Lighting

Abstract

The present invention provides a lighting device, specifically an emergency lighting device. The lighting device comprises a first shell (2), a lighting device (12) and an electronic circuit contained in the first shell (2) for operating the lighting device (12), wherein the lighting device (12) is, for example, an LED arranged at the first shell (2). The second shell (3) of the lighting device accommodates an energy storage device (13) such as a rechargeable battery, wherein the first shell (2) and the second shell (3) are arranged spaced apart. An interconnection device (4) mechanically connects the first shell (2) and the second shell (3) in an elastic manner, and also electrically connects the electronic circuit and the energy storage device (13). The interconnection device (4) of the lighting device of a preferred embodiment comprises a cable, which is overmolded to provide compressive strength of the cable in the axial direction.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 201780062875.6, application date September 27, 2017, and invention name “Lighting Equipment”.

[0002] The present invention belongs to the field of lamps, in particular to the field of emergency lighting devices. A lighting device housing arrangement is proposed, in particular for emergency lighting devices that use an external power supply and include additional internal energy storage and are particularly suitable for being arranged in confined spaces (for example, installed in a separated ceiling).

[0003] Lighting devices in the form of recessed luminaires, for example installed in false (split) ceilings, are widely used. An application of such recessed luminaires is emergency lighting devices (luminaires), which are designed to continue to operate in the event of a mains power failure. In the event of a mains failure or a general failure of the driving voltage, the lighting device of the emergency lighting device is intended to emit at least basic light in order to orient people in the illuminated area in the building and to ensure that people can leave the building safely. In the event of a power failure, the power supply for driving the lighting device usually includes one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of the emergency lighting device, which are executed by an emergency power supply in the form of batteries or rechargeable batteries. The battery for the emergency lighting device can be a dedicated emergency converter or part of a common converter for driving the lighting device. Depending on the current operating state, the converter generates an operating voltage for the lighting device using an externally supplied supply voltage (standard operating mode) or a voltage provided by an emergency power supply device (emergency operating mode). However, the ability to operate in the emergency operating mode requires additional elements, such as batteries, charging circuits for charging the batteries provided at the emergency lighting device. In the case of recessed luminaires, the space requirements for arranging and for mounting the recessed luminaires increase accordingly.

[0004] DE 100 44 695 A1 discloses a remotely operated light controller, the physical layout of which is particularly designed for mounting the remotely operated light controller behind a wall panel. The remotely operated light controller circuit is grouped into functional units, each of which is arranged to be enclosed in a small, preferably flat, cylindrical housing. The functional units in the housing are linked into a chain by cables and can thus be inserted one after the other into the limited space available between a solid wall and a wall panel, which is usually mounted on a slat, which is set to the solid wall through a hole in the wall panel. One functional unit is inserted after the other and then drops down by its own weight, hanging on the flexible cable linking the functional units. The hole is subsequently closed by a cover or by mounting a luminaire controlled by the remotely operated light controller.

[0005] Remotely operated lighting controllers offer a solution for the confined space behind wall panels, but require extensive cabling work, require assembly of plugs to cables, and rely on gravity during wall mounting. The handling of multiple flexible connection parts is cumbersome.

[0006] The present invention solves the technical problem of improving known lighting devices for use in confined spaces, while reducing the manufacturing and installation complexity so that overload installation is easily achievable.

[0007] The technical problem is solved by a lighting device according to claim 1. The dependent claims also define advantageous aspects of the lighting device of the invention.

[0008] The problem is solved by a lighting device, which includes: a first shell; a lighting device arranged at the first shell; an electronic circuit, which is accommodated in the first shell for operating the lighting device; and a second shell that accommodates an energy storage device, wherein the first shell and the second shell are arranged in a spaced-apart manner using an interconnection device, and the interconnection device is suitable for elastically connecting the first shell and the second shell, and electrically connecting the electronic circuit and the energy storage device.

[0009] The electronic circuit is arranged in the first housing, and the energy storage device, such as a battery or an accumulator, is arranged in the second housing. Since the first housing and the second housing are separate housings and are arranged spaced apart, the heat emitted by the lossy electronic circuit, for example, including the driving device for the lighting device, the charging device for charging the energy storage device and the mains interface device for connecting to the mains power supply, will not adversely affect the energy storage device, which is usually sensitive to heat.

[0010] The interconnection device is adapted to provide a pivoting (swivel) mechanical connection between the first housing and the second housing and an electrical connection between the charging device and the power storage device. When the first housing and the second housing reach the aligned position, the pivot axis is in particular substantially perpendicular to a common centerline of the first housing and the second housing. The common centerline of the first housing and the second housing typically corresponds to a main insertion direction of the lighting device into a mounting opening in a separate ceiling or wall panel.

[0011] The pivotal (rotatable, swivel) mechanical connection between the first shell and the second shell improves or even enables access to the lighting device of the present invention even to small spaces accessible only by a pushing and inserting movement, while known lighting devices only provide limited ability to transmit compressive forces between modules of the lighting device or even do not provide such ability.

[0012] In a lighting device according to an advantageous embodiment, the interconnection means is formed by a hinge, which forms a hinge suitable for rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing. The hinge provides at least one axis of rotation, in particular one axis of rotation about which the first housing and the second housing can be bent or folded relative to each other. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the hinge is made of a rigid material and that the interconnection means is designed to accommodate an electrical connection. The hinge can be formed with a groove, for example, a groove into which a cable is inserted.

[0013] In a preferred alternative lighting device, the interconnection means is adapted to connect the first housing and the second housing in an elastic manner, that is, the material and design of the interconnection means are deformable, so that the interconnection means can be deformed so that the first housing and the second housing can be bent or folded about an axis preferably perpendicular to the common axis of the first housing and the second housing.

[0014] The interconnection device of this preferred embodiment is suitable for integrally providing a resilient mechanical connection between the first shell and the second shell, while providing an electrical connection between the charging device and the power storage device. Therefore, a single element provides the emergency lighting device with electrical functions as well as mechanical functions, thereby reducing the number of structural elements and achieving favorable effects in manufacturing and assembly. The elasticity of the interconnection device is selected so that the combination of the first shell and the second shell can be handled as one device. Therefore, by manipulating only the first shell, the second shell containing the battery can be easily introduced into the groove of the separated ceiling. After being inserted, the elasticity allows the relative position of the first shell and the second shell to change with respect to each other. This allows the use of a small gap between the solid ceiling and the separated ceiling.

[0015] Preferably, the lighting device comprises an interconnection means comprising a cable, the cable being overmoulded to provide compressive strength in an axial direction of the cable while providing resilience in a lateral direction.

[0016] The interconnection means is adapted to mechanically connect the first housing and the second housing and is itself elastic. The interconnection means is an elastic means so that it is adapted to transmit compressive forces, contrary to the prior art flexible cables which only transmit tensile forces. Therefore, it is easier to install the lighting device into the space behind the split ceiling through a small opening in the split ceiling than in the case of known separate functional units linked only by a flexible cable.

[0017] Forming the interconnect by encapsulating the power connection cable (eg injection moulding, extrusion coating or otherwise) is advantageous, particularly as standard cables can be used, providing an interconnect combining flexibility with the necessary electrical connectivity at comparable manufacturing cost. The lighting device is therefore well suited to being manufactured in large quantities.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment the emergency lighting device has an interconnection means presenting a cross section having a first width (thickness) in the first direction which is smaller than a second width in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Both dimensions are small compared to the longitudinal extension of the connection means.

[0019] Designing the cross section in this way, for example an approximately rectangular cross section, ensures that the interconnection device bends in a preferential direction, the preferential direction being given by the direction of the smaller width of the cross section.

[0020] Preferably, in the emergency lighting device according to the embodiment, the interconnection device includes a first straight portion, a second straight portion, and a pre-bent portion between the first straight portion and the second straight portion.

[0021] When the second housing has a slightly smaller width (diameter) than the first housing, the curved portion ensures that the middle axis of the first housing corresponds to the middle axis of the second housing (particularly in the case of a substantially cylindrical shape of the housings). Thus, insertion of the lighting device through a hole of a small diameter almost equal to the width of the first housing is easily achievable.

[0022] Preferably, the emergency lighting device comprises: at least one of the first housing and the second housing provides a guide device, and when the interconnection device is bent, the guide device adapts to a preferred bending direction for the interconnection device.

[0023] By predefining a favorable bending direction, the guide device ensures that the second housing neither interferes with the power supply cable nor the distance between the first housing and the second housing is reduced when installed in a small space. Thus, even in the installed position, a minimum thermal isolation between the electronic circuit in the first housing and the energy storage device in the second housing can be ensured by the minimum distance between the first housing and the second housing. The guide device can also be formed appropriately so as to maintain a predetermined minimum bending radius of the cable in the interconnection device.

[0024] The emergency lighting device according to a preferred embodiment is characterized in that the interconnection device comprises a first connector for electrically connecting the interconnection device to a printed circuit board arranged in the first housing.

[0025] Preferably, the emergency lighting device is provided with circuits on the printed circuit board and at least one further circuit board; the printed circuit board and the at least one further circuit board are connected by a flexible cable. As an alternative to the emergency lighting device, the electronic circuit is provided on the printed circuit board and at least one further circuit board; the printed circuit board and the at least one further circuit board are rigid parts of a connected flexible circuit board.

[0026] The first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board arranged in the first housing include an electronic circuit connected to the mains power supply, a circuit of a charging device for charging an energy storage device, and a circuit of a driving device (eg, an LED converter) for driving a lighting device.

[0027] The plurality of circuit boards in the first housing ensures the best possible use of the limited available space in the first housing, and accordingly, the electronic circuit is disposed separately from the second housing enclosing the energy storage device, while the first housing and the second housing are detachably electrically connected.

[0028] An advantageous embodiment of the emergency lighting device comprises a lighting device adapted to be detachably connected to at least one of the printed circuit board and the at least one further printed circuit board via a connector.

[0029] The lighting device is detachable, which provides the advantage of easily modifying the lighting device from a spotlight to an emergency light or escape route indication by simply exchanging the lighting device as a whole with a module, the module incorporating the desired lighting characteristics by placing appropriate optics in the light path. When modifying the lighting characteristics by exchanging the lighting device, such as an LED module including the optics, the electronic circuit arranged in the first housing and the energy storage device arranged in the second housing can remain unchanged.

[0030] Preferably, the emergency lighting device shows an interconnection device comprising a second connector for electrically connecting the interconnection device to the energy storage device.

[0031] The energy storage device can therefore be easily replaced when reaching the expected end of its life or when the energy storage capacity needs to be modified to meet changing requirements of the emergency lighting equipment.

[0032] According to an advantageous embodiment of the (emergency) lighting device, the charging device for charging the energy storage device and forming part of the electronic circuit is adapted to detect the type of the energy storage device.

[0033] Replacement of an energy storage device is further facilitated when the electronic circuit is adapted to identify the type of energy storage device that is electrically connected and to modify its characteristics accordingly, such as the charging current, without requiring additional modifications to the electronic circuit.

[0034] Another preferred emergency lighting device according to an embodiment has a second housing, the second housing including a first end opposite to a second end disposed toward the first housing, the first end being formed to achieve a preferred bending direction of the interconnection device.

[0035] The emergency lighting device according to an embodiment has an interconnection device comprising a locking device, which is adapted to cooperate with corresponding engagement means on the housing side for fixing the interconnection device, for example, to the second housing. In this case, the interconnection device is fixedly attached to the first housing and detachably attached to the second housing. Of course, the reverse can also be achieved.

[0036] The emergency lighting apparatus may comprise a lighting device designed to hold interchangeable optics, preferably interchangeable lenses.

[0037] The emergency lighting device may include at least two recessed areas and at least two fixing devices. The fixing devices may each include a spring coil and a spring arm. The fixing devices may be mounted in the recessed areas.

[0038] The recessed area may comprise a protrusion on one end and a retaining device having a hole on the other end, whereby the spring coil may be designed to be pushed into the recessed area onto the protrusion and the tail of the spring arm may be designed to be inserted through the hole.

[0039] The present invention will be described in more detail in preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] Figure 1 A perspective view showing an assembled emergency lighting device of a preferred embodiment;

[0041] Figure 2 A perspective view showing an assembled emergency lighting device of another embodiment;

[0042] Figure 3 A perspective view of a partial cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment is provided;

[0043] Figure 4 provides a partial cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment showing attachment details of the interconnect device;

[0044] Figure 5a The emergency lighting device of the preferred embodiment is shown installed in a split ceiling;

[0045] Figure 5b From left to right the steps to insert and install the emergency lighting equipment are shown;

[0046] Figure 6 A partial view of an emergency lighting device of one embodiment is shown, providing details of attaching the LED lighting device to the first housing;

[0047] Figure 7 Different variations of the lens assembly are shown; and

[0048] Figure 8 Another view of the emergency lighting device is shown.

[0049] In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same elements. In the description of different figures, for the sake of brevity, the elements indicated by the same reference numerals are not necessarily described repeatedly.

[0050] In the following description of the embodiments, the emergency lighting device 1 is discussed as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the emergency lighting device 1, but can be applied to any lighting device including an energy storage device.

[0051] Figure 1 A perspective view of an assembled emergency lighting device 1 of a preferred embodiment is shown.

[0052] The emergency lighting device 1 includes a first housing 2 and a second housing 3, which are detachably connected to each other by an interconnection device 4. The interconnection device 4 connects the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 in a spaced manner so that a predetermined distance between the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is ensured.

[0053] The interconnection device 4 is essentially a cable comprising two or more conductive connecting wires enclosed in an insulating cover and further enclosed by overmolding. The interconnection device 4 incorporates a strain relief which is enclosed by the first housing 2 when assembled. The interconnection device 4 of the preferred embodiment also includes a click-in strain relief for engaging the second housing 3 to prevent the interconnection device 4 from being pulled out when the emergency lighting device 1 is removed from the mounting opening in the split ceiling 32.

[0054] according to Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in , the interconnection device 4 includes a first straight portion 5, a pre-bent portion 7 and a second straight portion 6, the first straight portion 5 is arranged toward the first housing 2, and includes a first connector for connecting with the electronic circuit arranged in the first housing 2. The pre-bent portion 7 is between the first straight portion 5 and the second straight portion 6, and generates an offset between the first straight portion and the second straight portion. The second straight portion 6 is arranged toward the second housing 3. The second straight portion 7 includes a second connector, preferably of a standard type, such as a mini USB connector or a micro USB connector, for connecting with the energy storage device 13 accommodated in the second housing. The pre-bent portion 7 includes a first bent portion bent from the axis of the first straight portion 5 to a first direction at a predetermined angle and a second bent portion bent back to the axis of the first straight portion 5 at a predetermined angle. The axis of the first straight portion 5 is parallel to the second axis of the second straight portion 6. Therefore, the second housing 3 has a smaller width than the first housing 2, and the second housing 3 is arranged in a normal unbent position of the elastic interconnection device 4 along the central axis of the first housing 2.

[0055] At least the second straight portion 6 of the interconnection device 4 may include locking means for engaging the interconnection device 4 with corresponding locking means provided at the side of the second housing 3. The interconnection device 4 may also include a release mechanism for releasing the locking means in order to detach the interconnection device 4 from the second housing 3. The connection on the first housing side may be achieved in the same way or in a non-detachable way.

[0056] The second housing 3 further includes a guide device 10 that guides the interconnection device 4 to a preferred bending direction when resistance is encountered when inserting the emergency lighting device 1 into the limited space above the split ceiling 32. For example, during the insertion of the emergency lighting device 1 through the mounting opening in the split ceiling 32, the first upper portion 9 of the uppermost portion of the second housing 3 reaches the ceiling 31.

[0057] The upper side 9 may have a specific shape to further support bending the interconnection device 4, for example, including rounded edges or inclined surfaces along the circumference of the upper side 9. The upper side 9 of the second housing may therefore be appropriately sloped to further support the interconnection device 4 to bend relatively to a predetermined direction.

[0058] When the emergency lighting device 1 is installed in a confined space, the guide device 10 located at the second housing 3 forces the interconnection device 4 to bend in a direction away from the main power supply cable 21, which will refer to Figure 5a discuss.

[0059] The first housing 2 comprises a lighting device 12, which is preferably formed as an LED head. The first housing 2 also comprises a fixture 8, which comprises a spring coil 51 for mounting the emergency lighting device 1 as a recessed lamp. The first housing 2 comprises at least two recessed areas 50. The fixture 8 is mounted in the recessed area 50. One end of the recessed area may comprise at least one protrusion 56. The spring coil 51 of the fixture 8 may be mounted on the protrusion 56.

[0060] Figure 2 A perspective view of an assembled emergency lighting device 1 according to another embodiment is shown. Figure 2 The emergency lighting device 1 shown in FIG. 4 comprises an interconnection device 4 to achieve a pivoting mechanical connection between the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 . Figure 2 The interconnection device 4 comprises rigid elements on both sides of the first shell and the second shell. These elements are connected to each other, for example by an axis, to form a hinge 45 with a single fixed axis of rotation. The hinge 45 enables the first shell 2 and the second shell 3 to be connected around the same Figure 2 The first and second shells 2 and 3 are rotated relative to each other about a fixed rotation axis perpendicular to the image plane. The rotation axis is perpendicular to the corresponding center axes of the first shell 2 and the second shell 3. The first shell 2 and the second shell 3 can therefore be aligned relative to each other or bent relative to each other. Therefore, the same relative movement as in the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0061] The hinge 45 may be provided by a swivel joint forming part of the hinge 45 or by Figure 2 The flexible cable, which is not visible in the housing, establishes an electrical connection between the printed circuit board 39 in the first housing 2 and the energy storage device 13 in the second housing 3. Preferably, the cable connecting the printed circuit board 39 in the first housing 2 and the energy storage device 13 in the second housing 3 is guided between the first hinge part and the second hinge part forming the hinge 45. Thus, the leaf parts of the first hinge and the second hinge protect the cable mechanically arranged between the first hinge and the second hinge.

[0062] Figure 3 A perspective view of a partial cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment is provided. Figure 3 In the embodiment of the invention, the interconnection device 4 has a slightly different straight shape. However, the basic construction of the interconnection device 4 has the same form, essentially a cable comprising two or more electrically conductive connecting wires encapsulated in an insulating cover and further encapsulated by overmolding in order to achieve elasticity of the interconnection device. The elasticity is preferably chosen so that even in a horizontal orientation of the lighting device, the interconnection device will not bend because of the weight of the second housing containing the battery. The interconnection device will bend only when the mechanical resistance increases the bending force during installation of the lighting device.

[0063] The interconnection device 4 comprises a first connector, for example a micro USB connector, for connecting to the electronic circuit in the first housing 2. The strain relief is molded into the interconnection device 4 and is captured by the housing closure of the first housing 2. In the assembled state of the emergency lighting device 1, at the end of the interconnection device 4 facing the second housing 3, the interconnection device 4 comprises another second connector for connecting to the energy storage device 13 (for example via a micro USB connector).

[0064] exist Figure 3 , a first printed circuit board 39 and a second printed circuit board 14 are shown arranged in parallel in the first housing 2. An electronic circuit for a charging device connected to the mains power supply, a circuit for a charging device for charging an energy storage device, and a circuit for a driving device (e.g., an LED converter) for driving a lighting device are arranged on the first printed circuit board 39 and the second printed circuit board 14. The second electronic circuit board 14 also includes a connector plug 14 for receiving a first connector of the interconnection device 4, but in Figure 3 The first connector of the interconnection device 4 is not shown. The printed circuit board 39 may include means for mechanically and electrically connecting to the lighting device 12, which will be described below with reference to Figure 6 Discuss in more detail.

[0065] Preferably, the first printed circuit board 39 and the second printed circuit board 14 are formed as two parts of one connected flexible circuit board. In this case, the first printed circuit board 39 and the second printed circuit board 14 form the rigid part of the connected flexible circuit board, so that the first printed circuit board 39 and the second printed circuit board 14 are interconnected via the flexible circuit board part. The flexible circuit board part can be formed by a polyimide material layer covered by a copper layer and an SMB-flex solder mask. The copper layer of the flexible circuit board part can take over the electrical connection function of the first printed circuit board 39 and the second printed circuit board 14, so that the polyimide material layer can take over the mechanical connection function.

[0066] Energy storage device 13 Figure 3 1 is depicted as being housed in the second housing 3. The energy storage device 13 may be a battery, a rechargeable battery or a storage battery. The energy storage device 13 may typically be a lithium-ion or nickel-metal hydride battery. The energy storage device 13 may also include more than one unit for storing electrical energy, for example, two batteries, in order to meet the voltage and / or power requirements of the emergency lighting device 1 and its electronic circuits.

[0067] Of course, it is also possible to arrange parts of the electronic circuit in the second housing. This is particularly advantageous for electronic circuits that do not form part of the basic construction of the emergency lighting device 1. While the basic construction of the emergency lighting device 1 may include all the basic elements that function as an emergency light, it is then possible to add, for example, a digital electronic lighting interface (DALI) by exchanging the second housing 3 and possibly also the interconnection means 4. TM ) to add additional capabilities to increase the electronic circuits that implement these additional functions.

[0068] When the original energy storage device 13 reaches the expected end of its life, or another power storage capacity is required for a specific application of the emergency lighting device 1, the energy storage device 13 in the second housing can be easily replaced by another energy storage device 13. By providing the ability to exchange the entire second housing 3 with the elements contained therein, the basic construction of the emergency lighting device 1 only needs to consider the space requirements for realizing the basic functions, while the space requirements required for the envisioned later additional functions can be met by replacing the second housing 3. This provides a general lighting device 1 that is small in size and also has greater upgrade possibilities.

[0069] Figure 4A partial cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment is presented, showing attachment details of the interconnection device 4. The interconnection device 4 comprises a first main portion 41. The first main portion 41 is attached to the first housing 2 and to the second housing 3 by means of respective ends of the first main portion 41. Alternatively, the first main portion may be formed integrally with one of the two housings 2, 3. The interconnection device 4 further comprises a second extension portion 42, which extends perpendicularly from the first main portion 41. When the interconnection device 4 is attached to the second housing 3, the second extension portion 42 interacts with a corresponding recess 43 of the second housing 3 to secure the interconnection device 4 to the second housing 3 in addition to the attachment at the end 44 of the interconnection device 4. The attachment of the end 44 of the main portion 41 of the interconnection device 4 may be by a corresponding recess 43 at the second housing 3. The end face of the main part 41 of the interaction is cut to achieve Figure 4 The second extension 42 and the groove 43 of the second housing 3 together realize a "snap-in" connection, which can be achieved by Figure 4 A compressive force is exerted on a portion of the second extension portion 42 accessible through an opening in the second housing 3 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Figure 4 This snap connection depicted in the figure also acts as a fulcrum for the hinged interconnection device 4. It is to be noted that the snap connection shown is only one of many possible ways of additionally securing the interconnection device 4 to the second housing 3 at another point of the interconnection device 4 towards the interconnection device 4 different from the one end 44 of the interconnection device 4.

[0070] exist Figure 5a and Figure 5b In FIG. 1 , the emergency lighting device 1 as a troffer is shown in an installed position in a split ceiling 32. The split ceiling 32 is arranged at a distance from and below the ceiling 31, which is shown as a concrete ceiling. The distance between the split ceiling 31 and the ceiling 31 is usually small and can even be only a few centimeters. For simplicity, in FIG. Figure 5a and Figure 5b Any suspension unit for holding the separated ceiling 32 is omitted. In the limited space between the ceiling 31 and the separated ceiling 32, elements of building facilities can be arranged. Figure 5a In the figure, a mains supply line 21 is shown. The mains supply line 21 is a cable for connecting the lamp to the mains supply of the building.

[0071] For mounting the troffer, a generally circular opening is created in the split ceiling 32. In the case of the emergency lighting device 1 according to the embodiment, the opening can be as small as having a diameter of approximately 40 mm. The invention is of course not limited to this diameter.

[0072] To install the emergency lighting device 1, the mains supply line 21 is pulled out of the opening and connected with an electrical clamp to the terminal of the first housing 2 of the emergency lighting device 1. Typically, the first housing 2 provides some kind of strain relief for fixing the outer cable sheath of the mains supply line 21 to the first housing 21. The electrical connection of the emergency lighting device 1 is now achieved.

[0073] In contrast to the prior art, only a single flexible mains supply cable 21 needs to be connected, whereas in the prior art typically a number of further interconnecting cables had to be connected between sub-units of conventional emergency lighting installations particularly suitable for confined spaces.

[0074] The emergency lighting device 1 is now inserted into the hole starting from the second housing 3. Advantageously, the second housing 3 has a smaller width than the first housing 2 so that the mains power supply cable 21 can also be inserted back through the hole into the space between the split ceiling 32 and the ceiling 31. Figure 5a In the case depicted in FIG. 1 , the entire height of the emergency lighting device 1 is greater than the available distance between the split ceiling 32 and the ceiling 31. Accordingly, during the insertion process, the emergency lighting device 1 contacts the ceiling 31 at the first end on the second housing facing the ceiling 31. Due to the elasticity of the interconnection device 4, when the emergency lighting device 1 continues to be pushed upward through the hole, the second housing 3 can evade to the right as a preferred bending direction. Due to the elasticity of the interconnection device 4, when the emergency lighting device 1 is fully inserted into the opening in the split ceiling 32, the second housing 3 is almost completely angled to the right. In the installed position, the lighting device (LED head) 12 of the emergency lighting device 1 has a larger frame diameter than the hole diameter and diameter of the first housing 2, and the lighting device 12 of the emergency lighting device 1 will be almost flush with the lower surface of the split ceiling 32, while most of the body of the emergency lighting device 1 is positioned in the space between the split ceiling 32 and the ceiling 31. In an exemplary embodiment, the frame diameter of the emergency lighting device 1 is about 50 mm, so it completely covers the hole of 40 mm in diameter in the split ceiling 32.

[0075] The embodiment of the emergency lighting device 1 according to the present invention allows insertion of a light source as small as 80 mm (e.g. in a 40 mm diameter hole) through a 40 mm diameter hole. Figure 5b ) as an example. Figure 5b The example of FIG. 1 shows, from left to right, the steps of inserting and installing the emergency lighting device 1 as described above.

[0076] like Figure 5bAs shown in FIG. 1 , the fixing device 8 includes a spring on one side of the first housing 2. The installation of the fixing device 8 on the first housing 2 will be described in more detail later. When the emergency lighting device 1 is inserted into the split ceiling 32, the fixing device 8 prevents the emergency lighting device 1 from falling out, and with the help of the spring of the fixing device 8, it ensures that the emergency lighting device 1 is fixedly installed in the split ceiling 32. Figure 8 A detailed example of the fixing device 8 is described. Figure 5a In the example shown, the advantageous spatial separation of the mains supply line 21 and the interconnection device 4, including the connecting cables between the electronic circuits arranged in the first housing 2 and the energy storage device 3 in the second housing, is also evident. Thus, the coupling of undesired interference signals between the connecting cables of the interconnection device 4 and the mains supply line 21 is minimized, since these lines are clearly separated. In the prior art, additional care had to be taken to clearly separate the different cables when inserting them into the space outside the split ceiling, a task that was made even more difficult taking into account the small holes of about 40 mm.

[0077] Figure 5a It is also shown that the interconnection device 4 according to the invention ensures a minimum spatial distance between the first housing 2 and the second housing even in the installation position in the generally accessible space between the split ceiling 32 and the ceiling 31. The first housing 2 generally contains electronic circuits, for example converter circuits for driving the LEDs and / or charging devices for charging energy storage devices, which generate heat. The converter circuits for driving the LEDs and / or the charging devices for charging are preferably formed by high-frequency clock converters, for example flyback, buck, boost, buck-boost or other switch mode power supply topologies. The second housing 3 contains a temperature-sensitive energy storage device, for example a rechargeable battery that reacts with reduced efficiency to generate a temperature rise. Therefore, the interconnection device 4 of the emergency lighting device 1 provides another advantage compared to the flexible cables between the energy storage device and the electronic circuits for driving the LEDs known from the prior art.

[0078] exist Figure 6 , a partial view of an emergency lighting device 1 of a preferred embodiment is shown, with details of the LED lighting device being attached to the first housing 2. At the bottom left, a printed circuit board 36 is shown on which a single LED 35 as a light emitting element is mounted. It can be seen that the contact element 34 is mounted over a through hole in the printed circuit board 36. The entire assembly of the printed circuit board 36, the contact element 34 and possibly also the circuit elements on the printed circuit board 36 forms an LED head, which is detachably connected to a printed circuit board 39 arranged in the first housing 2. As shown in FIG. Figure 6The printed circuit board 39 shown in the upper left of is one of the one or more printed circuit boards 14, 39 on which the electronic circuit contained in the first housing 2 is shown. On the printed circuit board, in particular, a drive device for driving the lighting device is arranged. The printed circuit board 39 also mounts a connector 38, for example a pluggable connector with a physical connection pin 37 extending beyond the edge of the printed circuit board 39. The connection pin 38 together with the through hole in the printed circuit board 36 and the contact element 34 on the printed circuit board 36 of the LED module form a pluggable compact connection system for electrically connecting the LED head to the electronic circuit of the emergency lighting device 1 arranged in the first housing 2.

[0079] exist Figure 6 The right half of Figure 6 The right half of FIG. 2 , which is rotated 90 degrees, depicts the LED head attached to the printed circuit board 39 in the first housing 2 . Figure 6 The dotted line 12 in FIG. 1 indicates the outer contour of the LED head. The outer contour 12 refers to the housing that shields the LED head and also includes a lens assembly for guiding the light emitted by the LED 35 to achieve the corresponding tasks of the emergency lighting device 1, so that Figure 7 The lenses described in the examples may be interchangeable.

[0080] The lens assembly may be part of an interchangeable optic, which allows the lighting device 1 to be used as a panic light (basic lighting in a given area), an escape route indicator (indicator achieved by directional lights) or a spotlight (focused light beam towards the floor) without having to change the drive means or other peripheral circuits belonging to the charging means or energy storage means. The interchangeable optic may include appropriate lenses to achieve the desired light scheme and may be offered as an option to the user of the emergency lighting device 1. Examples of interchangeable optics are shown in Figure 7 Shown in.

[0081] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment of the invention, exemplary details of the LED lighting device attached to the first housing 2 and the printed circuit board 39 arranged in the first housing 2 are shown in a partial view of the emergency lighting device 1. The depicted electrical connection of the LED lighting device and the printed circuit board 39 through the physical connection pins 37 of the connector 38 represents one possible solution for the electrical connection, and the connector 38 extends through the hole in the printed circuit board 36 of the LED module. However, in addition or alternatively, the electrical connection can be achieved by a flexible cable with a connector, which is used to electrically link the printed circuit board 39 with the printed circuit board 36 of the LED module. The lighting device according to the present invention provides significant advantages over the prior art. Note that for the sake of brevity, for the present invention defined by the appended claims, the various features of the different embodiments discussed above in a separate manner can be combined.

[0082] Figure 7 Different variations of lens assemblies are shown, which may be part of an interchangeable optical device. For example, lens 87 provides basic illumination over a given area, thus allowing the lighting device 1 to be used as an anti-panic light. Lens 88 provides indication by means of a directional light, the lighting device 1 can be used as an escape route indicator. Lens 88 provides a focused beam towards the floor, the lighting device 1 can be used as a spotlight. The lens can be replaced without changing the drive device or other peripheral circuits belonging to the charging device or energy storage device. The lens as an interchangeable optical device may include a barbed hook 90, which ensures that the lens is releasably fixed to the lighting device 12.

[0083] Figure 8 Another view of the emergency lighting device 1 is shown. The first housing 2 comprises an LED lighting device 12 equipped with a lens 88 and two fixing devices 8 and two recessed areas 50. It can be seen that the fixing device 8 comprises a spring with a spring coil 51 and a spring arm 54. It is advantageous for the first housing 2 to comprise at least two recessed areas 50. One end of the recessed area 50 may comprise a protrusion 56 and the other end may comprise a retaining device 52 with a hole 53. The spring coil 51 of the fixing device 8 can be pushed onto the protrusion 56 in the recessed area 50, thereby providing tension to the elongated end 55 of the spring coil 51 and thus to the fixing device 8. The tail of the spring arm 54 of the fixing device 8 can then be prepared to be inserted through the hole 53 of the retaining device 52. Preferably, the tail of the spring arm 54 of the fixing device 8 is inserted through the hole 53 of the retaining device 52 and the spring coil 51, thereby fixing the fixing device 8 to the first housing 2.

[0084] The elongated end 55 of the spring coil 51 preferably extends in the opposite direction of the spring arm 54. When mounted on the first housing 2, the elongated end of the spring coil 51 places a force on the recessed area 50, and the spring arm will move away from the lighting device 12. Figure 5b When inserted into the split ceiling 32 in the example of FIG. 5 , the spring arm 54 places a force on the split ceiling 32 , so that the reaction force from the elongated end 55 of the spring coil 51 will ensure that the first housing 2 is fixed to the split ceiling 32 .

Claims

1. Emergency lighting equipment, including: A first shell (2); A lighting device (12) arranged at the first housing (2); an electronic circuit, the electronic circuit being housed in the first housing (2) and being used to operate the lighting device (12); A mains power supply cable (21) connected to a terminal of the first housing (2); a second shell (3), the second shell (3) accommodating an energy storage device (13), the first shell (2) and the second shell (3) being arranged to be separated by an interconnection device (4); as well as an interconnection device (4), the interconnection device (4) being adapted to pivotally connect the first housing (2) and the second housing (3), and to electrically connect the electronic circuit and the energy storage device (13), The interconnection device comprises a hinge (45) having a fixed rotation axis, wherein the hinge (45) enables the first housing (2) and the second housing (3) to rotate relative to each other around the fixed rotation axis, so that during installation of the lighting device, the second housing (3) can be bent from one side of the emergency lighting device toward the installation position of the emergency lighting device, The first shell (2) and the second shell (3) are capable of being in an alignment position in which the second shell (3) is not bent; when the first shell (2) and the second shell (3) are in the alignment position, the first shell (2) and the second shell (3) have a common center line relative to an insertion direction of the lighting device.

2. The emergency lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interconnection device (4) comprises a cable, which is overmolded to provide compressive strength in the axial direction of the cable.

3. The emergency lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interconnection device comprises a first main part which is attached to the first housing and to the second housing by means of respective ends of the first main part.

4. The emergency lighting device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The interconnect device also includes a second extension portion extending perpendicularly from the first main portion, wherein, when the interconnect device is attached to the second shell, the second extension portion interacts with a corresponding groove of the second shell to secure the interconnect device to the second shell in addition to the attachment of the end of the interconnect device.

5. The emergency lighting device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second extension portion, together with the groove in the second shell, realizes a snap connection which can be released by applying a compressive force on a portion of the second extension portion accessible through an opening in the second shell in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the first main portion.

6. The emergency lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interconnection device (4) comprises a first connector, and the first connector is used to electrically connect the interconnection device (4) to a printed circuit board (14) arranged in the first housing (2).

7. The emergency lighting device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The electronic circuit is arranged on the printed circuit board (14) and at least one further printed circuit board (39); and The printed circuit board (14) and the at least one other printed circuit board (39) are connected via a flexible cable.

8. The emergency lighting device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The lighting device (12) is adapted to be detachably connected to at least one of the printed circuit board (14) and the at least one other printed circuit board (39) via a connector (34).

9. The emergency lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interconnection device (4) comprises a second connector, and the second connector is used to electrically connect the interconnection device (4) to the energy storage device (13).

10. The emergency lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electronic circuit comprises a charging device for charging the energy storage device (13); and The charging device is suitable for detecting the type of the energy storage device (13).

11. The emergency lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second housing (3) comprises a first end (9) opposite to a second end, the second end being located closer to the first housing (2), the first end being formed to achieve a bending direction of the interconnection device (4).

12. The emergency lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interconnection device (4) comprises locking means adapted to cooperate with corresponding engagement means of the second housing (3) to secure the interconnection device (4) to the second housing (3).

13. The emergency lighting device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The electronic circuit is arranged on the printed circuit board (14) and at least one further printed circuit board (39); and The printed circuit board (14) and the at least one further printed circuit board (39) are rigid parts of a connected flexible circuit board.

14. The emergency lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lighting device (12) is designed to hold interchangeable optics.

15. The emergency lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first housing (2) comprises at least two groove areas (50) and at least two fixing devices (8), wherein the fixing devices (8) comprise spring coils (51) and spring arms (54), so that the fixing devices (8) are installed in the groove areas (50).

16. The emergency lighting device according to claim 15, characterized in that: The groove area (50) includes a protrusion on one end and a retaining device (52) having a hole (53) on the other end, whereby the spring coil (51) is designed to be pushed into the groove area (50) and onto the protrusion, and the tail of the spring arm (54) is designed to be inserted through the hole (53).

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