EP0169165A1 - Lighting unit - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A lighting unit having at least two small glass-bulb lamps which are connected in series and held by a supporting element, at one side thereof, which supporting element is inserted in a transparent tube and also receives the current lead which is taken to connections at the ends of the tube, wherein the lamps (8) which have free wire connections are gripped directly in a corresponding recess in the supporting element constructed in the form of a continuous flexible plastics section (2) ; the plastics section comprises, at its side remote from the lamps, additional webs (3 to 5) which separate from one another a plurality of compartments in which the individual conductors of the current supply are led ; the free wire connections (10, 11) of the lamps are taken through the plastics section to the compartments where they are either connected to one another for the purpose of series connection or are connected to a conductor (9, 12) leading to one of the two current connections ; and wherein the webs (3 to 5, 6, 7) or edges of the plastics section are supported at the inside of the transparent tube (1).

Description

The invention relates to a lighting unit of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1.

Such a lighting unit is known from EP-00 43 072-Al.

The disadvantage of this lamp is that forces are exerted on the laterally attached cap-shaped brackets by the coil springs contacting the sofa lamps, so that they can lift off automatically if they are not additionally secured. Since the cap elements only have simple screw holes, the aforementioned risk already exists if the corresponding screw fastenings are not tightened sufficiently.

The aforementioned case is dangerous not only because when the end cap is loosened, the sofa lamps can fall out and thus be destroyed, but also because in this case live parts are touched by the user.

The object of the invention specified in claim 1 is to eliminate these disadvantages and to provide a corresponding lighting unit which has greater stability, the live parts being to be protected against contact under all circumstances.

The invention is based on the knowledge that the plastic strip provided with a plurality of separate chambers for guiding the electrical conductors enables assembly which is free of elastic compressive forces acting in the longitudinal direction. The incandescent lamps used can be combined into different groups connected in series, the conductors leading to the end contacts being held in two chambers and the wire connections of successive lamps always alternating in two of the other chambers are connected to each other, so that there is maximum security against unwanted short circuits.

Also particularly advantageous here is the fact that glass bulb light bulbs with free power supplies are available as components which can be soldered into electrical circuits and have a much longer life expectancy than Sofitten light bulbs.

For the manufacture of the lighting units according to the invention in different lengths and with different electrical outputs using glass tubes with an inserted plastic profile and under the name "Miniwatt" commercially available incandescent lamps, different numbers of lamps can be connected to one another in series, the individual series then being parallel to those in the Chambers to the end connections led conductors are connected.

In other advantageous developments, which are particularly suitable for automated production, the webs in which the conductors are guided are shortened to local holding elements or are formed as molded parts which are molded onto the profile and which are inserted into the injection mold during the manufacturing process Enclose ladder. The plastic profile is preferably designed so flexible that it can be inserted with the light bulbs arranged on it after bending about the longitudinal axis into an outer glass tube and clamped due to the elasticity, so that rattling of loose parts is avoided.

To increase the luminosity of the lamp unit designed according to the invention, it is advantageous if the plastic profile is metallized on the side carrying the light bulbs, passages for non-insulated electrical conductors in the area required for electrical safety being excluded from the metallization.

In another preferred development, the conductor interruptions required for the connection of individual incandescent lamps for a series connection are provided below passages of the carrier plate, so that the interruption of the conductors can be produced through these passages by means of a corresponding separating tool or, if appropriate, while the passages are being produced themselves. Any cross connections between adjacent conductors can also be made using such openings, the conductor representing the cross connection being placed on the carrier plate from above and the contacting being made by means of spot welding.

In another favorable further development of the invention, a carrier element carrying the number of lamps necessary to achieve the supply voltage is formed as a unit, the lengthening of the lighting unit being able to be carried out as desired by stringing together a plurality of these units. A particularly advantageous embodiment is one in which the contacting of these units with one another takes advantage of a bridging to a neighboring conductor in such a way that between successive lines tern results in a "U" - or "Omega" -shaped conductor routing, so that thermal expansions, which inevitably occur when the lighting unit is put into operation, have no harmful effects and in particular do not deform the unit.

It is also advantageous if a conductor connected to the mains supply is extended beyond the end of the lighting unit, so that it can serve as a pin connector for contacting the mains voltage within a lamp base. Both poles are preferably arranged on one side and engage in a ceramic base which is fixedly connected to a receptacle or holder of a lamp containing the lighting unit.

The lighting unit according to the invention is preferably suitable for the production of small, delicate picture lights, music stand lights, piano lights, step lighting, showcase lighting, shelf lights, cabinet lights, niche lights and smaller light strips.

• Figur 1 ein Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Leuchteinheit in Seitenansicht,
• Figur 2 das Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Figur 1 im Querschnitt - eingesetzt in eine Halterung - ,
• Figur 3 ein Detail des Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß Figur 1 im Schnitt, vergrößert dargestellt,
• Figur 4 das Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Fig. 1 samt Halterung,
• Figur 5 ein Detail der Halterung gemäß Figur 4,
• Figur 6 das weitere Ausführungsbeispiel im Schnitt,
• Figur 7 ein Detail des Lampenträgers für das weitere Ausführungsbeispiel und
• Figur 8 das Ausführungsbeispiel im montierten Zustand in Seitenansicht.

Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are shown below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. Show it:

• FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the lighting unit according to the invention in a side view,
• FIG. 2 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 in cross section - inserted in a holder -,
• FIG. 3 shows a detail of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 in section, enlarged,
• FIG. 4 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 together with the holder,
• FIG. 5 shows a detail of the holder according to FIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 shows the further exemplary embodiment in section,
• Figure 7 shows a detail of the lamp holder for the further embodiment and
• Figure 8 shows the embodiment in the assembled state in side view.

The arrangement according to the invention is preferably a glass tube in which commercially available “mini watt” lamps with free power supply to various voltage and / or power groups are connected in a tubular lighting unit, as can be seen in FIG. 1.

The arrangement according to the invention is shown in cross section in FIG. The lighting unit consists in particular of a glass tube 1 made of "Duran 50" with a diameter of 10 mm, into which a specially shaped extruded crescent-shaped holding profile 2 made of PVC is inserted, which has a number of radially directed webs 3 to 5 including the thickened in the longitudinal direction Ends 6 and 7 of the "crescent" (which in this respect are also used for Guide of conductors form suitable boundaries), the cross section of which is dimensioned such that the profile 2 is stably supported in the interior of the glass tube 1. In the interior of the crescent-shaped profile between the ends 6 and 7 and the thus formed (also in the longitudinal direction) recess of the plastic holding profile, so-called "mini watt" or "Pisello" lamps 8 are clamped one behind the other. The arrangement of the lamps 8 is simultaneously stabilized and protected against impacts by the plastic profile 2.

The open chambers divided by webs 3 to 5 which are continuous in the longitudinal direction on the rear side of the holding profile 2 accommodate the current-carrying conductors 9 to 12. The wire connections 10 and 11 of two adjacent lamps of a series connection are alternately connected to one another in two of the chambers, so that the two wire connections of a lamp cannot touch. The connecting wires are passed through holes in the profile. In this manner, series circuits can be summarized by lamp groups of outside euchteinheit applied to the _L provided supply voltage respectively adapted.

In order to supply the individual lamp groups, each forming a series circuit, with current, the plastic profile has two further channels, separated by incorporated webs, for current-carrying conductors formed by copper wires 9 and 12, each of which is led to one of the end connections. The wire ends of the lamps are soldered to one another or to the continuous conductors.

Since the light unit must be easy to replace, there are central insulated connectors 13 and 14 at both ends, which also serve to hold the tubular light unit in a socket at the same time. The details of a connector are shown in Figure 3.

Each connector contains a plastic sleeve 15 inserted into the end of the glass tube 1 with a central electrically conductive plug contact 16. The sleeve forms a plastic turned part made of POM, into which the central plug contact 16 is inserted. The above plastic sleeve also forms a protection against accidental contact. To protect the glass tube 1, a protective sleeve 17 made of aluminum (10.5 x 0.2 mm 0 - AlMgSi 05) is pushed on both sides, which in turn is locked by a clamping ring 18 which is also pushed on.

The end of the wire 9 which supplies the various lamp groups connected in series is fastened to the plug part 16 by means of a clamping screw 20 which engages in a corresponding recess 21 in the plastic sleeve 15 and secures the arrangement against displacement. The clamping ring 18, which is connected to the aluminum sleeve 17, in turn secures the plastic sleeve 15. The latter is provided with an O-ring 19, which forms a securing against unintentional sliding out when inserted into the holder. The arrangement is free from forces acting in the longitudinal direction, which move the lamps out of the tube.

The ends of the lighting unit are inserted into a three-part holder, as shown in FIG. 4 in the assembly. The holder is formed by two end parts 22, 23 and a connecting profile 24, which is shown in section in Figure 2. The profile 24 forms an extruded profile made of aluminum or metallized plastic, which forms a circular segment of approximately 210 ° in cross section and has webs at the end regions and in the central region, which surround recesses 25, 26 and 27, for the clamping reception of screws or pins are suitable.

The end part 22 is shown enlarged in FIG. 5, it having a plastic cap 28 which contains bores which serve to receive screws 29. The screws in turn engage in recesses 25 to 27 of the central part 24 and hold the arrangements together by means of their threads. A central holder 31 for a plug socket 32, which contacts the plug pin 16 of the lighting unit and is connected to a supply cable 34 by means of a screw 33, is pushed into the cap 28.

The complete lighting units are manufactured in various lengths from 200 to 1475 mm, the performance of the lighting units depending on the length.

The end parts forming the holders for lighting units can, if required, also be designed such that they accommodate a plurality of lighting units in parallel or in series.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, which is particularly suitable for large-scale production.

6 shows the further exemplary embodiment in section, FIG. 7 shows a detail of the lamp holder for the further exemplary embodiment and FIG. 8 shows the exemplary embodiment in the assembled state in a side view.

A flexible plate 101 made of plastic forms a carrier for conductors 102, 103, 104 and 105, which are injection molded onto the back of the carrier plate or held with clamp-like formations. The bracket-like projections 106, 107, 108 and 109 which can be seen in FIG. 6 fix the conductors 102 to 105 each over a length of a few millimeters, so that they are secured against unintentional short-circuits. The carrier plate 101 is provided on the (inner) surface 110 opposite the conductors with a galvanically generated metallic mirror coating, which increases the reflection and thus the lighting effect of the light bulbs 111. The mirrored areas are interrupted where there is a risk that they will come into contact with conductors.

The light bulbs are held by projections 112 and 113, which are arranged around the lamp bulb and secure it against displacement. The carrier plate 101 is designed to be elastic in such a way that when it is pushed into the transparent glass or plastic tube 114 it deforms in a crescent shape, as can be seen in FIG. This way the arrangement inside the tube kept stable and is secured against moving. The carrier plate 101 is shown in a partial section in FIG. 7 outside the tube 114 in a relaxed state. The carrier plate 101 has a number of continuous recesses through which the conductors located on the opposite surface can be contacted. In the area of a lamp, two cutouts 115 and 116 are provided for connecting the power connections of the lamp 111. The contact can be made in the context of an automated manufacturing process, preferably by spot welding. Further cutouts 117 and 118 are provided in order to interrupt the conductors 103 and 104, which connect the lamps 111 to one another, if necessary by means of suitable tools.

By mutually interrupting the conductors after connecting two lamps, a series connection can be implemented without difficulty. A separation process with respect to the conductors 103 or 104 can either be carried out through recesses 117 or 118 or the recesses are punched together with the conductor interruption. In any case, the conductor routing is accessible from above without the contact safety of the conductors being reduced with one another. The end connections of the series connections of lamps 111 are to be connected to the continuous conductors 102 and 105, respectively, which carry mains voltage. For this purpose, a bridge 121 is to be provided via corresponding further cutouts 119 or 120, as shown in FIG. 7. At each end of the series of lamps, one of the internal conductors is connected to one of the external conductors. (The arrangement of the conductors 102 to 105 can, if necessary, also be interchanged.)

The wires 102 and 105 carrying the mains voltage are led beyond the end of the carrier plate and thus form wire connection pins which, on the other hand, can be used in lamp holders, as are customary, for example, for lamps with a glass pinch base. The lamp group can be contacted from the network either from the two sides or from one end - as shown in FIG. 8.

8 shows the arrangement of a lamp group connected in series within a lighting unit surrounded by a glass bulb 114 (the number of lamps being reduced compared to the number actually to be used as a rule). This lighting unit can be expanded by any number of further lamp groups as required can be extended, the production preferably being carried out in an endless manner such that the conductors 102 to 105 are unwound from a roll and are joined together with an endless carrier plate 101, or one provided in sections for a lamp group to be connected in series, in each case mentioned - also by injection molding or the like. In an endless production sequence, the lamps 111 are inserted into the holder 112/113 on the carrier plates 101 provided with conductors, and the connecting wires are connected by spot welding Furthermore, the conductors 103 and 104 are interrupted at the intended locations by punching operations and are connected to the continuous conductors, which carry mains voltage, by wire bridges - likewise by spot welding. By shortening the carrier plates 101 to the number of lamp groups provided for the relevant lighting unit, the lines 102 and 105 are cut off, the connecting pins for inserting corresponding lamp bases projecting beyond the carrier plate 101 in the longitudinal direction.

The carrier element, which is provided with a lamp and is in contact with it, is inserted into the glass tube, the curvature of the carrier plate and its elasticity providing a locking effect which fixes the lamp in its position and protects it from damage. The cross section of the tube 114 need only be slightly larger than the cross section of the bulb, so that overall there is a space-saving design. In FIG. 8, one end of the glass tube 114 is provided with a stopper 122 which can be inserted into a corresponding holder 123. The opposite side with the connecting pins is inserted into a socket 124, which is made of ceramic and which connects to a power supply line 125. Electrical safety is established by the arrangement shown, since a connection to the usual mains voltage when the lamp is inserted can also be made without danger to the user, which is otherwise not readily the case with conventional incandescent lamps or low-voltage lamps connected in series. The construction shown enables effective lighting because of the long life used permanent lamps have a low power consumption and the galvanized reflector surface also improves the light output. The bending of the carrier plate 101 when inserted into the glass tube creates a kind of parabolic mirror, which in addition causes the light to focus, so that work or effect surfaces shine in a limited cone of light.

The groups of lamps 111, each of which forms a series circuit to achieve the full mains voltage, and which are arranged on a carrier plate 101, can be cascaded as desired to achieve lighting units of greater length. The connection of the carrier plates to one another takes place in each case by means of the conductors carrying the mains voltage, which also bring about contact with the socket 124 for the lighting unit. In order to avoid thermal expansions, the conductors of successive carrier plates, each carrying a series connection, are not connected to one another in a straight line, but rather by including “U” or “omega” -shaped connecting paths which are formed by cross-connections of which each carry the mains voltage Conductors are generated to an adjacent conductor, which then forms a connection between adjacent carrier plates, while the former conductor itself is interrupted. The bridges preferably represent such connections as are also required for generating the series connections using the adjacent conductors, as shown in FIG. 7. The latter details are otherwise not shown in the drawings.

The embodiment of the invention is not limited to the preferred exemplary embodiment specified above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable which make use of the solution shown, even in the case of fundamentally different types.

Claims (11)

1. light unit for at least two glass bulb lamps connected in series, which are arranged in a transparent tube which has power connections at its ends,
characterized,
that the lamps (8) having the free wire connections are clamped into a corresponding recess in a continuous flexible plastic profile (2),
that the plastic profile on its side facing away from the lamps has additional webs (3 to 5) which separate a plurality of chambers in which conductors are guided,
that the free wire connections (10, 11) of the lamps are guided through the plastic profile to the chambers, where they are either connected to one another for series connection or to a conductor (9, 12) leading to one of the two power connections, and
that the webs (3 to 5, 6, 7) or edges of the plastic profile are supported on the inside of the transparent tube (1). 2. Lighting unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the power connections through at the ends inserted plastic sleeves (15) are formed, each with an internal electrically conductive contact (16). 3. Lighting unit according to claim 2, character- ized in that an aluminum protective sleeve (17) is pushed onto each end of the tube, which is locked by a clamping ring (18). 4. -Luminous unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that different circuits for the lamps are formed by means of two conductors (9, 12) each running in a separate chamber, to each of which the ends of series circuits of a plurality of lamps are connected. 5. Lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connections of two successive lamps of a series connection are alternately connected to one another by means of conductors running in two different chambers (10, 11). 6. Luminous unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the webs do not extend over the entire length of the bulbs which carry the bulbs and form a carrier plate (101) extend fils, but each form short clamp-like formations (106 to 109) or extrusion coating made of plastic, the spaces between which represent the chambers. 7. Lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the conductor end extending beyond the length of the carrier plate (102, 105) simultaneously forms a connecting pin for a socket (124). 8. Lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connections of the light bulbs (111) through openings (115, 116) of the carrier plate are connected by means of spot welding to the conductors. 9. Lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interruptions of the conductor are also generated below recesses (117) present in the carrier plate. 10. Lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of lighting units as subunits together form a new lighting unit, the individual lighting units each consisting of series circuits of lamps, which supply common to all subunits are designed for voltage and the connection of the respective support plate belonging to a sub-unit takes place through the conductors carrying the supply voltage, and the transparent tube forms a unit and the end terminations are also only present in each case. 11. Lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in order to avoid excessive thermal expansions, the conductors crossing several subunits have u-shaped or omega-shaped areas, which are formed in particular by bridges in the transverse direction, including conductor parts, which are at least partly in chambers run, which otherwise take up the conductors, which connect two successive light bulbs in the series connection.

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