Patent Application
20240288153
The invention relates to a lighting device comprising a rail profile and a kit for use in a lighting device.
Lighting devices and systems with rail profiles are widely known. Systems are also already known in which a mounting rail comprises respective areas on opposite sides for the connection of lighting units.
However, conventional lighting devices of this type are complex to set up and assemble. In order to avoid a complex, completely separate supply of the two areas, such as with electrical power, some conventional lighting devices require cumbersome, time-consuming wiring to connect the areas.
This situation needs to be improved.
Against this background, it is an objective of the invention to create a lighting device that allows for simpler and quicker assembly and reduces the effort required for an external supply of operating current, for example.
According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a lighting device with the features of claim 1 and/or by a kit with the features of claim 18.
Accordingly, a lighting device is proposed, comprising a rail profile with a first area and a second area for coupling at least one lighting unit and supplying it with electrical energy and/or with a control signal, and including a first connector unit and a second connector unit.
The first and second areas are each equipped with an electrical conductor means arranged essentially along a longitudinal extension direction of the rail profile and separated from each other by a web of the rail profile. At least one channel is provided in the web.
One of the connector units is inserted into the first area and electrically contacted with the electrical conductor means of the first area. The other connector unit is inserted into the second area and electrically contacted with the electrical conductor means of the second area. Here, the connector units are electrically coupled to each other through at least one channel of the web for the electrical coupling of the electrical conductor means of the first and second areas.
Furthermore, according to the invention, a kit is provided for use in a lighting device, comprising a rail profile with a first area and a second area for coupling at least one lighting unit and supplying it with electrical energy and/or a control signal. The first and second areas are each equipped with an electrical conductor means arranged essentially along a longitudinal extension direction of the rail profile and separated from each other by a web of the rail profile, and at least one channel is provided in the web.
The kit comprises a first and a second connector unit. The connector units are designed in such a way that
An underlying idea of the invention is to enable the electrical coupling of the electronic conductor means of the areas with each other easily and quickly by, without much effort, connecting the two connector units into the areas in a section of the rail profile which either already comprises a prefabricated channel or into which at least one channel is introduced as needed, for example on-site. The electronic conductor means in both areas can be contacted in just a few steps, and the electronic conductor means are coupled simply and directly through at least one channel in the web. The electrical coupling may, for example, relate to an electrical operating voltage for supplying the lighting units and/or to one or more control signals, specifically for controlling the lighting units. With minimal assembly effort, only one feeder is required in one of the areas to bring in and supply the electrical energy and/or the control signal from outside. The other area of the rail profile is supplied easily and reliably using the coupled connector units. A second “feeder” is not required.
Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the description with reference to the figures.
In one embodiment, the first connector unit has at least one contact section, which electrically contacts a contacting device of the second connector unit through the channel for coupling with the second connector unit. Cumbersome wiring is thus avoided by directly contacting the connector units with each other.
In one embodiment, the contact section of the first connector unit protrudes through the channel. This makes it easier to make contact with the second connector unit.
In one embodiment, at least one projection, specifically a housing projection, of the first connector unit is arranged adjacent to the contact section of the first connector unit, wherein the projection extends into the channel and in particular protrudes through the channel. This can help to ensure the first connector unit is inserted in the correct position and also protects the contact section(s) from damage.
In one embodiment, the projection engages into an end section thereof into a recess in the second connector unit. This facilitates the correct positioning of the connector units relative to each other, which makes it easier to establish a reliable contact.
In one embodiment, at least one projection, specifically a housing projection, of the second connector unit is arranged adjacent to the contacting device of the second connector unit, wherein the projection extends into the channel and in particular protrudes through the channel. Preferably, the projection engages into an end section thereof into a recess in the first connector unit. This also simplifies the correct relative positioning and contacting of the connector units.
In one embodiment, the first connector unit has at least two contact sections. At least one channel can comprise one channel or several channels in the web. In this embodiment, the contact sections protrude through the channel or channels. Multiple contact sections, such as two or more than two, may be helpful for coupling electronic conductor means with a larger number of conductors and/or for carrying higher electrical operating currents from one electrical conductor means to another.
In one embodiment, the first connector unit has at least two, specifically at least three, contact sections, and the second connector unit has at least two, in particular at least three, contacting devices assigned to the contact sections. In this embodiment, at least one channel is provided as a shared channel for the contact sections of the first connector unit, and the contact sections each protrude through the shared channel. In this embodiment, it may in particular be sufficient to introduce a single channel into the web for the electrical coupling of the connector units.
In a further development it is provided that at least one projection of the first connector unit is arranged adjacent to at least one of the contact sections and at least one recess of the second connector unit is provided adjacent to at least one of the contacting devices associated with the contact section, wherein the projection protrudes through the channel and engages into the recess of the second connector unit. Furthermore, in this development it is provided that at least one recess of the first connector unit is provided adjacent to at least one other of the contact sections and at least one projection of the second connector unit is arranged adjacent to at least one of the contacting devices assigned to the other contact section, wherein the projection protrudes through the channel and engages into the recess of the first connector unit. This helps to correctly position the connector units relative to each other and ensures that the contact sections are brought into contact with the correct contacting devices.
In a further development, at least two of the contact sections are adjacent to a shared projection on the first connector unit, specifically surrounded by the shared projection, and a third contact section is adjacent to a recess on the first connector unit, in particular surrounded by the recess. Furthermore, in this development it is provided that at least two of the contacting devices are adjacent to a shared recess on the second connector unit, in particular surrounded by the shared recess, and a third contacting device is adjacent to a projection on the second connector unit, in particular surrounded by the projection. This means, for example, that the correct orientation of the connector units relative to each other can be recognised more easily and quickly by the installer.
In another embodiment, it is provided that at least two, in particular at least three, channels are provided in the web, the first connector unit comprising at least two, specifically at least three, contact sections and the second connector unit comprising at least two, in particular at least three, contacting devices each associated with the contact sections, wherein the contact sections of the first connector unit each protrude through an assigned one of the channels in the web. This can simplify the introduction of the channels in one aspect, especially since the size of each channel can be made smaller compared to a shared channel in this embodiment.
In a further development it is provided that at least one projection of the first connector unit is arranged adjacent to at least one of the contact sections and at least one recess of the second connector unit is provided adjacent to at least one of the contacting devices assigned to the contact section, wherein the projection protrudes through the channel assigned to the contact section and engages into the recess of the second connector unit. Furthermore, in this development it is provided that at least one recess of the first connector unit is arranged adjacent to at least one other of the contact sections and at least one projection of the second connector unit is arranged adjacent to at least one of the contacting devices assigned to the other contact section, wherein the projection protrudes through the channel associated with the other contact section and engages into the recess of the first connector unit. This in turn contributes to the correct alignment and positioning of the connector units.
In a further development, at least one projection is provided adjacent to each of two of the contact sections and at least one recess is provided on the first connector unit adjacent to a third of the contact sections. In this further development, at least one recess is provided adjacent to at least two of the contacting devices and at least one projection is provided on the second connector unit adjacent to a third of the contacting devices. In this way, the installer can also better recognise the correct alignment of the connector units to each other when inserting them.
Specifically, in further developments, each of the contact sections can comprise several, in particular three, contact elements and each of the contacting devices can comprise several, in particular three, contact elements, which can each be brought into conductive contact with one of the contact elements of the assigned contact section.
Specifically, the contact elements of the contact section can be designed to be similar to each other. Specifically, the contact elements of the contacting device can also be designed to be similar to each other.
In one embodiment, the first connector unit can comprise three contact sections, each with three contact elements, and the second connector unit can comprise three contacting devices, each with three contact elements.
In a further development, the contact elements of the contacting devices can be arranged essentially immovably on the second connector unit. Such contact elements are easy to produce and save space, for example as flat contact areas.
In a further development, the contact elements of the contact sections of the first connector unit are preferably designed to be flexible, particularly resiliently movable. This allows, for example in combination with immovable contact elements of the second connector unit, good contact through contact under spring force and a certain degree of tolerance compensation.
In one embodiment, a mechanical connecting element, in particular a screw, is guided from one of the connector units, for example the first connector unit, through the channel or through an additional access opening in the web of the rail profile and engages in a receiving area of the other connector unit, for example the second connector unit, a. For example, the anchoring element can be screwed into the receiving area. In this way, the connector units can be reliably prevented from becoming detached from the rail profile and from each other.
In one embodiment, the first area and the second area are each equipped with the electrical conductor means in the same way. This allows the use of lighting units with identically designed mechanical and electrical interfaces for coupling with the rail profile, thus enabling flexible use.
In a further embodiment, each of the first and second connector units can alternatively be inserted into the first or second area. This further simplifies the installation of the lighting device.
In one embodiment, conductors of the electrical conductor means of both the first and second areas are arranged laterally to the respective connector unit used. Specifically, conductors can be provided on both sides of the respective connector unit used. The conductors can therefore be stored in a space-saving manner.
In one embodiment, the electrical conductor means of the first and second areas each have conductors for providing electrical operating voltage and a control signal. The electrical coupling of the electrical conductor means of the first and second areas to each other by means of the connector units can in particular include a coupling of conductors of the first and second electrical conductor means to provide the operating voltage and a coupling of conductors of the first and second electrical conductor means to provide the control signal.
The control signal can in particular be a DALI signal. However, the use of other types of control signals is also conceivable.
In one embodiment, the electrical conductor means are configured to provide a low voltage, for example of approximately 48 volts, as the operating voltage. A lighting device with a low-voltage rail can thus be created.
For example, the electrical conductor means can be designed to provide a direct current as the operating voltage.
In another embodiment, the electrical conductor means are configured to provide a high voltage, in particular mains voltage, as the operating voltage, for example a nominal voltage in the range of approximately 220 to 230 volts. A lighting device with a high-voltage rail can thus be created.
For example, the electrical conductor means can be designed to provide an alternating current as the operating voltage, for example at approximately 220 to 230 volts nominal voltage and with a frequency in the range of approximately 50 Hz.
The first and second areas of the track profile can in particular be formed on opposite sides thereof. This can, for example, enable the appropriate provision of direct and indirect lighting.
In one embodiment, the track profile is designed with a cross section that is essentially H-shaped as a whole or at least in certain areas. The first and second areas can be easily accommodated in such a track profile, particularly on opposite sides of the track profile. Specifically, lateral flanges of the track profile connected by the web can be designed to be straight or formed as a curve or at least in certain areas in the cross section.
In one embodiment, a housing of the first connector unit and a housing of the second connector unit are each formed with a height, viewed along a depth direction of the first or second area, in a range of approximately 8 mm to approximately 10 mm, in particular approximately 9 mm.
Furthermore, in a further development, the first connector unit can be designed with a height including the contact sections, viewed along the depth direction of the first area, in a range of approximately 12 mm to approximately 15 mm, for example approximately 13 mm to approximately 14 mm.
In one embodiment, the housing of the first connector unit and the housing of the second connector unit can each, apart from elastically projecting elements, be designed with a width, viewed transversely to the depth direction, in a range of approximately 10 mm to approximately 12 mm, in particular approximately 11 mm.
In one embodiment, the first and second connector units can each be designed with a length, viewed along the longitudinal extension direction of the track profile, in a range of approximately 70 mm to approximately 90 mm, in particular approximately 80 mm.
It goes without saying that the embodiments and developments described above can be applied in an analogous manner to both the lighting device and the kit.
The invention is explained in more detail below using the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures of the drawings. The following are depicted:
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.
A lighting device 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment is shown in
The lighting device 1 can be used, for example, as a suspended lighting device, wherein the first area 11 is oriented upwards and the second area 12 downwards, as in
Alternatively, the lighting device 1 can be arranged upright or standing, for example vertically or obliquely, in the manner of a column. In this case, lighting units 2 inserted into the areas 11, 12 radiate laterally from the column-like lighting device 1.
The rail profile 10 is designed with an essentially H-shaped cross section, see
The rail profile 10 is essentially formed symmetrical to a longitudinal centre plane M of the rail profile 10. The areas 11 and 12 are separated from each other by a web 13 of the profile 10 and are largely isolated from each other. The web 13 connects lateral flanges 10a of the rail profile 10 to each other, wherein the flanges 10a extend essentially straight in the longitudinal extension direction that runs normal to the longitudinal direction L.
The electrical conductor means 21, 22 are each designed in two parts, and each have two insulating holding bodies 23a, 23b and 26a, 26b extending in the direction L, see
The conductors 24a, b, 27a, b are designed in the first exemplary embodiment to provide a low voltage of, for example, approximately 48 volts of direct current. In a variant, the conductors 24a-b, 27a-b could be designed and accommodated for a higher voltage, for example in order to supply the lighting units 2 with mains voltage, such as an alternating current at 230 V nominal voltage and a frequency of 50 Hz.
Advantageously, in the lighting device 1, only the conductors 24a, 24b, 25a, 25b or 27a, 27b, 28a, 28b of one of the electrical conductors means 21 or 22 are fed with operating voltage and the control signal from an external source. This can be achieved using a “power feeder” unit or feed unit (not illustrated), which can be implemented, for example in a section of the first area 11 by introducing power into the electrical conductor means 21. The electrical conductor means of the other area, such as the electrical conductor means 22, is supplied by means of two interconnected connector units 30 and 50. For this purpose, one of the connector units 30, 50 is inserted into the first area 11 and the other into the second area 12. This takes place in a section of the rail profile 10 in which the web 13 is provided with a channel 14.
The operating voltage conductors 24a, b, 27a, b are arranged internally, relative to the outer openings of the areas 11, 12, towards the web 13. In area 11, the operating voltage conductors 24a, 24b and control signal conductors 25a, 25b are each arranged opposite each other across the longitudinal centre plane M. The conductors 27a, 27b and 28a, 28b are arranged in a similar way in the second area 12.
In the first exemplary embodiment, the channel 14 is rectangular with rounded corners and can be introduced into the web 13, for example by milling or sawing, see
In
In order to electrically couple the electrical conductor means 21 and 22 to each other and to provide electrical energy and the control signal in both areas 11, 12, while simultaneously saving a second external feed, for example using a further “power feeder”, the connector units 30 and 50 are electrically coupled to each other through the channel 14.
For this purpose, the first connector unit 30 has three contact sections 31, 32, 33 on a side facing the web 13 when inserted, which protrude together through the channel 14 after the unit 30 has been inserted. Each contact section 31, 32, 33 is provided with three similar, flexibly resilient contact elements 40 or spring contacts. The contact sections 31, 32, 33 can, for example, be arranged and fastened on a printed circuit board 49.
A projection 41 is provided on the first connector unit 30 adjacent to the contact sections 31, 32, wherein the projection 41 is in particular formed on a housing component of the first connector unit 30. The projection 41 surrounds the two contact sections 31, 32 as a circumferentially closed wall. A recess 35 is provided on the first connector unit 30 adjacent to the contact section 33, wherein the contact section 33 is circumferentially surrounded by the recess 35. The recess 35 can be an opening in the housing wall through which the contact section 33 projects and largely fills this opening, leaving a free space around the contact section 33.
The second connector unit 50 has three contacting devices 51, 52, 53 on a side facing the web 13 when inserted, which are accessible through the channel 14 after the connector unit 50 has been inserted, see also
The contacting device 51 is assigned to the contact section 31, the contacting device 52 to the contact section 32 and the contacting device 53 to the contact section 33.
The second connector unit 50 has a recess 55 adjacent to the contacting devices 51, 52, which surrounds the contacting devices 51, 52. The recess 55 is designed as an opening in a housing wall of the unit 50, through which the contacting devices 51, 52 are accessible. A projection 61 is provided on the second connector unit 50 adjacent to the contacting device 53, wherein the projection 61 is in particular formed on a housing component of the second connector unit 50. The projection 61 surrounds the contact section 53 as a circumferentially closed wall.
After insertion of the units 30, 50 into the rail profile 10, the contact sections 31, 32, 33 protrude through the channel 14. At the same time, the projection 41 projects through the channel 14 and engages into an end section in the recess 55 of the second connector unit 50, while the projection 61 also projects through the channel 14 and engages into an end portion in the recess 35 of the first connector unit 30. The end portions of the projections 41, 61 are provided with externally bevelled end edges 41a, 61a to facilitate insertion into the recesses 55 and 35, respectively.
After the connector unit 30 has been completely inserted into the first area 11 and the connector unit 50 into the second area 12, the contact elements 40 of the sections 31-33 each make contact with the contact elements 60 of the devices 51-53 assigned to them. The resilient design of the contact elements 40 enables good contact by through application under spring force.
The connector units 30, 50 have lateral, spring-loaded contact elements 38x, 38y or 58x, 58y for making contact with the operating current conductors 24a, b or 27a, b. Furthermore, the connector units 30, 50 have lateral, spring-loaded contact elements 39x, 39y or 59x, 59y for making contact with the control signal conductors 25a, b, 28a, b. When inserted as spring contacts, the lateral contact elements 38x, 38y, 39x, 39y or 58x, 58y, 59x, 59y come into electrically conductive contact with the respective assigned conductor in an elastically resilient manner.
Using the contact elements 38x, 38y, 39x, 39y, the first connector unit 30 can receive operating current and control signals from the electrical conductor means 21 along the area 11. Using the contact elements 58x, 58y, 59x, 59y, the second connector unit 50 is able to deliver the operating current and the control signals to the electrical conductor means 22 along the area 12. It is understood that alternatively, the power feed can take place in the second area 12, so that the reception and distribution of operating current and control signals then take place in the reverse manner as just described.
The connector units 30 and 50 are each mechanically clipped into the rail profile 10 in a latching manner. For this purpose, each unit 30, 50 has, in the area of its two outer side surfaces, latching devices 37 and 57 in the form of elastically yielding housing wall sections with latching lugs arranged thereon, wherein the latching lugs engage behind inner edges of internal longitudinal ribs of the track profile when the units 30, 50 are inserted into the area 11 or 12. The latching devices 37 and 57 thus serve as retaining clips. A tool is not required to engage the units 30, 50 and to release them from the area 11 or 12. A grip bar 75 on a narrow side of the first unit 30 and a grip bar 95 on a narrow side of the second unit 50 make it easier to remove them from the rail profile 10 if required.
In order to secure the connector units 30, 50 against unintended release from the track profile 10, in addition to their latching, the first connector unit 30 features a round access opening 70 through which a screw 80 as a mechanical connecting element is guided from the first connector unit 30 through the channel 14 and screwed into a receiving area 90 of the second connector unit 50. An additional safeguard against detachment of the units 30, 50 from each other and from the areas 11, 12 is thus accomplished by using the screw 80.
In the first exemplary embodiment, the shared channel 14 is designed for the contact sections 31, 32, 33, the projections 41, 61 and the screw 80.
The connector units 30 and 50 are part of a kit that is used in the lighting device 1 to electrically couple the two areas 11 and 12.
Thus, for example, the electrical conductor means 22 of the second area 12 can be supplied with operating current and control signals via the first area 11 by inserting a connector unit 30, 50 into both areas 11, 12 at a location with the recess or access opening 14. The avoidance of a second “power feeder”, reduces the material requirements and, in particular, simplifies the assembly and reduces wiring complexity. The units 30, 50 are easily and correctly positioned, for example clipped in separately and, if necessary, additionally mechanically connected using the screw 80.
After inserting the units 30, 50 into the areas 11, 12, the contact sections 31, 32, 33 and contacting devices 51, 52, 53 are each arranged one after the other along the longitudinal extension direction L, whereas the three contact elements 40 of each contact section 31-33 and the three contact elements 60 of each contacting device 51-53 are arranged transversely to the longitudinal extension direction L and arranged here in a transverse direction Q3 of the unit 30 or in a transverse direction Q5 of the unit 50, see
Seen in the transverse direction Q3, the first contact element 40 of each of the three contact sections 31, 32 and 33 and the first contact elements 60 of each of the three contacting devices 51, 52, 53, which are assigned to these three contact elements 40 and viewed in the transverse direction Q5, are used for the transmission of operating current in the first exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, viewed in the transverse direction Q3, the third contact element 40 of each of the three contact sections 31, 32, 33 and the third contact elements 60 of each of the three contacting devices 51, 52, 53, which are assigned to these three contact elements 40 and viewed in the transverse direction Q5, are also used for the transmission of the operating current in the first exemplary embodiment. Herein, of the six contact elements 40 thus designated for the transmission of the operating current, three are collectively assigned to one of the conductors 24a, 24b and thus, for example, to one pole, while the other three are collectively assigned to the other of the conductors 24a, 24b and thus, for example, to the other pole. The same applies to the assignment of the conductors 27a, b or poles to the contact elements 60. The transmission takes place via three individual contact elements 40, 60 in order to be able to expediently realise the desired current intensities.
The middle contact element 40 of the contact section 31 in the direction Q3 and the middle contact element 60 of the assigned contacting device 51 in the direction Q5, as well as the middle contact element 40 of the contact section 33 in the direction Q3 and the middle contact element 60 of the assigned contacting device 53 in the direction Q5 are used to transmit the control signal, specifically the DALI control signal. Here, the middle contact element 40 of the section 32 in the direction Q3 and the middle contact element 60 of the device 52 in the direction Q5 can remain unused or are still available for another use.
Thus, the contact elements 40 of the contact sections 31 and 33 that follow each other in the transverse direction Q3 are each assigned as follows: Operating current-control signal-operating current. Furthermore, the contact elements 40 of the contact section 32 that follow each other in the transverse direction Q3 are assigned as follows: Operating current-no conductor-operating current. The same applies to the contact elements 60 in the transverse direction Q5.
The direct electrical contacting of the units 30, 50 across the dividing plane of the web 13 using the contact elements 40 of the sections 31-33 and the contact elements 60 of the devices 51-53 advantageously makes cabling unnecessary.
Except for the area of the contact sections 31-33 and contacting devices 51-53 and an access opening 70 that is missing or sealed in the unit 50, the housings of the units 30 and 50 are essentially designed with the same external shape. A width B of the housing transverse to a depth direction T of the areas 11, 12 is, with the exception of the elements 38x, 38y, 39x, 39y, 37 or 58x, 58y, 59x, 59y, 57, approximately 10 mm to approximately 12 mm, for example approximately 11 mm.
A height H of the housing of the first and second connector units 30, 50 is approximately 8 mm to approximately 10 mm, in particular approximately 9 mm, along the depth direction T, wherein the projections 41, 61 and the contact sections 31-33 are excluded from this measurement. In the case of the first connector unit 50, its height H′ including the contact sections 31-33 along the depth direction T is approximately 12 mm to approximately 15 mm, for example about 13 mm to about 14 mm.
A length W of the first and second connector units 30, 50 can be approximately 70 mm to approximately 90 mm, for example approximately 80 mm, after insertion into the profile 10, viewed along the longitudinal extension direction L of the rail profile 10.
A lighting device 101 according to a second exemplary embodiment and components thereof are shown in
The differences between the lighting device 101 and the lighting device 1 described in detail above will be shown below. In addition, reference is made to the embodiments above regarding the first exemplary embodiment.
The lighting device 101 comprises a rail profile 10, which is designed as described above for the first exemplary embodiment and is equipped with an electrical conductor means 21, 22, but differs with regard to the channel 14. The lighting device 101 also comprises first and second connector units 130, 150, which are designed in terms of their external housing shape as in the first exemplary embodiment and, as in the first exemplary embodiment, are provided with lateral contact elements and lateral latching devices and grip bars 175 and 195, respectively.
In the lighting device 101, three equally sized, circular channels 114, 115 and 116 are introduced one after the other into the web 13 in the longitudinal extension direction L of the profile 10, but separately from each other. The centres of the circular openings 114, 115, 116 each lie on a straight line parallel to the longitudinal extension direction L of the rail profile 10 in the middle of the web 13. The channel 116 is followed by a smaller, additional access opening 117, the centre of which also lies on the straight line mentioned.
The channels 114, 115, 116 and 117 can be easily and conveniently incorporated into the web 13 by drilling into the web 13 at a selectable position along the rail profile 10 when assembling the lighting device 101 on-site. This is made easier, for example, by the drilling template 200 shown in
The first connector unit 130 has three contact sections 131, 132 and 133, which are designed similarly to the contact sections 31-33. After insertion of the unit 130, for example, into the first area 11, the contact section 131 protrudes through the channel 114 assigned to it, the contact section 132 through the channel 115 assigned to it and the contact section 133 through the channel 116 assigned to it.
The contact sections 131, 132, 133 are assigned three contacting devices 151, 152, 153 of the second connector unit 150, which are positioned in such a way that after inserting the unit 150, for example into the second area 12, the contacting device 151 passes through the channel 114, the contacting device 152 is accessible through the channel 115 and the contacting device 153 through the channel 116.
The contact sections 131-133 are arranged on a board 149 of the first connector unit 130 and are formed with resilient contact elements 140, while the contacting devices 151-153 are formed with essentially immovable, flat contact elements on a circuit board 169 of the second connector unit 150, as described for the first exemplary embodiment. For example, the contact elements of sections 131-133 and devices 151-153 can be occupied as described for the first exemplary embodiment.
Adjacent to the contact section 131, projections 141 and 142 are arranged on the first connector unit 130 on both sides of the same, after inserting the unit 130 into the profile 10 as seen in the direction L at the front and back. The projections 141, 142 are designed, for example, as housing projections of the unit 130 and are bevelled on the outside at the free end sections. In an analogous manner, projections 143 and 144 are formed adjacent to the contact section 132, see for example
A recess 135 is provided adjacent to the third contact section 133, which in turn is formed by a housing opening of the first unit 130, through which the contact section 133 extends. In this way, at least on both sides of section 133, seen in the longitudinal extension direction L from the front and back after inserting the unit 130, a part of the recess 135 is formed on the first connector unit 130.
Adjacent to the contacting device 153 on both sides thereof, seen from the front and back in the longitudinal extension direction L after inserting the unit 150 into the profile 10, projections 161 and 162 are arranged on the second connector unit 130.
These projections, for example, are formed as housing projections of the unit 150 and are chamfered on the free end sections on the outside.
A recess 155, 156 is provided on the second connector unit 150 adjacent to each of the two contacting devices 151 and 152, wherein the recesses 155 and 156 can each be designed as a housing opening which surrounds the contacting device 151 and 152 and through which the contacting device 151 or 152 is accessible.
The contacting device 151 is assigned to the contact section 131, the contacting device 152 to the contact section 132 and the contacting device 153 to the contact section 133.
After inserting the first connector unit 130, for example, into the first area 11 and inserting the second connector unit 150 into the second area 12, the contacting devices 131, 132 and 133 protrude through the channels 114, 115, 116. At the same time, the projections 141, 142 protrude through the channel 114 and engage with their end sections in the parts of the recess 155 on both sides of the device 151, the projections 143, 144 protrude through the channel 115 and engage with their end sections in the parts of the recess 156 on both sides of the device 152, and the projections 161, 162 protrude through the channel 117 and engage with their end sections in the parts of the recess 135 on both sides of the section 133.
Accordingly, near the two consecutive contact sections 131 and 132 projections 141-144 are provided, which originate from the first connector unit 130 and extend through the channels 114, 115, while near the contacting device 153, the projections 161, 162 are provided, originating from the second connector unit 150 and extending through the channel 116. This achieves alignment and centring of the units 130, 150 relative to each other and to the rail profile 10. By arranging the two contact sections 131 and 132, equipped with adjacent projections 141-144, in sequence within the layout of the three sections 131-133, and having a single terminal section 133 equipped with the adjacent recess 135, along with a corresponding arrangement for devices 151-153, the configuration of contact sections 131-133 and devices 151-153 is asymmetrical, whereby design allows for electrical coupling only with a specific alignment of the units 130, 150 relative to each other.
Adjacent to the contact sections 131 and 132, and adjacent to the contacting device 153, additional lateral projections 145, 165, which are shorter than the projections 141-144 and for improved lateral guidance of the connector units, can be provided essentially parallel to the longitudinal edges of the connector unit 130 or 150, 130 and 150 can engage in the channels 114-116.
In the second exemplary embodiment, a separate channel 114-116 is therefore provided for the contact sections 131-133 and the corresponding contacting devices 151-153. In addition, the additional, also separately provided access opening 117 is introduced into the web 13 to secure the connector units 130, 150 against detachment from each other and from the rail profile 10. In the second exemplary embodiment, the screw 80, which is guided through an access opening 170 of the first connector unit 130, possibly provided with a step, extends through the channel 117 into a receiving area 190 of the second connector unit 150, into which the screw 80 is screwed.
As in the first exemplary embodiment, in the second exemplary embodiment, for example, operating current and the control signal can be fed externally into the electrical conductor means 21 of the area 11. By introducing the channels 114-117 and inserting the first connector unit 130 into the area 11 and the second connector unit 150 opposite the first unit 130 into the area 12 and snapping them into place, the units 130 and 150 are in electrical contact with each other, the second connector unit 150 receives power and control signals from the first connector unit 130 and feeds the electrical conductor means 22 of the second area 12. A reverse procedure with external feed into area 12 is also possible.
Regarding operating current types and operating voltages, the type of control signals and the dimensions of the connector units 130, 150, reference is made to the above embodiments relating to the first exemplary embodiment.
In the case of the lighting devices 1, 101, only one external feed is required to supply the two areas 11, 12. Cumbersome wiring is avoided, and contacting is quick and easy. As the channels 14 or 114, 115, 116 and possibly 117 can be introduced on-site, the coupling can be achieved flexibly by means of the units 130, 150 or 30, 50 where desired in a specific assembly situation or when it appears to be advantageous.
In the case of lighting devices 1, 101, the projections 41, 61, 141-144, 161-162 and the associated recesses 55, 35, 155-156, 135 ensure that the first and second connector units 30, 50 and 130, 150 respectively are correctly positioned and aligned with each other and contact is ensured with consistently correct orientation of the units 30, 50 or 130, 150 relative to each other. In comparison to the exemplary embodiments shown, the two mutually correctly aligned units 30, 50 can alternatively be inserted into the rail profile 10 rotated by 180 degrees about the depth direction T, wherein the channels 114-117 can be created in the second exemplary embodiment by inserting the template 200 in a correspondingly rotated manner.
It should also be mentioned that in the above exemplary embodiments, some housing components of the units 30, 50 or 130, 150 can be manufactured in the same way. Specifically, both units 30, 50 and 130, 150 can each be equipped, for example, with a recess to form the access opening 70, 170 for the screw 80 and with the receiving area 90, 190, wherein it can be arranged, for example, that for an improved appearance, access opening 70, 170 is open in one of the units 30 or 50 or 130 or 150, particularly in the units 30 or 130, while in the other it is externally sealed, or that alternatively, as an intermediate step in the housing production, the access opening 70, 170 of each of the units 30, 50 or 130, 150 may initially be externally sealed and is only opened in one of the units 30 or 50 or 130 or 150 during manufacturing, in particular only in the first unit 30 or 130, for example by drilling.
In a variant of the first exemplary embodiment and a variant of the second exemplary embodiment, instead of the rail profile 10, a rail profile 10′ with curved flanges 10a′ in cross section, connected by the web 13 can be provided. The rail profile 10′ is shown as an example in
Although the 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.
Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.
In the foregoing and in the examples, all temperatures are set forth uncorrected in degrees Celsius and, all parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise indicated.
The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited herein and of corresponding German application No. 102023104635.7, filed Feb. 24, 2023, are incorporated by reference herein.
The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples.
From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102023104635.7 | Feb 2023 | DE | national |
