices such as LEDs on the other main surface thereof. In particular, the functions of generating light and making contact with the contact elements of the coupling unit can thus be combined on the double-sided printed circuit board, which can contribute to saving space and assembly costs.

According to another embodiment, the coupling unit and the indirect light module are set up to bring about the electrical coupling of these by means of cabling. Such a configuration can be implemented cost-effectively and, in particular due to the flexible positioning of the through-opening, can contribute to achieving the coupling in a simple, uncomplicated manner even when using cabling.

In further developments, the passage opening of the rail, which is provided for the coupling of the coupling unit and the indirect lighting module, can already be made in the rail at the factory or on site during the assembly of the lighting arrangement. In particular, the through-opening can be introduced at any point along the web by methods that are simple for a fitter or a specialist, for example by drilling. A high degree of flexibility in the positioning of the coupling unit(s) and light-emitting modules can thereby be generated.

In one embodiment, the conductor device is arranged in the inner region of the rail in such a way that conductors of the conductor device are located to the side of the coupling unit when the coupling unit is inserted into the inner region of the rail is. In the inner area, the conductors can run in particular along longitudinal side walls of the rail, for example on both sides of the coupling unit when it is inserted into the inner area. Such an arrangement of the conductors further facilitates the establishment of the electrical contacting of the coupling unit and the indirect light module and can be made compact and space-saving.

In one configuration, the conductor device is also set up to provide a control signal, with the coupling unit being set up to receive the control signal from the conductor device and to transmit a signal to the indirect light module for controlling the same and/or to control the indirect light module. In particular, the coupling unit can be set up to forward the received control signal to the indirect light module, or be set up to interpret the received control signal and, based on the received control signal, to control the indirect light module and/or based on the received control signal to transmit to the indirect light module To form signal and transmit it to the indirect light module.

Contact devices of the coupling unit and of the indirect light module that can be brought into an operative connection with one another can be designed in particular for the forwarding of the control signal or the transmission of the signal formed on the basis of the control signal.

In a preferred embodiment, the conductors of the conductor device comprise first conductors for providing electrical energy for supplying the lighting module or the lighting unit, and one or more second conductors for providing a control signal, for example a DALI signal.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the control signal provided on the conductor device can be interpreted by the indirect light module that is in contact with the coupling unit by means of the contact section or by the coupling unit.

In one embodiment, the rail is designed as a low-voltage rail.

In particular, the conductor device can be designed to provide electrical energy at a DC voltage of less than 60 volts, for example approximately 48 volts.

In a development, the coupling unit can be designed as a connection unit. The connection unit can be set up, for example, to forward electric current and in particular also the control signal from the conductor device to the indirect light module, in particular to forward it essentially unchanged. This can be advantageous, for example, if the electrical energy provided by the conductor device, for example in the case of a DC voltage selected as low voltage, can be used for operating the indirect light module without further conversion. In addition, the above configuration can also be useful, for example, if the indirect light module can directly use or interpret the control signal present on the conductor device.

In another embodiment, the rail is designed as a high-voltage rail, in particular a mains voltage rail.

In particular, the conductor device can be designed to provide electrical energy at an AC power supply voltage, in particular a nominal electrical voltage of approximately 220 to approximately 240 volts, for example 230 volts.

In a development, the coupling unit can be designed as an adapter unit, which can have a converter, for example. Thus, the coupling unit can additionally enable a conversion of the electrical energy provided at the conductor device, for example a change in the type of current and/or the nominal voltage.

In particular, the adapter unit can have electronic devices for processing and/or interpreting the control signal picked up by the conductor device.

In one development, the indirect lighting module can be operated using electrical energy at a first electrical voltage, the conductor device in the inner area is provided to provide electrical energy at a second electrical voltage that is higher than the first electrical voltage, and the coupling unit is designed as an adapter unit set up to receive electrical energy from the conductor device in the inner region and to provide the electrical energy for supplying the indirect light module with the first electrical voltage.

In a further embodiment, the rail can be provided for a suspended attachment of the same, in particular to a ceiling or another part of a building or to another structure. The electrical coupling of the indirect light module, which is easy to implement, can contribute to simplifying work that has to be carried out above head height during assembly, for example.

In one development, the indirect light module can be inserted into a receiving area of the rail, which is formed in a cross-sectional profile of the rail, facing away from the inner area. In this case, the indirect lighting module can be arranged on the rail in a simple, reliable, precise and aesthetic manner in order to realize the indirect lighting, in particular upwards towards a ceiling of a room.

In one embodiment, the receiving area is a rear area of the rail when the lighting arrangement is in use, with the rear area and the inner area being formed adjacent to one another and delimited from one another by the web.

In particular, the indirect lighting module can be mechanically coupled to the rail in such a way that the indirect lighting module can be displaced relative to the rail along the longitudinal direction when it is coupled to the rail. In this way, a position adjustment is still possible when the indirect light module is arranged on the rail is. For example, for the mechanical coupling of the indirect light module to the rail, the indirect light module and/or the rail can have means that enable the indirect light module to be clipped or latched into the rail. Such a mechanical coupling is relatively easy to implement.

In one configuration, the indirect light module is set up to be electrically coupled to at least one extension indirect light module in such a way that the extension indirect light module can be supplied with electrical energy via the indirect light module through the coupling unit.

In one development, the indirect light module is set up to be coupled to the extension indirect light module in such a way that the extension indirect light module can be controlled via the indirect light module according to those control signals that are used to control the indirect light module.

In particular, it can be provided that the extension indirect light module can be controlled by means of a signal that can be provided by interpreting the control signal provided on the conductor device by the coupling unit or by the indirect light module and can be forwarded from the indirect light module to the extension indirect light module.

Furthermore, in further configurations, more than one extension indirect light module can be coupled to the indirect light module.

The provision of one or more extension indirect lighting modules thus enables the provision of elongated indirect lighting, for example an indirect light band, of great length on a rail, with a separate coupling unit not being required for each module of the indirect lighting. Instead, the energy supply and preferably the control of indirect and extension indirect light modules that are lined up in a row and are electrically coupled to one another succeed via a common coupling unit. This can help to save costs and assembly work.

For example, the coupled indirect and extension indirect lighting modules can be controlled together via a common address, e.g. using the DALI protocol.

In one embodiment, the lighting module or the lighting unit, which is/are provided in addition to the indirect lighting module and can be accommodated by the rail and/or coupled to the rail, is provided for providing direct lighting. Direct and indirect lighting effects can thus be combined by means of the lighting arrangement.

The above configurations and developments can be combined with one another as desired, insofar as this makes sense. Further possible refinements, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.

Furthermore, it should be pointed out that the refinements and developments described above in connection with the lighting arrangement can equally apply to the coupling unit according to the invention, and vice versa.

CONTENTS OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Explosionsansicht einer Beleuchtungsanordnung;

Fig. 2

eine Explosionsansicht der Anordnung der Fig. 1 von deren Stirnseite;

Fig. 3

eine Variante der Beleuchtungsanordnung der Fig. 1, in perspektivischer Explosionsansicht von der Sichtseite her;

Fig. 4

eine Adaptereinheit der Beleuchtungsanordnung aus Fig. 3, vergrößert;

Fig. 5

eine Beleuchtungsanordnung mit einer Kopplungseinheit gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel, in einer perspektivischen ersten Explosionsansicht von einer Sichtseite her gesehen;

Fig. 6

die Beleuchtungsanordnung gemäß Fig. 5 in einer perspektivischen zweiten Explosionsansicht;

Fig. 7

eine Beleuchtungsanordnung gemäß einer Variante der Anordnung aus Fig. 5-6, mit einer Kopplungseinheit, gemäß einem anderen Ausführungsbeispiel, in einer perspektivischen ersten Explosionsansicht von einer Sichtseite her gesehen;

Fig. 8

die Beleuchtungsanordnung der Fig. 7 in einer perspektivischen zweiten Explosionsansicht;

Fig. 9-11

einige Schritte beim Zusammenbau einer Beleuchtungsanordnung gemäß dem Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 7, in stirnseitiger Ansicht;

Fig. 12

eine Kopplungseinheit zur Verwendung in der Variante der Fig. 7-11;

Fig. 13

eine weitere Variante der Anordnung der Fig. 7-11 gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 14

einige Komponenten einer Beleuchtungsanordnung gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel, in teilweise aneinander montiertem Zustand, in einer stirnseitigen Ansicht;

Fig. 15

die Komponenten der Fig. 14 in aneinander montiertem Zustand, perspektivisch von einer der Sichtseite abgewandten Rückseite der Beleuchtungsanordnung gesehen;

Fig. 16

die Situation der Fig. 15 in stirnseitiger Ansicht;

Fig. 17

ein Teil der Komponenten in Fig. 14 in perspektivischer Explosionsansicht von der Rückseite her;

Fig. 18

eine Variante des Ausführungsbeispiels der Fig. 14-17, dargestellt analog Fig. 15;

Fig. 19

eine Beleuchtungsanordnung gemäß einem noch weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel, teilweise in Explosionsansicht und abschnittsweise geschnitten, von einer Sichtseite her gesehen;

Fig. 20

eine Kopplungs- oder Adaptereinheit der Beleuchtungsanordnung der Fig. 19;

Fig. 21

die Beleuchtungsanordnung der Fig. 19 in einer weiteren perspektivischen Ansicht, von einer Rückseite her gesehen;

Fig. 22

die Anordnung der Fig. 19, abschnittsweise, in einer Variante, gemäß einem noch weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 23

eine stirnseitige Explosionsansicht der Beleuchtungsanordnung der Fig. 19;

Fig. 24

eine stirnseitige Ansicht der Beleuchtungsanordnung der Fig. 19 im montierten Zustand; und

Fig. 25

eine alternative Schiene.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments given in the schematic figures of the drawings. Show it:

1

an exploded perspective view of a lighting assembly;

2

an exploded view of the arrangement of the 1 from their front side;

3

a variant of the lighting arrangement of 1 , in a perspective exploded view from the visible side;

4

an adapter unit of the lighting arrangement 3 , magnified;

figure 5

a lighting arrangement with a coupling unit according to an embodiment, seen in a perspective first exploded view from a viewing side;

6

the lighting arrangement according to figure 5 in a perspective second exploded view;

7

a lighting arrangement according to a variant of the arrangement Figures 5-6 , seen with a coupling unit, according to another embodiment, in a perspective first exploded view from a viewing side;

8

the lighting arrangement 7 in a perspective second exploded view;

Figures 9-11

some steps in assembling a lighting arrangement according to the embodiment of FIG 7 , seen from the front;

12

a coupling unit for use in the variant of Figures 7-11 ;

13

another variant of the arrangement of the Figures 7-11 according to another embodiment;

14

some components of a lighting arrangement according to a further exemplary embodiment, in a partially assembled state, in an end view;

15

the components of 14 in assembled state, viewed in perspective from a rear side of the lighting arrangement facing away from the visible side;

16

the situation of 15 in frontal view;

17

some of the components in 14 in perspective exploded view from the back;

18

a variant of the embodiment of 14-17 , shown analogously 15 ;

19

a lighting arrangement according to a still further embodiment, partially in exploded view and sectioned in sections, seen from a viewing side;

20

a coupling or adapter unit of the lighting arrangement 19 ;

21

the lighting arrangement 19 in another perspective view seen from a rear side;

22

the arrangement of the 19 , in sections, in a variant, according to yet another embodiment;

23

an exploded end view of the lighting assembly of FIG 19 ;

24

an end view of the lighting arrangement of FIG 19 in assembled condition; and

25

an alternative track.

The accompanying drawings are provided to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in the context of the description, serve to explain principles and concepts the invention. Other embodiments and many of the foregoing advantages will become apparent by reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale with respect to one another.

In the figures, the same elements, features and components that are functionally the same and have the same effect are provided with the same reference symbols unless otherwise stated.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Show a first lighting arrangement 1 1 , 2 . The lighting assembly 1 is formed with components that are part of a modular track lighting system. The rail lighting system is designed in such a way that linear lighting modules and/or low-voltage rails and/or spotlights can be accommodated and combined in one rail. Additional lighting units can be coupled to the low-voltage rails, which, like the linear lighting modules and spotlights, are preferably used for direct lighting. In addition, the track lighting system includes the possibility, in some variants, of providing indirect lighting by means of one or more indirect lighting modules. Advantageously, not every single, insertable luminous component has to be equipped with its own converter.

It should be mentioned that the rail can be designed for installation in a ceiling, mounting on a ceiling and/or hanging from the ceiling of a room or from another structure.

First, a lighting arrangement 1 with direct lighting by means of a linear lighting module 11 is described. The arrangement 1 comprises a rail 3 which is open towards the visible side S, in a fully assembled position in particular at the lower side, and a first inner region 4 and one lying in the rail 3 above the first region 4 and further to a from the visible side S facing away from the rear side of the rail 3 arranged second, inner region 5. On the back, in the fully assembled position, especially in one upper area of the rail 3, the second area 5 is closed off by a web 3a, from the opposite ends of which flanges or side walls 3b of the profile 3 extend. Inner longitudinal ribs 3c, 3c' of the profile 3 delimit the regions 4, 5 from one another, with an intermediate space between the longitudinal ribs 3c, 3c' providing access to the second region 5 from the first region 4. Except for the end sections of the longitudinal ribs 3c, 3c', the rail profile 3 is symmetrical in cross section with respect to a longitudinal center plane of the profile 3.

In the second area 5, busbars are arranged on both sides along the rail profile 3 and parallel to its longitudinal direction L, each with three poles or conductors and form a conductor device 6 with a total of six conductors 6a, 6b, of which four conductors 6a for providing electrical energy and two mutually oppositely arranged conductors 6b are provided for the provision of control signals. Three of the conductors 6a are preferably in the form of phase conductors for providing three different electrical phases, and a fourth of the conductors 6a is in the form of a neutral conductor.

The conductor device 6 could in a variant, see 25 , Alternatively, for example, provide five poles or conductors 6a, 6b on both sides of the second area 5 and thus a total of ten conductors 6a, 6b in order to be able to additionally switch emergency lights in a separate phase. 25 Figure 11 illustrates a rail with such an alternative conductor arrangement. Again, two busbars and a total of at least two conductors 6b for control signals are provided in area 5 .

For example, a DALI signal for control is provided by means of the conductor 6b. However, a control signal based on other control or dimming methods is also conceivable.

In 1 and 2 the conductors 6a are therefore provided for supplying luminous components with electrical energy and are supplied with electrical current, preferably alternating current at mains voltage, for example 220-240V, for example 230V, and a mains frequency of for example 50 Hz, by a feed unit which is not shown in detail. In the following, this will be referred to as "high voltage".

The track lighting system and assembly 1 provides luminous components that operate on electrical power at a much lower voltage, such as less than 60V DC, for example 48V. This will be referred to below as "low voltage".

The second area 5 of the rail 3, designed as an upper interior space, is designed to accommodate an adapter unit 7, the adapter unit 7 having a converter which converts the high voltage of the conductors 6a into low voltage for supplying the luminous components in 1 , 2 of the light-emitting module 11, and thereby provides the type of current required by the light-emitting components at the low voltage. The converter is arranged inside the adapter unit 7 . The adapter unit 7 preferably also has a device not shown in detail in the figures, which makes it possible to select the electrical phases provided by the conductors 6a to be used and to couple the lighting unit 11 to the selected phase for the power supply with the converter connected in between.

In the installed state, the adapter unit 7 is for the most part accommodated within the second area 5 and essentially has the basic shape of an elongated cuboid with beveled longitudinal edges on the side of the web 3a that faces the web 3a in the installed state. Here, the adapter unit 7 is slim and space-saving. For example, see 2 , a height H7 of the adapter unit 7 is about H7=28 mm and a width B7 of the adapter unit 7 is about B7=14 mm. In particular, the ratio H7/B7 is therefore approximately 2. A length of the adapter unit 7, see 1 , can be about L7 = 300 mm. Deviations from these values for H7, B7 and/or L7 are possible in variants, for example H7, B7 and/or L7 could each deviate by 2 mm up or down from the stated values.

In the area of the longitudinal side surfaces of the adapter unit 7, the latter has a first contact device 1013 with contact elements 13, which can be moved or folded out of the outer surface of the adapter unit 7 in order to contact one of the conductors 6a in an electrically conductive manner. Contact elements 13 can also be provided for picking up the control signal, for example as in figure 4 outlined as two central contact elements 13 of a movable arrangement of six contact elements 13, three of which can protrude from one of the two longitudinal sides of the adapter unit 7. In this way, the adapter unit 7 can be electrically coupled to the conductor device 6 in order to receive electrical energy and control signals from the conductor device 6 . The contact elements 13 can be folded out or folded in by a mechanism that can be actuated by a fitter or operator. Especially in the case of a ten-pole rail, such as in 25 , the contact device 1013 is not necessarily provided with contact elements 13 for contacting each of the ten conductors 6a, 6b, but can nevertheless be equipped with four or six contact elements 13, for example.

The adapter unit 7 of 1 , 2 can be placed freely at any point along the rail 3 in the inner area 5 . In addition, the adapter unit 7 used in the area 5 can be displaced in the longitudinal direction L when the contact elements 13 are folded in and do not contact the conductors 6a, 6b.

Furthermore, in the area of the two longitudinal side surfaces of the adapter unit 7, mechanical engagement elements 14 are provided, which can also be moved or folded out of the outer surface in order to mechanically secure the adapter unit 7 in a detachable manner by reaching behind the inner longitudinal ribs 3c, 3c' of the rail 3. In addition, for example, catch-like or clip-like further engagement elements can be provided, which enable a temporary, detachable fixation to facilitate assembly.

In 1 , 2 the second area 5 is delimited towards the first area 4 by the inner longitudinal ribs 3c, 3c' of the rail 3. These ribs 3c, 3c' form a kind of two-part intermediate wall, in the central area of which an intermediate space remains along the entire length of the rail profile 3 as a passage for inserting the adapter unit 7. In 1 , 2 the flanges or side walls 3b of the rail 3 extend downwardly beyond the ribs 3c, 3c', whereby the first region 4 is formed.

The adapter unit 7 in 1 , 2 has on the side facing the visible side S in the installed state, in the figures the underside, punctiform, pin-like or pin-head-like Contact elements 17, some of which serve as "current collectors" for producing the electrical supply of the lighting module 11, wherein in some variants one or more other of the contact elements 17 can be used for signal transmission for control purposes.

For the lighting arrangement 1 of 1 , 2 a lighting assembly 2 is shown as the luminous component, which is designed as the linear luminous module 11 for direct illumination.

The lighting module 11 also has a double-sided printed circuit board ("PCB") 21 on the upper side thereof when installed, on the outward-facing main surface of which strip-shaped contact elements 18 are formed as conductor tracks and for electrical coupling to the adapter unit 7 via the contact elements 17 for the purpose serve the energy supply and for control purposes. On the other main surface of the circuit board 21, light generating devices formed as LEDs are arranged. Further electrical and/or electronic devices for the operation of the LEDs, as well as conductor tracks, can also be arranged on the printed circuit board 21 .

When assembling the lighting arrangement 1, the adapter unit 7 is first inserted from below into the second region 5, electrically coupled to the conductor device 6 by means of the contact elements 13, for example by rotating an actuating element, and additionally secured mechanically by means of the elements 14, for example. The light module 11 is then inserted from below into the first region 4 below the adapter unit 7 and snapped or clipped into longitudinal grooves 4a behind further longitudinal ribs of the rail 3 with the aid of latching or clipping devices 16 .

The latching devices 16 along with corresponding longitudinal ribs and longitudinal grooves 4a are designed in such a way that the assembly 2 can be clipped/latched into the region 4 with only relatively little force and can also be pulled out of the rail 3 again from below. Here, in particular, a fixation of the lighting module 11 in Longitudinal direction L not provided in the arrangement 1. This and the suitable force effect of the latching/clipping devices 16 enable the lighting module 11 to be longitudinally displaceable in the longitudinal direction L, with which position adjustments are possible.

The current consumption by the light-emitting module 11 is made possible by means of a number of conductor tracks 18 attached to the printed circuit board 21, which each come into electrically conductive contact with an assigned one of the punctiform contact elements 17. Here, the strip-shaped contact elements 18 are provided on a side of the assembly 2 that faces the adapter unit 7 and extend in the longitudinal direction L of the rail 3 when the assembly 2 is inserted into the first, lower region 4 . The light module 11 can still be moved within the rail 3 in the longitudinal direction L even after the electrical coupling, at the same time a power supply is ensured as long as the printed circuit board 21 is located at any point under the consumers 17 of the adapter unit 7 .

The control signal, for example a DALI signal or a control signal based on another protocol, is taken from the conductor device 6 by the adapter unit 7 and the lighting module 11 is operated on the basis of this control signal. In the arrangement 1, the control signal can be interpreted by devices in the adapter unit 7, an output signal for controlling the lighting module 11 can be generated and the output signal can be transmitted to the lighting module 11 via one or more of the contact elements 17. Alternatively, it can be provided that the control signal picked up by the conductor device 6 is forwarded by the adapter unit 7 via one or more of the contact elements 17 to the lighting module 11 and is interpreted by devices in the lighting module 11 .

The track 3 can be formed with multiple track sections that connect together to form a longer linear or angled system of selectable length that can accommodate a variety of luminous components of the same or different types. If the rail 3 is constructed with a plurality of sections joined together, each with busbar pieces arranged therein to form the conductor device 6, the busbar pieces forming the conductor device 6 can be used in the second area 5, i.e. in the high-voltage area, with intermediate or connecting pieces (not shown in the figures) for electrical coupling of the corresponding conductors 6a, 6b.

For example, see 3 , in the case of a lighting arrangement 1', a first subassembly 2 designed as a linear lighting module 11 and one or more further lighting subassemblies 12, each also designed as a linear lighting module 11a, of which in 3 only one is shown may be provided.

The assemblies 2, 12 are each equipped at the front with connection devices 15 provided for this purpose, such that the assembly 2 can be electrically coupled to one of the other assemblies 12 at both ends of the assembly. In this way, the subassembly 2 and, via this, the subassembly(s) 12 are supplied with electrical energy provided by the adapter unit 7, in particular with direct current at low voltage.

Thus, in the case of a longer lighting arrangement 1', not every section of the rail 3 and not every lighting module 11, 11a requires a separate adapter unit in the upper (high-voltage) rail profile inner area 5. In 3 several light modules 11, 11a, for example a total of three modules, can be supplied by a common adapter unit 7.

In addition, the modules 2, 12 are controlled and operated according to a master-slave principle. The module 2 directly coupled to the adapter component 7 is regarded as the "master", to which the other module(s) 12 indirectly coupled via the module 2 and the devices 15 to the adapter unit 7 are subordinated as the "slave". is. The interpretation of the control signal applied to the conductors 6b, for example as a DALI signal, can be carried out by the adapter unit 7 or the first assembly 2 ("master"), with an output signal generated on the basis of the control signal from the adapter unit 7 or the assembly 2 the device 15 is passed on to the "slave" module(s) 12. In both cases, the assemblies 2 and 12, and therefore the lighting modules 11 and 11a, are addressed via a common address, for example a common DALI address. this address is therefore assigned to the adapter 7 or the module 11 and indirectly to the coupled modules 11a. The extension light module 11a receives power and control signals corresponding to the first module 11.

At the same time, the assemblies 2, 12 used can be moved together along the rail 3. Advantageously, the adapter component 7 in the high-voltage area 5 does not have to be detached and repositioned for this purpose.

The light module 11a of 3 is designed analogously to the lighting module 11, the printed circuit boards of the second and further lighting module 11a not necessarily being double-sided, but being single-sided and thus being able to be designed more cost-effectively. The printed circuit board can enable the light emitting module(s) 11a to be powered and operated by the LEDs on the inboard major surface of the printed circuit board and the power and signaling provided via the device(s) 15 .

In particular, the modules 11, 11a, which are supplied together directly ("master") or indirectly ("slave") by an adapter 7, are switched in the same electrical phase selected by the adapter unit 7 and are supplied via this.

Figures 5-13 show a lighting arrangement 1a, 1a 'and variants thereof. The arrangement 1a 'of figure 5 has a rail 3 corresponding to that in Figures 1-3 on. In figure 5 Lighting units 211a and/or 211b outlined by way of example are coupled to the rail 3 via an assembly 2 with a smaller rail 9 .

The second, smaller rail profile 9 is accommodated in the first area 4 . The second, smaller rail 9 is supplied with low voltage by an adapter unit 7' located above it in the installed and operating state and is designed for at least partially accommodating and/or coupling to the light units 211a, 211b--shown only schematically. Furthermore, the rail 9 enables the power supply to the lighting units 211a, 211b, and the rail 9 can also provide control signals for the lighting units 211a, 211b, the lighting units 211a, 211b being equipped, for example, with suitable devices for electrical and, for example, also for mechanical coupling to the rail 9 equipped are. The lighting units 211a, 211b are preferably slidably coupled to the rail 9 and are provided in particular for direct lighting.

Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment, the lighting arrangement 1a' has a coupling unit 8', which is also referred to below as a connection unit 8' and which enables an electrical coupling of the rail 9 and the adapter unit 7'. The subassembly 2 that can be accommodated in the first region 4 of the rail 3 is formed here with the rail 9 and the connecting unit 8'. It is preferably provided that the assembly 2, in particular the rail 9, can be latched to the rail 3 for mechanical attachment or can be clipped into the rail 3, for which purpose suitable means not shown in the figures can be provided. The mechanical attachment of the assembly 2 formed with the rail 9 and the connecting unit 8' is analogous to the latching or clipping of the assembly 2 in the arrangements 1, 1' in such a way that even after latching or clipping, the rail 9 and the Connection unit 8 'in the longitudinal direction L of the rail 3 is possible. In the case of the arrangement 1a', too, the locking of the subassembly 2 to the rail 3 and the releasing from this locking requires relatively little force, as a result of which the locking and releasing can be carried out quickly and easily.

The adapter unit 7′ is constructed like the adapter unit 7 in terms of basic shape and dimensions, mechanical fixing in the outer rail 3 and electrical coupling to the conductor device 6, so that reference is made to the above statements in this regard. A converter is arranged inside the adapter unit 7'.

In contrast to the adapter unit 7, the adapter unit 7' is not equipped with selective current collectors for the supply of light modules on its lower side, which faces the visible side S in the assembled state. Instead, the adapter unit 7 'of Figures 5-13 on the underside of the adapter unit 7', i.e. that side which faces the rail 9 when the adapter unit 7' and the assembly 2 comprising the rail 9 and the connection unit 8' are inserted into the rail 3, a contact device 1027 with several strip-shaped Contact elements 27 on. The contact elements 27 can when inserting the assembly 2 are brought into the rail 3 in each case with an associated contact element 28 of the assembly 2 in electrically conductive contact. When the adapter component 7' is inserted into the second area 5, the strip-shaped contact elements 27 extend with their longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the rail 3.

The first low-voltage rail module, which can be inserted under the adapter unit 7' in the shown section of the rail profile 3 and forms the assembly 2, has a through-opening 10' on the upper side of the rail 9 when installed, the through-opening 10' being in a web 9a of the rail 9 is introduced. After inserting the adapter unit 7' and the assembly 2 into the rail 3, the web 9a faces the adapter unit 7'.

A contact device of the connection unit 8 ′ is formed with the contact elements 28 . The multiple contact elements 28 of figure 5 , 6 are arranged on a projection-like contact section 8a' of the connecting unit 8' and are designed as punctiform, pin-like or pin-head-like contact elements 28 on the upper side of the contact section 8a'.

By inserting the contact section 8a' into the through-opening 10', the punctiform contacts 28 of the connection unit 8' can each be brought into electrical connection with one of the conductor tracks 27 of the adapter 7' mounted above, in order to electrically couple the assembly 2 to the adapter unit 7' .

The connector 8' serves as a coupling unit and subsequently ensures the supply of the subassembly 2 designed as a low-voltage rail module. Here, the rail 9 is provided with a conductor device 26 having low-voltage conductors 26a and control signal conductors 26b along the longitudinal direction of the rail 9. FIG. A cross section of the rail 9 is in 9 shown and also in the variant of the figure 5 , 6 provided in this form and equipment.

The low-voltage rail modules 2 are equipped in this way to receive and power the lighting units 211a, 211b to be operated at low voltage, and to supply the lighting units 211a, 211b on the rail 9 with control signals.

In particular, it is provided that the conductor 26a of the conductor device 26 in the interior of the rail 9 via the adapter unit 7 'and the connection unit 8' with electrical energy at low voltage, for example a direct voltage of 48 V, and with one or more control signals, for example a DALI signal to be supplied.

The provision of the electrical current at low voltage by means of the adapter unit 7', based on the provision of mains voltage via the conductor device 6, takes place by means of a converter of the adapter unit 7' as described above for the arrangements 1, 1'. The low voltage for the power supply of the lighting units 211a, 211b is then forwarded to the connection unit 8' via two of the contact elements 27, 28, for example. The selection of an electrical phase with the aid of the adapter unit 7' is also possible, as described above.

Control signals provided on the conductors 6b of the conductor device 6, such as a DALI signal, are forwarded unchanged to the connection unit 8' in the arrangement 1a' via one or more additional, corresponding ones of the contact elements 27, 28.

For example, one conductor 26a per side for the power supply and one further conductor 26a for the control can be provided on both sides of the inner area 9b of the rail 9 . The lighting units 211a, 211b that can be used there can in particular be addressed separately with control signals, for example via their own separate DALI addresses.

The connection unit 8' is arranged to receive the electrical energy and control signals from the adapter unit 7', and the electrical energy received via contact elements 27, 28 into the conductors 26a of the conductor device 26 of the rail 9, as well as from the adapter unit 7' via to feed the further control signals forwarded to the contact elements 27, 28 into the conductor 26b. For this purpose, the connection unit 8 ′ has a contact device for the electrical coupling to the conductor device 26 . Furthermore, the connecting unit 8 ′ can be mechanically latched or clipped to the rail 9 of the assembly 2 .

Variants of the lighting arrangement 1a' according to further exemplary embodiments are shown in FIG Figures 7-13 . Except for the differences described below, the above explanations apply to the figure 5 , 6 also to the lighting arrangements 1a, 1a" of Figures 7-13 Application.

The lighting arrangement 1a of Figures 7-12 again has a rail 3 , an adapter unit 7 ′ and an assembly 2 , with lighting units, for example 211a, 211b , being coupled to the rail 3 by means of the assembly 2 . With regard to the configuration of the rail profile 3 and the adapter unit 7' and their functions, reference is made to the statements above.

The assembly 2 includes the variants of Figures 7-13 again a second rail 9 with a conductor device 26 arranged in its inner area 25, which is divided into two and arranged on both sides of the inner area 25, see FIG 9 , and a connecting unit 8 enlargedly shown in FIG 12 .

The connection unit 8 in Figures 7-13 is of oblong box-like external shape and adapted to be arranged substantially entirely in the inner region 25 of the rail 9, such that the conductors 26a of the conductor means 26 are located laterally of the connection unit 8, cf Figures 9-11 . A first contact device 1030 with contact elements 30, see 12 , is adapted to come into electrically conductive contact with the conductors 26a, 26b of the conductor means 26 extending along the rail 9 when the connection unit 8 is inserted into the inner region 25. Elastically resilient latching elements 31 are used for a preferably detachable clipping of the connecting unit 8 into the rail 9 for the mechanical coupling of the components 8 and 9.

The connection unit 8 has in Figures 7-13 also the function of a coupling unit 8, which enables the electrical coupling of the rail 9 to the adapter unit 7' for the transmission of power and control signals. The connecting unit 8 has a contacting section 8a which is introduced into a through-opening 10 in the web 3a of the rail 3 when the coupling unit 8 is inserted into the rail 9 . There is a second contact device 1028 on the contacting section 8a with in 12 exemplary three - punctual, pin or pin head-like contact elements 28 are provided. The contact elements 28 are designed and arranged to come into electrically conductive contact with a corresponding one of the strip-shaped or web-shaped contact elements 27 of the adapter unit 7'.

The contacting section 8a is in the Figures 7-13 , in contrast to the plate-like contacting portion 8a 'in 6 , formed with a smaller base area and with a larger overhang over the remaining upper side of the connecting unit 8, for example, of a cylinder-like shape, and has the three contact elements 28. An outer outline of the contacting section 8a preferably corresponds to an inner cross-sectional shape of the through-opening 10.

Furthermore, it should be noted that in Figures 7-11 and 13 the adapter unit 7′ is provided with a projection 7a′ approximately centrally in relation to its longitudinal axis, and on its upper side which points towards the web 3a of the rail 3 in the assembled state. This can be part of a body and/or housing of the adapter unit 7' and, in other variants, can be equipped with contact elements instead of the contact elements 27, although in Figures 7-11 , 13 Contact elements on the projection 7a 'are not available. Alternatively, the projection 7a' could be omitted from the adapter unit 7'.

In a variant of the arrangement 1a, at least one further subassembly 12 can be provided, which is supplied via the subassembly 2 with electrical energy and control signals that are provided by the adapter unit 7'. Such a lighting arrangement 1a" is in 13 shown. Similar to assembly 2, assembly 12 has 13 a rail 9, with which one or more lighting unit(s), e.g. 211a, 211b (in 13 not shown), can be coupled and/or can be accommodated by the further rail 9 at least in sections. The extension rail 9 of the assembly 12 in 13 also has a conductor device 26 analogous to the assembly 2 in Figures 5-12 on. In the area of a joint 1202, the assemblies 2, 12 are coupled to one another in such a way that the corresponding conductors 26a, 26b of the two rails 9 are in electrical contact with one another at their adjacent front ends. For this can For example, suitable trained coupling pieces (not shown in detail) may be provided at the joints 1202.

In this way, a plurality of low-voltage rail modules in the form of subassemblies 2, 12 can be inserted into the rail 3 adjacent to one another and electrically connected. The assembly 12 of 13 has no connection unit 8 or 8'. It is therefore sufficient to couple only a first low-voltage rail module, ie the subassembly 2, to the high-voltage rail 3 electrically via the adapter unit 7'. The low-voltage rail modules 2, 12 are all switched together in the same phase, which can be selected by means of the adapter unit 7'. Electrical power for supplying the lighting units 211a, 211b and control signals are forwarded via the conductors 26a, 26b to the coupling point 1202, with which lighting units located on the extension rail 9 of the assembly 12 can be individually controlled via their own addresses.

Out of 13 It can be seen that the rail 3 can be formed with a plurality of rail profile sections connected to one another at the ends in order to create a longer linear system, for example by means of suitable connecting pieces. Not every section of the rail 3 and not every rail section 9 requires a separate adapter unit 7' in the upper area 5.

The arrangements 1a, 1a', 1a" each also allow, after the insertion of the adapter unit 7' and the assembly 2 and, if applicable, the assembly 12 into the rail 3, a displacement of the assembly 2 or the assemblies 2 and 12, including rails 9 and connection units 8 and 8', respectively, relative to the adapter unit 7'.

14-18 show a lighting arrangement 1b according to an exemplary embodiment and a variant 1b' thereof, which can be fastened in a suspended manner and, in addition to luminous components for realizing direct lighting, can be equipped with indirect lighting. The lighting arrangement 1b, 1b 'of 14-18 can, for example, be suspended from a ceiling of a room or another part of a building or from another structure. The indirect lighting is implemented in the arrangements 1b and 1b' in the manner described below.

The lighting arrangement 1b, 1b' comprises a rail 3", which is analogous to the rail profile 3 in Figures 1-3 , 5-13 an area 4 and an inner area 5, the configuration and function of which are described above. The rail profile 3" differs from the rail profile 3, however, in that a receiving area 44 is additionally provided in the rail 3" on a rear side facing away from the visible side S, and thus on the rear of the web 3a. The receiving area 44 is designed in the cross-sectional profile of the rail 3" as a flat channel facing away from the second area 5. The cross-sectional shape of the rail 3" is essentially symmetrical to a longitudinal center plane, except for the end sections of the longitudinal ribs 3c, 3c', which differentiate.

The receiving area 44 serves to receive an assembly that is designed as an elongated indirect lighting module 40 that can be inserted into the receiving area 44 and, in the installed state, can emit light essentially upwards, ie, for example, in the direction of the ceiling of the room.

The rail 3" in 14-18 is equipped with a three-phase, or alternatively a five-phase, conductor device 6 set up for mains voltage, analogous to that described above for the rails 3, 3'. The web 3a delimits the inner area 5 equipped with the conductor device 6 at the top and thus separates the receiving area 44 from the inner area 5. At the top, ie towards the back of the rail 3" opposite the visible side S, this is provided with one or several through openings 50, see 17 , fitted in the web 3a.

Also provided is an adapter unit 7" that can be inserted into the rail 3" in the same way as the adapter units 7, 7', which is designed in the same way as the adapter units 7, 7' in terms of the basic shape, mechanical fixation and electrical coupling in the area 5, with the differences being described below .

In addition to the first contact device 1013, the adapter unit 7″ has a second contact device 1017a with selective contact elements 17a on the upper side of the adapter unit 7″. Here, the contact elements 17a are pin-like or designed like a pin head and protrude from an upper surface of a projection-like contacting portion 7a'' which is substantially like the projection 7a' 13 can be trained. The contacting section 7a" is arranged essentially centrally in relation to the longitudinal extent of the adapter unit 7" on the adapter unit 7" and is provided on the upper side of the adapter unit 7" facing away from the visible side S in the inserted state and facing the web 3a.

The contact section 7a" can be inserted into the opening 50 for the electrical coupling of the indirect light module 40 and the adapter unit 7". Thus, the contact elements 17a, see 14 , through the opening 50 and protrude upwards from it. A body section of the contacting section 7a" preferably essentially fills the passage opening 50, as a result of which this is closed after the adapter unit 7" has been inserted.

Like the adapter unit 7, 7', the adapter unit 7" can basically be freely positioned along the rail 3" by selecting a suitable opening 50 or making the opening 50 in the desired longitudinal position, but after inserting the contacting section 7a" into the opening 50 no longer longitudinally displaceable.

The first indirect light module 40, which can be slid into the rail 3", has a double-sided printed circuit board 41 ("PCB"), which is electrically coupled on its underside via a contact device 1047 having web or strip-shaped contact elements 47 to the protruding contact elements 17a of the adapter unit 7". can be. Further indirect light modules can each be inserted as an extension indirect light module 40a on the front side adjoining the first indirect light module 40 in the receiving area 44 and connected to the first indirect light module 40 according to a master/slave principle, with the indirect light module 40 being able to be regarded as the "master". The connection can be made at a joint 4040, see FIG 18 , take place. The additional indirect light modules 40a or "slaves" can have at least one-sided printed circuit board instead of the double-sided printed circuit board 41, which can contribute to cost savings and simplified production.

An electrical supply of the indirect light module 40a is mediated via the indirect light module 40, where z. B. as in the arrangements of Figures 1-4 a low voltage for the operation of the indirect light modules 40, 40a is provided by the adapter unit 7", which contains a converter. The adapter unit 7" can also be used to supply the power supply to the indirect light modules 40, 40a, with the converter being interposed, from electrical phase provided to the conductor means 6 can be selected as described above.

The control of the indirect light modules 40, 40a is made possible in a similar manner to the direct light modules 11, 11a, with the indirect light modules 40, 40a being addressed via a common address, e.g. a DALI address, and being controlled together. The control signal provided on the conductors 26b of the conductor device 6 is interpreted by devices in the adapter unit 7" or alternatively by devices on the circuit board 41 of the "master" indirect light module 40 and, based on this, an output signal is generated for the controller, with the contact device 1017a for example for the transmission of the output signal generated on the basis of the interpretation of the control signal in the adapter unit 7" or for the forwarding of the control signal picked up by the adapter unit 7" from the conductor device 6. In both cases, the output signal resulting from the interpretation is output at the junction 4040 The output signal can be converted, for example, by means of a pulse width or pulse-pause modulation.

Cumbersome, separate cabling of the indirect light module 40 on the construction site can be avoided with the aid of the contact devices 1017a, 1047 described above and their interaction. A comparatively small through opening 50 is made in the area of the upper side of the rail 3" in the web 3a. The opening 50 can either be prefabricated or flexibly made at the desired position on the construction site. The contact elements 13 can initially be moved and placed freely Adapter 7" is then positioned in the rail 3" under the recess 50. Indirect lighting modules 40 can, for example, then be quickly, variably and flexibly inserted without great effort. In addition, for the indirect lighting module 40, and if necessary, further indirect light modules 40a as "slaves", with a given electrical coupling, displacement in the longitudinal direction L relative to the adapter unit 7" is also possible. For example, a further module 40a can be provided at each end of the module 40, with an indirect light strip of greater length likewise is conceivable.

In the manner described above, the adapter unit 7" serves as a coupling unit 7" for coupling the conductor device 6 to the indirect light module 40.

The adapter unit 7" is set up as "slaves" for the supply of the indirect module 40 and, in the case of the arrangement 1b', other indirect modules 40a in the receiving area 44. In addition to the adapter unit 7", in 14-18 another, in 15 , 17, 18 not visible adapter unit 7 in the inner area 5 of the rail 3" and as with reference to FIG Figures 1-4 described trained. By means of the additional adapter unit 7, one or more linear lighting modules 11, 11a as assemblies 2, 12 analog Figures 1-3 are supplied in order to also implement direct lighting by means of the lighting arrangement 1b, 1b', ie in particular starting from the visible side S into the spatial area below. With such an arrangement 1b, 1b', for example, continuous, direct and indirect light bands can be generated at the same time, which can be moved separately along the rail 3".

In 14, 16 shows the end face of the rail 3" with, for example, two adapter units 7, 7" - one for direct and one for indirect modules - whereby, with the exception of the contact elements 17, only the foremost adapter unit 7" is visible and the adapter unit 7 arranged behind it is covered .

As with the lighting arrangements described with reference to FIG Figures 1-13 were described above, in the embodiment of the 14-18 the area 4, which is provided for at least partially and preferably essentially completely accommodating the assembly(s) 2, 12, which is preferably set up for direct lighting, is designed as a front area 4 of the rail 3" when the lighting arrangement 1b, 1b' is in use. The The front of the lighting arrangement 1b or 1b' corresponds to its visible side S, in particular its underside in an assembled state.

The receiving area 44 for at least partially, preferably essentially completely, receiving the indirect lighting module 40 and, if applicable, the extension indirect lighting module 40a is designed as a rear area 44 of the rail 3". The receiving area 44 and the inner area 5 are therefore on different sides of the web 3a, with the inner area 5 being provided between the web 3a and the area 4. The rear receiving area 44 and the inner area 5 are in the exemplary embodiment of FIG 14-18 thus adjacent to one another and in this case delimited from one another by the web 3a.

It should be mentioned that the contact devices 1017a, 1047 described above with reference to exemplary embodiments enable a simple and quick, displaceable electrical coupling, which advantageously requires little effort and time during assembly and is also space-saving.

In a modified variant, however, the contact devices 1017a, 1047 can be replaced by a cable connection, with a sufficient cable length being provided to enable the indirect lighting module 40 and, if applicable, the extension indirect lighting module 40a to be moved relative to the adapter unit 7" used. The cable connection can be formed, for example, with a flexible cable that is connected at one end thereof to the contact section 7a'' and at its other end to the indirect light module 40 and extends through the opening 50.

Some options are shown above for constructing a lighting arrangement based on the rail lighting system described above, with the different assemblies, lighting modules, lighting units, indirect lighting modules and rail profiles described above being able to be combined in many ways in order to meet the lighting requirements in different applications.

In particular, the indirect light module(s) 140, 140a can be made of 14-18 with the referring to Figures 1-13 described direct light modules 11, 11a or light units 211a, 211b combined in a variety of ways will. For example, in this way both directly and indirectly illuminated light bands can be realized which, when inserted, can be displaced independently of one another relative to the respectively provided adapter unit 7″ or 7 or 7′.

As described above, for extension rails 9, see 13 , or extension modules 11a, 40a, see 3 and 18 , no separate adapter unit necessary.

However, a specially provided adapter unit is preferably provided for each of the differently configured assemblies 2, 12 and for the indirect lighting. For the lighting modules 11, 11a, for the low-voltage rails 9 with lighting units 211a, 211b, and for indirect lighting by means of the indirect lighting modules 40, 40a, the rail lighting system provides a specially designed adapter unit 7, 7', 7". The adapter units 7, 7′, 7″ are designed essentially analogously in terms of dimensions and the fastening in the second area 5 and the contacting with the conductor device 6.

Thus, for example, a first adapter unit 7" is preferably used for a lighting arrangement with indirect lighting modules 40, 40a and a second, independent adapter unit 7 is used for additional directly illuminating lighting modules 11, 11a in the rail 3", for example next to the first adapter unit 7". For the combination of the indirect light modules 40, 40a with an assembly 2 with the low-voltage rail 9, a second adapter unit 7' can be used in addition to the adapter unit 7". Thus, a flexible combinability of direct or indirect luminous components is made possible and at the same time the complexity of the adapter units 7, 7', 7'' is limited in terms of electrical and control technology.

Furthermore, the rail system can provide an independent adapter unit (not shown in the figures) for radiators or "spotlights" (not shown).

It is conceivable, for example, to simultaneously provide contact elements 17a for supplying an indirect light module 40 and contact elements 17 for supplying modules 11, 11a on the adapter or coupling unit 7''. It would be analogous conceivable to provide contact elements 17a for an indirect module 40 on the adapter unit 7'. In such a modification, instead of two adapter units, only one is required, which, however, is more complicated in terms of electrical and control technology, particularly if direct and indirect lighting are to be controlled independently of one another.

The adapter units 7, 7" described above can each be equipped with different numbers of contact elements 17 or 17a. For example, the adapter unit 7 or 7" could have three or four selective contact elements 17 or 17a, in which case a corresponding number of contact elements 18 or 47 can be provided.

For example, three pin contacts 17 or 17a can be used in variants and exemplary embodiments to create the possibility of a so-called "tunable white", with the pin contacts 17, 17a providing positive and negative current contacts for this purpose. In this case, the contact elements 17, 17a can have the following assignment: first contact element positive (cold); second contact element positive (warm); third contact element negative.

In a variant in which the "Tunable White" option is not available, it may be sufficient to provide the adapter units 7, 7" each with only two contact elements, with the assignment: first contact element positive, second contact element negative.

A track lighting system is thus described above which enables a combinable accommodation of displaceable spotlights, lighting modules and low-current tracks, which themselves can accommodate further lighting units in a particularly displaceable manner, in a three-phase or five-phase track

A lighting arrangement 100 according to a further embodiment, and a variant 100 'of this show 19-24 . The lighting arrangement 100 has a rail 109, at least one indirect lighting module 140 for providing indirect lighting, and an adapter or coupling unit 108.

The rail 109 is designed for coupling and/or at least partially accommodating one or more lighting units 111a and/or 111b, which in 19 are shown schematically and can be of different types, for example as linear modules 111b or spots 111a.

The rail 109 has a first area 144 and a second area 125, see the cross-sectional view of FIG 23 . In the inside, in 23 In the lower area 125, a conductor device 126 is provided along the rail 109 to provide at least electrical energy for the supply of the lighting unit(s) 111a, 111b. The conductor device 126 extends parallel to a longitudinal direction L' of the rail 109. In 23, 24 shows that the conductor device 126 is formed with two busbars, each with two conductors 126a, 126b, one busbar on each side of the inner region 125 laterally within it, with the conductors 126a providing the electrical current and the conductors 126b of the Provision of a control signal, such as a DALI signal, are used, with a control signal based on another protocol or dimming method, for example, also being conceivable. If, for example, a control signal is not desired, the conductor means 6 could alternatively be designed with only one busbar on one side, and with a total of two conductors.

The rail 109 is designed as a low-voltage or low-voltage rail, for example for supplying energy to the lighting units with a DC voltage of less than 60V, for example 48V, which is fed into the conductor device 126 by a feed unit (not shown).

The adapter unit 108 can also be referred to as a coupling or connection unit, is used to electrically couple the conductor device 126 to the indirect light module 140, can be inserted into the inner region 125 of the rail 109 and can be coupled to the rail 109. In the inserted state of the coupling or adapter unit 108, the conductors 126a, 126b are arranged on the side of the unit 108.

In the 20 The coupling or adapter unit 108 shown separately has a first contact device 1130 with contact elements arranged on the longitudinal sides of the unit 108 130 on. The contact elements 130 are arranged and set up to make electrically conductive contact with one of the conductors 126a, 126b. In addition, the coupling unit 108 has elastically resilient latching elements 131 on its longitudinal sides, by means of which the unit 108 can be clipped into the rail 109 from the visible side S of the latter for mechanically coupling it to the rail 109 .

The adapter unit 108 is thus set up to tap off current from the conductors 126a and preferably also control signals from the conductors 126b on the side of the conductor device 126 by means of the contact elements 130, to redirect them upwards by 90° and to make them available to the indirect lighting module 140.

A cross-sectional shape of rail 109 is formed with a web 109a and sidewalls or flanges 109b, with web 109a extending between flanges 109b. The web 109a delimits the inner, second region 125 of the rail 109, which is equipped with the conductor device 126.

The track 109 is suspended to form the lighting assembly 100, for example in a building, for example by suspending the track 109 from a ceiling, from another component of the building, or from another structure.

The first area 144, also referred to below as the receiving area 144, is arranged on a rear side of the rail 109 which faces away from a visible side S of the rail 109 in the assembled state, and thus on the rear side of the web 3a. The receiving area 144 is formed in the cross-sectional profile of the rail 109 in particular as an upper part of a channel facing away from the web 109a and the inner area 125 . Starting from the opening of the same towards the web 109a, the channel has two sections of different widths and is of smaller width towards the web 109a due to inwardly projecting, lateral steps.

The receiving area 144 serves to receive an assembly designed as an elongate indirect light module 140 which—in 23, 24 from above - can be used in the receiving area 144. When assembled, this can The indirect light module 140 used in the first area 144 emits light upwards, ie for example in the direction of the ceiling of the room.

In order to supply the indirect light module 140 with electrical current and preferably with control signals, the coupling unit 108 has a contacting section 108a. The rail 109 is provided with a through opening 110 in the area of the web 109a, see FIG 19 . When the coupling unit 108 is inserted into the rail 109, the contacting section 109 is inserted into and passed through the through-opening 110 in such a way that the upper part of the contacting section 108a passes through the through-opening 110 in order to supply the indirect light module 140 with electrical current and preferably also with the control signals to supply.

The indirect light module 140 has a double-sided circuit board 141 . On a main surface of the printed circuit board 141 facing the web 109a when inserted into the receiving area 144, elongated strip-shaped contact elements 147 of a contact device 1147 of the module 140 are formed, which extend parallel to the longitudinal direction L′ and are designed as conductor tracks. On the other, opposite main surface, the printed circuit board 141 is equipped with light-generating devices, which are preferably designed as LEDs.

On the contact section 108a of the adapter unit 108 there is a second contact device 1128 with a plurality of, in the example shown three, punctiform, pin-like or pin-head-like contact elements 128 which protrude from an upper surface of the contact section 108a in the assembled state, see 20 .

When the coupling unit 108 is inserted, the second contact device 1128, comprising the contact elements 128, makes electrically conductive contact with the contact device 1147 of the indirect light module 140, comprising the contact elements 147. In particular, each contact element 128 makes contact with one of the web-like contact elements 147.

Complex cabling of the indirect light module 140 is not necessary in the described embodiment with the interacting contact devices 1128, 1147; the electrical coupling of the conductor device 126 to the indirect light module 140 is possible in a simple and time-saving manner. The through opening 110 with a relatively small size can be prefabricated in the rail 109 or can be introduced flexibly at the construction site. After that, the indirect light module 140, and possibly further indirect light modules 140a, see the variant of 22 , can be inserted quickly, variably and flexibly with little effort.

In addition, the punctiform contact elements 128 can slide on the web-like contact elements 147 in the touching state, as a result of which the indirect light module 140 can be displaced relative to the coupling or adapter unit 108 in the inserted state.

22 12 illustrates that in a lighting assembly 100' according to one variant, the indirect light module 140 may form a first indirect light module 140 electrically coupleable to at least one extension indirect light module 140a. For this purpose, the extension indirect light module 140a can be inserted into the receiving area 144 like the indirect light module 140 . In this way, a joint 1414 is formed between the modules 140, 140a, which 22 is not yet fully closed. The modules 140 and 140a can be electrically coupled to one another at the joint 1414 in order to likewise supply the extension indirect light module 140a with electrical energy via the indirect light module 140 by the unit 108 .

The modules 140 and 140a are controlled and operated according to a master-slave operation, with the module 140a as "slave" being subordinate to the module 140 as "master". In other words, the extension indirect light module 140a is controlled according to those control signals which the first indirect light module 140 receives from the adapter unit 108 and according to which the first indirect light module 140 is controlled and operated.

The preferably double-sided circuit board 141 ("PCB") of the first indirect light module 140 allows in the embodiment of 19-24 not only the Power supply of the module 140, but also interprets control signals, which are forwarded via the contact devices 1130, 1128 and 1147 from the conductor device 126 via the coupling unit 108 to the first module 140, and in this way enables control, for example dimming. The module 140a ("slave") is also controlled in the same way as the module 140 via the frontal coupling to the module 140a. The control signal forwarded by the conductors 126b is evaluated by devices of the first indirect light module 140 ("master"), these devices, for example, generating an output signal based on the control signal, which is used by module 140 to control the same and also at junction 1414 is forwarded to the extension module 140a for its control. The output signal is, for example, a signal that correlates with the dim level, for example based on pulse width modulation or pulse-pause modulation. The modules 140, 140a can thus be controlled via a common address.

The one or more extension indirect light modules 140a can be attached to the module 140 in a connectable manner according to the master/slave principle described above and therefore do not require a separate coupling unit. At least one extension module 140a at each end of the module 140 is conceivable.

It should be noted that in a likewise advantageous variant of the embodiment of 19-24 instead of the contact devices 1147, 1128, a cable connection can be provided, analogously to the above for the contact devices 1017a, 1047 of 17 described. The cable connection can be formed, for example, with a flexible cable which is connected to the contacting section 108a at one end and to the indirect light module 140 at its other end and which extends through the opening 110 .

The rails 3, 3', 3", 9, 109 can each be extruded, for example, from a metal material, for example an aluminum material. Rails made from aluminum material can be easily processed on site at the construction site by fitters with relatively simple means.

Although the invention has been fully described above with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not restricted thereto but can be modified in a variety of ways.

Reference List

1, 1'

lighting arrangement

1a, 1a', 1a"

lighting arrangement

1b, 1b'

lighting arrangement

2

module

3, 3"

rail

3a

web

3b

flange

3c, 3c'

longitudinal rib

4

first area

4a

recess

5

second area

6

ladder setup

6a, 6b

director

7, 7', 7"

adapter unit, coupling unit

7a'

head Start

7a"

contacting section

8, 8'

connection unit, coupling unit

8a, 8a'

contacting section

9

rail

9a

web

9b

interior

10, 10'

passage opening

11

light module

11a

another light module

12

further assembly

1202

joint

13

contact element

14

engagement element

15

furnishings

16

locking device

17, 17a, 18

contact element

21

double-sided circuit board

25

inner area

26

ladder setup

26a, 26b

director

27,28,30

contact element

31

locking element

40

Indirect light module

40a

Extension indirect light module

4040

joint

41

circuit board

44

recording area

47

contact element

50

passage opening

100, 100'

lighting arrangement

108

adapter or docking unit

108a

contacting section

109

rail

109a

web

109b

flange

110

passage opening

111a, 111b

lighting unit

125

inner area

126

ladder setup

126a, 126b

director

128, 130

contact element

131

locking element

140

Indirect light module

141

circuit board

144

recording area

147

contact element

140a

Extension indirect light module

1414

joint

211a, 211b

lighting unit

L, L'

longitudinal direction

S

visible side

Claims (15)

Lighting arrangement (1b; 1b';100;100'), with: a rail (3"; 109) which is designed for coupling and/or at least partially receiving at least one lighting module (11, 11a) or at least one lighting unit (111a, 111b) and has an inner region (5; 125) in which a conductor device (6; 126) is provided along the rail (3"; 109) at least for providing electrical energy for the supply of the lighting module (11, 11a) or the lighting unit (111a, 111b); at least one indirect lighting module (40; 140), which is provided for providing indirect lighting; and a coupling unit (7"; 108) which can be coupled to the rail (3"; 109) and is set up to receive at least electrical energy from the conductor device (6; 126) and to supply the indirect lighting module (40; 140) with electrical energy ; wherein the rail (3"; 109) has a web (3a; 109a) which is designed as a delimitation of the inner region (5; 125) of the rail (3"; 109) equipped with the conductor device (6; 126), wherein the rail (3"; 109) has a through-opening (50; 110) in the region of the web (3a; 109a) and the coupling unit (7"; 108) has a contacting section (7a"; 108a) which passes through the through-opening ( 50; 110) to bring about an electrical coupling of the indirect light module (40; 140) to the coupling unit (7"; 108). Lighting arrangement according to claim 1,
characterized in that the coupling unit (7"; 108) and the indirect lighting module (40; 140) are set up for electrical coupling to one another in such a way that the indirect lighting module (40; 140) is coupled relative to the rail (3"; 109). Coupling unit (7"; 108) along a longitudinal direction (L; L') of the rail (3"; 109) is displaceable. Lighting arrangement according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the coupling unit (7"; 108) has contact elements (17a; 128), in particular point contact elements (17a; 128), through their interaction with associated elongated contact elements (47; 147) of the indirect light module (40; 140). , In particular displaceable, electrical coupling with the indirect light module (40; 140) can be brought about. Lighting arrangement according to claim 3,
characterized in that the indirect light module (40; 140) has a double-sided printed circuit board (41; 141), the contact elements (47; 147) of the indirect light module (40; 140) being designed as conductor tracks on a main surface of the printed circuit board (41; 141). . Lighting arrangement according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the coupling unit (7"; 108) and the indirect light module (40; 140) are set up to bring about the electrical coupling of these by means of cabling. Lighting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the conductor device (6; 126) is arranged in the inner region (5; 125) of the rail (3"; 109) in such a way that conductors (6a, 6b; 126a, 126b) of the conductor device (6; 126 ) to the side of the coupling unit (7"; 108) when the coupling unit (7"; 108) is inserted into the inner region (5; 125) of the rail (3"; 109). Lighting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the coupling unit (7"; 108) is designed as a connection unit (108) or as an adapter unit (7"). Lighting arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that the rail (109) is in the form of a low-voltage rail or in that the rail (3'') is in the form of a high-voltage rail, in particular a mains voltage rail. Lighting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the rail (3"; 109) is provided for a suspended attachment of the same, in particular to a ceiling or another part of a building or to another structure. Lighting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the indirect light module (40; 140) in a receiving area (44; 144) of the rail (3"; 109), which faces away from the inner area (5; 125) in a cross-sectional profile of the rail (3"; 109) is trained, can be used. Lighting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the conductor device (6; 126) is also set up to provide a control signal, the coupling unit (7"; 108) being set up to receive the control signal from the conductor device (6; 126) and to transmit it to the indirect light module (40; 140) to transmit a signal for its control and/or to control the indirect light module (40; 140), and in particular that the coupling unit (7"; 108) is set up to forward the received control signal to the indirect light module (140) or set up for this is to interpret the recorded control signal and to control the indirect light module (40; 140) based on the recorded control signal and/or to form a signal to be transmitted to the indirect light module (40; 140) and to transmit it to the indirect light module (40; 140). . Lighting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the control signal provided on the conductor device (6; 126) can be interpreted by the indirect light module (140) contacted by the contacting section (108a) with the coupling unit (108) or by the coupling unit (7"). Lighting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the indirect light module (40; 140) is adapted to be connected to at least one extension indirect light module (40a;
140a) to be electrically coupled in such a way that the extension indirect light module (40a; 140a) can be supplied with electrical energy via the indirect light module (40; 140) through the coupling unit (7"; 108). Lighting arrangement according to claim 13,
characterized in that the bounce module (40; 140) is adapted to be coupled to the extension bounce module (40a; 140a) such that the extension bounce module (40a; 140a) mediates through the bounce module (40; 140) respectively those control signals by means of which the control of the indirect light module (40; 140) takes place. Coupling unit (7";8; 108) for a lighting arrangement (1b; 1b'; 1a, 1a', 1 a";100;100'), wherein the coupling unit (7"; 8, 8'; 108) can be inserted into a rail (3";9; 109) of the lighting arrangement (1b; 1b'; 1a, 1a', 1 a";100;100') and with can be coupled to the rail (3";9;109); wherein the coupling unit (7"; 8, 8'; 108) has a first contact device (1013; 1030; 1130) for being connected to conductors (6a; 26a; 126a) of a conductor (6a; 26a; 126a) extending along the rail (3";9; 109). conductive means (6; 26; 126) to come into electrically conductive contact; and wherein the coupling unit (7"; 8, 8'; 108) has a contacting section (7a"; 8a, 8a'; 108a) which is designed for when inserting the coupling unit (7"; 8, 8'; 108) in the rail (3"; 9, 109) in a through-opening (50; 10, 10'; 110) in a web (3a; 9a; 109a) of the rail (3";9; 109) to be inserted, with a second contact device (1017a; 1028; 1128) arranged in the contacting section (7a"; 8a, 8a'; 108a) is intended to be electrically connected to a contact device (1047; 1027; 1147) of another component (40; 7'; 140). to make conductive contact and to electrically couple the coupling unit (7"; 8, 8'; 108) to the other component (40; 7'; 140).

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