WO2005085705A1

WO2005085705A1 - Illumination device with load transmission

Info

Publication number: WO2005085705A1
Application number: PCT/DE2005/000394
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Schmitz; Thomas Haagen; Thomas Kerstiens
Original assignee: Peter Schmitz; Thomas Haagen; Thomas Kerstiens
Priority date: 2004-03-04
Filing date: 2005-03-04
Publication date: 2005-09-15
Also published as: DE102004010530A1; EP1721100A1; DE102004010530B4

Abstract

The invention relates to an illumination device (1), comprising a transparent tubular mid-section (3), enclosing at least one lamp (2), provided at the ends thereof with closure caps (4, 5). Load transmission means (18) run from one closure cap (4) to the other closure cap (5), parallel to the lamp (2). The above are provided for the transmission of a tension or compression force acting along the longitudinal direction of the mid-piece (3) of the order of many times the weight of the illumination device (1). Said illumination device (1) can particularly find application in support constructions for buildings.

Description

LIGHTING DEVICE WITH LOAD TRANSFER

The invention relates to a lighting device according to the features of the preamble of patent claim 1.

Illuminants are generally sensitive to shocks and often have to be protected from shocks and other environmental influences by means of suitable holders and housings. For example, rod-shaped assembly lights belong to the prior art, in which a fluorescent tube is accommodated in a plexiglass tube. Cover caps are arranged at the ends of the plexiglass tube. Power is supplied to the fluorescent tube through one of the cover caps. A hook is attached to the other cover cap so that the mounting light can be hung up. The hook is not designed to absorb external loads, but only serves to carry the weight of the assembly light and, if necessary, that of the electrical supply line. It is not possible to transfer a load through such a mounting light.

A rod-shaped fluorescent lamp is the subject of DE 82 33 566 U1. Although the inclusion of the protective tube end edges surrounding the lamp in an annular groove of the end caps itself thanks to the flexibility of the material - usually soft PVC - the outer surfaces of the Protective tube in the area of the annular groove be glued to end caps for safety. Such a fluorescent lamp is not designed for permanent tensile stress.

Since fluorescent tubes in particular are very sensitive to impact, a lamp holder is provided in fixed installations, which extends parallel to the fluorescent tube. The necessary electrical components, e.g. a ballast, housed. Such stationary lamp holders are also not intended to take up external loads. An example of a fixed installation is street lighting, in which suspension cables are tensioned between house fronts or masts, to which the lights are attached. Only the weight of the light acts on the lamp itself, but not the tensile force emanating from the ropes.

A lamp is known from DE 93 15 199 U1, the light housing of which can still be moved when the carrying device is mounted in order to make changes in position. The light housing itself cannot be loaded by external traction devices. The luminaire with explosion protection known from DE 101 20 564 A1 is also not loadable by external traction means. In this document, a luminaire with explosion protection is proposed, in which two tie rods run parallel to the illuminant, which prevent an escape into the surroundings in the event of an explosion of the illuminant. This lamp is not designed for permanent train.

Not in all areas of application do these or similar technical solutions, in which the luminaires are arranged parallel to the load-bearing structure via separate fasteners, meet the required structural and aesthetic requirements specified by the architects. A direct incorporation of a luminaire into a load-bearing structure is not possible with the known luminaires. Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to create a lighting device which, despite the use of shock-sensitive lamps, in particular gas discharge lamps, is suitable for absorbing externally introduced tensile or compressive forces and which; Immediate integration of the lighting means in tension or compression: load-bearing structures made possible.

This object is achieved in lighting devices with the features of claim 1 by extending from one cover cap to the other cover cap parallel to the illuminant load transmission means, which act to transmit a multiple of the weight of the lighting device, acting in the longitudinal direction of the central part and / or Compressive force that is applied by external force introduction means are provided. The use of the lighting means is the subject of claim 21.

The main idea is that considerable tensile forces and / or compressive forces can be transmitted in the longitudinal direction of a lamp, in particular * a fluorescent tube, without the risk of damaging the lamp. In this way, it is possible to clamp the lighting device directly between external force introduction means that introduce the tensile forces and / or compressive forces, so that the lighting devices themselves become part of the tensile load and / or pressure-transmitting components. In this way, a quasi-parallel arrangement of load transmission means and separate lights can be avoided. On the one hand, this leads to a saving in installation space and is particularly appealing from an aesthetic point of view. New constructive scope is opened.

In principle, the at least one load transmission means can be an exclusive tensile load transmission means or an exclusive pressure transmission means. Claims 2 to 11 relate to tensile load transmission means. Result in the lighting device according to the invention different ways of transferring the tensile load. In principle, the housing of the lighting device, that is to say the cover caps and, if appropriate, also the tubular middle part, can transmit tensile loads in whole or in part. However, a functional separation of the protective and load-transferring components is also possible. This means that the cover caps and the tubular middle part serve only for protection against environmental influences and separate load transmission means within the cover caps and the tubular middle part serve for load transmission.

In the embodiment of claim 3 it is provided that at least two load transmission means extend within the tubular middle part. Basically, the aim is that the preferably elongated illuminant lies concentrically on the pull axis, so that the visual impression arises that the illuminant itself transmits the tensile force. Because of the central arrangement of the illuminant and to avoid transverse forces, it is expedient to provide at least two spaced load transmission means which extend parallel to the illuminant. Preferably, three and depending on the number and dimension of the lamps and the tensile force also more parallel load transmission means are to be provided. It is important that the mutual distance between the tensile load transmission means is so large that the lamp can be replaced without the tensile load transmission means having to be released. Basically, the aim is to make the tensile load transmission means as thin and thus as inconspicuous as possible, so that the viewer gets the impression that only the illuminant or the tubular middle part is used for transmission of the glass load. For this reason, it is considered expedient to place the tensile load transmission means as close as possible to the lamps in order to achieve a cross-fading effect which makes the tensile load transmission means less visible. The tensile load transmission means are preferably made of high-strength material in order to make the cross section as small as possible. In the context of the invention, it is also possible to arrange the load transfer means centrally, the lamp or lamps then being arranged off-center. With this arrangement, the load transmission means can be surrounded, for example, with a reflector, so that the load transmission means is hardly visible when the lighting is switched on. The eccentric arrangement of the illuminants also facilitates access during maintenance and repair work and in particular the replacement of the illuminants. Another advantage is that larger load transmission medium cross sections can be realized with centrally arranged load transmission means without impairing the desired visual appearance. The above applies to both pressure load transmission means and tension load transmission means.

In the embodiment of claim 4, the tensile load transmission means are at least partially integrated into the wall of the tubular middle part. As a result, no additional space is required between the illuminant and the tubular middle part, and the entire lighting device can be designed to be very slim.

With regard to the power transmission, the tensile load transmission means can be supported on yoke plates arranged within the cover caps. Depending on the number of tensile load transmission means, these yoke plates have a plurality of openings through which the tensile load transmission means can be suspended (claim 5). The tensile load transmission means can be detachably or permanently attached to the yoke plates. The connection can be non-positive, positive or also material. In the development according to claim 6 it is provided that the tensile load of pull rings is introduced into the cover caps, so that the tensile load is transmitted at least indirectly to the external tensile load introduction means via the cover caps. In this embodiment, the cover caps themselves are used for power transmission and must be dimensioned accordingly. The pull rings can be screwed to the cover caps for power transmission, for example. The pull rings can be provided with an external thread and can be screwed directly into an internal thread of the cover caps by means of this external thread. The cover caps function to a certain extent as a pull sleeve and are matched to the outer dimensions of the pull rings with regard to their inner dimensions.

In the embodiment of claim 7, the yoke plates are provided with stop means which enable the lighting device to be coupled to further external tensile load introduction means. If the yoke plates can be coupled directly to the external tensile load introduction means, the cover cap is not used for load transmission, but only as protection against environmental influences. The cover cap can therefore be made lighter and from less tensile materials, so that there is greater structural freedom for the design of the cover caps. Another advantage is that the cover caps for exchanging a lamp can be designed to be axially displaceable, that is to say in the longitudinal direction of the tensile load transmission means, as a result of which access to the electrical components of the lighting device is obtained without interrupting the load transmission. In this way, a lamp can also be removed from the tubular central part in the axial direction or inserted into it. Alternatively, the tubular middle part can be moved in the axial direction in order to access the illuminant. Optionally, it is conceivable that maintenance openings which can be closed at least over a partial length section are provided in the tubular middle part in order to enable the lamp replacement.

According to claim 8, it is provided that the tensile load transmission means between the cover caps are ropes, rods or chains. Basically, high-strength materials are to be used, which enable an optically unobtrusive load transfer. For this purpose, the load transmission means can be adapted to the color of the illuminant. Especially when using ropes there is the possibility to use plastic ropes made of transparent material. Additional diffusion of the light can be achieved through the satin-finished surfaces of the translucent middle part to compensate for differences in brightness caused by the load transmission means.

In the embodiment of claim 9 it is provided that the tensile load transmission means between the cover caps is formed by the translucent middle part itself. In this embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention, separate tensile load transmission means are dispensed with, as a result of which the manufacturing outlay and the use of materials can be minimized. The translucent middle part can be glued to the cover caps so that additional fastening elements or connecting elements are omitted. In this embodiment, the tensile force is in turn transmitted via the cover cap. In this context it is provided according to claim 10 that the cover caps can be closed at their outer ends with a tensile load-transmitting connection plate which is provided for fastening the external force introduction means. The connection plate can in particular be screwed to the cover caps via a thread pairing.

The subject matter of claim 11 is that an electrical supply line is led to the illuminant by the external force introduction means connected to the cover caps. Such external force introduction means are preferably pull rods or pull pipes, the electrical feed line not being visible from the inside. On the one hand, this protects the electrical supply line from environmental influences and damage. On the other hand, there is the visually appealing impression of a quasi line-free energy supply.

In the embodiment of patent claim 12, the at least one load transmission means is configured as a pressure load transmission means that is provided exclusively for the transmission of a compressive force. In particular, this can be a central rod, around which a plurality of lamps extending in its longitudinal direction are concerned are arranged. In principle, such a bar is also suitable for transmitting tensile loads, the only important thing being the connection of the central bar. The problem with pressure load transmission is that the rod must have sufficient flexural rigidity to prevent buckling. In addition, the rod must be firmly coupled to pressure-transmitting connection means, which must also have sufficient pressure resistance. The rod can be a tube or a rod, ie have an internal cavity or consist of a solid material.

In principle, any illuminants can be used in the lighting device according to the invention (claims 14 to 16). The lamps are preferably gas discharge lamps, in particular fluorescent tubes. LED light strips can also be used. Commercial cold cathode lamps require high supply voltages, whereas LED light strips can be operated with protective extra-low voltage. The expected lifespan of LED light strips is also several times longer than that of cold cathode lamps. LED light strips are mechanically robust both during installation and during operation. Their extensive resistance to shocks, temperature changes and hailstones make them particularly suitable for outdoor use. Of course, a plurality of LED light strips or fluorescent tubes can be arranged parallel to one another, so that lighting devices with a tubular central part with an enlarged diameter are also the subject of the invention. Of course, the use of incandescent lamps is also possible.

The electrical connection components of the lamps are accommodated in the cover caps (claim 17).

In the embodiment of claim 18 it is provided that a tensile force and / or compressive force of more than 500 N can be transmitted via the load transmission means. Significantly larger loads are preferred, however transferable. In the embodiments of claims 19 and 20 it is therefore provided that tensile loads and / or compressive loads of more than 5,000 N and 10,000 N are transferable.

The lighting device according to the invention can preferably be used within a supporting structure of a building. This is the subject of claim 21. A possible application would be to integrate the lighting devices into the tensions which, for example, run crosswise between pillars and rafters, particularly in lightweight hall construction. Of course, the lighting device according to the invention can also be used outdoors, for example in the area of supporting structures for roofs of any kind.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a lighting device in longitudinal section in a horizontally clamped position;

FIG. 2 shows the right end region of the lighting device of FIG. 1 in an enlarged illustration in longitudinal section;

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of a lighting device with internal tie rods in partial longitudinal section;

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a lighting device with load transmission by means of the translucent central part in partial longitudinal section;

Figure 5 shows an application example of the lighting device according to the invention on a building and

characters

6 and 7 show an embodiment of a lighting device with pressure load transmission means. Figure 1 shows a lighting device 1, which is equipped with a fluorescent tube 2 as a lamp. The fluorescent tube 2 is surrounded by a translucent tubular middle part 3 made of plexiglass. At the end of the middle part 3 there are cover caps 4, 5, which are firmly connected to the middle part 3. The cover cap 5 on the left in the image plane accommodates a ballast 6 with an integrated tube base. An external force introduction means 7 in the form of a draw tube is connected to each cover cap 4, 5. An electrical feed line 8 is led through these draw tubes 7 into the interior of the cover cap 5 and thus to the ballast 6. The external force introduction means 7 each lead into a longitudinal tube 9, which is anchored in the masonry 11 with a suitable wall fastening 10.

The cover cap 4 on the right in the image plane receives a contact plate 12 with a tube base, the electrical feed line 8a being carried out through the tubular middle part 3. The entire lighting device 1 is under the influence of a tensile force which acts along the central longitudinal axis of the lighting device 1 in the direction of the arrows P.

FIG. 2 illustrates the flow of force through the lighting device 1. The tensile force P emanating from the external force introduction means 7 is introduced into the cover cap 4 via a connection plate 13. For this purpose, the connection cap 13 is provided with an external thread and screwed into a corresponding internal thread of the cover cap 4. The force transmission takes place via this thread pairing 14. The external force introduction means 7 passes through a central bore 15 in the connection plate 13.

The tensile force P is introduced via the sleeve-shaped cover cap 4 via a further thread pairing 16 at the other end of the cover cap 4 into a pull ring 17 which is screwed into the cover cap 4. Tension load transmission means in the form of tension rods 18 are fastened to the tension ring 17. The tension rods 18 are embedded in the jacket of the tubular middle part 3 and run parallel to the illuminant 2. The tension rods 18 can be cast into the plexiglass tube 3. Furthermore, an electrical feed line 8a is received in the plexiglass tube 3, which is connected in its further course to the ballast 6, which is received in the other cover cap 5. The pull ring 17 surrounds a guide ring 19 which serves to position the illuminant 2. The guide ring 19 centers the lamp 2.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a lighting device 1 a in which the transmission of the tensile force P takes place via tensile load transmission means in the form of tie rods 20 lying between the illuminant 2 and the central part 3. An essential difference compared to the embodiment in FIG. 2 is that the tensile force P is not passed through the cover cap 4a, but is only transmitted via the tie rods 20. For this purpose, a yoke plate 21 is provided within the cover cap 4a, which from the tie rods

20 is enforced. The tie rods 20 are secured in this embodiment on the side facing away from the lamp 2 by a screw 22. Instead of a screw connection, a material connection between the yoke plate 21 and the tie rods 20 could also take place. The yoke plate

21 has a central bore 23, similar to the connecting plate 13, in which the external force introduction means 7 is received. A suitable abutment head 24 on the external force introduction means 7 prevents it from slipping through the bore 23. The abutment head 24 can be equipped with a spherical surface in order to compensate for any misalignment between the external force introduction means 7 and the lighting device 1 a, for example when the tensile force P decreases and to introduce transverse forces into to avoid the yoke plate 21. The cover cap 4a is closed at the end, that is to say in the direction of the external force introduction means 7, by a locking ring 25. The locking ring 25 is penetrated by the external force introduction means 7. The cover cap 4a has in this embodiment only the task, the contact plate 12a and to protect electrical components, in particular the illuminant 2, from environmental influences and has no function with regard to the transmission of tractive force. In contrast to the embodiment in FIG. 2, the wall thickness of the covering cap 2a is therefore significantly less. The centering of the illuminant 2 takes place through the contact plate 12a. The contact plate 12a is penetrated by the tie rods 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the tensile force P is evenly transmitted to both tie rods 20, so that only half the tensile force P is applied to each tie rod 20. The smaller arrows P1, P2 are intended to illustrate this fact. The pull rods 20 can be made of stainless steel, for example with a thickness of 8 mm, and are arranged as close as possible to the illuminant 2. The outer diameter of the tubular middle part 3 corresponds to the outer diameter of the cover cap 4a.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 differs from the previous embodiments in that the lighting device 1 b shown does not require additional tensile load transmission means. The transmission of the tensile force P takes place directly via the tubular middle part 3a, which is glued to the cover cap 4b for this purpose. For this purpose, the tubular middle part 3a fits into the cover cap 4b and is connected to the cover cap 4b on the circumferential side. The adhesive bond is subjected to shear stress. In this exemplary embodiment, the illuminant 2 is centered by the contact plate 12b. Power is transmitted between the external tensile load transmission means 7 and the central part 3a via the sleeve-shaped cover cap 4b, the wall thickness of which is dimensioned accordingly. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the external force introduction means 7 is in turn mounted in a connection plate 13 which is screwed into the cover cap 4b via a thread pair 14.

FIG. 5 shows a possible application example of the lighting device according to the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the lighting device 1 according to the invention is in the supporting structure for a roof 26 Stop 27 integrated. The roof 26 is held on a mast 29 by three support cables 28 arranged in a fan shape. The lighting device 1 according to the invention is integrated in an optically appealing manner in each of the support cables 28. In the case of a transparent or translucent roof 26, additional lighting means can optionally be saved. Furthermore, the lighting devices 1 emit a signal effect that could be characteristic of stops of this type.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show two representations of a further embodiment of a lighting device rotated by 90 °. It is essential in this embodiment that both a tensile and a compressive load is possible. For this purpose, the lighting device 1c is provided with a load transmission means in the form of a central pull / push rod 30 which is fixedly coupled to end plates 31. Via the tabs 31, both a tensile force and a compressive force can be introduced into the illustrated lighting means 1 c, as the arrows P, D symbolize. The central pull / push rod 30 is surrounded by a plurality of tubular illuminants 2a which are held on the contact plates 12c surrounding the pull / push rod 30. As in the previous embodiments, the translucent tubular middle part 3 is made of translucent plastic and protects the electrical components from environmental influences. Cover caps 32, in which electrical connection components (not shown in detail) are accommodated, are in turn connected to the central part 3. In a manner not shown, the force transmission takes place directly between the central pull / push rod 30 and the connected end plates 31. REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 - Illuminating device 1a- Illuminating device 1b- Illuminating device 1c- Illuminating device 2 - Fluorescent tube / illuminant 2a - Illuminant 3- middle part 3a- middle part 4 - Cover cap 4a - Cover cap 4b - Cover cap 5 - Cover cap 6 - Ballast 7 - External force application means 8 - Electrical supply line 8a - electrical supply line 9 - longitudinal pipe 10- wall fastening 11 - masonry 12- contact plate 12a- contact plate 12b- contact plate 12c- contact plate 13- connection plate 14- thread pairing 15- hole in 13 16- thread pairing 17- pull ring 18- tension load transmission means (tension rod) 19 - guide ring

20 - tie rod

21 - yoke plate

22 - screw connection

23 - bore from 21 (sling gear)

24 - abutment head

25 - Lock ring

26 - roof

27 - Stop 28 - Ropes 29 - Mast

30 - pull / push rod

31 - tab

32 - cover cap

D - compressive force P - tensile force P1 - tensile force P2 - tensile force

Claims

claims

1. Lighting device comprising a translucent tubular central part (3, 3a) surrounding at least one illuminant (2), which is provided at its ends with cover caps (4, 4a, 4b, 5, 32), with a cover cap (4 , 4a, 4b, 32) to the other cover cap (5) extends at least one load transmission means (3a, 18, 20, 30) running parallel to the illuminant (2, 2a), characterized in that the at least one load transmission means (3a, 18, 20, 30) for the transmission of a multiple of the weight of the lighting device (1, 1a, 1b, 1c) acting in the longitudinal direction of the central part (3, 3a) and / or pressure force (P, D) is provided, the pulling force or Compressive force (P, D) is applied by external force introduction means (7, 28).

2. Lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one load transmission means is a tensile load transmission means (3a, 18, 20, 30) which is designed exclusively for transmitting a tensile force (P).

3. Lighting device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least two tensile load transmission means (18, 20) extend within the tubular middle part (3).

4. Lighting device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the tensile load transmission means (18) are at least partially integrated into the wall of the tubular middle part (3).

5. Lighting device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the tensile load transmission means (20) in the Cover caps (4a) are arranged on the yoke plates (21) arranged inside the cover caps (4a).

6. Lighting device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the tensile force (P) of pull rings (17) in the cover caps (4, 5) is introduced, so that the tensile load (P) over the cover caps (4, 5th ) is transmitted at least indirectly to the external tensile load introduction means (7).

7. Lighting device according to claim 5, characterized in that the yoke plates (21) have stop means (23) for coupling the lighting device (1a) with the external tensile load introduction means (7).

8. Lighting device according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the tensile load transmission means (18, 20) between the cover caps (4, 4a, 5) are ropes, rods or chains.

9. Lighting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the tensile load transmission means between the cover caps (4b) is formed by the translucent central part (3a).

10. Lighting device according to claim 6 or 9, characterized in that the cover caps (4, 4b) can be closed at their outer ends with a tensile load-transmitting connection plate (13) which is provided for fastening the external tensile load introduction means (7).

11. Lighting device according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that through the to the cover caps (4, 4a, 4b, 5) connected external tensile load introduction means (7), an electrical lead (8) is led to the lamp (2).

12. Lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one load transmission means Pressure load transmission means, which is designed exclusively for the transmission of a compressive force (D).

13. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the at least one load transmission means is formed by a central rod (30) around which a plurality of illuminants (2a) extending in its longitudinal direction are arranged.

14. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the illuminant (2, 2a) is a gas discharge lamp, in particular a fluorescent tube.

15. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the illuminant is an LED light strip.

16. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the illuminant is an incandescent lamp.

17. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that in the cover caps (4, 4a, 4b, 5, 32) electrical connection components of the lighting means (2) are accommodated.

18. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that a tensile force and / or compressive force of more than 500 N can be transmitted via the load transmission means (3a, 18, 20, 30).

19. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that a tensile force and / or compressive force of more than 5,000 N can be transmitted via the load transmission means (3a, 18, 20, 30).

20. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that via the load transmission means (3a, 18, 20, 30) a tensile force and / or compressive force of more than 10,000 N can be transmitted.

21. Use of a lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 20 within a supporting structure (28) of a building (27).