Luminaire with at least one light source module

Abstract

Luminaire (100) comprising a carrier element (110) and at least one illuminant module (50) for detachable arrangement on the carrier element (110), wherein the respective illuminant module (50) has one or more snap-on connection elements (10), each of which has: • a first locking region (15) which is designed to lock with the support element (110) of the lamp (100), wherein the first locking region (15) engages in a recess on the support element (110) and has two locking arms (16) arranged opposite one another, which are each angled and have two inclined sections (17, 18) which merge into one another, • a second latching region (20) which is designed to latch with a base region (51) of the respective illuminant module (50), wherein the second latching region (20) engages in an opening (52) or recess in the base region (51) of the respective illuminant module (50) and has two substantially straight, diverging latching arms (21), and • a central plate-shaped contact surface (11), from which the first locking area (15) and the second locking area (20) extend in opposite directions.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a lamp with at least one illuminant module which is designed to be replaceably attached to a support element of the lamp.

[0002] US Pat. No. 8,382,306 B2 discloses a backlighting device for a display with a plurality of cold-cathode tubes as light sources, wherein the cold-cathode tubes are attached to the chassis by means of retaining elements. The retaining elements are firmly locked to the chassis, and the cold-cathode tubes are clipped into the retaining elements.

[0003] Due to advances in the development of such light sources, LEDs have established themselves not only in specialized applications but in all areas of lighting technology. In particular, LEDs can now be readily used for general lighting and have replaced traditional light sources such as fluorescent lamps or incandescent bulbs. The advantages of LED-based light sources include better controllability and their typically significantly longer service life. These advantages compensate for the disadvantage of higher manufacturing costs, which currently still exists.

[0004] Nevertheless, even luminaires that use LEDs as light sources may require replacement due to a defect or other signs of aging. Replacing a corresponding light source module would also be advisable if, for example, the color of the light sources needs to be changed to adjust the appearance or light emission characteristics of the luminaire.

[0005] The problem here, however, is that LEDs, unlike fluorescent lamps or incandescent bulbs, cannot be easily inserted and removed from their sockets; changing LED boards is generally more difficult. This is also due to the fact that LED light sources usually have to be arranged in a specially protected manner within luminaires. One reason for this is that the LEDs should be protected as much as possible from so-called ESD damage, i.e. damage caused by electrostatic discharge. Furthermore, it has been shown that efficient LED operation can be achieved particularly at voltages in the high-voltage range, i.e. around 220V. Accordingly, the LED boards in these cases carry voltages that can lead to an electric shock if accidentally touched, which can be harmful to health.Replacing LED light sources in such luminaires has therefore so far only been possible by qualified personnel.

[0006] Possibilities for the detachable fastening of an LED circuit board or an LED module to a carrier are described in EP 2 988 056 A1, DE 199 51 865 A1 and AT 11 164 U1, whereby the latter document uses metal clips which have two separate areas which are intended for fastening to the LED module on the one hand and to the carrier element of a supporting structure on the other.

[0007] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a novel solution that allows for the simple and reliable attachment of a lamp module to a support element of a luminaire. In particular, the solution should enable the corresponding lamp modules to be replaced easily and quickly as needed.

[0008] The object is achieved by a luminaire with at least one illuminant module having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] According to the invention, one or more specially designed so-called snap-in connection elements are provided on the lamp module. These snap-in connection elements are designed to enable releasable attachment to the support element of the luminaire, with the connection to the support element being made, in particular, without the use of tools, for example, by simply locking. For this purpose, the snap-in connection elements according to the invention each have a correspondingly designed locking area that interacts with a corresponding locking opening in the support element of the luminaire.

[0010] According to the present invention, a luminaire comprising a support element and at least one illuminant module for detachable arrangement on the support element is proposed, wherein the illuminant module has one or more snap-on connection elements, each of which has: • a first locking area which is designed to lock with the support element of the lamp, wherein the first locking area engages in a recess on the carrier element and has two locking arms arranged opposite one another, each of which is angled and has two inclined sections merging into one another, a second locking area which is designed to lock with a base area of the illuminant module, wherein the second locking area engages in an opening or recess on the bottom side of the lamp module and has two substantially straight, diverging locking arms, and • a central plate-shaped contact surface from which the first locking area and the second locking area extend in opposite directions.

[0011] The solution according to the invention allows for the very simple and quick attachment of light modules to a luminaire's support element, particularly without the need for tools. Even replacing a module later, for example, because it is defective or the luminaire's light emission characteristics need to be changed, is easy to perform.

[0012] According to the invention, the snap-in connection elements are designed such that they can be connected to the lamp module to be fastened without the need for tools, in particular can be locked into place therewith. For this purpose, the snap-in connection elements have a second locking area opposite the first locking area. In contrast to the first locking area, which is provided for connection to the support element of the luminaire, this second locking area is preferably designed such that the connection to the lamp module can no longer be easily removed. The two locking areas are therefore preferably designed differently to ensure that the snap-in connection element remains permanently attached to the lamp module.

[0013] A particularly preferred embodiment results when the snap connection element is attached to a circuit board of the lighting module and the circuit board is to be coupled to a flat heat sink at the same time. Such a structure is particularly necessary when the heat generated during operation of the lighting elements, in particular the LEDs, cannot be sufficiently dissipated via the surface of the circuit board alone. In this case, a sandwich structure is usually used in which a heat sink, for example a metal plate or the like with the same dimensions as the LED circuit board, is arranged flat on the back of the circuit board. Until now, it was common in this case to couple the circuit board and heat sink using separate connecting elements, in particular screw connections.

[0014] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, however, such additional measures can be dispensed with, since the snap-in connection elements simultaneously also create a coupling between the heat sink and the lamp carrier, i.e. the LED circuit board. In this case, the locking areas of the snap-in connection elements engage through a corresponding recess in both the heat sink and the lamp carrier and clamp both elements between the corresponding locking area and a flat contact area in such a way that a reliable connection and thus thermal coupling between the two elements is achieved. In this variant, the snap-in connection elements according to the invention therefore fulfill an additional function, so that the number of components required overall, on the one hand for mounting the lamp module and on the other hand for implementing the detachable connection to the carrier element of the luminaire, is reduced.

[0015] The snap-on connection elements are preferably plastic parts, which are manufactured in particular by injection molding.

[0016] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a luminaire in which several luminous module are to be detachably fastened by means of the solution according to the invention; Fig. 2 a view of a lamp module to be attached to the luminaire; Fig. 3 the view of a snap connection element according to the invention and Fig. 4 a sectional view of a lamp module fastened to the support element of the luminaire by means of the snap connection elements according to the invention.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a luminaire, generally designated by reference numeral 100, in which the solution according to the invention is to be used. The implementation of the detachable mounting according to the invention using the snap-on connection elements described in more detail below is not, however, limited to the specific luminaire shown, but can always be used when illuminant modules - in particular with LED-based light sources - are to be detachably attached to a support element of a luminaire. Fig. The luminaire 100 shown in Figure 1 is an elongated luminaire which, in the case shown, is designed as a pendant luminaire, i.e. it is intended to be suspended from a support element (not shown) by means of two cables 101 or rods.

[0018] The central element of the luminaire 100 according to the invention is an elongated support element 110, which is formed by a corresponding aluminum profile body. This support element 110 serves to hold all essential components of the luminaire 100, in particular the lamp or LED modules described in more detail below, as well as corresponding operating devices for operating the LEDs. While the LED modules are to be attached to the support element 110 from the underside, in particular in a receiving area with an approximately C-shaped cross-section and open towards the underside, the operating devices (not shown) are preferably arranged on the rear or top side of the support element 110. Furthermore, additional light sources (not shown here) can be arranged on the top side of the support element 110, with the aid of which indirect lighting can be realized.

[0019] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an LED module 50, as is preferably used in the luminaire according to Fig. 1 is used. The LED module 50 is approximately cuboid-shaped and is to be attached to the support element 110 from the underside and fastened there. As can be seen, the LED module 50 is significantly shorter than the support element 110. Although it preferably has a comparable width, it extends in the longitudinal direction of the luminaire 100 only over a fraction of the support element 110. In the luminaire 100 of Fig. 1, for example, approximately ten or fourteen such LED modules 15 are used, arranged one behind the other. In this respect, however, the invention is by no means limited to such a specific embodiment. For example, with the aid of the inventive solution, a single LED module, which represents the sole light source of a luminaire, could also be replaceably attached to a corresponding support.

[0020] As already mentioned, the LED module 50 is approximately cuboid-shaped. Its rear or bottom surface 51 is formed by a circuit board and a flat heat sink, which is thermally coupled to the circuit board and ensures improved dissipation of the heat generated during operation. Alternatively, the LED circuit board could also directly form the rear side 51 of the module 50.

[0021] Depending on how the light is to be emitted by the module 50, the LEDs are arranged in a matrix-like manner or distributed in some other way on the circuit board 51. An approximately pot-shaped cover 60, preferably made entirely of a transparent material, forms a housing together with the circuit board 51. In particular, the base surface 51 and the cover 60 enclose a cavity inside the module 50, in which the LEDs are arranged, and in which additional optical elements for influencing the light output can also be arranged. For example, the arrangement of a lens arrangement or a grid would be conceivable. It is important that the cover 60 simultaneously provides protection for the LEDs arranged inside, since it cannot be easily removed from the base side 51, thus preventing accidental contact with the LEDs.An electrical contact element (not shown) can also be provided on the rear of module 50, through which the power supply to the LEDs is provided. This must be coupled to a corresponding counterpart of the luminaire 100 to ensure the power supply to the LEDs.

[0022] The desired detachable fastening of the illuminant module 50 to the carrier element 110 is achieved according to the invention with the aid of two snap-on connection elements 10, which are arranged in Fig. 2 are shown in a state attached to the lamp module 50. Fig. 3, however, shows an isolated snap connection element 10 according to the invention.

[0023] These are plastic parts which are preferably manufactured cost-effectively using an injection molding process. In the present case, two snap-in connection elements 10 are provided on the rear side 51 of the lamp module 50. The number can, however, also be varied depending on the size and weight of the module 50. For example, it would also be conceivable to arrange a snap-in connection element 10 in each of the four corner areas of the lamp module 50, provided the module 50 has a higher weight. The number of snap-in connection elements 10 actually used is such that they are collectively capable of supporting at least five times the weight of the lamp module 50. This is necessary because, according to a standard, the connection means to the support element 110 of the luminaire 100 must be designed in such a way that the holding force corresponds to five times the weight of a module to be held. With appropriate design and / orThe number of snap-on connection elements 10 ensures that this standard is met and that no additional securing measures are required to hold the lamp modules 50.

[0024] As the view of Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the snap-in connection element 10 has a central, centrally arranged support plate 11, from which two locking areas 15 and 20 extend in opposite directions. A first locking area 15 is designed for the detachable connection to the support element 110, while the opposite locking area 20 enables the connection of the snap-in connection element 10 to the lighting module 50. This connection to the lighting module 50 is intended to be permanent, or such that once the snap-in connection element 10 has been snapped onto the lighting module 50, the connection can no longer be easily released. Accordingly, the two locking areas 15 and 20 are designed differently, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0025] As already mentioned, the locking area 15 serves to detachably connect to the carrier element 110. It is therefore intended to enable relatively simple snapping and subsequent release of the locking connection. For this purpose, it has two locking arms 16 arranged opposite one another, which are angled and accordingly each have two inclined areas 17 and 18 that merge into one another in an outer projection 19. The areas 17 thus form inclined contact surfaces that facilitate the snapping of the snap-connection element 10, and ultimately thus the lighting module 50, onto the carrier element 110. When attached from the underside, the narrower upper end area of the locking area 15 engages in a corresponding recess in the carrier element 110, whereby both arms 16 are then pushed slightly inward due to the inclined surfaces 17 until the outer projections 19 of the arms 16 engage behind the recess in the carrier element 110.At this point, both arms 16 snap outwards again and the locking with the support element 110 takes place.

[0026] Likewise, the slanted lower regions 18 of the locking arms 16 ensure that, when pulled, the arms 16 of the locking region 15 are deflected inward again, thus releasing the locking connection with the support element 110. As already mentioned, the design of the locking regions 15 and the number of snap-in connection elements 10 used are such that the holding force achieved in this way on the support element 110 corresponds to at least five times the weight of the lamp module 50 to be held. In this case, no additional measures are required to secure the lamp module 50 to the support element 110.

[0027] The opposite locking area 20, in turn, serves to arrange the snap-on connection element 10 on the lighting module 50. This locking area 20 also has two locking arms 21, which, however, are not designed for a detachable connection, but rather to ensure permanent locking with the lighting module 50. Accordingly, in contrast to the locking arms 16, the locking arms 21 are not angled but straight and extend diverging at an angle of approximately 30° from the narrower end area to the side. At their end, the arms 21 each have a step 22, which interacts with a corresponding edge of the LED board.

[0028] The alignment of the locking arms 21 in turn allows them to be inserted through a corresponding opening 52 or recess on the bottom side 51 of the lamp module 50 and are initially pushed inwards until the end regions of the arms 21 have passed the opening, such that the stepped regions 22 interact with the corresponding edges of the LED board 55 or the board engages in the step 22. This arrangement can be seen in the sectional view of Fig. 4, wherein it can be seen that the arms 21 have been pushed far enough into the interior of the lamp module 50 that the stepped regions 22 rest against the edges of the circuit board 55. At the same time, the plate-shaped contact region 11 presses against the bottom surface 51 of the lamp module 50 from the opposite side, so that the snap-in connection elements 10 are fixed to the lamp module 50. Since the plate-shaped region 11 obviously covers the corresponding recess 52 from the rear, there is no longer any access to the corresponding locking region 20 from this side, so that the locking connection between the snap-in connection element 10 and the lamp module 50 can only be released with difficulty or even not at all.

[0029] According to the presentation of Fig.4, it is provided that a sandwich structure is present on the bottom side 51 of the lighting module 50, consisting, on the one hand, of the circuit board 55 with the LEDs (not shown), and, on the other hand, of a metal plate 60 arranged on the back of the circuit board 55. This metal plate 60 serves as a flat heat sink to efficiently dissipate heat generated during operation of the LEDs to the back or to the support element 110 of the lamp 10. In this case, an efficient thermal coupling between the circuit board 55 and the heat sink 60 is required, which is made possible with the aid of the snap-on connection elements 10 according to the invention. These are dimensioned such that, when snapped on, both elements—circuit board 55 and heat sink 60—are pressed firmly together, thus creating the desired thermal coupling.The snap-on connection elements 10 not only enable a detachable arrangement of the lighting module 50 on the support element 110 but also facilitate the construction or assembly of the lighting modules 50, since no additional elements, in particular no screw connections or the like, are required for connecting the LED circuit board 55 and the heat sink 60. Of course, the snap-on connection elements 10 according to the invention can also be used when no such sandwich structure is present, but instead the LED circuit board 55 directly forms the base surface 51 of the lighting module 50.

[0030] With the aid of the solution according to the invention, a detachable fastening of lighting modules to a support element of a luminaire can be achieved in a very simple manner. The snap-on connection elements used here can be manufactured relatively easily and inexpensively and ideally fulfill additional tasks with regard to joining the individual elements of the lighting module. It should be noted that the solution according to the invention is not limited to the illustrated lighting modules but can be used wherever a corresponding module or LED board needs to be detachably fastened to a support element of a luminaire or to a luminaire housing.

Claims

[1] Luminaire (100) comprising a carrier element (110) and at least one illuminant module (50) for detachable arrangement on the carrier element (110), wherein the respective illuminant module (50) has one or more snap-on connection elements (10), each of which has: • a first locking region (15) which is designed to lock with the support element (110) of the lamp (100), wherein the first locking region (15) engages in a recess on the support element (110) and has two locking arms (16) arranged opposite one another, which are each angled and have two inclined sections (17, 18) which merge into one another, • a second latching region (20) which is designed to latch with a base region (51) of the respective illuminant module (50), wherein the second latching region (20) engages in an opening (52) or recess in the base region (51) of the respective illuminant module (50) and has two substantially straight, diverging latching arms (21), and • a central plate-shaped contact surface (11), from which the first locking area (15) and the second locking area (20) extend in opposite directions. [2] Luminaire according to claim 1, characterized by that the second latching area (20) engages behind a lamp carrier (55) of the respective lamp module (50), in particular an LED board. [3] Luminaire according to claim 2, characterized bythat the base region (51) of the respective illuminant module (50) is formed by the illuminant carrier (55) and a flat heat sink (60), wherein the illuminant carrier (55) and heat sink (60) are pressed together by the second latching region (20) of each of the one or more snap-in connection elements (10). [4] Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that each of the one or more snap-on connection elements (10) is a plastic part and is produced in particular by injection molding. [5] Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that several lighting modules (50) are arranged one behind the other on the carrier element (110).

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