NL2025576B1

NL2025576B1 - Luminaire with equipotential connection

Info

Publication number: NL2025576B1
Application number: NL2025576A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Sápi Attila; Balázs Bedo Péter
Original assignee: Schreder Sa
Priority date: 2020-05-13
Filing date: 2020-05-13
Publication date: 2021-11-30

Abstract

A luminaire comprising a housing (1000), a light source (400), supply connection lines (510) for feeding the light source and an equipotential connection line (520), said housing comprising a first 5 electrically conductive body portion (100) with a wall section (110) and a second electrically conductive body portion (200, 1200) attachable to the first body portion (100), wherein said second body portion (200, 1200) has an inner side (201), wherein a contact part (300) is mounted on said inner side such that an electrical contact is realised between the inner side (201) and the contact part (300), and wherein the contact part (300) is configured to contact the wall section (110) such 10 that an electrical contact is realised between the contact part (300) and the first body portion (100), wherein the equipotential connection line (520) is electrically connected to at least one of the housing (1000) and the contact part (300). Figure 2B

Description

LUMINAIRE WITH EQUIPOTENTIAL CONNECTION Field of Invention The present invention relates to luminaires with an equipotential connection. Particular embodiments relate to luminaires for outdoor applications, more in particular luminaires for tunnel lighting. Background For safety reasons, the housing of a luminaire has to be connected to an equipotential line. For some luminaire classifications all elements and housing parts that can be touched have to be connected to the equipotential line. When electrostatic charges accumulate on the housing of the luminaire, those charges can leak towards the earth through the equipotential line. By connecting the housing to an equipotential line, the risk of accumulating electrostatic charge to a critical level with as a result an electrostatic discharge (ESD) through an insulation layer and damage of semiconductor components such as LEDs, is reduced. Further, the IEC60598 luminaire standard requires an earthing in Class I and in certain cases an equipotential bonding in Class II for remote optical blocks when gear compartment and optical block are separated.

In order to connect all housing parts to the equipotential line, typically many wires are required. This results in a messy wiring, typically in constrained spaces of the housing of the luminaire, which are difficult to access. Summary The object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a luminaire for which the connection to the equipotential line can be done in a more convenient, robust and compact manner. According to a first aspect, there is provided a luminaire comprising a housing, a light source arranged in the housing, supply connection lines for feeding the light source and an equipotential connection line. The housing comprises a first electrically conductive body portion with a wall section and a second electrically conductive body portion attachable to the first body portion. The second body portion has an inner side and a contact part is mounted on said inner side such that an electrical contact is realised between the inner side and the contact part. The contact part is configured to contact the wall section of the first body portion such that an electrical contact is realised between the contact part and the first body portion. The equipotential connection line is electrically connected to at least one of the housing and the contact part.

Thus, the contact part will connect the first electrically conductive body portion to the second electrically conductive body portion in a convenient manner by simply mounting the contact part directly between the wall section and the inner side without using a wire. The equipotential connection line can then be electrically connected to only one of the first and second electrically conductive body portion or directly to the contact part, reducing the amount of wiring that is needed for connecting all housing parts to the equipotential line.

Preferably, the inner side is formed with at least one protruding element, and the contact part is arranged on said at least one protruding element. In that manner, the contact part can be easily fitted on the inner side e.g. by simply pushing it onto the at least one protruding element or by arranging it between two protruding elements.

{5 Preferably, the contact part is formed with two flexible lips and configured such that the wall section is clampingly received between the two flexible lips. This will allow the second electrically conductive body portion with the fitted contact portion to be simply mounted on the first electrically conductive body portion, wherein the wall section thereof is clampingly received between the two flexible lips.

Preferably, the contact part is formed with at least one first tooth configured to deform the wall section and/or to engage into the wall section and/or to remove material of the wall section of the first body portion. In that manner, it can be guaranteed that a good electrical contact is realised between the contact part and the wall section. When the contact part is formed with two flexible lips, each of the lips may be provided with at least one first tooth. Especially when the wall section of the first body portion is provided with a coating or anodization layer, the removal of some material of the coating or anodization layer may ensure that a good electrical contact is realised between the contact part and the electrically conductive first body portion. The coating may be e.g. a paint coating or an electrochemical coating or any other suitable cover layer.

Preferably, the contact part is formed with at least one second tooth configured to deform the inner side and/or to engage into the inner side and/or to remove material of the inner side of the second body portion. In that manner, it can be guaranteed that a good electrical contact is realised between the contact part and the inner side. More preferably, the at least one second tooth is configured to deform the at least one protruding element and/or to engage into the at least one protruding element and/or to remove material of the at least one protruding element of the second body portion.

Especially when the inner side of the second body portion, and in particular the at least one protruding element, is provided with a coating or anodization layer, the removal of some material of the coating or anodization layer may ensure that a good electrical contact is realised between the contact part and the electrically conductive second body portion.

Preferably, the contact part is provided with at least one hole and the at least one protruding element is arranged through the at least one hole. In such an embodiment the at least one second tooth may protrude into an opening of the contact part intended to receive a protruding element on the inner side of the second body portion.

Preferably, the housing is provided with an inlet plug connected to the supply lines for feeding the light source and to the equipotential line. The inlet plug may be e.g. a connector, a socket or a cable gland. The inlet plug may be arranged in any portion of the housing, e.g. in the first or in the second electrically conductive body portion. For example, the second electrically conductive body {5 portion may be an end cap for closing the housing or the second electrically conductive body may be connected to an end cap, and the inlet plug may be arranged in the end cap. The contact part mounted on the inner side of the second body portion may then be directly connected to the inlet plug via the equipotential line, such that the equipotential wiring can be kept minimal.

Preferably, the contact part is provided with a connection lip connected to the equipotential line. More preferably the connection lip is provided with a hole. This will facilitate the connection of an equipotential wire to the contact part.

Optionally, the second electrically conductive body portion is releasably attachable to the first body portion, e.g. by screwing, clipping, etc. Alternatively, the second electrically conductive body portion may be fixed to the first body portion in a non-releasable manner e.g. by an adhesive. Also a combination of e.g. screws or clips and glue may be used.

Preferably, the first body portion is a main body portion carrying the light source.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first body portion is an elongate profile with a peripheral wall and an inner wall connected to the peripheral wall, wherein the inner wall comprises the wall section. Such embodiments are advantageous for tunnel lighting, where the light source can extend along a length direction of the elongate profile. In an exemplary embodiment, the elongate profile further comprises a mounting wall extending between opposite sides of the peripheral wall, and a support of the light source is arranged against the mounting wall. The inner wall may then extend between the mounting wall and the peripheral wall. In a possible embodiment, the first and/or the second body portion is provided with a coating or anodization layer, and the contact part is configured such that the electrical contact between the second body portion and the contact part is realized through the coating or anodization layer (e.g. by locally damaging the coating layer or by scratching the anodization layer until reaching bare aluminium), and/or such that the electrical contact between the wall section of the first body portion and the contact part is realized through the coating or anodization layer.

Preferably, the light source comprises a carrier such as a printed circuit board on which a plurality of light emitting elements is mounted, said carrier further comprising an equipotential connector connected to the equipotential line.

Preferably, the luminaire comprises a driver configured to drive the light source. Optionally the driver may be provided with an equipotential connector which is then also connected to the equipotential line. For example, PCT application with publication number WO 2020/064487 Al in the name of the applicant describes a driver with an equipotential connector, and is included herein by reference.

Preferably, the luminaire comprises a surge protection device (SPD) to absorb energy and protect the driver. Optionally the SPD may be provided with an equipotential connector which is then also connected to the equipotential line. For example, PCT application with application number PCT/EP2020/050420 in the name of the applicant describes an SPD with an equipotential connector, and is included herein by reference.

Preferably, the contact part is made of metal such as steel or brass. For example, tempered spring steel or spring-like brass may be used.

Preferred embodiments relate to an outdoor luminaire. However, the invention may also be useful in indoor luminaires, notably for warehouses or industry halls. By outdoor luminaire, it is meant laminaires which are installed on roads, tunnels, industrial plants, campuses, stadiums, airports, harbours, rail stations, parks, cycle paths, pedestrian paths or in pedestrian zones, for example, and which can be used notably for the lighting of an outdoor area, such as roads and residential areas in the public domain, private parking areas, access roads to private building infrastructures, etc.

Preferably the light source further comprises one or more optical elements associated with the plurality of light emitting elements.

Preferably, the one or more optical elements comprise a plurality of lens elements associated with the plurality of light emitting element.

Optionally, the plurality of optical elements may be integrated in one or more optical plates arranged above the 5 one or more carriers on which the light emitting elements are mounted.

Lens elements may be typically encountered in outdoor luminaire heads, although other types of optical elements may be additionally or alternatively present in such luminaires heads, sach as reflectors, backlights, prisms, collimators, diffusors, and the like.

In the context of the invention, a lens element may include any transmissive optical element that focuses or disperses light by means of refraction.

It may also include any one of the following: a reflective portion, a backlight portion, a prismatic portion, a collimator portion, a diffusor portion.

For example, a lens element may have a lens portion with a concave or convex surface facing a light source, or more generally a lens portion with a flat or curved surface facing the light source, and optionally a collimator portion integrally formed with said lens portion, said collimator portion being configured for collimating light transmitted through said lens portion.

Also, a lens element may be provided with a reflective portion or surface or with a diffusive portion or surface.

Brief description of the figures The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate presently preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments of devices of the present invention.

The above and other advantages of the features and objects of the invention will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a luminaire; Figures 2A and 2B are schematic exploded perspective views looking at a first end of the luminaire of figure 1; Figures 3A and 3B are schematic perspective views of the contact part of the luminaire of figure 1; Figure 3C is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the inner side of the second body portion showing two protruding element; Figure 4 is a schematic detailed view of the connection between the contact part and the wall section for the laminaire of figure 1; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the end cap at the second end of the luminaire of figure 1; and Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the contact part and the associated inner side according to an alternative exemplary embodiment.

Description of embodiments Figures 1, 2A and 2B, 3A, 3B, 4 and 5 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a luminaire of the invention.

The luminaire comprises a housing 1000 and a light source 400 arranged in the housing 1000. The housing is provided with an inlet plug 500 connected to supply lines 510 and an equipotential line

520. The supply connection lines 510 are for feeding the light source 400. For safety reasons, the housing 1000 of a luminaire has to be connected to the equipotential line 520. More in particular, for some luminaire classifications, it is preferred that all elements and housing parts that can be touched have to be connected to the equipotential line 520. The housing 1000 comprises at a first end an end cap 200’ and at a second end an end cap 1200.

The housing 1000 comprises a first electrically conductive body portion 100 with a wall section 110 and a second electrically conductive body portion 200 attachable to the first body portion 100. Here the second electrically conductive body portion 200 is a frame portion inserted between the first body portion 100 and the end cap 200’. For example, the second electrically conductive body portion 200 may be fixed, e.g. by clipping, gluing, screws, or any other suitable fixation means to the first electrically conductive body portion 100. In addition, the housing 1000 may comprise additional portions, such as end portion 200°, here an end cap for closing the housing 1000. In another non-illustrated embodiment, the parts 200 and 200° may be one integral part. Also, the end cap 1200 at the second end may form a second electrically conductive body portion, see also figure 5 which is discussed below.

The inlet plug 500 is arranged in the end portion 200’ but could also be arranged in the first or in the second electrically conductive body portion 100, 200. The inlet plug 500 may be e.g. a connector, a socket or a cable gland.

The second body portion 200 has an inner side 201, see figures 2A and 2B, and a contact part 300 is mounted on the inner side 201 such that an electrical contact is realised between the inner side 201 and the contact part 300. The contact part 300 is configured to contact the wall section 110 of the first body portion 100, see figure 4, such that an electrical contact is realised between the contact part 300 and the first body portion 100. Thus, the contact part 300 will connect the first electrically conductive body portion 100 to the second electrically conductive body portion 200 in a convenient manner by simply mounting the contact part 300 directly between the wall section 110 and the inner side 201 without using a wire or other connection means. Preferably, the contact part 300 is made of metal such as steel or brass. For example, tempered spring steel or spring-like brass may be used.

The equipotential connection line 520 is electrically connected to at least one of the housing 1000 and the contact part 300. As shown in figure 2B, the equipotential line 520 may be connected to contact part 300 in the illustrated embodiment, see dotted line DI. The contact part 300 may be directly connected to the inlet plug 500 via the equipotential line 520, such that the equipotential wiring can be kept minimal. However, in other embodiments it may be connected to a portion of the housing 1000, e.g. to the first body portion 100 or to the second body portion 200. Indeed, because of the presence of the contact part 300, the equipotential connection line 520 can be electrically connected to only one of the first and second electrically conductive body portion 100, 200 or directly to the contact part 300, reducing the amount of wiring that is needed for connecting all housing parts to the equipotential line 520. In that manner, messy wiring can be avoided or reduced. Thus, thanks to the presence of contact part 300, the connection to the equipotential line 520 can be done in a convenient, robust and compact manner with a redaced amount of wiring.

To facilitate the connection to the contact part 300, the contact part 300 may be provided with a connection lip 350. The connection lip 350 may be provided with a hole 351, see figures 3A and 3B. This will facilitate the connection of an equipotential wire 520 to the connection lip 350. This may be an equipotential wire 520 directly connected to the inlet plug 500 as illustrated in figure 2B or an equipotential wire connected to the housing 1000, e.g. to the first or second body portion 100, 200, or an equipotential wire connected to an equipotential connector, e.g. an equipotential connector of a driver or of an SPD as has been explained above in the summary with reference to PCT applications WO 2020/064487 A1 and PCT/EP2020/050420 in the name of the applicant.

In addition, as shown in figure 2B with a dotted line D2, the equipotential line 520 may be connected to a connection point 540 of the end cap 200° to ensure that also the end cap 200° is electrically connected to the equipotential line.

As shown in figure 2B and figure 3C, the inner side 201 of the second body portion may be formed with at least one protruding element 210a, 210b, here two pins, and the contact part 300 may be arranged on the at least one protruding element 210a, 210b. In that manner, the contact part 300 can be easily fitted on the inner side 201 by simply pushing it onto the at least one protruding element. To facilitate the mounting, the contact part 300 may be provided with at least one hole 330a, 330b, and the at least one protruding element 210a, 210b may be arranged through the at least one hole 330a, 330b. In the illustrated embodiment two pins 210a, 210b are provided to the inner side 201, but the skilled person understands that it is also possible to provide only one protruding element or more than two protruding elements and that those elements may have any shape. It is also possible to arrange the contact part between two protruding elements, see also figure 6 which is discussed below.

As is best shown in figures 3A and 3B, the contact part 300 may be formed with two flexible lips 310a, 310b and configured such that the wall section 110 is clampingly received between the two flexible lips 310a, 310b, see also figure 4. The second body portion 200 with the fitted contact portion 300 can be connected to the first body portion 100, so that the wall section 110 thereof is clampingly received between the two flexible lips 310a, 310b. It is noted that it is also possible to provide only one flexible lip to the contact portion 300, as in the embodiment of figure 6 discussed below. When the second body portion 200 with the fitted contact portion 300 is connected to the first body portion 100, the single flexible lip can also push against wall section 110 and make appropriate contact.

Further, as shown in figures 3A and 3B, the contact part 300 may be formed with at least one first tooth 320a, 320b configured to deform the wall section 110 and/or to engage into the wall section 110 and/or to remove material of the wall section 110 of the first body portion 100. Here the lips 310a, 310b are each provided with one tooth 320a, 320b, but it will be understood that it is also possible to provide only one of the lips 310a, 310b with a tooth or to provide multiple teeth on a single lip 310a, 310b. In that manner, it can be guaranteed that a good electrical contact is realised between the contact part 300 and the wall section 110: indeed, the teeth 320a, 320b will be pressed against the material of the first body portion and ensure a good electrical contact. In particular, when the wall section 110 of the first body portion 100 is provided with a coating (e.g. a coating with a low electrical conductivity) or anodization layer, the removal of some material of the coating or anodization layer may ensure that a good electrical contact is realised between the contact part 300 and the electrically conductive material of the first body portion 100. Also, as is best shown in figures 3A and 3B, the contact part 300 may be formed with at least one second tooth 340a, 340b configured to deform the inner side 201 and/or to engage into the inner side 201 and/or to remove material of the inner side 201 of the second body portion 200. In the illustrated embodiment, around each hole 330a, 330b multiple teeth 340a, 340b are provided. The second teeth 340a, 340b are configured to deform the at least one protruding element 210a, 210b of the inner side 201 and/or to engage into the at least one protruding element 340a, 340b and/or to remove material of the at least one protruding element 340a, 340b of the inner side 201 of the second body portion 200. In that manner, it can be guaranteed that a good electrical contact is realised between the contact part 300 and the second body portion 200: indeed, the teeth 340a, 340b will be pressed against the material of the protruding elements 210a, 210b of the second body portion 200 and ensure a good electrical contact. In particular, when the inner side 201 of the second body portion 200, and in particular the at least one protruding element 2102, 210b, is provided with a coating or anodization layer, the removal of some material of the coating or anodization layer may ensure that a good electrical contact is realised between the contact part 300 and the electrically conductive material of the second body portion 200.

As is best shown in figure 1 and figure 2A, the first body portion 100 is an elongate profile with a peripheral wall 102 and an inner wall 101 connected to the peripheral wall 102, wherein the inner wall 101 comprises the wall section 110. Such embodiment is particularly advantageous for e.g. tunnel lighting, where the light source 400 can extend along a length direction of the elongate profile. Here, the first body portion 100 is a main body portion carrying the light source 400. The elongate profile may further comprise a mounting wall 103 extending between opposite sides 102a, 102b of the peripheral wall 102, and a support 401 of the light source 400 is arranged against the mounting wall 103. The inner wall 101 may then extend between the mounting wall 103 and the peripheral wall 102.

The light source 400 may comprises one or more carriers 402 such as a printed circuit board on which a plurality of light emitting elements 403, typically light emitting diodes, is mounted. A plarality of optical elements 404, such as lens elements is arranged over the plurality of light emitting elements 403. The carrier 402 further comprises a set of connectors 410 for connecting the light emitting elements 403. Optionally the set of connectors 410 comprises an equipotential connector connected to the equipotential line 520.

Optionally, the plurality of optical elements 404 may be integrated in one or more optical plates 420 arranged above the one or more carriers 402 on which the light emitting elements 403 are mounted.

Preferably, the luminaire comprises a driver (not shown). The driver may be arranged inside housing 1000 or outside housing 1000. Optionally also an SPD is provided. Optionally, the driver and/or the SPD may be provided with an equipotential connector which is then also connected to the equipotential line 520.

Figure 5 illustrates the end cap 1200 at the second end. The end cap 1200 functions here also as a second body portion 200 having an inner side 201, wherein a contact part 300 is mounted on the inner side 201 such that an electrical contact is realised between the inner side 201 and the contact part 300. The contact part 300 is configured to contact a wall section of the first body portion (not shown in figure 5) in a similar way as illustrated in figures 2A and 2B, such that an electrical contact is realised between the contact part 300 and the first body portion 100. Thus, the contact part 300 will connect the first electrically conductive body portion 100 to the end cap 1200 in a convenient manner by simply mounting the contact part 300 directly between the wall section and the inner side 201 without using a wire or other connection means. The contact part 300 may have any one of the features described above. In that manner, all housing parts 100, 200, 1200 can be connected to the equipotential line in a simple manner. It is noted that the invention also covers IO other embodiments where there is only one removable cap instead of two caps and where only one or more than two contact parts 300 are used in the luminaire. Figure 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a contact part 300. The contact part 300 is formed with a flexible lip 310 and configured such that the flexible lip can press against a wall section (not shown), in a similar way as lip 310a of the embodiment of figures 3A and 3B. Optionally, the contact part 300 may be formed with a tooth (not shown but similar to 320a of the embodiment of figures 3A and 3B) configured to deform the wall section and/or to engage into the wall section and/or to remove material of the wall section of the first body portion. The inner side 201 of the second body portion is formed with two protruding elements 210a, 210b, here two parallel wall portions, and the contact part 300 may be arranged between the two protruding elements 210a, 210b. The contact part 300 is formed with a first and second series of teeth 340a, 340b configured to deform the protruding elements 210a, 210b and/or to engage into the protruding elements 210a, 210b and/or to remove material of the protruding elements 210a, 210b of the second body portion

200.

Whilst the principles of the invention have been set out above in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that this description is merely made by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of protection which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

A lighting fixture comprising a housing (1000), a light source (400) disposed in the housing, supply connection lines (510) for powering the light source and an equipotential bonding line (520), the housing having a first electrically conductive body portion (100 ) having a wall portion (110) and a second electrically conductive body portion (200, 1200) connectable to the first body portion (100), the second body portion (200, 1200) having an inner side (201) wherein a contact portion ( 300) is mounted on the inner side such that an electrical contact is made between the inner side (201) and the contact portion (300), and the contact portion {300) is arranged to contact the wall portion (210) of the first body portion (100) such that electrical contact is established between the contact portion (300) and the first body portion (100), wherein the equipotential bonding line (520) is electrically connected n with at least one of the housing (1000) and the contact part (300).

The lighting fixture according to claim 1, wherein the inner side (201) is formed with at least one protruding element (2104, 210b), and wherein the contact part (300) is provided on the at least one protruding element.

The lighting fixture according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact portion (300) is formed by two flexible lips (3104, 310b) and is arranged such that the wall portion {110) is clampedly received between the two flexible lips.

The lighting fixture of any preceding claim, wherein the contact portion (300) is formed with at least one first prong (320a, 320b) adapted to deform and/or engage the wall portion and/or material from the wall portion (110) of the first body portion.

The lighting fixture according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact portion (300) is formed with at least one second prong (3402, 340b) adapted to deform the inner side and/or engage the inner side and/or material of to remove the inside of the second body part.

The lighting fixture according to claims 2 and 5, wherein the at least one second prong (3404, 340b) is adapted to deform the at least one projection and/or engage the at least one projection and/or material of removing the at least one projecting element from the second body part.

The lighting fixture of claims 2 and 6, wherein the contact portion (300) is provided with at least one opening (3304, 330b), and wherein the at least one projecting member (2104, 210b) is arranged through the at least one opening .

The lighting fixture of any preceding claim, wherein the housing includes a charging plug (500) connected to the supply lines (510) and the equipotential line (520).

The lighting fixture according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact portion (300) has a connecting lip (350) connected to the equipotential line.

The lighting fixture of any preceding claim, wherein the first body portion is an elongate profile having a peripheral wall (102) and an inner wall (101) joined to the peripheral wall, the inner wall comprising the wall portion (110).

The lighting fixture of any preceding claim, wherein the first body portion is a main body portion that carries the light source (400).

The lighting fixture according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second body part is a cover or wherein a cover is arranged against the second body part, the cover being adapted to close off the end of the first body part.

The lighting fixture of claims 8 and 12, wherein the charging plug (500) is mounted in the cover.

The lighting fixture according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or the second body part is provided with a coating or anodized layer and wherein the contact part (300) is arranged such that the electrical contact between the second body part (200, 1200) and the contact portion (300) is established through the coating or anodized layer, and/or such that electrical contact between the wall portion (110) of the first body portion (100) and the contact portion (200) is established through the coating or anodized layer .

The lighting fixture of any preceding claim, wherein the light source (400) comprises a support such as a printed board on which a plurality of light-emitting elements are mounted, the support further comprising an equipotential bonding connected to the equipotential line.