Patent Description:
Lighting equipment for roadways, parking lots and other outdoor areas typically use plug twist-lock external modules containing different control blocks and/or sensors, e.g. a light sensor for sensing the light level of ambient light to automatically control the light sources of the lighting equipment. For uniformity throughout the lighting industry, electrical receptacles for receiving such external modules are mostly made according to specific standards such as the<NPL>) or standards approved by American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI), such as the ANSI C136. <NUM>-<NUM> NEMA standard or of the ANSI C136. <NUM>-<NUM> NEMA standard. Such receptacles are typically mounted in an opening in the housing of the lighting equipment, e.g. in a top wall or in a bottom wall, and are electrically connected to various components of the lighting equipment. The receptacle has a connection interface located at an external side of the housing, so that an external module can be plugged into the receptacle to provide control and/or communication and/or other functionalities for the lighting equipment.

An external module typically comprises at least three standard prongs or plug contacts which are inserted into corresponding apertures in the receptacle. In some cases, the external module may be significantly larger than the receptacle. This is for example the case, when the receptacle and the external module fulfil the requirements of the Zhaga Interface Specification Standard. The external module fits around a front portion of the Zhaga receptacle and is locked in place by a locking interface between a circumferential part of the front portion of the receptacle and an internal circumferential part of the external module. In that manner, the external module can be inserted and rotated to lock the module in place. This can be done without tooling, allowing luminaires to be simply and quickly upgraded. Because the external module is significantly larger than the receptacle, the exerted force may be quite high and may cause an "over"-rotation of the external module, causing damage to the receptacle and/or misalignment. Especially for street luminaires such misalignment is often not tolerated. This effect may also be noticed with NEMA socket assemblies, but is typically less significant as a NEMA external module may usually have dimensions similar to the dimensions of the NEMA receptacle.

Also, when a Zhaga or NEMA socket assembly is mounted in an opening of a wall of the luminaire, typically a nut is used. When the nut is tightened too much, a similar effect of damage and/or misalignment may occur.

<CIT> discloses a socket comprising a plurality of contacts arranged for electrical connection with a plug, electrical connection between the plug and socket being made by insertion of the plug into the socket and subsequent relative rotation of the plug and socket about a common axis, at least a first electrical contact having a contact face in a plane substantially parallel to the common axis, and at least a second electrical contact having a contact face in a plane substantially perpendicular to the common axis. Each of the said contact faces arranged for making electrical contact with the plug.

<CIT> discloses an electrical receptacle of the twist lock type adapted to receive a photoelectric controller which can be assembled into a luminaire without requiring the luminaire housing to be turned over and can be oriented in the field without use of tools. The receptacle is retained in an aperture through the housing by a snap ring having tabs on the inside edge which engage ledges in the body portion of the receptacle. The snap ring has leaf springs which hold the receptacle resiliently down against the housing. By lifting up the receptacle, keying pins and recesses in the receptacle and housing are disengaged and the receptacle may be turned to a different orientation.

<CIT> discloses a sign lamp receptacle consisting of a body part carrying lamp-receiving terminals and an attaching screw ring, with a locking ring to lock the receptacle rotarily to the sign plate.

The object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a luminaire with a receptacle socket assembly which is more robust, and which limits or avoids damage and/or misalignment when arranging an external module in the receptacle and/or when fixing the receptacle socket assembly in an opening of a wall of the luminaire using a nut.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a luminaire comprising a receptacle socket assembly mounted in an opening of a wall of the luminaire. The receptacle socket assembly comprises a receptacle and at least one peripheral body. The receptacle extends in the opening. The receptacle has a front side for being located at an external side of the wall, a rear side for being located at an internal side of the wall and a peripheral side between the front side and the rear side. The receptacle houses a plurality of receptacle contacts and the front side is configured for receiving external contacts of an external module such that the external contacts contact the receptacle contacts. The at least one peripheral body is arranged around the peripheral side of the receptacle and is coupled in such a manner to the wall that the at least one peripheral body is non-rotatable relative to the wall. The at least one peripheral body and the peripheral side of the receptacle are coupled such that the receptacle is non-rotatable relative to the at least one peripheral body.

By providing at least one peripheral body and coupling the at least one peripheral body in a non-rotatable manner to the wall, on the one hand, and in a non-rotatable manner to the receptacle, on the other hand, any rotation of the receptacle during installation of an external module and/or when a nut is tightened can be limited or avoided. Indeed, by adding the at least one peripheral body, the torque exerted on the receptacle can be transferred in an improved manner to the wall. Further, by using at least one peripheral body, the use of screws to fix the receptacle may be avoided, such that sealing problems may be avoided.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one peripheral body is provided with at least one protrusion configured to extend in at least one corresponding recess in the wall, preferably at least two protrusions extending into at least two corresponding recesses, more preferably at least three protrusions extending into at least three corresponding recesses in the wall. Alternatively or in addition, the wall may be provided with at least one protrusion configured to extend in at least one corresponding recess in the at least one peripheral body, preferably at least two protrusions extending into at least two corresponding recesses, more preferably at least three protrusions extending into at least three corresponding recesses in the at least one peripheral body.

In that manner, the coupling between the at least one peripheral body and the wall is achieved in a simple and robust manner. By having at least two or three protrusions, the forces can be distributed in an improved manner.

Preferably, the number of protrusions and/or the shape of the one or more protrusions and/or the position of the one or more protrusions is such that only one position is possible and such that a correct positioning and alignment can be easily achieved. For example, one or more protrusions and recesses may be positioned such that they allow alignment with a road direction.

The at least one corresponding recess in the wall may be part of the opening in the wall, i.e. the at least one recess may adjoin or border a central through-hole. Alternatively, the at least one corresponding recess may correspond to at least one separate recess or aperture in the wall. The recess may be a through-hole through the wall or may be a blind hole. The at least one protrusion of the at least one peripheral body may be a bent portion, preferably extending at an outer circumference of the at least one peripheral body. Alternatively, it may be an integrally molded portion of the at least one peripheral body or a portion coupled with the at least one peripheral body.

Similarly, the at least one corresponding recess in the at least one peripheral body may adjoin or border an inner or outer circumferential surface of the at least one peripheral body. Alternatively, the at least one corresponding recess in the at least one peripheral body may correspond to at least one aperture between the inner and outer circumferential surface of the at least one peripheral body. The recess in the at least one peripheral body may be a through-hole or a blind hole.

The at least one protrusion of the wall may be a bent portion, preferably extending at an inner circumference of the opening in the wall. Alternatively, it may be an integrally molded portion of the wall or a portion coupled with the wall.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one peripheral body and the peripheral side of the receptacle are shaped such that the receptacle is non-rotatable relative to the at least one peripheral body.

By choosing a suitable shape, the receptacle and the at least one peripheral body can be coupled to each other in a substantially non-rotatable manner.

According to a preferred embodiment, the peripheral side of the receptacle is provided with at least one recess and/or protrusion, and the at least one peripheral body is provided with at least one corresponding inner protrusion and/or inner recess configured to cooperate with the at least one recess and/or protrusion of the receptacle. More preferably, the peripheral side of the receptacle is provided with at least one recess, and the at least one peripheral body is provided with at least one corresponding inner protrusion configured to cooperate with the at least one recess of the receptacle.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle is configured to receive the external module by means of a twist-lock mechanism. To that end, a portion of the peripheral side of the receptacle may be provided with locking elements, and the external module may be provided with a corresponding internal surface with corresponding locking elements. For example, the twist-lock mechanism may be a mechanical twist-lock mechanism as defined in the <NPL>). Alternatively, the twist-lock mechanism is integrated in the interface between the receptacle contacts and the external contacts, e.g. as prescribed by the NEMA standard. Any other types of twist lock mechanisms may also be contemplated.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one peripheral body comprises a ring-shaped body. It is noted that the ring-shaped body does not need to be circular and may have a non-circular outer periphery and/or a non-circular inner periphery. Ring-shaped refers to the fact the body extends continuously around the peripheral side of the receptacle. A ring-shaped body has the advantage that the receptacle can be completely surrounded by the ring-shaped body in a robust and simple manner. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one peripheral body may comprise multiple peripheral segments, e.g. ring portions. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the at least one peripheral body may be a partial ring, e.g. a ring describing less than <NUM>°, e.g. <NUM>°. When multiple peripheral bodies are provided, it is preferred that together, they surround the receptacle completely such that a closed socket is obtained in the assembled state.

According to the invention, the receptacle socket assembly further comprises a nut, and the peripheral side of the receptacle is provided near the rear side with a screw thread cooperating with the nut to fix the receptacle in the opening. The at least one peripheral body is then inserted between the wall and the nut. In another possible, non claimed embodiment, the at least one peripheral body may be included between a front portion of the receptacle and the wall, preferably with gaskets on both sides of the at least one peripheral body.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one peripheral body has a front surface in contact with the wall, a rear surface, and an inner and outer circumferential surface between the rear surface and the front surface.

The inner circumferential surface of the at least one peripheral body may be integrally formed with at least one inner protrusion configured to cooperate with at least one recess in the peripheral side of the receptacle. Alternatively or in addition, the inner circumferential surface of the at least one peripheral body may be integrally formed with at least one inner recess configured to cooperate with at least one protrusion on the peripheral side of the receptacle.

The front surface of the at least one peripheral body may be integrally formed with the at least one protrusion and/or recess configured to extend in the at least one corresponding recess and/or protrusion in the wall.

The rear surface may be in contact with the nut.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the inner circumferential surface is provided with a flat portion and a portion of the peripheral side is provided with a corresponding flat portion. The inner circumferential surface may be provided further with a substantially cylindrical portion and a portion of the peripheral side may be provided with a corresponding substantially cylindrical portion.

In that manner the shape of the inner circumferential surface and the receptacle are such that rotation of the at least one peripheral body relative to the receptacle is limited or avoided. By adding one or more additional inner protrusions on the inner circumferential wall, as explained above, this non-rotational coupling can be further enhanced.

According to the invention the opening is provided with a flat portion and a portion of the peripheral side is provided with a corresponding flat portion. The opening may be provided further with a substantially cylindrical portion and a portion of the peripheral side may be provided with a corresponding substantially cylindrical portion. Alternatively, the opening may be a circular opening. Preferably, the opening in the wall may surround the inner circumferential surface of the at least one peripheral body, so that the receptacle only contacts the at least one peripheral body, and not the wall. In that manner, a force exerted on the receptacle when an external module is put into place or when the nut is tightened, may be transferred directly to the at least one peripheral body, limiting or avoiding the risk of damaging an edge of the opening in the wall.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one peripheral body is made of a material which is stronger than the material of the receptacle. Preferably, the at least one peripheral body is made out of metal, e.g. aluminum, but it may also be made out of or comprise a plastic material.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of receptacle contacts comprises a plurality of first receptacle contacts and optionally one or more second receptacle contacts.

In an exemplary embodiment, seen in a radial direction around a central axis of the receptacle, the plurality of first receptacle contacts are positioned further away from the central axis than the one or more second receptacle contacts.

In a first variant, the one or more second receptacle contacts may be used for carrying one or more power signals for feeding components of the external module, and the plurality of first receptacle contacts may be used for carrying data or control signals, typically low-current, lowvoltage signals. Optionally, one of the plurality of first receptacle contacts and/or one of the one or more second receptacle contacts may be used for carrying both a power signal and a data or control signal.

In another variant, no second receptacle contacts are provided, and the plurality of first receptacle contacts comprises both one or more contacts for carrying a power signal as well as one or more contacts for carrying a data or control signal, wherein optionally one or more contacts may be used for carrying both power and data/control signals. In such an embodiment, typically, at least three first receptacle contacts are provided of which two carry power signals and one a data or control signal. In yet another variant without second receptacle contacts, the plurality of first receptacle contacts comprises only receptacle contacts for carrying power supply signals, e.g. two DC terminal contacts, of which one may be a ground terminal.

In a further variant, the one or more second receptacle contacts may be used for carrying one or more data or control signals, and the plurality of first receptacle contacts may be used for carrying power signals. The one or more second receptacle contacts may then be e.g. a central pin terminal surrounded by a cylindrical contact terminal (e.g. an RCA connector).

The skilled person understands that other combinations are possible, and that one or more receptacle contacts may be used for carrying both a power signal and a control/data signal and/or that control messages may be included in a power signal.

Preferably, the plurality of first receptacle contacts extends substantially along a first cylindrical surface around the central axis. When more than one second receptacle contact is present, the two or more second receptacle contacts may extend substantially along a second cylindrical surface around the central axis. However, it is also possible to have two second receptacle contacts in the form of a central pin and a surrounding cylindrical contact (e.g. an RCA connector) arranged centrally at the front side of the receptacle. Also, if only one second receptacle contact is provided, it may be arranged centrally. Alternatively, it may be arranged externally of the first cylindrical surface, further away of the central axis of the receptacle. If no second receptacles are present, typically at least three first receptacle contacts are present, more preferably four receptacle contacts.

In an exemplary embodiment, front contact portions of the plurality of first receptacle contacts are accessible via apertures in the front side of the receptacle and extend near the front side of the receptacle. For example, the front contact portions of the plurality of receptacle contacts fulfil the requirements of the Zhaga standard mentioned above.

In another exemplary embodiment, front contact portions of the plurality of first receptacle contacts extend flush with the front side of the receptacle. For example, the front contact portions of the plurality of receptacle contacts fulfil the requirements of the ANSI C136. <NUM>-<NUM> standard or the ANSI C136. <NUM>-<NUM> standard.

According to the invention, the receptacle has a housing comprising a substantially cylindrical front portion at the front side of the receptacle, and a partially cylindrical rear portion protruding rearward at the rear side of the substantially cylindrical front portion, wherein the diameter of the front portion is larger than the diameter of the rear portion. In that manner the rear portion may be inserted through an opening of a housing, whilst the front portion abuts against a wall portion around the opening. The rear portion may be partially cylindrical.

According to the invention, the partially cylindrical rear portion is provided with a flat wall portion extending in an axial direction of the receptacle, said flat wall portion corresponding with a similar flat wall portion of the at least one peripheral body.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle socket assembly further comprises a gasket inserted between the nut and the front portion, and preferably between the wall and the front portion of the receptacle. In that manner, there is provided a suitable sealing between the external wall surface and the front portion preventing ingress of dirt and/or water into luminaire. According to an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle comprises an RFID tag, preferably at the front side of the receptacle. Including an RFID tag in a receptacle has been described in detail in <CIT> in the name of the applicant.

Also, it is noted that it is possible to provide one or more functionalities in the receptacle itself, such as a sensor, communication circuitry, control circuitry, protection circuitry (e.g. an SPD or a fuse), an actuator, display unit, an antenna unit, a speaker unit, an air cleaning unit such as a UV light source, etc..

The external module may comprise any one or more of the following: a sensor (e.g. a light sensor, a motion sensor, a passive infrared sensor, a sound sensor, a pollution sensor such as a CO2, NOx and SOx sensor, a smoke sensor, a biological threat sensor, a thermal sensor, an image capturing sensor such as a camera, a humidity sensor, a visibility sensor, a temperature sensor, a radar sensor, a voice recorder, etc.), communication circuitry, control circuitry, protection circuitry (e.g. an SPD or a fuse), an actuator, etc. More generally the external module may comprise any component that needs to be powered, any component involved in the transmission and/or reception of signals, any component completing the circuitry inside the luminaire head, such as protection circuitry, etc..

It is further noted that the external module may be configured to receive a further external module. In other words, a stack of interconnected external modules may be arranged in the receptacle, wherein some functionalities may be included in a first external module and other functionalities in a second external module. In that manner, the system is given an extra degree of modularity.

Optionally an alignment recess or protrusion may be provided at the front side of the receptacle, said alignment recess or protrusion being configured for cooperating with an alignment protrusion or recess of the external module. The alignment recess may be a central hole for receiving a central pin of the external module. In another variant, there may be provided an alignment mark on both the receptacle and the external module to allow an operator to align the external module with the receptacle. Additionally or alternatively, an orientation indicator may be provided to the receptacle and/or to the external module and/or to the at least one peripheral body. The orientation indicator may indicate e.g. a north direction. The latter may be advantageous when the receptacle and/or the external module and/or the at least one peripheral body can be positioned in a plurality of positons relative to the wall, and when it is desirable to orient the receptacle and/or the external module in a certain direction. For example, when the receptacle and/or the external module comprises a light sensor, an orientation indicator may be useful.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of receptacle contacts comprises at least one receptacle contact for carrying a power signal and/or at least one receptacle contact for carrying a data or control signal and/or at least one receptacle contact for carrying both a power signal and a data or control signal. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of receptacle contacts comprises at least three receptacle contacts for carrying power signals and/or at least two receptacle contacts for carrying data or control signals. In another exemplary embodiment, the plurality of receptacle contacts comprises one receptacle contact for carrying a power signal, one receptacle contact for carrying a power signal as well as a data/control signal, and/or at least two receptacle contacts for carrying data or control signals.

It is noted that the at least two power signals may comprise DC and/or AC signals. For example, a DC power supply signal may be transferred through the receptacle, wherein there is provided a first DC terminal contact for a positive DC voltage (e.g. a 24V DC signal) and a second DC terminal contact for a ground connection (wherein optionally the ground connection may also be used as a ground terminal for a data or control signal). Such an embodiment may be conforming the Zhaga standard mentioned above. Alternatively or in addition, an AC power supply signal (e.g. a 230V AC signal to feed a driver of a luminaire) may be transferred through the receptacle, wherein there is provided a first, second and third AC terminal contact for a three-phase AC signal. Such an embodiment may be conforming the NEMA standards mentioned above.

In a preferred embodiment, each receptacle contact is an integrally formed contact made of metal, i.e. the receptacle contact is formed as one integral metal body.

The luminaire may further comprise a housing with the wall in which the receptacle socket assembly is mounted, a light source arranged in said housing, electrical components, such as light driver components and/or light control components, arranged in said housing. The receptacle is arranged in an opening of the wall of the housing with its rear side facing an inner space of the housing, and the receptacle contacts are connected to the electrical components inside the housing. The wall may be e.g. a top wall or a bottom wall of the housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing may comprise an upper cover with an outwardly protruding portion, and the wall may be formed on the outwardly protruding portion of the upper cover. An example of such housing can be found in Dutch patent application <CIT> in the name of the applicant.

As described in this application, optionally the receptacle and/or the outwardly protruding portion may be surrounded by a bracket fixed to the upper cover of the housing. According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a receptacle socket assembly for use in an embodiment of a luminaire described above. The receptacle socket assembly may have any one or more of the above described features.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a receptacle socket assembly mounted in a wall <NUM> of a lighting equipment, typically an outdoor luminaire. The receptacle socket assembly <NUM> comprises a receptacle <NUM>, a ring-shaped peripheral body <NUM>, a nut <NUM> for fixing the receptacle <NUM> in an opening of a housing, and optionally a gasket (not shown) inserted between the receptacle <NUM> and the nut <NUM>. The peripheral body <NUM> is inserted between the wall <NUM> and the nut <NUM>.

By outdoor luminaires, it is meant luminaires which are installed on roads, tunnels, industrial plants, stadiums, airports, harbors, rail stations, campuses, 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 and access roads to private building infrastructures, etc..

The lighting equipment may also be indoor lighting such as industrial lighting, e.g. lighting equipment used in warehouses, industry halls, etc..

The receptacle <NUM> has a front side <NUM> for being located at an external side of the wall <NUM>, a rear side <NUM> for being located at an internal side of the wall <NUM> and a peripheral side <NUM> between the front side <NUM> and the rear side <NUM>. The front side <NUM> is configured for receiving contacts of a pluggable external module (not shown). The receptacle <NUM> may comprise a substantially cylindrical front portion <NUM> at the front side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>, and a partially cylindrical rear portion <NUM> at the rear side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>. The front portion <NUM> has larger dimensions than the rear portion <NUM>. The rear portion <NUM> is intended to be arranged through an opening <NUM> of a wall <NUM> of a housing of a luminaire, whilst the front portion <NUM> abuts against the wall <NUM> of the housing. The partially cylindrical rear portion <NUM> may be provided with a screw thread <NUM> for cooperating with a corresponding screw-thread <NUM> of the nut <NUM>.

The receptacle <NUM> houses a plurality of receptacle contacts (not shown in <FIG> and <FIG> but visible in <FIG>, see reference numeral <NUM>) and the front side <NUM> is configured for receiving external contacts of an external module (see also <FIG>) such that the external contacts contact the receptacle contacts. The peripheral body <NUM> is arranged around the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle and is coupled in such a manner to the wall <NUM> that the peripheral body <NUM> is non-rotatable relative to the wall <NUM>. Also, the peripheral body <NUM> and the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> are coupled such that the receptacle <NUM> is non-rotatable relative to the peripheral body <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the peripheral body <NUM> is provided with three protrusions <NUM> configured to extend in three recesses <NUM> in the wall <NUM>. The recesses <NUM> are through-holes which are part of the opening <NUM>. However, in other variants, the recesses <NUM> may be blind holes or through-holes at a distance of the opening <NUM>. As shown in detail in <FIG> and <FIG>, the peripheral body <NUM> has a front surface <NUM> in contact with the wall <NUM>, a rear surface <NUM> in contact with the nut <NUM>, and an inner and outer circumferential surface <NUM>, <NUM> between the rear surface <NUM> and the front surface <NUM>. The front surface <NUM> is integrally formed with the three protrusions <NUM> which are configured to extend in the three recesses <NUM> in the wall <NUM>, see also <FIG> which shows a top view of the wall. The peripheral body <NUM> may be a metal body, and the protrusions <NUM> may be bent portions. Preferably, the bent portions are provided at the outer circumferential surface <NUM>.

The peripheral body <NUM> and the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> are shaped such that the receptacle <NUM> is non-rotatable relative to the peripheral body <NUM>. This may be achieved on the one hand by providing the inner circumferential surface <NUM> with a flat portion <NUM>, wherein the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle is provided with a corresponding flat portion <NUM>. The inner circumferential surface <NUM> may be provided further with a substantially cylindrical portion <NUM> and the peripheral side <NUM> may be provided with a corresponding substantially cylindrical portion <NUM>. Similarly, the opening <NUM> in the wall <NUM> may be provided with a flat portion <NUM> corresponding with the flat portion <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>, and with a substantially cylindrical portion <NUM> corresponding with the substantially cylindrical portion <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>. Preferably, the opening <NUM> is slightly larger than the opening in the peripheral body <NUM> and surrounds the inner circumferential surface <NUM> of the at least one peripheral body <NUM>, so that the receptacle <NUM> only contacts the peripheral body <NUM>, and not the edge of the opening <NUM> in the wall. In that manner, a force exerted on the receptacle <NUM> may be transferred directly to the peripheral body <NUM>, limiting or avoiding the risk of damaging an edge of the opening <NUM> in the wall. On the other hand, the inner circumferential surface <NUM> of the peripheral body <NUM> is integrally formed with an inner protrusion <NUM> configured to cooperate with a recess <NUM> in the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>. The presence of the inner protrusion <NUM> in combination with the coupling of the peripheral body <NUM> to the wall <NUM>, will avoid that the flat portion <NUM> is deformed when exerting torque on the receptacle <NUM>. By providing the peripheral body <NUM> and coupling the peripheral body <NUM> in a non-rotatable manner to the wall <NUM>, on the one hand, and in a non-rotatable manner to the receptacle <NUM>, on the other hand, the rotation of the receptacle <NUM> during mounting can be limited or avoided. Indeed, by adding the peripheral body <NUM>, the torque exerted on the receptacle <NUM> can be transferred in an improved manner to the wall <NUM>.

The receptacle is configured to receive the external module by means of a twist-lock mechanism comprising locking element <NUM> on the peripheral side <NUM> of the front portion of the receptacle <NUM>. The external module may be provided with a corresponding internal surface with corresponding locking elements. For example, the twist-lock mechanism may be a mechanical twist-lock mechanism as defined in the <NPL>). In another embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the twist-lock mechanism is integrated in the interface between the receptacle contacts <NUM> and the external contacts <NUM>, e.g. as prescribed by the NEMA standard.

The nut <NUM> may be provided with a ribbed surface or a surface with a certain surface roughness, said surface being intended for being in contact with the peripheral body <NUM>. This will allow obtaining an improved grip of the nut on the peripheral body <NUM>. In a similar manner, the peripheral body <NUM> may be provided with a certain surface roughness, said surface being intended for being in contact with the wall <NUM>.

The receptacle <NUM> may be formed in one or in two or more parts. For example, the receptacle <NUM> may comprise a central body portion and a flange portion which are coupled to each other. To fix the central body portion to the flange portion, the central body portion may be provided with a central hole, and the flange portion may be provided with a screw receiving portion, such that a screw can extend through the central hole into the screw receiving portion to fix the central body portion to the flange portion. Examples of possible receptacles are disclosed in <CIT> and with application number <CIT> in the name of the applicant, which are included herein by reference.

<FIG> illustrates a variant of the peripheral body <NUM> of <FIG>. In the variant of <FIG> four protrusions instead of three protrusions <NUM> are provided. The skilled person understands that the number of protrusions may be varied depending on the required coupling between the wall and the peripheral body. The protrusions <NUM> have a length <NUM> extending in a peripheral direction, a width w extending in a radial direction and a height h extending perpendicular on the front surface <NUM>. The length <NUM> may be e.g. between <NUM> and <NUM>, the width w may be e.g. between <NUM> and <NUM>, and the height h may be e.g. between <NUM> and <NUM>. The outer diameter do of the peripheral body <NUM> may be e.g. between <NUM> and <NUM>, and the inner diameter di of the peripheral body <NUM> may be e.g. between <NUM> and <NUM>. More in particular, the inner diameter di may be adapted to conform to the Zhaga standard which defines the dimensions of the receptacle. In other embodiments the inner diameter may be adapted to conform to other receptacle standards such as the NEMA standard. In the illustrated example, the protrusions have substantially the shape of a cuboid, but the skilled person understands that other shapes are possible, e.g. a cylindrical or prism shape. The protrusions <NUM> may have shape and/or dimension that are identical or different from each other. The above mentioned dimensions may also be used in the other embodiments described in the text.

<FIG> illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a receptacle socket assembly <NUM> for mounting in an opening <NUM> in a wall <NUM>. The receptacle socket assembly <NUM> is similar to the assembly of <FIG> and <FIG> in that it comprises a receptacle <NUM>, two peripheral bodies 200a, 200b, a nut <NUM> for fixing the receptacle <NUM> in the opening <NUM> of a housing. The peripheral bodies 200a, 200b are inserted between the wall <NUM> and the nut <NUM>. Instead of using one peripheral body, the embodiment of <FIG> uses two peripheral bodies 200a, 200b which together surround the opening <NUM> in the wall <NUM>. Preferably, the two peripheral bodies 200a, 200b fully surround the opening <NUM> so as to form a closed ring, but there may be a space between opposite end parts of the peripheral bodies 200a, 200b.

Each peripheral body 200a, 200b has a front surface 201a, 201b in contact with the wall <NUM>, a rear surface 202a, 202b in contact with the nut <NUM>, and an inner and outer circumferential surface 203a, 203b, 204a, 204b between the rear surface and the front surface. Each peripheral body 200a, 200b is provided with a through-hole 250a, 250b aligned with corresponding recesses 620a, 620b in the wall <NUM>. The coupling between the wall <NUM> and each peripheral body 200a, 200b is achieved through coupling elements 750a, 750b extending through the through-holes 250a, 250b into the recesses 620a, 620b.

The peripheral bodies 200a, 200b and the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> are shaped such that the receptacle <NUM> is non-rotatable relative to the peripheral bodies 200a, 200b. This may be achieved on the one hand by providing the inner circumferential surface 203a, 203b of each peripheral body 200a, 200b with a flat portion 290a, 290b, wherein the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle is provided with a corresponding flat portion <NUM>. The inner circumferential surface 203a, 203b may be provided further with a substantially cylindrical portion 285a, 285b and the peripheral side <NUM> may be provided with a corresponding substantially cylindrical portion <NUM>. On the other hand, the inner circumferential surface 203a, 203b of each peripheral body 200a, 200b is provided with a recess 240a, 240b configured to cooperate with a recess 130a, 130b in the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> by insertion of locking bars 740a, 740b. Also the wall <NUM> is then provided with corresponding recesses 640a, 640b through which the locking bars 740a, 740b extend. The presence of the inner recesses 240a, 240b and locking bars 740a, 740b in combination with the coupling of the peripheral body <NUM> to the wall <NUM>, will avoid that the flat portion <NUM> is deformed when exerting torque on the receptacle <NUM>. Alternatively or in addition, the circumferential surface 203a, 203b of each peripheral body 200a, 200b may be provided with a protrusion configured to cooperate with a recess in the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>, or vice versa.

<FIG> illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a receptacle socket assembly <NUM> for mounting in an opening <NUM> in a wall <NUM>. The receptacle socket assembly <NUM> is similar to the assembly of <FIG> in that it comprises a receptacle <NUM>, two peripheral bodies 200a, 200b, a nut <NUM> for fixing the receptacle <NUM> in the opening <NUM> of a housing. The peripheral bodies 200a, 200b are inserted between the wall <NUM> and the nut <NUM>. The embodiment of <FIG> uses two peripheral bodies 200a, 200b which together surround the opening <NUM> in the wall <NUM>. Preferably, the two peripheral bodies 200a, 200b fully surround the opening <NUM> so as to form a closed circumference, but there may be a space between opposite end parts of the peripheral bodies 200a, 200b.

Each peripheral body 200a, 200b has a front surface 201a, 201b in contact with the wall <NUM>, a rear surface 202a, 202b in contact with the nut <NUM>, and an inner and outer circumferential surface 203a, 203b, 204a, 204b between the rear surface and the front surface. Each peripheral body 200a, 200b is provided at its front surface 201a, 201b with protrusions 220a, 220b configured to fit in corresponding recesses 620a, 620b in the wall <NUM>. As illustrated, the protrusions 220a of the first peripheral body 200a may be different from the protrusions 220b of the second peripheral body 200b. More generally, in embodiments of the invention one or more differently sized and/or shaped protrusions and/or recesses may be combined, and the one or more protrusions and/or recesses may be evenly distributed along the circumference or may be provided in an irregular and/or asymmetric manner.

The peripheral bodies 200a, 200b and the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> are shaped such that the receptacle <NUM> is non-rotatable relative to the peripheral bodies 200a, 200b. This is achieved on the one hand by providing the inner circumferential surface 203a of the peripheral body 200a with a flat portion 290a, wherein the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle is provided with a corresponding flat portion <NUM>. The inner circumferential surface 203b of the peripheral body 200b is provided further with a substantially cylindrical portion 285b and the peripheral side <NUM> may be provided with a corresponding substantially cylindrical portion <NUM>. On the other hand, the inner circumferential surface 203b of the peripheral body 200b is provided with an inner protrusion <NUM> configured to cooperate with a recess <NUM> in the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>. The presence of the inner protrusion <NUM> in combination with the coupling of the peripheral body <NUM> to the wall <NUM>, will avoid that the flat portion <NUM> is deformed when exerting torque on the receptacle <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates in more detail an exemplary embodiment of a receptacle <NUM> having a front side <NUM> and a rear side <NUM>. The receptacle <NUM> may be in accordance with the Zhaga standard (see <NPL>). The front side <NUM> is configured for receiving electrical contacts of an external module (not shown) of a lighting equipment. The external module may also be in accordance with the Zhaga standard (see <NPL>). The rear side <NUM> is intended for being electrically connected to components of the lighting equipment, such as a LED driver, a controller, a sensor, a metering device, etc. The receptacle <NUM> houses a plurality of receptacle contacts <NUM> (shown in a schematic manner in <FIG>) in apertures arranged in the front side <NUM>. Each receptacle contact <NUM> is provided, at a front end, with a front contact portion configured for being electrically connected with a contact of the external module, e.g. a prong similar to the prong <NUM> of <FIG>. The front contact portions of the plurality of receptacle contacts <NUM> extend near the front side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>. The plurality of receptacle contacts <NUM> extends substantially along a first cylindrical surface around a central axis of the receptacle. The front side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> may be provided with a central recess <NUM> configured for receiving a central pin of the external module, preferably in accordance with the above mentioned Zhaga standard. Optionally, the receptacle <NUM> comprises an RFID tag (not shown in <FIG>), preferably at the front side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>. Also other components may be included in the receptacle <NUM>, such as wireless communication means, sensor means, an antenna, protection circuitry, etc..

The receptacle <NUM> has a housing comprising a substantially cylindrical front portion <NUM> at the front side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>, and a rear portion <NUM> protruding rearward at a rear side of the cylindrical front portion <NUM>. The rear portion <NUM> is provided at the rear side thereof with a screw-thread <NUM>. The receptacle socket assembly may further comprise a nut (not shown in <FIG>) configured to be screwed on the screw-thread <NUM>. The substantially cylindrical front portion <NUM> may comprise a first substantially cylindrical front portion 181a having a first diameter and a second substantially cylindrical front portion 181b having a second diameter which is larger than the first diameter. A peripheral surface of the first substantially cylindrical front portion 181a may be provided with recesses <NUM> adapted to cooperate with notches of the external module in order to lock an external module in the receptacle <NUM>.

Preferably, the plurality of receptacle contacts <NUM> comprises: at least one receptacle contact for carrying power signals, and/or at least one receptacle contact for carrying data or control signals, and/or at least one receptacle contacts for carrying a power signal and a data or control signal. For example, a first contact <NUM> may be a DC power supply (e.g. <NUM> V), a second contact <NUM> may be a positive pole for a dimming protocol (e.g. DALI), a third contact <NUM> may be a general digital I/O (e.g. greater than <NUM> V), and a fourth contact <NUM> may be at the same time a negative pole for the dimming protocol, a ground for the power supply, a ground for the general digital I/O.

<FIG> illustrates a luminaire head with a housing H in which electrical components, such as a driver <NUM> and a PCB <NUM> with LEDs, are arranged. The housing H has a wall <NUM> with an opening O, in which a receptacle socket assembly <NUM> according to any one of the embodiments described above is arranged with the rear side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> facing an inner space of the housing H. Wires W (for reasons of simplicity only one line is drawn, but this line represents more than one wire) connect the receptacle <NUM> with the electrical components. As shown, the housing H may be configured to be attached to a pole P. <FIG> shows a so-called "side-entry" luminaire of a luminaire, but the skilled person understand that embodiments of the invention are equally applicable to other types of luminaire such as so called "post-top" luminaires where the pole extends below the housing or modular luminaires comprising a plurality of pole modules mounted one above the other. In the illustrated embodiment the receptacle socket assembly <NUM> is arranged in a top wall of the housing H. However, as illustrated in <FIG>, a receptacle socket assembly <NUM> may also be arranged in a bottom wall of the housing. This may be particularly advantageous when the external module or the receptacle contains a sensor configured for sensing events on the road, e.g. an image sensor or a proximity sensor or the like or when the external module or the receptacle contains an emitter configured for emit signals in the direction of the road. In the illustrated example the road extends in an X direction, the pole P extends in a Z direction and the luminaire head extends in a Y direction. Seen in a projection on an XY plane the receptacle socket assembly <NUM> may be arranged between a PCB <NUM> containing the LEDs and the pole P. In such an embodiment, a flat portion <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> (see the embodiments disclosed above) may be oriented at a predetermined angle α with respect of the road direction X.

This may be achieved by giving the flat portion <NUM> of the peripheral body <NUM> a certain orientation with respect to the road. The angle α may be chosen in function of the external module to be fixed in the receptacle <NUM>. For example, when a sensor included in the external module has an optimal orientation with respect to the road, the angle may be chosen such that the external module (and thus the sensor) is positioned with an optimal orientation with respect to the road. It is noted that the receptacle socket assembly <NUM> is not drawn to scale in <FIG>, but is enlarged for clarity reasons.

More generally, in embodiments of the invention, the receptacle may be arranged in any wall of a housing of a luminaire, and the at least one peripheral body may be shaped and positioned such that the receptacle is mounted according to a predetermined orientation with respect to the road and/or with respect to other objects. In that manner, also the external module can be fixed in a predetermined position with respect to the road and/or with respect to other objects.

<FIG> illustrates another example of a receptacle <NUM> with an external module <NUM>, which may be used in embodiments of a receptacle socket assembly of the invention. The example of <FIG> may be designed according any one of the above mentioned ANSI standards, and uses a plug twist-lock external module <NUM> containing e.g. different control blocks and/or sensors (not shown). An external module <NUM> may comprise e.g. a light sensor for sensing the light level of ambient light to automatically switch light fixtures on at dusk and off at dawn. The external module <NUM> typically comprises at least three standard prongs <NUM> (also called plug contacts or simply contacts) which are inserted into corresponding apertures <NUM> in the receptacle <NUM>. After the prongs <NUM> are completely inserted, the external module <NUM> is rotated to lock it in place. When locked in place, the prongs <NUM> contact the receptacle contacts <NUM>. The external module <NUM> may comprise further contacts <NUM> in the form of e.g. conductive springs for cooperating with receptacle contacts <NUM> of receptacle <NUM> in the form of conductive plates.

<FIG> illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a receptacle socket assembly.

<FIG> shows the receptacle socket assembly <NUM> mounted in a wall <NUM> of a housing of alighting equipment, typically an outdoor luminaire. The receptacle socket assembly <NUM> comprises a receptacle <NUM>, a peripheral body <NUM>, a nut <NUM> for fixing the receptacle <NUM> in an opening <NUM> in the wall <NUM>, and optionally a gasket (not shown) inserted between the receptacle <NUM> and the nut. As shown in <FIG>, the peripheral body <NUM> is inserted between the wall <NUM> and the nut <NUM>.

The receptacle <NUM> has a front side for being located at an external side (not visible) of the wall <NUM>, a rear side <NUM> for being located at an internal side of the wall <NUM> and a peripheral side <NUM> between the front side <NUM> and the rear side <NUM>. The receptacle <NUM> may be configured in a similar manner as described above with reference to <FIG>.

The peripheral body <NUM> is arranged around the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle and is coupled in such a manner to the wall <NUM> that the peripheral body <NUM> is non-rotatable relative to the wall <NUM>. Also, the peripheral body <NUM> and the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> are coupled such that the receptacle <NUM> is non-rotatable relative to the peripheral body <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the peripheral body <NUM> is provided with three protrusions <NUM> configured to extend in three recesses <NUM> formed between circular edge segments <NUM> formed integrally with the wall <NUM>. In that manner the peripheral body <NUM> may be a substantially flat body. It is noted that the edge segments <NUM> do not have to be circular and can have any shape or dimensions as long as they can form an abutment for the protrusions <NUM> so that a rotation of the peripheral body with respect to the wall <NUM> is limited. In an alternative embodiment, the protrusions of the peripheral body may extend at an angle with respect to a flat portion of the peripheral body, e.g. perpendicular to a flat portion of the peripheral body, so as to cooperate with recesses in the wall corresponding to holes in said wall, in a similar manner as described above for other embodiments. The peripheral body <NUM> has a front surface facing the wall <NUM>, a rear surface <NUM> facing the nut <NUM>, and an inner and outer circumferential surface <NUM>, <NUM> between the rear surface <NUM> and the front surface. The peripheral body <NUM> may be a metal body.

The peripheral body <NUM> and the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> are shaped such that the receptacle <NUM> is non-rotatable relative to the peripheral body <NUM>. This may be achieved on the one hand by providing the inner circumferential surface <NUM> with a flat portion <NUM>, wherein the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> is provided with a corresponding flat portion <NUM>. The inner circumferential surface <NUM> may be provided further with a substantially cylindrical portion <NUM> and the peripheral side <NUM> may be provided with a corresponding substantially cylindrical portion <NUM>.

Preferably, the opening <NUM> in the wall <NUM> is slightly larger than the opening in the peripheral body <NUM> and surrounds the inner circumferential surface <NUM> of the at least one peripheral body <NUM>, so that the receptacle <NUM> only contacts the peripheral body <NUM>, and not the edge of the opening <NUM> in the wall. The opening <NUM> may be a circular opening as shown in <FIG>. A force exerted on the receptacle <NUM> may be transferred directly to the peripheral body <NUM>, limiting or avoiding the risk of damaging an edge of the opening <NUM> in the wall. On the other hand, the inner circumferential surface <NUM> of the peripheral body <NUM> is integrally formed with an inner protrusion <NUM> configured to cooperate with a recess <NUM> in the peripheral side <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>. The presence of the inner protrusion <NUM> in combination with the coupling of the peripheral body <NUM> to the wall <NUM>, will avoid that the flat portion <NUM> is deformed when exerting torque on the receptacle <NUM>. By providing the peripheral body <NUM> and coupling the peripheral body <NUM> in a non-rotatable manner to the wall <NUM>, on the one hand, and in a non-rotatable manner to the receptacle <NUM>, on the other hand, the rotation of the receptacle <NUM> during mounting can be limited or avoided.

The protrusions <NUM> and the corresponding recesses <NUM> may be provided in an irregular and/or asymmetric manner, so that the peripheral body <NUM> can be positioned in only one position on the wall <NUM> of the housing. This will further determine the position of the receptacle <NUM>, as the receptacle <NUM> can be positioned in only one position in the peripheral body <NUM> because of the presence of the inner protrusion <NUM> and the recess <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A luminaire comprising a receptacle socket assembly (<NUM>) mounted in an opening (<NUM>) of a wall (<NUM>) of the luminaire, said receptacle socket assembly comprising:
- a receptacle (<NUM>) extending in the opening, said receptacle having a front side (<NUM>) for being located at an external side of the wall, a rear side (<NUM>) for being located at an internal side of the wall and a peripheral side (<NUM>) between the front side and the rear side, said receptacle (<NUM>) housing a plurality of receptacle contacts (<NUM>, <NUM>) and said front side being configured for receiving external contacts of an external module (<NUM>) such that the external contacts (<NUM>, <NUM>) contact the receptacle contacts;
- at least one peripheral body (<NUM>; 200a, 200b) arranged around the peripheral side of the receptacle and coupled in such a manner with the wall that the at least one peripheral body is non-rotatable relative to the wall;
- wherein the at least one peripheral body (<NUM>; 200a, 200b) and the peripheral side (<NUM>) of the receptacle are coupled such that the receptacle is non-rotatable relative to the at least one peripheral body;
wherein the receptacle socket assembly further comprises a nut (<NUM>), wherein the peripheral side of the receptacle is provided near the rear side with a screw thread (<NUM>) cooperating with the nut to fix the receptacle in the opening, characterized in that the at least one peripheral body (<NUM>) is inserted between the wall (<NUM>) and the nut (<NUM>).