Adapter and lighting arrangement for track lighting system

Abstract

The invention relates to an adapter for a rail lighting system, comprising a mounting rail which is at least partially curved with a curved path and which is provided with at least one mounting groove in the longitudinal extension direction of the mounting rail. The adapter may be inserted into the mounting slot to make electrical contact with the conductive device on the mounting rail. The adapter comprises an adapter body, the adapter body is divided into two or more adapter sections in the longitudinal extension direction of the adapter body, and the adjacent adapter sections are connected with each other in a connecting area. The connection region allows the adapter body to flexibly bend about at least two bending axes which are not parallel to each other and not parallel to a longitudinal extension direction of the adapter body. The adapter body is configured to be more flexible in the connection region than in the adapter segment region. In addition, the invention also provides a lighting arrangement with a mounting track, the adapter provided by the invention and the lighting unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an adapter for a track lighting system having a mounting rail which is formed to curve at least partially following a curved path, and to a lighting arrangement comprising at least one such adapter. Background Art

[0002] Track lighting systems are already known which offer more versatility and flexibility in the arrangement of lighting arrangements than, for example, permanently installed individual luminaires.

[0003] EP 3 876 365 A1 describes a lamp adapter for a track lighting system. The track lighting system comprises a mounting rail which is configured to be at least partially curved along a longitudinal extension direction. EP 3 876 365 A1 describes how the adapter body of the lamp adapter is curved so that the lamp adapter can be inserted into the curved mounting rail in a practical and easy manner. Summary of the invention

[0004] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide an adapter for a track lighting system which can be used more flexibly with curved mounting rails and which, preferably, can also be manufactured in a convenient and simple manner. Furthermore, a lighting arrangement which is improved accordingly is provided.

[0005] According to the invention, the above object is achieved by an adapter having the features of claim 1 and / or a lighting arrangement having the features of claim 18 .

[0006] The present invention provides an adapter for a track lighting system, wherein the track lighting system comprises a mounting track, wherein the mounting track is at least partially bent along a curved path and is provided with at least one mounting groove along the longitudinal extension direction of the mounting track.

[0007] The adapter can be inserted into the mounting groove to electrically contact the conductor arrangement on the mounting rail. The adapter comprises an adapter body which is divided into two or more adapter segments along the longitudinal extension direction of the adapter body. Adjacent adapter segments are connected to each other in a connection area, wherein the connection area enables the adapter body to be flexibly and flexibly bent around at least two bending axes. The two bending axes are not parallel to each other and to the longitudinal extension direction of the adapter body. The adapter body is configured to be more flexible in the connection area than in the adapter segment area.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a lighting arrangement, comprising:

[0009] A mounting rail, which is at least partially curved along a curved path, is provided with at least one mounting groove along a longitudinal extension direction of the mounting rail, and comprises a conductor device;

[0010] at least one adapter provided by the invention, which is inserted into said mounting slot and electrically contacts said conductor means; and

[0011] A lighting unit for generating light is coupled to the adapter and can obtain at least the electric energy provided by the conductor device for operating the lighting unit through the adapter, or at least the electric energy provided by the conductor device and the control signal provided by the conductor device.

[0012] A basic idea of ​​the invention is to make the adapter bendable in two directions so that the adapter can be used more flexibly for various curved mounting rails. In particular, this allows the adapter to be inserted into a mounting slot that can be arranged in a curved mounting rail in a variety of ways, thereby avoiding possible limitations in the depth of the mounting slot and the insertion direction of the adapter on the cross section of the mounting rail.

[0013] By specifically equipping the adapter body with better bendability and flexibility in the connection area, the adapter segment can be configured to be more rigid and less prone to bending, which means that other components accommodated in the adapter segment can be well protected and accurately fixed. In addition, this configuration helps to simplify the manufacture of the adapter.

[0014] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge clearly from the attached dependent claims and from the description with reference to the drawings.

[0015] In one embodiment, the two bending axes are substantially perpendicular to each other and / or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction of the adapter body. This enables the adapter to be used in a variety of ways for curved mounting rails.

[0016] Exemplarily, the adapter body may include three adapter segments. In further embodiments, more than three adapter segments, for example four or five adapter segments, are conceivable. In this way, the flexible adaptability of the adapter to the orientation of the mounting rail and / or the possibility of accommodating more components in the adapter body can be changed and improved.

[0017] In one embodiment, each connection region is provided with at least one corrugated structure having crests and troughs. In a further development, the direction of the crests of the crests and the direction of the troughs are not parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the adapter body, in particular, are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction of the adapter body. In this way, the bendability of the connection region is achieved in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0018] In one embodiment, each connection area is provided with at least one elastic middle portion. In particular, the elastic middle portion can be provided in the form of a plate or a wall. This embodiment also achieves the bendability of the connection area in a practical and cost-effective manner.

[0019] In one embodiment, the adapter body has a box-like shape, wherein each adapter segment is configured with a cover portion, side walls and an interior. In this way, the adapter segments can accommodate more components, such as electrical and / or electronic components, in particular, they are used for electrical contact and powering and / or controlling the lighting device.

[0020] In this way, the adapter body can serve as a housing component of the adapter, for example as an integral housing component.

[0021] In particular, the cover portion and the side wall of the adapter segment can be configured integrally with each other. This can simplify production.

[0022] In one embodiment, adjacent edge regions of the side walls of adjacent adapter segments are connected in the connection region by a corrugated structure having wave crests and wave troughs. In particular, the corrugated structure and the side walls connected therewith are an integral structure. This further simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0023] In a further embodiment, adjacent edge regions of the side walls of adjacent adapter segments are connected in the connection region by an elastic middle part, in particular a plate-shaped or wall-shaped elastic middle part.Exemplarily, the middle part and the side walls connected therewith can be configured integrally.

[0024] In a further development, the crests of the wave crests and the bottoms of the wave troughs are substantially parallel to the side wall to which the corrugated structure is connected. In this way, good bendability about a bending axis parallel to the side wall is achieved. In particular, the directions of the crests and the bottoms of the troughs extend transversely to the longitudinal extension direction of the adapter body, for example substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension direction of the adapter body.

[0025] In one embodiment, the plate-shaped or wall-shaped elastic middle part is configured as a substantially planar continuation of the main extension surface of one of the side walls in the direction of the adjacent side wall. In this way, a simple shape achieves good bendability.

[0026] In particular, in one embodiment, the corrugated structure may include at least two wavelengths, such as substantially two full wavelengths. This facilitates good bendability not only about one bending axis (e.g., a bending axis substantially parallel to the crests and troughs), but also about another bending axis extending transversely to the crests and troughs (e.g., a bending axis substantially perpendicular to the crests and troughs).

[0027] In one embodiment, at least one flat carrier part is accommodated inside at least two adjacent adapter segments. The flat carrier part carries electrical conductors, in particular also electronic components and / or electrical contact means. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flat carrier parts of adjacent adapter segments are connected to each other and electrically coupled via a tape-like or foil-like flexible connection. In this way, the arrangement of electrical and / or electronic components accommodated in the adapter body can be bent with the adapter body without any problems or damage. Such a tape-like or foil-like connection is easy to produce and inexpensive.

[0028] In a further embodiment, each (adapter segment) contains a flat carrier part in its interior, which is substantially parallel to the cover part and is located between the side walls. This facilitates the arrangement of the contact elements, which can contact the conductor arrangement of the mounting rail through the grooves of the two opposite side walls, which also simplifies the assembly of the carrier part. For example, a single-sided carrier part can be used, such as a single-sided printed circuit board.

[0029] In one embodiment, the strip-shaped or film-shaped flexible connection in the connection area is formed by a strip-shaped or film-shaped flexible material, which carries the conductive tracks and is bent into a U-shape in the connection area, in particular, the bottom of the U-shape in the unbent state of the adapter can be substantially parallel to the cover part. Due to the flexibility of the material and the strip-shaped or foil-shaped nature of the material and the U-shape, this embodiment allows adjacent carrier parts to move relative to each other in the connection area about more than one axis. In addition, in particular, the bottom of the U-shape can extend transversely with respect to the longitudinal extension direction of the adapter body.

[0030] In particular, in a further development, the U-shape is arranged in the transverse direction of the adapter and between two corrugations in the connection region. Like this, the material arranged in the U-shape provides flexibility in the connection region, where the corrugations make the adapter body pliable and bendable.

[0031] In particular, in another further development, the U-shape is arranged in the transverse direction of the adapter and is located between two elastic middle parts in the connection area. In this way, the material arranged in the U-shape provides flexibility in the connection area, where the elastic middle part (exemplarily, it is wall-shaped or plate-shaped) makes the adapter body flexible and bendable.

[0032] In one embodiment, the opposite side of the cover part of each adapter segment is substantially closed by a bottom element, which can be a separate element. Exemplarily, the bottom element can be latched to the side wall of the adapter segment. In this way, the components in the adapter body can be arranged and better protected.

[0033] In one embodiment, in the unbent state of the adapter body, a gap is provided between the opposite narrow sides of the cover parts of adjacent adapter segments; in this case, the narrow sides of the first cover part, viewed in the main extension plane of the first cover part, form a convex profile; and the narrow sides of the second cover part, viewed in the main extension plane of the second cover part, form a concave profile. In this embodiment, the convex profile and the concave profile cooperate with each other in such a way that the gap is left in the unbent state. This can prevent the cover parts from colliding or hindering the bending process during bending. At the same time, the continuous cover parts can form a largely closed surface. In their interaction, the convex and concave profiles are particularly conducive to bending around a bending axis that is transverse to the main extension plane of the cover parts.

[0034] In a further embodiment, the concave profile of the narrow side of the second cover part is provided with a groove. This further facilitates bending about a bending axis substantially parallel to the main extension plane of the cover part.

[0035] In a further development, the adapter body is made of at least one plastic material. Using at least one plastic material contributes to the economical and efficient manufacture of lightweight components. In addition, the plastic material can also provide the required electrical insulation properties.

[0036] In one embodiment, adjacent adapter segments are connected in one piece in the connection region, which reduces the number of individual components that need to be installed, thereby further simplifying the manufacturing.

[0037] In one embodiment, the adapter body uses a first material, in particular a first plastic material, in the adapter segment and a second material, in particular a second plastic material, in the connection region; wherein the second material is not used for the first material. Exemplarily, the second material can have a higher elasticity than the first material. This means that the choice of material can be easily adapted to the respective functions of the adapter segment and the connection region. Exemplarily, the second material can be configured as a rubber-like plastic in the solidified state, while the first material can be relatively hard in the solidified state. In particular, the corrugated structure or the elastic middle section can be formed by the second material.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the adapter body is manufactured using an injection molding process. In an optional embodiment, the adapter body can be manufactured by 3D printing. In addition, in a further embodiment, the bottom element can also be formed from one of the plastic materials or the first plastic material. Exemplarily, the bottom element can be injection molded or 3D printed. The use of injection molding technology can achieve cost-effective manufacturing, especially large-scale manufacturing, while the 3D printing process is very suitable for parts with complex geometries and does not require expensive casting tools, which is an advantage for small-scale production.

[0039] In particular, during the manufacturing process of the adapter body, the first material and the second material can be processed together during injection molding or 3D printing. In this way, the injection molding or 3D printing of the area formed by the first material and the second material can be completed in one step, which is conducive to efficient and low-cost manufacturing.

[0040] In one embodiment, the path followed by the mounting track may be a planar curve, wherein, at least in a certain portion of the mounting track, the depth direction of the mounting slot deviates from the normal to the plane of the curve, for example, is located in the plane of the curve or is at a certain angle to the plane of the curve. The adapter provided by the present invention may be particularly advantageously used for such a curved shape. However, if the depth direction of the mounting slot is perpendicular to the plane of the curve (i.e., the depth direction does not deviate from the normal to the plane of the curve), the adapter provided by the present invention is also applicable.

[0041] In another embodiment, the path followed by the mounting track may be a three-dimensional curve; wherein, at least in a certain portion of the mounting track, the depth direction of the mounting slot deviates from the secondary normal of an orthogonal frame (e.g., a Frenet frame) moving along the three-dimensional curve, for example, along the principal normal or in a normal plane determined by the secondary normal and the principal normal. However, the adapter provided by the present invention is also applicable to the mounting slot having a depth direction along or parallel to the secondary normal. Therefore, the adapter can be used in a variety of ways very flexibly.

[0042] In one embodiment, the mounting track includes at least two mounting slots, and the lighting arrangement includes at least two adapters provided by the present invention; wherein each adapter is inserted into one of the mounting slots, and the adapters are at least partially opposite to each other in the portion of the mounting track that is curved along the path. In this way, in a flexible and diverse manner, the same type of adapter can be used in multiple mounting slots of the curved mounting track in the curved portion, and can be bent differently.

[0043] Where appropriate, embodiments and developments of the invention may be combined with one another as desired. Further possible embodiments, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention that are not explicitly specified, which have been described above or below with respect to exemplary embodiments. In particular, a person skilled in the art may add individual aspects as improvements or supplements to the various basic forms of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The following will briefly introduce the schematic drawings used to describe the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the exemplary embodiments specifically described in these drawings, the present invention will be explained in more detail.

[0045] Figures 1 to 4 shows perspective views of the adapter according to the first embodiment from four different longitudinal sides;

[0046] Figure 5 Shown according to Figures 1 to 4 A perspective detail view of the connection area of ​​two adapter segments of the first embodiment;

[0047] Figure 6 Shows Figures 1 to 4 A perspective view of an adapter with one side opened;

[0048] Figure 7 Shows Figures 1 to 4 An exploded perspective view of the adapter;

[0049] Figure 8 Shows Figures 1 to 4 A longitudinal central cross-section of the adapter and a schematic drawing of the lighting unit;

[0050] Fig. 9 Shows Figures 1 to 4 A three-dimensional view of the adapter cut along its longitudinal center plane;

[0051] Fig.10 A portion of a lighting arrangement according to a variation of the first embodiment is shown, which has a curved mounting rail, a mounting slot according to which a Figures 1 to 4 adapter and a schematically drawn lighting unit;

[0052] Fig.11 Shows Fig.10 Cross section of a mounting rail for a lighting arrangement with an inserted Figures 1 to 4 adapter;

[0053] Fig.12 A longitudinal center cross-sectional view of a mounting rail is shown, which is a part of a lighting device further modified according to the first embodiment and into which a Figures 1 to 4 adapter;

[0054] Fig.13 Shows Figures 1 to 4 The adapter is used as an example in Fig.12 A side view of the adapter in a bent state when in a lighting arrangement;

[0055] Fig.14 A longitudinal center cross-sectional view of a mounting rail is shown, which is a part of a lighting device further modified according to the first embodiment and in which two mounting rails are inserted opposite to each other. Figures 1 to 4 adapter;

[0056] Fig.15 Shows Fig.14 A perspective view of a curved portion of the lighting arrangement during insertion of two adapters;

[0057] Fig.16 A perspective view showing an adapter according to a second embodiment with one side opened; and

[0058] Fig.17 A perspective view of an adapter according to a third embodiment is shown with one side opened.

[0059] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a better understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. They illustrate the embodiments in the form of pictures and are used together with the text description to explain the principles and concepts of the present invention. Other embodiments and many of the cited advantages can also be derived from the accompanying drawings. The elements in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale.

[0060] In the figures, unless otherwise indicated, identical, functionally identical and acting identically elements, features and components are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0061] In the figure:

[0062] 1,1',1" Adapter

[0063] 2,2',2" Adapter Body

[0064] 3 Longitudinal extension direction (adapter body)

[0065] 4,5,6 adapter segment;

[0066] 7,7',7",8,8',8" connection area

[0067] 9 First bending axis

[0068] 10 Second bending axis

[0069] 11,11' corrugated structure

[0070] 11" elastic middle section

[0071] 12 Crest

[0072] 13 Trough

[0073] 14a,15a,16a Cover part

[0074] 14b,15b,16b Sidewall

[0075] 14b',15b',16b' side wall

[0076] 14b",15b",16b" side wall

[0077] 14c,15c,16c Internal

[0078] 17,18,19 Flat carrier parts

[0079] 20,21 Flexible connections in ribbon or foil form

[0080] 22 Bottom (U-shaped)

[0081] 23 Horizontal (Adapter)

[0082] 24a,25a,25b,26a Narrow side

[0083] 28 Cam profile

[0084] 29 Concave profile

[0085] 30 grooves

[0086] 44,45,46 Bottom element

[0087] 50 Coupling device

[0088] 64,66 Contact elements

[0089] 70 Latch element

[0090] 100,100' Mounting Track

[0091] 101 Path

[0092] 102 Longitudinal extension direction (mounting rail)

[0093] 103 Mounting slot

[0094] 130 Mounting slot

[0095] 104 Depth direction (installation slot)

[0096] 140 Depth direction (installation slot)

[0097] 106 Conductor device (mounting track)

[0098] 150 lighting units

[0099] 200,300,400 Lighting Arrangement

[0100] E1,E2 Insertion direction DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0101] Figures 1 to 4 An adapter 1 for a track lighting system is shown, which comprises an adapter body 2 , which is divided into adapter segments 4 , 5 , 6 along a longitudinal extension direction 3 of the adapter body 2 .

[0102] Mutually adjacent adapter segments 4 and 5 are connected to each other in a connection region 7 and adapter segments 6 and 5 are connected to each other in a further connection region 8. The connection regions 7 and 8 are constructed in the same way and each allows the adapter body 2 to be flexibly bent about at least a first bending axis 9 and a second bending axis 10, wherein the first and second bending axes 9, 10 are each substantially at right angles to the longitudinal extension direction 3 and are therefore normal lines. The bending axes 9 and 10 are also substantially perpendicular to each other. In particular, the second bending axis 10 extends in a transverse direction 23 of the adapter 1. It is understood that in particular two or more bending axes are possible, which each have a different angle and are not parallel to the longitudinal extension direction 3. The bending axes 9 and 10 pass through each connection region 7 and 8, but for the sake of clarity are shown in Figure 1 Only the bending axes 9 and 10 are shown for the connecting region 7 .

[0103] exist Figures 1 to 15 In the first embodiment shown and its variants, the adapter body 2 is configured as a one-piece component made of plastic material, for example, an injection-molded or 3D-printed component; the adapter body 2 forms a housing component of the adapter 1; the adapter body 2 has an elongated box shape.

[0104] In the adapter segments 4, 5 and 6, the adapter body 2 is formed in each segment with a plate-like cover portion 14a, 15a, 16a, substantially flat side walls 14b, 15b, 16b and end faces not described in further detail; wherein the side walls 14b, 15b, 16b, the cover portion 14a, 15a, 16a and, in the case of the adapter segments 4 and 6, one of the end faces in each segment, respectively define an interior 14c, 15c or 16c of the adapter segment 4, 5, 6. Preferably, in the adapter segment 4, 5 or 6, the cover portion 14a, 15a, 16a, the side walls 14b, 15b, 16b and the end faces are formed integrally with each other.

[0105] In each connection area 7 and 8, the adjacent edge areas of the side walls 14b, 15b and 15b, 16b of the adjacent adapter segments 4, 5 and 5, 6 are connected by a corrugated structure 11 having wave crests 12 and wave troughs 13, wherein the corrugated structure 11 and the side walls 14b, 15b and 15b, 16b connected thereby are manufactured integrally. In the adapter body 2, the cover parts 14a, 15a, 16a, the side walls 14b, 15b, 16b together with the end faces and the corrugated structure 11 can be formed using the same plastic material.

[0106] The corrugated structure 11 can also be clearly identified, especially in Figures 5 to 7 In the embodiment of the present invention, each corrugated structure 11 comprises substantially two full wavelengths to achieve a high degree of flexibility and bendability of the connecting regions 7, 8. However, in other variations, the number of crests 12 and troughs 13 may be adjusted compared to the design shown in the figures.

[0107] The direction of the crest of each wave crest 12 and the direction of the bottom of each wave trough 13 extend transversely, in particular, approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension direction 3 of the adapter body 2, so that they are substantially parallel to the side walls 14b, 15b and 15b, 16b connected by the corrugated structure 11. In some variations, the direction of one or more crests and / or troughs may deviate from the normal to the longitudinal extension direction 3 by a few degrees, for example by up to 5 degrees.

[0108] The corrugated structure 11 enables the adapter body 2 to bend around two axes in the connection areas 7, 8, in particular around the first bending axis 9 and the second bending axis 10. In the figure, the directions of the peaks 12 and the bottoms of the troughs 13 are substantially parallel to the first bending axis 9 and substantially perpendicular to the second bending axis 10.

[0109] By means of the corrugated structure 11, the adapter body 2 is configured to be more flexible in the connection areas 7 and 8 than in the area of ​​the adapter segments 4, 5, 6. In this way, good flexibility of the adapter 1 is achieved; at the same time, the components arranged outside the connection areas 7, 8 and in the relatively rigid and inflexible interior 14c, 15c, 16c of the adapter segments 4, 5, 6 are well protected. The components arranged in this way will be described in more detail below.

[0110] Each interior 14c, 15c, 16c contains a flat carrier part 17, 18, 19, which can be fixed there securely and precisely, since the adapter segments 4, 5, 6 are of relatively rigid design compared to the connection regions 7 and 8. The carrier parts 17, 18, 19 are preferably configured as printed circuit boards and each carry electrical conductors. On at least one of the carrier parts 17, 18 and 19, electronic components for supplying power to a lighting unit 150, which can be coupled or coupled to the adapter 1, can be arranged and / or these electronic components can also be used for controlling the lighting unit 150 by means of one or more control signals that can be adapted by the adapter 1. In the figure, the carrier part 17 carries two resilient contact elements 64 and the carrier part 19 carries two resilient contact elements 66. Each contact element 64 projects through a corresponding recess in one of the opposite side walls 14b, while each contact element 66 projects through a corresponding recess in one of the opposite side walls 16b. Exemplarily, the carrier components 17, 18, 19 may be mounted on one side. Figures 6 to 9 Installed on the bottom side.

[0111] The carrier parts 17 and 18 and 18 and 19 are electrically coupled and connected in the connection area 7 or 8 respectively through a flexible connection 20 or 21 configured in a strip or film shape in the connection area 7 or 8. Each connection 20 and 21 is formed by a strip or film-shaped flexible material, such as an insulating plastic tape or an insulating plastic film; wherein the material carries a conductive trace and is bent and arranged in a U shape in the connection area 7, 8, in particular, as Figures 6 to 9 Shape shown.

[0112] Substantially planar, plate-like carrier parts 17, 18 and 19 are housed in the interiors 14c, 15c and 16c, respectively, and are substantially parallel to the cover parts 14a, 15a and 16a, respectively, and are located between the opposite side walls 14b and 14b, 15b and 15b, 16b and 16b, respectively. In the unbent state of the adapter 1, the bottom 22 of the U-shape is substantially parallel to the cover parts 14a, 15a, 16a and extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal extension direction 3.

[0113] Thus, with the help of the carrier parts 17, 18, 19, the electrical and / or electronic component arrangement accommodated in the adapter body 2 can be reliably bent with the adapter body 2 without being damaged. The strip-shaped or film-shaped connections 20 and 21 can be manufactured relatively easily and economically. The strip-shaped or foil-shaped material of the connections 20, 21 can be connected to the carrier parts 17, 18 or 18, 19 at their opposite edges, or can continue into the carrier parts 17, 18, 19. The plate-shaped carrier parts 17, 18, 19 and the connections 20, 21 can be combined into a so-called rigid-flex PCB, where PCB stands for printed circuit board.

[0114] Figure 6 and Figure 7 Also shown are strip- or foil-like flexible connections 20 and 21, arranged in transverse direction 23 of adapter 1, respectively, between two corrugations 11. Thus, flexible connections 20, 21 enable bending in interaction with corrugations 11, in particular about bending axes 9, 10.

[0115] In particular, see Figure 1 , 4 , 7, 8, in the region of each adapter segment 4, 5 and 6, the adapter body 2 is closed on the side opposite the cover part 14a, 15a and 16a by a bottom element 44, 45 or 46. The bottom elements 44, 45, 46 are separate components; exemplarily, they are made of plastic material; in particular, they are injection molded or 3D printed. The bottom elements 44, 45 and 46 are respectively latched on the side walls 14b, 15b or 16b of the adapter segments 4, 5, 6 to which the bottom elements 44, 45, 46 are respectively assigned.

[0116] On the cover part 15a, the intermediate adapter section 5 comprises (for example through the center) a coupling device 50 for electrical or electrical and mechanical coupling of the adapter 1 to the lighting unit 150. The lighting unit 150 is provided at Figure 8 The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is purely an example and a schematic diagram, which can be configured in many ways. The coupling by the coupling device 50 can be fixed or detachable.

[0117] For example, see Figure 7 and Figure 8 The opposite narrow sides (not shown in detail) of the bottom elements 44 and 45 as well as 45 and 46 are all provided with convex profiles, and spaces are left between the bottom elements 44, 45 as well as 45, 46 when the adapter 1 is not bent.

[0118] When the adapter body 2 is not bent (and therefore the adapter 1 is not bent), gaps are left between the opposite narrow sides 24a and 25a of the cover parts 14a and 15a, and between the opposite narrow sides 25b and 26a of the cover parts 15a and 16a.

[0119] The narrow sides 24a and 26a are each provided with a concave profile 29, as seen in the main extension plane of the cover parts 14a and 16a, and a groove 30 is also provided in the thickness direction of the cover parts 14a and 16a in the region of the concave profile 29. The narrow sides 25a and 25b are each provided with a convex profile 28, as seen in the main extension plane of the cover part 15a.

[0120] The convex contour 28 and the concave contour 29 match each other in the connection areas 7 and 8 in such a way that a gap remains between the contours 28 and 29 in the unbent state. Therefore, when the adapter 1 is bent, the cover parts 14a, 15a, 16a do not collide with each other at least within a specified radius of curvature. At the same time, Figure 3 The cover parts 14a, 15a, 16a on the upper side of the middle adapter 1 are neatly connected to each other with a small gap therebetween.

[0121] The adapter 1 is part of a track lighting system and is used to create a lighting arrangement; for example, according to Fig.10 The lighting device 200 is established according to the deformation of Fig.12 Further variations in the lighting device 300 are established, or according to Fig.14 and 15 A further variation in creates lighting device 400.

[0122] exist Fig.10 , 11 In a variation of the present invention, the track lighting system comprises at least one mounting track 100, which follows a path 101 having a longitudinal extension direction 102. At least some parts of the path 101 are curved. Along the longitudinal extension direction 102, the mounting track 100 comprises an elongated mounting groove 103 having a depth direction 104.

[0123] The adapter 1 can be inserted into the mounting groove 103, thereby being mechanically coupled to the mounting rail 100 via the contact elements 64 and 66 and contacting the conductor arrangement 106 arranged in the mounting groove 103, see Fig.11 The conductor device 106 is exemplarily divided into two parts and arranged on both sides of the adapter 1 inserted into the mounting slot 103. The conductor device 106 provides a power supply voltage, especially a low voltage, and a control signal, such as a DALI signal. Mechanically, the adapter 1 is held on the mounting rail 100 in a latching manner by a latching element 70; in particular, the latching element 70 can be configured to be integrally formed with the side walls 14b, 15b, 16b.

[0124] An exemplary lighting device 200 based on a track lighting system includes a mounting track 100, an adapter 1 inserted into a mounting groove 103 and electrically contacted with a conductor device 106, and a lighting unit 150. The lighting unit 150 is used to generate light, couple to the adapter 1 (exemplarily, the lighting unit 150 is carried by the adapter 1), and obtain power provided by the conductor device 106 for operating the lighting device 150 through the adapter 1, and also obtain a control signal provided by the conductor device 106, or be controlled according to the control signal.

[0125] The adapter 1 can be used flexibly and variably for mounting rails 100 that are curved in different ways. The mounting rail 100 can be curved in a plane or in space. Here, the mounting groove 103 can open outward at different positions on the cross section of the curved mounting rail 100. The adapter 1 can be used reliably with such a mounting groove 103 because it can be bent about at least two bending axes, such as bending axes 9 and 10, which are not parallel to the longitudinal extension direction 3, in particular, extend transversely to the longitudinal extension direction 3.

[0126] For example, if the path 101 is a plane curve, then at least in a certain portion of the mounting rail 100, the depth direction 104 of the mounting groove 103 may deviate from the normal line of the plane of the curve, for example, be located in the plane of the curve or form a certain angle with the plane of the curve. If the depth direction 104 is perpendicular to the plane of the curve, it is convenient for the use of the adapter.

[0127] On the other hand, if the path 101 is a three-dimensional curve, the depth direction 104 may deviate from the subnormal of an orthogonal frame (e.g., a Frenet frame) moving along the three-dimensional curve, at least in a certain portion of the mounting rail 100, such as extending along the principal normal or being located in a normal plane determined by the subnormal and the principal normal. If the depth direction 104 extends along the subnormal or is parallel to the subnormal, the adapter 1 may be used in the same manner.

[0128] exist Fig.10 In the lighting device 200 shown, the adapter 1 inserted into the mounting groove 103 is bent around the first bending axis 9 due to the curvature of the path 101. As an example, only a portion of the curved mounting rail 100 is shown. In other advantageous embodiments of the lighting arrangement, the mounting rail 100 or a portion thereof and thus the curved path 101 can be bent in the following way instead: the adapter 1 is bent around the second bending axis 10 in the connection area 7, 8 or around the first bending axis 9 and the second bending axis 10 at the same time.

[0129] according to Fig.12 In the further modified longitudinal center section shown, the lighting arrangement 300 is provided with a modified mounting rail 100', which includes mounting grooves 103 and 130 located on opposite longitudinal (extending) sides thereof. Thus, the mounting rail 100' has two mounting grooves 103, 130, each of which the adapter 1 can be inserted. In particular, each of the two mounting grooves 103, 130 is provided with a conductor arrangement 106; illustratively, similar to Fig.11 The conductor arrangement 106 can be brought into electrical contact with the contact elements 64 , 66 of the respective adapter 1 in order to contact the supply voltage and, in particular, also the control signals. Fig.12Also shown is the depth direction 104 of the mounting groove 103, which is exemplarily opened at the inner diameter of the curved portion of the mounting rail 100'. Fig.12 Also shown is the depth direction 140 of the mounting groove 130 , which exemplarily opens at the outer diameter of the curved portion of the mounting rail 100 ′.

[0130] Fig.12 One adapter 1 is shown inserted into a mounting groove 103. In order to follow the curvature of the path 101 of the mounting rail 100', the adapter 1 is bent about a second bending axis 10 in each connection region 7,8. Fig.13 Adapter 1 bent in this way is again shown separately in FIG.

[0131] Apart from Fig.13 The adapter 1 can also be bent in the connection areas 7, 8 about the bending axis 10. Fig.13 Bend in other directions. Fig.14 In the lighting arrangement 400 shown, two adapters 1 are arranged opposite each other in the curved portion of the mounting rail 100'. Here, one of the adapters 1 is inserted into the mounting groove 103 and is connected as shown in FIG. Fig.12 another adapter 1 is inserted into the mounting groove 130 so as to bend, and the adapter 1 is bent around the second bending axis 10 in the connection area 7 and 8 in the opposite direction to the adapter 1 inserted into the mounting groove 103. In addition, please refer to the above Fig.12 's comments.

[0132] Fig.15 The stereoscopic diagram shows: one of the adapters 1 is inserted into the mounting groove 103 along a first insertion direction E1 (exemplarily, at the center of the adapter 1 and substantially parallel to the depth direction 104), and the second adapter 1 is inserted into the mounting groove 130 along a second insertion direction E2 (exemplarily, at the center of the second adapter 1 and substantially parallel to the depth direction 140). Fig.15 , the adapter 1 is in an unbent state.

[0133] Fig.16 An adapter 1 ′ according to a second embodiment is shown. In the following, its differences are explained by comparison with the adapter 1 , wherein the above explanations of the adapter 1 also apply to the adapter 1 ′. As mentioned above, the adapter 1 ′ can be used as part of a track lighting system in a lighting arrangement, for example Figures 10 to 15 The lighting arrangements 200, 300 or 400 are shown.

[0134] The difference between adapter 1' and adapter 1 is that Fig.16As shown, an adapter body 2' is provided, which is formed by a first plastic material and a second plastic material, wherein the first plastic material and the second plastic material are different. In particular, the adapter body 2' is an integral component formed by injection molding or 3D printing of the first and second plastic materials at one time. The second plastic material is more elastic than the first plastic material. The first plastic material is relatively hard after solidification and is used in the adapter segments 4, 5 and 6 areas, while the second plastic material, which has elasticity after solidification, for example, is similar to rubber and is used for connecting areas 7' and 8' to form a corrugated structure 11'. During the manufacturing process, the corrugated structure 11' is firmly connected to the adjacent side walls 14b', 15b' or 15b', 16b' of the adapter segments 4, 5 or 5, 6 as a whole, in particular, by injection molding or 3D printing.

[0135] The more bendable, more flexible material of the corrugated structure 11 ′ further increases the advantageous bendability of the adapter 1 ′, in particular the bendability about the bending axes 9 and 10. Fig.16 The first, relatively hard plastic material is also used for the base elements 44 , 45 , 46 , not shown, of the adapter 1 ′.

[0136] Fig.17 An adapter 1 ″ according to a third embodiment is shown, which adapter is also modified compared to the first embodiment. In the following, the differences of the adapter 1 ″ are explained by comparison with the adapter 1 , wherein reference is again made to the above explanation of the adapter 1 according to the first embodiment. As mentioned above, the adapter 1 ″ can be used as part of a track lighting system in a lighting arrangement, for example Figures 10 to 15 The lighting arrangements 200, 300 or 400 are shown.

[0137] The adapter 1″ comprises an adapter body 2″ which is divided into adapter segments 4, 5, 6 along a longitudinal extension direction 3. In a third embodiment, the adapter segments 4, 5, 6 are connected to connection areas 7″, 8″ which enable bending about two non-parallel bending axes which are non-parallel to the longitudinal extension direction 3, in particular extending transversely relative to the longitudinal extension direction 3, in particular about a first and a second bending axis 9, 10.

[0138] Similar to the second embodiment, the adapter body 2″ is formed from a first plastic material and a second plastic material, wherein the first plastic material and the second plastic material are different and the second plastic material is more elastic than the first plastic material. Therefore, the first plastic material is relatively hard, while the second plastic material is configured to be elastic, in particular, rubber-like. In the third embodiment, two essentially flat, wall-shaped or plate-shaped elastic middle parts 11″ are provided in each connecting area 7″, 8″. In an essentially straight continuation of the main extension plane of the side walls 14b″, 15b″ and 15b″, 16b″, the middle parts 11″ connect adjacent edge areas of the side walls 14b″, 15b″ and 15b″, 16b″ of mutually adjacent adapter segments 4, 5 and 5, 6. Here, see Fig.17 , the middle portion 11 ″ may be configured as a substantially solid, elastic or rubber-like plate portion.

[0139] In the area of ​​adapter segments 4, 5 and 6, a first plastic material is used for the adapter body 2", and an elastic second plastic material (exemplarily, which is rubber-like after solidification) is used to form the middle part 11". In particular, the adapter body 2" is an integral component formed by one-time injection molding or 3D printing of the first and second plastic materials. In the adapter 1", the bottom elements 44, 45, 46 are also preferably formed by the first plastic material.

[0140] Although in Figures 1 to 17 In the illustrated embodiment, the adapter 1, 1' or 1" comprises three adapter segments 4, 5, 6 respectively, but it is understandable that in more modified embodiments, two adapter segments or more than three adapter segments, for example four or five, may be provided.

[0141] Although the present invention has been fully described above with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not limited to these exemplary embodiments but may be modified in various other ways.

Claims

1. An adapter (1; 1'; 1") for a track lighting system, the track lighting system comprising a mounting track (100; 100'), the mounting track (100; 100') being at least partially curved along a curved path (101) and having at least one mounting groove (103; 103, 130) along a longitudinal extension direction (102) of the mounting track (100; 100'), characterized in that: The adapter (1; 1'; 1") can be inserted into the mounting groove (103; 103, 130) to electrically contact the conductor arrangement (106) of the mounting rail (100; 100'); The adapter (1; 1'; 1") comprises an adapter body (2; 2'; 2"), along the longitudinal extension direction (3) of the adapter body (2; 2'; 2"), the adapter body (2; 2'; 2") is divided into two or more adapter segments (4, 5, 6); adjacent adapter segments (4, 5, 6) are connected to each other in a connection area (7, 8; 7', 8'; 7", 8"), each connection area (7, 8; 7', 8'; 7", 8") enables the adapter body (2; 2'; 2") to be flexibly bent around at least two bending axes (9, 10), the two bending axes (9, 10) are not parallel to each other and are respectively not parallel to the longitudinal extension direction (3) of the adapter body (2; 2'; 2"), and the adapter body (2; 2'; 2") is configured to be more flexible in the connection area (7, 8; 7', 8'; 7", 8") than in the area of ​​the adapter segments (4, 5, 6).

2. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that The two bending axes (9, 10) are substantially perpendicular to each other and / or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction (3) of the adapter body (2; 2'; 2").

3. The adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Each connection area (7, 8; 7', 8') is provided with at least one corrugated structure (11, 11') having wave crests (12) and wave troughs (13), in particular, the directions of the crests of the wave crests (12) and the bottoms of the wave troughs (13) are not parallel to the longitudinal extension direction (3) of the adapter body (2; 2'; 2"), in particular, the directions of the crests of the wave crests (12) and the bottoms of the wave troughs (13) are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction (3) of the adapter body (2; 2'; 2").

4. The adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Each connecting area (7), 8") is provided with at least one elastic middle part (11"), and in particular, the elastic middle part (11") is plate-shaped or wall-shaped.

5. The adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The adapter body (2; 2'; 2") has a box-like shape, and each adapter segment (4, 5, 6) is configured with a cover part (14a, 15a, 16a), side walls (14b, 15b, 16b; 14b', 15b', 16b'; 14b", 15b", 16b") and an interior (14c, 15c, 16c).

6. The adapter according to claim 5, characterized in that In each connection area (7, 8; 7', 8'), adjacent edge areas of side walls (14b, 15b, 16b; 14b', 15b', 16b') of adjacent adapter segments (4, 5, 6) are connected by a corrugated structure (11, 11') with wave crests (12) and wave troughs (13), or in each connection area (7", 8"), adjacent edge areas of side walls (14b", 15b", 16b") of adjacent adapter segments (4, 5, 6) are connected by an elastic middle part (11"), in particular, by a plate-shaped or wall-shaped middle part (11").

7. The adapter according to claim 6, characterized in that The crests of the wave crests (12) and the bottoms of the wave troughs (13) are substantially parallel to the side walls (14b, 15b, 16b; 14b', 15b', 16b') to which the corrugated structures (11, 11') are connected, or the plate-like or wall-like elastic middle portion (11") is configured as a substantially planar continuation of the main extension surface of one of the side walls (14b", 15b", 16b") in the direction of the adjacent side wall (14b", 15b", 16b").

8. The adapter according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that: At least one flat carrier part (17, 18, 19) is accommodated inside at least two adjacent adapter segments (4, 5, 6), the flat carrier part (17, 18, 19) carrying electrical conductors, in particular, also carrying electronic components and / or electrical contact devices, the flat carrier parts (17, 18, 19) of adjacent adapter segments (4, 5, 6) being connected and electrically coupled to each other via a strip-shaped or film-shaped flexible connection (20, 21).

9. The adapter according to claim 8, characterized in that Each of the interiors (14c, 15c, 16c) accommodates the flat carrier part (17, 18, 19), which is substantially parallel to the cover part (14a, 15a, 16a) and is located between the side walls (14b, 15b, 16b; 14b', 15b', 16b'; 14b", 15b", 16b").

10. The adapter according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The strip-shaped or film-shaped flexible connection (20, 21) in the connection area (7, 8; 7', 8'; 7", 8") is formed by a strip-shaped or film-shaped flexible material, which carries conductive traces and is bent into a U shape in the connection area, in particular, the bottom (22) of the U shape is basically parallel to the cover part (14a, 15a, 16a) when the adapter (1; 1'; 1") is in an unbent state.

11. The adapter according to claim 10 when referring to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The U-shape is arranged in the transverse direction (23) of the adapter (1; 1') and is located between the two corrugated structures (11, 11') of the connecting area (7, 8; 7', 8'), or the U-shape is arranged in the transverse direction (23) of the adapter (1") and is located between the two elastic middle parts (11") of the connecting area (7", 8").

12. The adapter according to any one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that: When the adapter body (2; 2'; 2") is in an unbent state, a gap is provided between the opposite narrow sides (24a, 25a, 25b, 26a) of the cover parts (14a, 15a, 16a) of adjacent adapter segments (4, 5, 6); wherein, when viewed in the main extension plane of the first cover part (15a), the narrow sides (25a, 25b) of the first cover part (15a) form a convex profile (28); and when viewed in the main extension plane of the second cover part (14a, 16a), the narrow sides (24a, 26a) of the second cover part (14a, 16a) form a concave profile (29); the convex profile and the concave profile (28, 29) cooperate with each other in a manner that the gap is left in the unbent state.

13. The adapter according to claim 12, wherein: A recess (30) is provided in the concave profile (29) of the narrow side (24a, 26a) of the second cover part (14a, 16a).

14. An adapter according to any preceding claim, characterised in that The adapter body (2; 2'; 2") is made of at least one plastic material.

15. An adapter according to any preceding claim, characterised in that Adjacent adapter segments (4, 5, 6) are integrally connected in the connection area (7, 8; 7', 8'; 7", 8").

16. An adapter according to any preceding claim, characterised in that The adapter body (2'; 2") uses a first material, in particular a first plastic material, in the adapter segments (4, 5, 6) and in the connection areas (7', 8'; 7", 8"), a second material different from the first material is used, in particular, a second plastic material is used.

17. An adapter according to any preceding claim, characterised in that The adapter body (2; 2'; 2") is manufactured by an injection molding process or a 3D printing process.

18. Lighting arrangement (200; 300; 400), including: A mounting rail (100; 100'), the mounting rail (100; 100') being at least partially curved along a curved path (101), the mounting rail (100; 100') being provided with at least one mounting groove (103; 103, 130) along a longitudinal extension direction (102) of the mounting rail (100; 100'), the mounting rail (100; 100') comprising a conductor device (106); at least one adapter (1; 1'; 1") according to any one of claims 1 to 17, said adapter (1; 1'; 1") being inserted into said mounting slot (103; 103, 130) and being in electrical contact with said conductor arrangement (106); and A lighting unit (150) for generating light, the lighting unit (150) being coupled to the adapter (1; 1'; 1") and can pass through the adapter (1; 1'; 1") at least obtains the electric energy provided by the conductor device (106) for operating the lighting unit (150), or at least obtains the electric energy provided by the conductor device (106) and the control signal provided by the conductor device (106).

19. A lighting arrangement according to claim 18, characterised in that: The path (101) is a plane curve, and in at least a portion of the mounting track (100; 100'), the depth direction (104; 104, 140) of the mounting groove (103; 103, 130) deviates from the normal to the plane of the curve; or The path (101) is a three-dimensional curve, and in at least a portion of the mounting track (100; 100'), the depth direction (104; 104, 140) deviates from a subnormal of an orthogonal frame moving along the three-dimensional curve.

20. A lighting arrangement as claimed in claim 18 or 19, characterised in that The mounting rail (100') is provided with at least two mounting grooves (103, 130), and the lighting arrangement comprises at least two adapters (1; 1'; 1") according to any one of claims 1 to 17, each adapter (1; 1'; 1") is inserted into a mounting slot (103, 130), and these adapters (1; 1'; 1") are at least partially opposite to each other in the portion where the mounting rail (100') bends along the path (101).

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