Lamp and method for maintaining lamp

Abstract

A luminaire (100) and a method (500) for maintaining a luminaire are provided. The luminaire includes a luminaire housing (110), a light module (120), and a torsion spring (150) including a coil (160) and a pair of legs (170a, 170b) extending from the coil. The lamp housing includes an opening (200). In the disengaged mode, the torsion spring does not extend through the opening. In a first state (210), the pair of legs of the torsion spring extend through the opening of the lamp housing and each leg of the pair abuts a back side (220) of the lamp housing. In a second state (230), the end of each leg abuts the back side of the luminaire housing at the rim (240) of the opening, and the pair of legs of the torsion spring is located between the luminaire housing and the light module.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a luminaire comprising one or more light modules. More specifically, the present invention relates to a luminaire comprising one or more releasably attached light modules. BACKGROUND

[0002] Currently, there is a large interest and demand for lighting arrangements or luminaires that are convenient in their construction, as it is desirable to provide for a robust assembly, convenient removal and / or reinstallation of parts or components of the lighting arrangement or luminaire. More specifically, recessed lighting arrangements or luminaires that can be arranged in offices, homes, shops, etc. can comprise a plurality of light modules attached to a back plate. For this kind of lighting device, it is desirable that individual light modules can be easily removed and reinstalled, or that one or more components are facilitated to be installed or serviced from the front and / or back side of the lighting device.

[0003] It should be noted that the result of a conveniently constructed lighting arrangement or luminaire encompasses an increased energy efficiency and sustainability. More specifically, the possibility to repair and upgrade the luminaire significantly increases the sustainability of the luminaire, and the modular design of the luminaire enables easy replacement of luminaire parts or components thereof.

[0004] Prior art lighting arrangements aiming to provide at least some of the above-mentioned advantages are generally complex and inconvenient in their construction. Due to these deficiencies, they are therefore not capable of achieving the energy efficiency and sustainability sought for the lighting arrangement.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lighting arrangement or luminaire that is convenient and uncomplicated in its construction, which therefore also provides for energy efficiency and sustainability. SUMMARY

[0006] It is of interest to provide a lighting arrangement or luminaire that is convenient and uncomplicated in its construction or structure, which results in an increased energy efficiency and sustainability of the lighting arrangement or luminaire due to the facilitated assembly as well as removal, repair and reinstallation operations.

[0007] This and other objects are achieved by providing a luminaire and method having the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the application, there is thus provided a luminaire comprising a luminaire housing, a light module attachable to the luminaire housing, and a torsion spring. The torsion spring comprises a coil and a pair of legs extending from the coil, wherein each leg of the pair of legs comprises a respective end portion distal from the coil. The luminaire housing comprises an opening, and the light module is releasably attachable to the luminaire housing via the opening by means of the torsion spring. In a detached mode, the torsion spring does not extend through the opening, whereby at least a portion of the light module is detached from the luminaire housing. In an attached mode, the torsion spring partially extends through the opening. In a first state of the attached mode, the pair of legs of the torsion spring extends through the opening of the luminaire housing, and each leg of the pair of legs abuts a backside of the luminaire housing, whereby the torsion spring biases at least a portion of the light module towards the luminaire housing. In a second state of the attached mode, the end portions of each leg of the pair of legs abut the backside of the luminaire housing at a rim of the opening, and the pair of legs of the torsion spring is positioned between the luminaire housing and the light module, whereby the light module is decoupled from the luminaire housing.

[0009] In order to enable the luminaire to have a reduced installation depth, the coil can have a first end portion and a second end portion, each of the first and second end portions being straight. Each leg of the pair of legs has a base portion connected to a respective one of the first and second end portions of the coil, thereby forming a bend portion of the torsion spring, wherein each bend portion has an angle in the range of 60 to 110 degrees.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the application, there is provided a method for maintaining a luminaire. The luminaire comprises a luminaire housing, a light module attachable to the luminaire housing, and a torsion spring. The torsion spring comprises a coil and a pair of legs extending from the coil, wherein each leg of the pair of legs comprises a respective end portion distal from the coil. The luminaire housing comprises an opening, and the light module is releasably attachable to the luminaire housing via the opening by means of the torsion spring. The method comprises at least one of the following steps: (i) obtaining a detached mode by detaching at least a portion of the light module from the luminaire housing, whereby the torsion spring does not extend through the opening, (ii) obtaining a first state of an attached mode by arranging the pair of legs of the torsion spring through the opening of the luminaire housing such that each leg of the pair of legs abuts a backside of the luminaire housing, whereby the torsion spring biases at least a portion of the light module towards the luminaire housing, and (iii) obtaining a second state of the attached mode by arranging the end portions of the legs of the pair of legs to abut the backside of the luminaire housing at a rim of the opening, and positioning the pair of legs of the torsion spring between the luminaire housing and the light module, whereby at least a portion of the light module is decoupled from the luminaire housing.

[0011] Thus, the present invention is based on the idea that the luminaire has one or more light modules releasably attached to the luminaire housing. In a detached mode, at least a part of the light modules is detached from the luminaire housing. In a first state of the attached mode, at least a part of the light modules is biased towards the luminaire housing, resulting in a fully closed mode. In a second state of the attached mode, at least a part of the light modules is detached from the luminaire housing while still attached to the luminaire housing via the coil, resulting in a partially open mode. Thus, the luminaire enables convenient assembly, removal and reinstallation operations (including easy disassembly and reinstallation operations) with minimal tool usage or even without tool usage and with minimal parts.

[0012] The present invention is advantageous in that its convenience and non-complexity result in a simplification of the maintenance, repair, installation and / or disassembly of the luminaire. Thus, the present invention is advantageous in that it provides cost and time efficiency in terms of operations such as maintenance, repair, installation and disassembly of the luminaire. Furthermore, due to the particular ease and convenience of the repair and maintenance of the luminaire, it has a longer lifetime compared to other lighting arrangements in the prior art, thereby even further contributing to the sustainability aspect of the luminaire.

[0013] A further advantage of the present invention is its simplicity of operation and handling, which involves a minimization of parts and components. For example, the light modules of the luminaire can not be provided with screws, thereby even further facilitating the handling of the light modules.

[0014] A further advantage of the present invention is its versatility with respect to the different modes that the luminaire can adopt, thereby improving the modes / settings of the luminaire for desired purposes, such as (normal) luminaire operation of the light distribution, repair of the luminaire, etc. It will be appreciated that substantially any combination of the first state of the attached mode, the second state of the attached mode, and the detached mode can be adopted via the torsion spring(s). For example, in case of the detached mode of the present invention (which can represent a "hanging state" of the light modules), it should be noted that the repair, reinstallation and disassembly purposes become particularly convenient and easy. For these purposes, the light modules can even be moved sideways when in such state, thereby creating even more space for the operator.

[0015] The present invention is further advantageous with respect to safety aspects. More specifically, the construction of the luminaire prevents the light module(s) from falling. In principle, the light module(s) cannot be removed from the luminaire without compressing the tension spring. Overloading of the tension spring results in a bent luminaire or a damaged light module, which means that the tension spring can be stronger compared to other luminaire components.

[0016] A further advantage of the present invention is that the convenience of the luminaire means a cost-effective arrangement (e.g. with respect to the bill of materials).

[0017] It will be appreciated that the luminaire of the present invention comprises a relatively low number of components. The advantage of this relatively low number of components is that the luminaire is relatively cheap to manufacture and its production can be performed in a more environmentally friendly manner compared to prior art products. Moreover, the relatively low number of components of the luminaire means that it is easier to recycle, especially compared to devices or arrangements comprising a relatively high number of components, which hamper easy disassembly and recycling operations.

[0018] The luminaire comprises a luminaire housing, wherein the luminaire housing can be a frame element, a plate element, a back plate or the like. The luminaire further comprises a light module which is attachable to the luminaire housing. "Light module" here essentially means any lighting device, arrangement or the like which comprises one or more light sources and / or optical means, such as lenses or the like. The luminaire further comprises a torsion spring. The torsion spring comprises a coil and a pair of legs extending from the coil. Hence, the torsion spring can be biased by exerting force(s) on the pair of legs. Each leg of the pair of legs comprises a respective end portion which is distal from the coil. The luminaire housing comprises an opening. "Opening" here means a (through) hole, a slit or the like. The light module is releasably attachable to the luminaire housing by the torsion spring via the opening, i.e. the light module can be (mechanically) attached to and detached from the luminaire housing. In the detached mode, the torsion spring does not extend through the opening, whereby at least a portion of the light module is detached from the luminaire housing. In the attached mode, the torsion spring partially extends through the opening. Hence, the light module and the luminaire housing are attached via the torsion spring extending through the opening. In a first state of the attached mode, the pair of legs of the torsion spring extends through the opening of the luminaire housing and each leg of the pair of legs abuts a back side of the luminaire housing, whereby the torsion spring biases at least a portion of the light module towards the luminaire housing. Hence, the pair of legs of the torsion spring forces or pushes (at least a portion of) the light module towards the luminaire housing, or in other words, pulls the light module towards the luminaire housing. In a second state of the attached mode, the end portions of each leg of the pair of legs abut the back side of the luminaire housing at a rim of the opening and the pair of legs of the torsion spring is located between the luminaire housing and the light module, whereby at least a portion of the light module is detached from the luminaire housing. Hence, the second state of the attached mode can represent a "suspended state", in which the detachment of (at least a portion of) the light module and the luminaire housing can depend on the length of the pair of legs of the torsion spring.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the torsion spring can be fastened to the light module. Hence, the torsion spring can be attached to the light module. The advantage of this embodiment is that handling of the luminaire can be facilitated by fastening or attaching the torsion spring(s) to the light module, thereby avoiding or at least minimizing the occurrence of separate parts of the luminaire. According to an alternative example, the torsion spring can be fastened to the luminaire housing, which also facilitates handling of the luminaire and avoids or at least minimizes the occurrence of separate parts of the luminaire.

[0020] According to embodiments of the present invention, a first distance d between at least a portion of the light module and the luminaire housing in the first state of the attachment mode and a second distance D between at least a portion of the light module and the luminaire housing in the second state of the attachment mode satisfy D > d. Thus, in the second state of the attachment mode, there is a greater separation between the light module and the luminaire housing than in the first state of the attachment mode. This embodiment is advantageous in terms of versatility associated with the purpose of the luminaire. For example, in case the (current) purpose of the luminaire is to operate normally for light distribution, the luminaire can assume the first state of the attachment mode, in which the light module (at least a portion thereof) and the luminaire housing are tightly attached. According to another example, in case the (current) purpose of the luminaire is to repair, maintain or the like, the luminaire can assume the second state of the attachment mode, in which the light module (at least a portion thereof) and the luminaire housing are separated for convenient repair or maintenance operation.

[0021] According to embodiments of the present invention, the opening can be slit-shaped. An advantage of this embodiment is that a relatively narrow slit-shaped opening can align the pair of legs of the torsion spring in the first phase of the attachment mode, thereby contributing to the stability of the luminaire.

[0022] According to embodiments of the present invention, in which in the first phase of the attachment mode, the leg of the pair of legs of the torsion spring can extend in opposite directions along the backside of the luminaire housing. An advantage of this embodiment is that the configuration of the leg of the pair of legs of the torsion spring contributes to the stability of the luminaire in the first phase of the attachment mode.

[0023] According to embodiments of the present invention, the first portion of each leg of the pair of legs adjacent to the end portion can extend along the first axis A, and the end portion of each leg of the pair of legs is inclined with respect to the first axis A by an angle γ, where γ > 80°. An advantage of this embodiment is that in the second state of the attachment mode, the inclined / bent first portion(s) can provide a particularly firm grip of the torsion spring at the rim of the opening of the luminaire housing.

[0024] According to embodiments of the present invention, the end portion of each leg of the pair of legs can be ring-shaped. “Ring-shaped” means here that the end portion is curled, rounded, bent, inclined or the like. An advantage of this embodiment is that the manual manipulation of the torsion spring becomes more user-friendly and safer. A further advantage of this embodiment is that the ring-shaped end portion eliminates the risk of injury to the operator manipulating the torsion spring. A further advantage of this embodiment is that it creates a horizontal edge for fall protection. A further advantage of this embodiment is that in the second phase of the attachment mode, the ring-shaped end portion provides one or more support areas and / or abutment areas at the rim of the opening, thereby contributing to the stability of the luminaire in the second phase of the attachment mode.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second axis B extends from a base of each leg of the pair of legs at the coil to an end portion, and wherein a portion of each leg extends in a respective direction L i upwardly, wherein the respective direction L i deviates from the second axis B at a respective angle a i Thus, one or more portions of each leg deviate from the reference (straight) second axis B in the respective direction(s) L i In other words, one or more portions of the leg(s) of the torsion spring are tilted or curved. This embodiment is advantageous in many respects. For example, by providing the tilted / curved leg portion(s), the torsion spring is particularly suitable to provide advantages in the first and second states of the attachment mode. More specifically, the (first) tilted / curved leg portion, approximately at the center of each leg of the pair of legs, results in an increased force pulling the light module and the luminaire housing towards each other, thereby enhancing the stability and robustness in the first state of the attachment mode. Furthermore, the (second) tilted / curved leg portion adjacent to the end portion (nearby) helps to keep the torsion spring in the second state of the attachment mode. In other words, the leg(s) exert a force on the luminaire housing that has a relatively low (vertical) component pointing upwards towards the luminaire housing, or even no (vertical) component pointing upwards towards the luminaire housing. The relatively small (vertical) component can be counteracted by friction inside the luminaire. Thus, in the second state of the attachment mode, the position of the torsion spring leg is such that it does not cause any tendency of the light module to quickly return to the first state of the attachment position. Furthermore, the (third) tilted / curved leg portion adjacent to the (first) tilted / curved portion reduces the disassembly force to gain enough space to pull the light module into the second state of the attachment mode.

[0026] According to an example of the present invention, each leg of the pair of legs of the torsion spring can be tilted at the coil. The angle of the tilted / curved portion of the leg(s) is defined by the forces required by the luminaire assembly. This example is beneficial in order to keep the mechanical load inside the luminaire (plastic) parts relatively small and still have enough space to compensate for any tolerances, such as thermal expansion of the luminaire parts and product deviations.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the luminaire can comprise a single torsion spring. This embodiment is advantageous in that the luminaire can provide the advantages of the present invention while minimizing the number of torsion springs, resulting in an even more convenient and less complex luminaire.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the luminaire can comprise two torsion springs. An advantage of this embodiment is that the luminaire can adopt, via the first torsion spring, the first state of the attachment mode, the second state of the attachment mode, or the detached mode, and adopt, via the second torsion spring, the first state of the attachment mode, the second state of the attachment mode, or the detached mode. In case the luminaire adopts, via the first torsion spring, the second state of the attachment mode and adopts, via the second torsion spring, the detached mode, this embodiment is particularly advantageous, whereby the light module luminaire becomes suspended in a "hanging" state, facilitating access to the luminaire and facilitating any repair, replacement, etc. of luminaire components.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the luminaire can further comprise a driver arranged to provide power to the light module. The luminaire housing can comprise a cavity arranged to accommodate the driver, wherein the light module is arranged to cover the cavity, and wherein in the detached mode the cavity is accessible from the front side of the luminaire. Thus, the luminaire can further comprise a driver arranged to provide power to the light module, wherein the light module can comprise one or more light sources, such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). An advantage of this embodiment is that the light module provides convenient and easy access to the driver for replacement, repair, etc. of the driver. Further, it should be noted that the use of LEDs for illumination purposes is advantageous in many respects. Compared to incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, neon tube lamps, etc., LEDs provide many advantages, such as longer operational lifetime, reduced power consumption, and increased efficiency related to the ratio between light energy and heat energy.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a luminaire arrangement is provided. The luminaire arrangement can comprise at least one of a wall and a ceiling comprising a recess, and a luminaire according to any of the preceding claims arranged in the recess. It should be noted that the luminaire can be provided in any kind of lighting arrangement (e.g. a pendant lamp, a floor lamp, etc.), but a luminaire arrangement with a luminaire arranged in a wall and / or ceiling recess constitutes a particularly advantageous embodiment.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the method can further comprise obtaining the second state of the attachment mode from the first state of the attachment mode by separating the light module from the luminaire housing with a tool. An advantage of this embodiment is that it is particularly easy and convenient to separate the light module from the luminaire housing via a tool.

[0032] According to embodiments of the second aspect of the application, the step of obtaining the detached mode can further comprise detaching the light module from the luminaire housing from one of the first state of the attachment mode and the second state of the attachment mode by pushing the leg of the pair of legs towards each other and passing the pair of legs through the respective openings. Thus, by pushing the leg of the pair of legs towards each other and passing the pair of legs through the respective openings, the light module can be detached from the first state or the second state. An advantage of this embodiment is that the method provides a particularly convenient way of detaching the light module from the luminaire housing.

[0033] Further objects, features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the detailed description of the application, the drawings and the appended claims. A person skilled in the art will realize that different features of the application can be combined to produce embodiments other than those described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] This and other aspects of the present application will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the application.

[0035] Figure 1 A luminaire according to exemplary embodiments of the application is schematically illustrated, Figure 2 A light module of a luminaire according to exemplary embodiments of the application is schematically illustrated, Figure 3 A torsion spring of a luminaire according to exemplary embodiments of the application is schematically illustrated, Figure 4a and Figure 4b A cross-section of a luminaire according to exemplary embodiments of the application is schematically illustrated, Figure 5 A luminaire according to exemplary embodiments of the application is schematically illustrated, Figure 6A and Figure 6B A torsion spring according to exemplary embodiments of the application is schematically illustrated, Figure 7 A torsion spring according to exemplary embodiments of the application is schematically illustrated, Figure 8 A luminaire according to exemplary embodiments of the application is schematically illustrated, and Figure 9 A flowchart of a method according to exemplary embodiments of the second aspect of the application is schematically illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Figure 1A luminaire 100 according to exemplary embodiments of the application is schematically illustrated. The luminaire 100 comprises a luminaire housing 110. The luminaire housing 110 can be a frame element, a plate element, a backplate or the like. The luminaire 100 further comprises at least one light module 120 attachable to the luminaire housing 110. The light module 120 can be a lighting device, arrangement or the like comprising one or more light sources and / or optical means such as lenses or the like. For example, the light module 120 can comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). As Figure 1 The luminaire 100 as exemplified in the middle can be arranged in a recess of a wall and / or ceiling.

[0037] Figure 2 A light module 120 of a luminaire 100 according to exemplary embodiments of the application is schematically illustrated. Here, the light module 120 is exemplified as comprising 2x16 reflectors, each partially enclosing 4 LEDs 130 arranged to emit light 140 (i.e. a total of 128 LEDs 130). It will be appreciated that the light module 120 can comprise substantially any number of rows and columns of reflectors, and any number of LEDs 130.

[0038] Figure 3 A torsion spring 150 of a luminaire according to exemplary embodiments of the application is schematically illustrated. The torsion spring 150, which can be made of wire, comprises a coil 160 and a pair of legs 170a, 170b extending from the coil 160. Each leg of the pair of legs 170a, 170b comprises a respective end portion 180a, 180b distal from the coil 160. The coil 160 can comprise, for example, 3-6 turns (of wire). The end portions 180a, 180 of the torsion spring 150 as exemplified are curved (annular).

[0039] Figure 4a And Figure 4b A cross-section of a luminaire 100 according to exemplary embodiments of the application is schematically illustrated. The luminaire housing 110 comprises an opening 200 in the form of a (through) hole, a slit or the like. The light module 120 is releasably attached to the luminaire housing 110 by the torsion spring 150 via the opening 200, i.e. the light module 120 can be (mechanically) attached to and detached from the luminaire housing 110. In the attached mode, as illustrated by Figure 4a And Figure 4b As illustrated by both, the torsion spring 150 extends (partially) through the opening 200, whereby the light module 120 and the luminaire housing 110 are attached via the torsion spring 150 extending through the opening 200. In the detached mode (not illustrated), the torsion spring 150 does not extend through the opening 200, whereby at least a portion of the light module 120 is detached from the luminaire housing 110.

[0040] Figure 4aA cross-section of the luminaire 100 in a first state 210 of the attachment mode is schematically shown according to exemplary embodiments of the present application. The pair of legs of the torsion spring 150 extends through the opening 200 of the luminaire housing 110 and each of the pair of legs abuts the backside 220 of the luminaire housing 110, whereby the torsion spring 150 biases at least a portion of the light module 120 towards the luminaire housing 110. Thus, the pair of legs of the torsion spring 150 forces or pushes the light module 120 (at least a portion thereof) towards the luminaire housing 110. This results in a (relatively short) distance d between the light module 120 (at least a portion thereof) and the luminaire housing 110.

[0041] Figure 4b A cross-section of the luminaire 100 in a second state 230 of the attachment mode is schematically shown according to exemplary embodiments of the present application. In the second state 230 of the attachment mode, the end of each of the pair of legs abuts the backside 220 of the luminaire housing 110 at the rim 240 of the opening 200. The pair of legs of the torsion spring 150 is located between the luminaire housing 110 and the light module 120, whereby at least a portion of the light module 120 is separated from the luminaire housing 110. This results in a (relatively large) distance D between the light module 120 (at least a portion thereof) and the luminaire housing 110. The second state 230 of the attachment mode represents a "hovering state" by the separation of the light module 120 (at least a portion thereof) and the luminaire housing 110.

[0042] Figure 5 A luminaire 100 according to exemplary embodiments of the present application is schematically shown, wherein the view of the luminaire 100 is from its backside. In this example, the luminaire 100 comprises a plurality of openings 200 in the luminaire housing 120 and the luminaire 100 comprises a plurality of torsion springs 150. According to this example of the luminaire 100 as shown, it assumes the attachment mode, since the pairs of legs of the torsion springs 150 extend through the respective openings 200 of the luminaire housing 110. In a first state 210 of the attachment mode, each of the pairs of legs abuts the backside of the luminaire housing 110, whereby the torsion springs 150 bias at least a portion of the light module 120 towards the luminaire housing 110. In a second state 230 of the attachment mode, the end(s) of the pair of legs abut the backside of the luminaire housing 110 at the rim of the housing, thereby separating the light module and the luminaire housing 110.

[0043] Figure 6AA torsion spring 150 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. The torsion spring 150 has a specific shape or configuration to facilitate positioning of the torsion spring 150 in first and second states of the attachment mode. A second shaft B extends from the base 500 of each of the pair of legs 170a, 170b at the coil 160 to the ends 180a, 180b of the torsion spring 150. Multiple portions 510a-c of each leg are arranged in corresponding directions L. i Extending upwards, wherein the corresponding direction L i At the corresponding angle α i The torsion spring 150, extending from ends 180a, 180b toward coil 160, deviates from the second axis B by an angle α1, as indicated in FIG6. The angle α1 is positive relative to the second axis B in the counterclockwise direction. The tilted / bent leg portion 510a helps the torsion spring 150 remain in the second state of the attachment mode. The second portion 510b of the torsion spring 150, extending from the first portion 510a toward coil 160, extends in a direction L2, deviating from the second axis B by an angle α2, as indicated in the counterclockwise direction. The angle α2 is negative relative to the second axis B in the counterclockwise direction. The tilted / bent leg portion 510b, approximately positioned at the center of each of the pairs of legs 170a, 170b of the torsion spring 150, results in an increased force pulling the light module and lamp housing toward each other, thereby enhancing stability and robustness in the first state of the attachment mode. The third portion 510c of the torsion spring 150, extending from the (second) portion 510b toward the coil 160, extends in direction L3, which is offset from the second axis B by an angle α3. In the counterclockwise direction, angle α3 is positive relative to the second axis B. The tilted / bent leg portion 510c reduces the disassembly force to obtain sufficient space to pull the optical module into the second state of the attachment mode.

[0044] Figure 6B It shows Figure 6A An enlarged portion of the torsion spring 150.

[0045] This diagram shows coil 160 having a first end 161 and a second end 162. Figure 6B In the view, the first end 161 is visible in front of the coil 160 and is indicated by a shaded area. The second end 161 is located behind the coil 160.

[0046] This is true for any torsion spring with a coil; when viewed along the axis of the coil, the first and second ends are on the same side of the coil (in...). Figure 6B In the view, they are all located on the top side of coil 160.

[0047] Each of the first end 161 and the second end 162 is straight and has a length x.

[0048] The base 500 of the outrigger 170a is connected to the first end 161, and the base of the outrigger 170b is connected to the second end 162. In other words, each of the outriggers 170a and 170b has a base 500 connected to a corresponding one of the first and second ends 161 and 162.

[0049] At the base 500, each of the legs 170a and 170b is connected to the coil 160 such that it extends away from the coil 160 at an angle φ relative to the respective ends 161 and 162. The angle φ is in the range of 60 to 110 degrees, preferably in the range of 70 to 90 degrees.

[0050] In other words, at the base 500 of each of the legs 170a, 170b, the torsion spring 150 may include a (sharp) angled or bent portion 178. Alternatively, at each transition from one of the legs 170a, 170b to the coil 160, the torsion spring 150 may have an angled or bent portion 178.

[0051] The angle of the tilt / bending portion 178 of one or more legs has a value φ in the range of 60 to 110 degrees, preferably in the range of 70 to 90 degrees. This angle is defined by the force required for the luminaire assembly. The tilt / bending portion 178 of one or more legs is advantageous in order to keep the mechanical load inside the luminaire (plastic) component relatively small, while still having sufficient room to compensate for any tolerances (such as thermal expansion of the luminaire component and product deviations).

[0052] like Figure 6A and Figure 6B The construction of the torsion spring 150 shown—where each of the pair of legs 170a, 170b is connected to the coil 160 via a tilted or bent portion 178 having an angle in the range of 60 to 110 degrees—allows the luminaire to have a reduced installation depth.

[0053] This is because in the first state of the attachment mode, in which the coil 160 and the pair of legs 170a, 170b are on opposite sides of the opening of the luminaire housing, the legs 170a and 170b can be oriented substantially parallel to the back side of the luminaire housing, with the end portions 180a and 180b of the legs 170a and 170b, respectively, abutting the back side of the luminaire housing. Without the inclined or curved portion 178, this would not be possible, and instead the legs would extend in a direction away from the opening. By being able to lay the legs 170a and 170b substantially flat against the back side of the luminaire, in the first state of the attachment mode, less space is needed to accommodate the legs 170a and 170b, which in turn enables the luminaire to have a reduced installation depth.

[0054] For example, as shown in the configuration of the torsion spring 150 in Figure 6A and Figure 6B the installation depth of the luminaire does not exceed 50 millimeters, which falls within the freely available installation space of an office with a standard ceiling with a T-shaped grid configuration.

[0055] As mentioned, each of the first and second end portions 161 and 162 of the coil 160 is straight and has a length x. In the first state of the attachment mode, these straight end portions extend through the opening in the luminaire housing.

[0056] Preferably, the first and second end portions 161 and 162 have a length x that is larger than the thickness of the luminaire housing, and the inclined or curved portion 178 has an angle in the range of 70 degrees to less than 90 degrees. In the first state of the attachment mode, the base 500 of the legs 170a and 170b will then be at a non-zero distance away from the back side, and the legs 170a and 170b will be oriented back towards the back side, thereby enabling the torsion spring 150 to bias at least a portion of the light module towards the luminaire housing in a more stable and safer manner.

[0057] While the first and second end portions 161 and 162 preferably have a length x that is larger than the thickness of the luminaire housing, the length x preferably is not too much larger than the thickness of the luminaire housing, as this would come at the expense of the installation depth.

[0058] Hence, the ratio of (i) the length of the first and second end portions 161 and 162 of the torsion spring 150 to (ii) the thickness of the luminaire housing can be larger than 1 but not larger than 10, and preferably it is larger than 1 but not larger than 2.

[0059] For similar reasons, the ratio of (i) the length of the first and second end portions 161 and 162 of the torsion spring 150 to (ii) the diameter of the coil 160 can be equal to or smaller than 1, for example in the range of 0.4 to 0.6.

[0060] Figure 7 A torsion spring 150 according to exemplary embodiments of the application is schematically illustrated. The first portion 510a of each leg of the pair of legs adjacent the end portion extends along the first axis A, and the end portion of each leg of the pair of legs is tilted with respect to the first axis A by an angle γ, where γ > 80°. This embodiment can provide a particularly firm grip of the torsion spring 150 at the rim of the opening of the luminaire housing in the second state of the attachment mode.

[0061] Figure 8 A luminaire 100 according to exemplary embodiments of the application is schematically illustrated. The luminaire 100 comprises a plurality of light modules 120. One of the light modules 120 is illustrated in a detached mode, i.e. the light module 120 is detached from the luminaire housing 110 of the luminaire 100. The other light modules 120 employ a first state of the attachment mode, whereby the light modules 120 abut the luminaire housing 110 or are arranged in the vicinity of the luminaire housing 110. As Figure 8 The luminaire 100 as exemplified comprises a driver 300 arranged to provide power to the light modules 120. The luminaire housing 110 comprises a receptacle 310 (e.g. a cavity) arranged to house the driver 300. The light modules 120 are arranged to cover the receptacle 310 in the attachment mode, while in the detached mode the receptacle 310 is accessible from the front side of the luminaire 100.

[0062] Figure 9 A flowchart of a method 1000 according to exemplary embodiments of the second aspect of the application is schematically illustrated. The method 1000 relates to the maintenance of a luminaire according to the first aspect of the application, and it refers to the preceding figure(s) and associated text for details and understanding of the features and functionality of the luminaire. The method 1000 comprises at least one of the following steps: (i) obtaining 1010 a detached mode by detaching 1020 at least a portion of the light module from the luminaire housing, whereby the torsion spring does not extend through the opening, (ii) obtaining 1030 a first state of the attachment mode by arranging 1040 the pair of legs of the torsion spring to extend through the opening of the luminaire housing such that each leg of the pair of legs abuts the back side of the luminaire housing, whereby the torsion spring biases at least a portion of the light module towards the luminaire housing, and (iii) obtaining 1050 a second state of the attachment mode by arranging 1060 the end portion of the leg of the pair of legs to abut the back side of the luminaire housing at the rim of the opening and positioning the pair of legs of the torsion spring between the luminaire housing and the light module, whereby at least a portion of the light module is detached from the luminaire housing.

[0063] Thus, the method 1000 can comprise any one or any combination of steps (i), (ii) and (iii), as indicated by the dashed lines. For example, the method 1000 can comprise (ii) obtaining 1030 a first state of the attachment mode, followed by (iii) obtaining 1050 a second state of the attachment mode, followed by (i) obtaining 1010 a state of the detachment mode, i.e. detaching 1020 at least a part of the light module from the luminaire housing.

[0064] The skilled person realizes that the present application is in no way limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, one or more of the light module 120, the torsion spring 150, etc. can have a shape, size and / or dimensions different from the depicted / described shape, size and / or dimensions.

Claims

1. A luminaire (100), comprising: - a luminaire housing (110), - a light module (120) attachable to the luminaire housing, and - a torsion spring (150), wherein the torsion spring (150) comprises a coil (160) and a pair of legs (170a, 170b) extending away from the coil (160), wherein each leg of the pair of legs (170a, 170b) comprises a respective end portion (180a, 180b) away from the coil (160), wherein the luminaire housing (110) comprises an opening (200), and wherein the light module (120) is releasably attachable to the luminaire housing (110) by the torsion spring (150) via the opening (200), wherein in a detached mode, the torsion spring (150) does not extend through the opening (200), whereby at least a portion of the light module (120) is detached from the luminaire housing (110), wherein in an attached mode, the torsion spring (150) partially extends through the opening (200), wherein in a first state (210) of the attached mode, the pair of legs (170a, 170b) of the torsion spring (150) extends through the opening (200) of the luminaire housing (110), and each leg of the pair of legs (170a, 170b) abuts a backside (220) of the luminaire housing (110), whereby the torsion spring (150) biases at least a portion of the light module (120) towards the luminaire housing (110), wherein in a second state (230) of the attached mode, the end portion of each leg of the pair of legs abuts the backside of the luminaire housing at an edge (240) of the opening, and the pair of legs (170a, 170b) of the torsion spring (150) is located between the luminaire housing (110) and the light module (120), whereby at least a portion of the light module (120) is detached from the luminaire housing (110), and wherein the coil (160) has a first end portion (161) and a second end portion (162), each of the first end portion (161) and the second end portion (162) being straight, wherein each leg of the pair of legs (170a, 170b) has a base portion (500) connected to a respective one of the first end portion (161) and the second end portion (162), thereby forming a curved portion (178) of the torsion spring (150), each curved portion (178) having an angle in the range of 60 to 110 degrees.

2. The luminaire (100) according to claim 1, wherein the torsion spring (150) is fastened to the light module (120).

3. The luminaire (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a first distance d between at least a portion of the light module (120) and the luminaire housing (110) in the first state of the attached mode and a second distance D between at least a portion of the light module (120) and the luminaire housing (110) in the second state of the attached mode satisfy D > d.

4. The luminaire (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (200) is slit-shaped.

5. The luminaire (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in a first phase of the attached mode, the leg of the pair of legs (170a, 170b) of the torsion spring (150) extends in opposite directions along the back side (220) of the luminaire housing (110).

6. The luminaire (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first portion (510a) of each leg of the pair of legs (170a, 170b) adjacent the respective end portion (180a, 180b) extends along a first axis A, and the respective end portion (180a, 180b) of each leg of the pair of legs (180a, 180b) is tilted with respect to the first axis A by an angle γ, wherein γ > 80°.

7. The luminaire (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective end portion (180a, 180b) of each leg of the pair of legs (170a, 170b) is annular.

8. The luminaire (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a second axis B extends from a base (500) of each leg of the pair of legs (170a, 170b) at the coil (160) to a respective end (180a, 180b), and wherein a portion (510) of each leg (170a, 170b) extends superiorly in a respective direction L i i at a respective angle a i offset from the second axis B.​ 9. The luminaire (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a single torsion spring (150).

10. The luminaire (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising two torsion springs (150a, 150b).

11. The luminaire (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a driver (300) arranged to supply power to the light module (120), wherein the luminaire housing (110) comprises a cavity (310) arranged to accommodate the driver (300), wherein the light module (120) is arranged to cover the cavity (310), and wherein, in the detached mode, the cavity (310) is accessible from a front side of the luminaire (100).

12. A luminaire arrangement, comprising: at least one of a wall and a ceiling comprising a recess, and a luminaire (100) according to any one of the preceding claims arranged in the recess.

13. A method (1000) for maintaining a luminaire (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the method comprises at least one of the following steps: (i) obtaining (1010) a detached mode by detaching (1020) at least a portion of the light module (120) from the luminaire housing (110), whereby the torsion spring (150) does not extend through the opening (200), (ii) obtaining (1030) a first state (210) of the attached mode by arranging (1040) the pair of legs (170a, 170b) of the torsion spring (150) through the opening (200) of the luminaire housing (110) such that each leg of the pair of legs (170a, 170b) abuts the back side (220) of the luminaire housing (110), whereby the torsion spring (150) biases at least a portion of the light module (120) towards the luminaire housing (110), and (iii) obtaining (1050) a second state (220) of the attached mode by arranging (1060) the pair of legs (170a, 170b) of the torsion spring (150) through the opening (200) of the luminaire housing (110) such that each leg of the pair of legs (170a, 170b) abuts the front side (210) of the luminaire housing (110), whereby the torsion spring (150) biases at least a portion of the light module (120) towards the luminaire housing (110). (iii) obtaining (1050) a second state (210) of the attachment mode by arranging (1060) the end (180a, 180b) of the leg of the pair of legs (170a, 170b) to abut the back side (220) of the luminaire housing (110) at the rim (240) of the opening (200), and positioning the pair of legs (170a, 170b) of the torsion spring (150) between the luminaire housing (110) and the light module (120), whereby at least a part of the light module (120) is separated from the luminaire housing (110).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: obtaining the second state of the attachment mode from the first state of the attachment mode by separating the light module (120) from the luminaire housing (110) with a tool.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the step of obtaining the separation mode further comprises: separating the light module (120) from the luminaire housing (110) from one of the first state of the attachment mode and the second state of the attachment mode pushing the leg of the pair of legs (170a, 170b) towards each other, and passing the pair of legs (170a, 170b) through the respective opening (200).

Images