Patent ID: 12188644

The accompanying drawings are provided to clarify the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate the embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the mentioned advantages will become apparent when consulting the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown at the same scale.

In the figures, elements, features and components which are identical and which have the same function and effect each have the same reference signs, unless otherwise stated.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG.1shows part of a lighting arrangement100according to a first exemplary embodiment, partially in an exploded view. The lighting arrangement100, shown in the assembled state inFIG.5, shows an elongate rail profile3with a longitudinal direction16, a lighting assembly2with an elongated design and an elongate cover50. The lighting arrangement100can be part of a profile lighting system. For example, the lighting arrangement100can be embodied as a continuous band of light with a length, along the direction16, of several meters.

The rail profile3has an open longitudinal side10which is arranged on a visible side of the arrangement100in a mounted state. For example, the open longitudinal side10faces a room that is to be illuminated. The open side10can be an underside of the assembled arrangement100.

The profile3can be closed by the cover50on the open longitudinal side10, wherein the cover50is separately insertable into the rail profile3and is designed to be translucent in some areas or preferably fully translucent.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the cover50is provided with rib-shaped projections on its inner side along the longitudinal edges of the cover50, which allow snapping or latching into the profile3in order to attach the cover50to it.

For example, a length of the cover50can essentially correspond to a length of the profile3along the direction16such that the open side10is essentially completely closed by the cover50. Light provided by the lighting assembly2is emitted through the cover50for the purpose of illumination. Several individual covers50lined up in a row are also conceivable.

While only one lighting assembly2is shown inFIG.1, two or more essentially identical lighting assemblies2can be arranged adjacent to one another on the front side and essentially without a gap within the rail profile3. In this case, the cover50extends in the longitudinal direction16across a plurality of lighting assemblies2.

The cross-section of the rail profile3is essentially U-shaped with side walls3a,3band a middle section connecting them. An electrical conductor means60with conductors61, which are held by insulating support bodies, is arranged on a base of the rail profile3, in the area of the middle section interconnecting the walls3a,3b. The conductors61are provided for the provision of an electrical supply voltage and control signals.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the lighting assembly2is formed as a unit with a printed circuit board19, a control device70and a contacting device62as well as a channel-like component18and is connected with, for example, two fastening devices1to form a module (inset). In variants of the exemplary embodiment, more than two fastening devices1can be provided, wherein an embodiment with only one fastening device1is also conceivable if the length of the lighting assembly2is relatively short.

The contacting device62is embodied with contact elements63which come into electrically conductive contact with the conductors61when the module with the lighting assembly2is inserted into the profile3. In this case, each contact element63makes contact with one of the conductors61, wherein four conductors61and four contact elements63are provided in the first exemplary embodiment for the provision of the supply voltage and a DALI signal. Specifically, inFIG.2the two outer conductors61on the side can deliver a DALI signal, while the inner two conductors deliver the neutral and phase of an AC voltage supply, roughly in the following order from left to right: DALI—phase—neutral—DALI. When the profile3is in a mounted state in the ceiling area, the electrical conductor means60is arranged in an upper area thereof.

A multiplicity of LED devices20are provided on the elongate printed circuit board19, see for exampleFIG.9, and in particular, for example, conductor tracks for the operation of the LED devices20.

By means of the contacting device62(“feeder”), the DALI signals and the supply voltage, which can be, for example, mains voltage, such as AC voltage with a nominal voltage between 100 V and 240 V, in particular between 220 V and 240 V, are picked off from the electrical conductor means60and transferred to the control device70. In the case of mains voltage, the control device70is set up to convert the picked off AC power into a voltage with a suitable type of current appropriate for the operation of the lighting assembly2and in particular of the LED devices20thereof.

The control device70and the contacting device62are arranged on the rear of the component18and are in particular connected to it.

The printed circuit board19is accommodated in the channel-like component18which is formed as a reflector18to direct the light emitted by the LED devices20during operation towards the open side10. The component18can in particular also be regarded as a type of housing component for accommodation of the printed circuit board19.

The fastening devices1of the arrangement100are of identical design. The lighting assembly2with the printed circuit board19, the control device70, the contacting device62and the reflector18is held in the rail profile3by means of the fastening devices1. When the arrangement100is assembled, after the rail profile3has been attached, for example in the ceiling area, the assembly2with the fastening devices1arranged thereon is inserted into the rail profile3from the open side10, as a result of which the conductors61make contact with the contact elements63. When fully inserted, the lighting assembly2is self-retaining in the profile3, as will be described below. The cover50is then inserted. The assembly sequence is shown inFIGS.2-5.

The fastening device1is mechanically coupled to the lighting assembly2by latching. The fastening device1is embodied with a body4with an essentially U-shaped cross-section. The body4is made of a plastic material, for example. The U-shape of the body4forms an inner area44thereof, see for exampleFIGS.12and13.

The channel-like reflector18with the printed circuit board19accommodated therein is overlapped in the rear side area5of the lighting assembly2in a section thereof in the longitudinal direction16. This is shown in particular inFIGS.2,3,5,7and9. The rear side area5faces away from a light output side6of the lighting assembly2on which the LED devices20are arranged on the printed circuit board19.

The overlapped section of the lighting assembly2, and in this case a longitudinal portion of the reflector18is accommodated in the inner area44of the body4. The body4is mechanically coupled to the reflector18with the aid of four latching devices46which are arranged on the body4facing the inner area44and two of which engage behind one of two opposite upper, outer longitudinal edges47of the reflector18in a latching manner.

The printed circuit board19is held at the edges in two opposite longitudinal grooves of the component18, seeFIG.2.

The fastening device1has two elastically resilient latching elements7formed in one piece with the body4on opposite sides11,12thereof. Each of the legs45is formed with a longitudinally connected area48, one longitudinal boundary of which forms a free edge of the legs45and the other longitudinal boundary of which is integrally connected to the resiliently movable latching element7in a middle area, viewed in the longitudinal direction16when the arrangement100is in the mounted state.

The latching elements7are formed to engage behind an edge8running along the inside of the rail profile3, or an undercut8of the rail profile3running along the inside of the rail profile3in a latching manner, and thereby to hold the lighting assembly2in the profile3. The edges or undercuts8which the latching elements7engage behind are provided on opposite sides of the profile3on the inside on the opposite side walls3a,3b.

FIGS.2and3, for example, also show that the latching edges7aof the latching elements7that interact with the edges or undercuts8are arranged above or to the rear of a plane in which the printed circuit board19is accommodated in the inner area44, viewed in the depth direction14of the profile3.

The fastening device1also has an actuating element9which, in a state in which the fastening device1, when inserted into the rail profile3, holds the lighting assembly2in the profile3, can be actuated by an operator from the open longitudinal side10, provided that the cover50is not is used or removed.

The actuating element9is a part that is separate from the body4and is rotatably mounted on the body4. By rotating the actuating element9about an axis of rotation13parallel to a depth direction14of the profile3, see e.g.FIGS.7and9, the latching elements7can be brought together and simultaneously moved into a release position in which they are each released from the edge8or the undercut8. In order to release the latching elements7, the actuating element9can be rotated about the axis13by an angle of between 80 degrees and 100 degrees, preferably about 90 degrees.

FIG.13shows the release position of the latching elements7achieved by rotating the element9, whereby the latching elements7are pulled back toward the interior of the body4. In this position of the latching elements7, the lighting assembly2can be easily removed from the profile3. The release position is also shown inFIG.9, whereby arrow P schematically illustrates the rotation of the element9to reach this position.

In contrast,FIG.12shows a position of the actuating element9in which it is rotated by approximately 90 degrees in relation toFIG.13. In the situation ofFIG.12, the wing-like latching elements7are not pulled back and fixed, but can move freely and flexibly. For the insertion of the lighting assembly2into the rail profile3for the assembly of the lighting arrangement100, the actuating elements9of all of the fastening devices1on the lighting assembly2are brought into the position shown inFIG.12. When the lighting assembly2is inserted, for example from below as shown inFIGS.2and3, into the profile3, the latching elements7spring back in a movable manner and snap into the latching edges7abehind the edges or undercuts8, as a result of which the lighting assembly2is connected to the profile3. Provision can be made for the lighting assembly2to still be moveable, at least to a certain extent, in the rail profile3in the state in which it is latched in by means of the latching elements7in order to enable position corrections.

In order to release the module2from the track3, the actuating elements9of all fastening devices1of the module2are rotated counter-clockwise by the intended angle of rotation, approximately 90 degrees, as a result of which the wing-like latching elements7are pulled inwards and fixed in the release position.

The actuating element9, in particular shown in detail inFIG.10, has a shaft section22which is embodied on an end face23thereof with a geometry17for actuation by the operator by hand and/or by means of a tool. In the first exemplary embodiment, the geometry17is formed with flat, parallel lateral surfaces for manual actuation and with a slot for engaging a tool, for example a screwdriver, in particular a flat-head screwdriver, seeFIGS.9and10. The actuating element9about the axis13can therefore be rotated without tools and/or by means of the tool.

The shaft section22of the actuating element9is guided through a channel in the component18and through a round access opening21in the printed circuit board19of the lighting assembly2, which is positioned to correspond to this channel, in such a way that the end face23with the geometry17is accessible from the light output side6of the lighting assembly2. SeeFIG.9, which shows that the geometry17protrudes through the access opening21to the light output side6.

From the shaft section22, an extended area26of the actuating element9, which is disk-like in some areas, extends circumferentially on the shaft section22, seeFIG.10.

When the body4of the fastening device1is mechanically locked to the lighting assembly2, the extended section26is accommodated between a rear side18rof the reflector18and a section of the body4in the inner area44in a twistable manner. On a side of the extended section26facing away from the geometry17, a short swivel pin28of the actuating element9, which is accommodated in a twistable manner in an opening29of the body4, extends centrally therefrom. The shaft section22, the swivel pin28and the section26are essentially arranged coaxially along the axis of rotation13.

With each of the latching elements7, a plate-like section that protrudes inwards towards the inner area44and is mechanically stabilised, in particular by means of an additional rib, is integrally connected on an inner side24of the latching element7facing the actuating element9and is formed as a first force application section25.

The expanded area26of the actuating element9is provided with two second force application sections27which are each formed to interact with the first force application section25of one of the latching elements7. The force application sections27are each embodied with a ramp27awhich rises along part of the circumference of the section26towards the abutting face23and which merges into a flat-edged end section27b. Radial outer edges of areas26bof section26between adjacent force application sections27are set back from radial outer edges of sections27in the radial direction.

In the position of the actuating element9inFIG.12, this prevents the first and second force application sections25and27from interfering with one another, as a result of which the latching elements7are each freely and flexibly movable about a pivot axis40and, when inserted into the rail profile3, the latching elements7can slot behind the edges or undercuts8. In the position ofFIG.13, on the other hand, the first and second force application sections25and27were brought into contact with one another by rotating the element9. The continued rotation of the element9causes a compressive force to be exerted by the ramps27aon the lower side of the force application sections25inFIG.13, as a result of which latching element7is pivoted elastically around axis40, which runs essentially parallel to longitudinal direction16, in an inwards direction towards the inner area44. As a result, the latching edges7aare pulled back from the edges or undercuts8and the latching is released. The side of section25facing section27can also have a bevelled area25awhich merges into a flat area25b.

In particular due to the provision of the flattened end section27b, the actuating element9and the latching elements7inFIG.13remain in the release position even without the operator needing to do anything. This facilitates disassembly and the latching elements7are locked in the release position.

On one side of the extended section26, which points in the same axial direction as the swivel pin28and, in the assembled state, points to a base of the internal space44, the actuating element9is equipped with four contours30on the actuating element side, wherein these contours30are preferably arranged on a circular line concentric to the axis of rotation13distributed around the axis13.

An elastically resilient contour31arranged on the body side is provided on the body4in the inner area44. When the actuating element9is inserted, at least two of the contours30on the actuating element can be detachably engaged with the contour31on the body. The contours30,31are engaged in the end positions of the actuating element9during rotation, i.e. in the positions ofFIGS.12and13. In this way, the operator experiences haptic feedback that the desired position has been reached, both in the latched position and in the release position. In some embodiments, the interaction of the contours30,31could contribute to even better latching of the actuating element9in the respective end position. The contours30,31thus in particular serve as contours to modify the haptics and/or latch the actuating element9.

A second exemplary embodiment is illustrated inFIGS.14-19. The differences compared to the first exemplary embodiment in particular are explained below.

A lighting arrangement100′ according to the second exemplary embodiment in turn has an elongate rail profile3′ open on a longitudinal side10′, a lighting assembly2′ and fastening devices1′ for holding the lighting assembly2′ inserted into the rail profile3′ in the profile3′, in addition to a separate cover50′. The cover50′ is translucent in some areas or completely translucent and can be inserted into the rail profile3′ in a latching manner to close the open longitudinal side10′. In an analogous manner to the first exemplary embodiment, the open side10′ can thus be closed at least partially, preferably essentially fully closed, along a longitudinal direction16′ of the profile3′ by means of the cover50′, and furthermore several lighting assemblies can be inserted adjacently at the end face into the profile3′ without a gap, whereby the cover50′ can extend in the longitudinal direction16′ over two or more lighting assemblies2′.

The fastening devices1′ are of the same design and are each mechanically coupled by latching to an elongate printed circuit board19′ of the lighting assembly2′ equipped with LED devices20′.

The fastening device1′ has a body4′ which is made of a plastic material, for example. The body4′ is preferably formed in one piece. The body4′ has a U-shaped cross-section with legs45′, as a result of which an inner area44′ is formed, in which a printed circuit board19′ of the lighting assembly2′ is accommodated. The printed circuit board19′ is hereby overlapped in sections by a rear side area5′ of the lighting assembly2′, which is pointing away from a light output side6′ of the lighting assembly2′.

For the mechanical coupling of the body4′ to the lighting assembly2′, the body4′ has four latching devices46′ facing the inner area44′ thereof, which are set up to latch with the printed circuit board19′, wherein two of the latching devices46′ engage behind opposite longitudinal edges of the printed circuit board19′ in a latching manner.

In the second exemplary embodiment, an electrical conductor means60for the provision of an electrical supply voltage and/or control signals is also arranged at the base of the rail profile3′, which is not shown inFIGS.14-19. In this regard, reference can be made to the above statements on the first exemplary embodiment, which can also be applied to the second exemplary embodiment. The lighting assembly2′ is thus supplied with operating voltage and control signals in the same way as the lighting assembly2.

In a manner analogous to the first exemplary embodiment, the lighting assembly2′ is formed as a unit comprising the printed circuit board19′, an control device70′ arranged on the rear side of the printed circuit board19′ and a contacting device62, as in the first exemplary embodiment, and is connected to a module with the fastening devices1′. The module is held in the profile3′ by means of the fastening devices1′.

Two latching elements7′ are provided on opposite sides11′,12′ of the body4′, which are formed in one piece with the body4′ and can each be pivoted elastically about an axis40′ on the latter. One of two edges8′ or undercuts8′ provided on opposite side walls3a′,3b′ of the rail profile3′ can be engaged in a latching manner by means of the latching elements7′.

The fastening device1′ also has two actuating elements9′, wherein each is assigned to one of the latching elements7′. The two actuating elements9′ are in a state in which the fastening device1′ holds the lighting assembly2′ inserted into the rail profile3′ from the open longitudinal side10′ with the cover50′ not inserted or removed in order to bring the latching elements7′, which can be actuated by an operator, into a release position in which they are each released from the edge8′ or the undercut8. In the release position of the latching elements7′, the module with the lighting assembly2′ can be removed from the profile3′.

In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, in which the release position is reached by rotating an actuating element, in the second exemplary embodiment, the inset module with the lighting assembly2′ can be released by pressing the two wing-like actuating elements9′ protruding towards the inner area44′. The actuating elements9′ for releasing one of the latching elements7′ can hereby be pressed outwards by the operator, essentially parallel to a transverse direction15′ of the rail profile3′, see arrow P′ inFIG.19. The actuating elements9′ can be actuated independently of one another and the latching elements7′ can be released independently of one another, wherein simultaneous actuation by the operator when removing from the rail3′ may be expedient.

Each of the latching elements7′ is integrally connected to the associated actuating element9′ on the same side11′ or12′, wherein the part respectively formed with the actuating element9′ and the latching element7′ are embodied integrally with the body4′ and on the body4′ around the axis40′ which, in the assembled state of the arrangement100′, can be pivoted parallel to the longitudinal direction16′ of the profile3′. The latching element7′ is released from the edge8′ or the undercut8′ by means of this pivoting movement.

The section formed in one piece with the actuating element9′ and the latching element7′ and arranged elastically on the body4′ extends in an unactuated and, seeFIG.9(b), latched position essentially parallel to a depth direction14′ of the rail profile3‘, thus essentially parallel to the allocated leg45’, and is arranged in a middle area of the leg45′, in each case opposite other sections of the leg45′ so as to be elastically pivotable.

The body4′ is formed in such a way that the actuating elements9′ are connected to the allocated latching elements7′ on the side of the printed circuit board19′. The elastically movable section of the body4′ formed with the elements7′ and9′ thus extends past the longitudinal edges of the printed circuit board19′, seeFIG.19.

Latching edges7a′ of the latching elements7interacting with the edges or undercuts8′ are arranged above or to the rear of a plane in which the printed circuit board19′ is accommodated in the inner region44′, seen in the depth direction14′ of the profile3′.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, the lighting assemblies2,2′ can also be easily inserted at any point along an already installed/assembled track3,3′ by a fitter at a construction site and can also be removed again just as easily, in the case of some embodiments without any tools. Several such insets2,2′ can be lined up in a quasi-seamless manner or with only a small distance or gap. Subsequently, the profile lighting system100,100′ can be covered with a continuous translucent cover50,50′, thereby generating, for example, a continuous band of light several meters long.

A lighting assembly2,2′ can be up to about 3 meters long, for example. However, other lengths are also conceivable.

In variants of the above exemplary embodiments, the control device70or70′ and the contacting device62can be installed together in a supply unit.

While the rail profiles3,3′ and the assemblies2,2′ of the exemplary embodiments described above are each embodied in a straight line, in variants of the exemplary embodiments the profiles3,3′ and the assemblies2,2′ can have a curved shape, in particular a flat curved shape. The fastening devices1,1′ also facilitate assembly in these cases. If the components2,3are formed with a curved shape, the component18can also be formed in such a way that it follows the curved shape.

Advantageously, in the exemplary embodiments described above, the profiles3,3′ can first be mounted separately, then the lighting assemblies2,2′ can be inserted and these can subsequently be covered with the cover50,50′. The cover50,50′ can be cut to size on site if required. Complicated wiring is avoided and any required dismantling is also significantly easier.

Although the present invention has been fully described above with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not limited to these exemplary embodiments and can be modified in a variety of ways.

REFERENCE LIST

1,1′ fastening device2,2′ lighting assembly3,3′ rail profile3a,3bside wall (rail profile)3a′,3b′ side wall (rail profile)4,4′ body5,5′ rear side area (lighting assembly)6,6′ light output side (lighting assembly)7,7′ latching element7a,7a′ latching edge8,8′ edge or undercut9,9′ actuating element10,10′ open longitudinal side (rail profile)11,11′ first side (body)11,11′ second side (body)13axis14,14′ depth direction (rail profile)15,15′ transverse direction (rail profile)14,14′ longitudinal direction (rail profile)17geometry for manual intervention or tool intervention18reflector18rrear side (reflector)19,19′ printed circuit board20,20′ LED device21access opening22shaft section23end face (shaft section)24inner side (latching element)25first force application section25abevelled area25bflat area26extended area26barea27second force application section27aramp27bend section28swivel pin29opening30contour on the actuating element side for haptic feedback and/or locking of the actuating element31contour on the body side for haptic feedback and/or locking of the actuating element40,40′ pivot axis44,44′ inner area45,45′ leg46,46′ latching device47longitudinal edge (reflector)48contiguous area50,50′ cover60electrical conductor means61conductor62contacting device63contact element70,70′ control device100,100′ lighting arrangementP, P′ arrow