System consisting of a release tool for the inner ring of an LED connection element and LED connection element

Abstract

Release tool for a connection element for arranging an LED on a counter bearing, - with a handle that allows the tool to be grasped by a person or device, - with a holding part arranged at the end of the handle, which forms a support surface for resting on the connecting element, - with at least two spreading pins which are arranged on the holding part substantially perpendicular to the support surface and spaced apart from each other, - with a lifting projection on each spreader pin, which originates from the spreader pin approximately parallel to the support surface.

Description

The invention relates to a system comprising a releasing tool for a connecting element for arranging an LED on a counter bearing and such a connecting element having the features of claim 1.The applicant has published with DE 20 2023 105 716 U1 an LED connection element which serves, on the one hand, for the mechanical mounting and, on the other hand, for the electrical contacting of an LED lighting means, consisting of a printed circuit board with an LED arranged thereon. This connection element comprises an outer ring which can be arranged on a counter bearing, in particular a cooling body, and which accommodates the printed circuit board in a frame and secures it against movement parallel to the surface of the cooling body or transversely to the light emission direction of the LED.After the circuit board has been inserted into the outer ring, an inner ring is inserted, which is anchored in the outer ring and overlaps the circuit board, leaving the LED free. The inner ring holds the printed circuit board between itself and the counter bearing and thus prevents the printed circuit board from being detached in the light emission direction or vertically to the arrangement surface of the cooling body for the printed circuit board.Even if LED lighting means have a long service life, exchangeability of the lighting means in the event of damage is desirable. For this purpose, a separation of the inner ring from the outer ring is necessary.It is therefore the object of the invention to make possible a simple dismantling of the inner ring of a connection element according to DE 20 2023 105 716 U1 or comparable connection elements.From the prior art according to DE 10 2014 003 109 A1, a tool for mounting ceiling lamps is known.DE 10 2022 100 405 A1 shows an insulating housing and a tool for actuating a cable connection device.A lamp with a specially designed base and a suitable releasing tool for the lamp is shown in CN 206 929 582 U.The object of the invention is also achieved in particular by a system comprising a release tool and a connection element for arranging an LED on a counter bearing, whereinthe counter bearing forms an arrangement surface for the connecting element,the connecting element comprises an outer ring having at least two locking springs, which are preferably diametrically opposite one another,an inner ring is arranged in the outer ring, which ring forms locking projections corresponding in position with the locking springs,the locking springs of the outer ring engage over the locking projections of the inner ring in order to mechanically anchor the inner ring in the outer ring,having an engagement opening on the upper side of the connection element facing away from the arrangement surface, which opening overlaps the mutual engagement region of the latching spring and the latching projection, wherein it is essential thatthe releasing tool can be placed on the upper side of the connecting element in the insertion direction,the expansion pins are arranged, when the release tool is seated on the connecting element, through the engagement opening between the latching spring and the latching projection,the lifting extensions engage the inner ring in an anchoring manner on the release tool.By placing the release tool in the insertion direction-opposite to the light outlet direction-the latching springs used for anchoring the inner ring in the outer ring are spread radially outwards, whereby the engagement of the latching spring and the associated latching projection is released. In this way, the basic requirement is created in order to remove the inner ring from the outer ring. Since the lifting extensions engage in an anchored manner on the inner ring, a mechanically retaining connection is produced between the inner ring and the release tool. If the release tool is now removed from the outer ring in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, i.e. in the light outlet direction of the LED, it carries the inner ring during this movement and removes it from the outer ring. The printed circuit board is now accessible and can be removed and exchanged in a simple manner.The release tool according to the invention thus ensures that the inner ring can be lifted out of the outer ring of the connection element in order to ensure replacement of the LED lighting means.Particularly preferred is an embodiment of the aforementioned system, in which the release tool is seated on the connection element rotatably in the locking direction, each spreading pin is manufactured undersize in its width measured in the locking direction compared to the width of the respective engagement opening measured in the locking direction, and each lifting extension protrudes from the associated spreading pin in the locking direction.In this special embodiment, the connection between the detent spring and the detent projection is released as mentioned above by the application of the release tool to the connection element in the insertion direction. By a slight rotation of the release tool in the locking direction, the lifting extensions engage on the inner ring and couple the inner ring and the release tool. If the release tool is now pulled off the connecting element counter to the insertion direction, the inner ring anchored to the release tool is lifted out of the outer ring.The invention then achieves the object by means of a method according to claim 3 using the aforementioned system of release tool and connection element. The method according to claim 3 is characterized in that a) the release tool is placed on the connecting element in the insertion direction, b) each expansion pin slides between the detent spring and the detent projection, c) each expansion pin releases the detent connection by expanding the detent spring, d) each lifting extension engages the inner ring and anchors the inner ring to the release tool, e) the release tool is removed from the connecting element counter to the insertion direction and releases the inner ring from the outer ring.The method can be supplemented in a preferred manner by rotating the release tool in the locking direction after method step c) and before method step d).The invention will now be explained on the basis of an exemplary embodiment, further features and advantages of the invention being laid down in the following description. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a system comprising a connection element and a release tool according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows the release tool shown in FIG. 1 in a side view, FIG. 3 shows a first view from above of the system shown in FIG. 1 comprising the release tool and the connection element with the release tool in a first locking position, FIG. 4 is a sectional view through the system shown in FIG. 3 along the section line A-A in FIG. 3 , FIG. 5 shows a second view from above of the system shown in FIG. 1 in a second locking position, FIG. 6 shows a sectional view through the system shown in FIG. 5 along section line B-B, FIG. 7 is a top view of the system according to the invention analogous to FIG. 5 , FIG. 8 shows a sectional illustration according to section line C-C in FIG. 7 with release tool before being placed on the connection element, FIG. 9 shows the sectional illustration according to FIG. 8 with the release tool placed on the connection element.In the figures, a system according to the invention comprising the release tool 50 and the connection element 10 is provided overall with the reference numeral 100.The system 100 according to the invention initially comprises a connection element 10 for arranging an LED lighting means 11 on a not-illustrated cooling body, which provides an arrangement surface for this purpose. The LED lighting means 11 is formed by a printed circuit board 12 on which an LED 13 and contact pads 14 for the electrical supply of the LED 13 are arranged.The connection element 10 initially comprises an outer ring 15, which is placed on the not shown arrangement surface of the likewise not shown cooling body and fastened there. The outer ring 15 forms a receiving frame 16, in which the printed circuit board 12 is inserted and by which the printed circuit board 12 is held in a positionally secure manner in the direction parallel to the arrangement surface.The outer ring 15 then carries detent springs 17, which engage over detent noses 18 of the inner ring 19 (see FIG. 8 ).The outer ring 15 is then provided with contact chambers 20 in which connection contacts for connection conductors are to be connected for establishing the electrical supply. The contact chambers 20 can be closed by covers 21 after insertion of the connection contacts.The connection element 10 also includes the inner ring 19, which, when the connection element 10 is assembled, is seated in a receiving space 22 of the outer ring 15 and engages over the printed circuit board 12. As a result, the printed circuit board 12 is secured against movement in the light emission direction L or vertically with respect to the arrangement surface of the heat sink, not shown. The LED 13 is arranged within a light outlet opening 23 of the inner ring 19.FIG. 1 then shows the release tool 50. the release tool 50 first comprises a handle 51 in the form of a handle 52. Alternatively, however, it is conceivable for the handle 51 to be designed as a coupling part for a machine which operates the release tool 50.At the end of the handle 51 facing the connection element 10 is a holding part 53 which is designed in the present case in the manner of a disk and whose underside U facing the connection element 10 serves as a bearing surface for bearing on the upper side of the connection element 10 exposed in the light emission direction L.Two diametrically opposite spreading pins 54 are arranged on the holding part 53 in the exemplary embodiment. These extend perpendicularly to the bearing surface of the release tool 50 in the direction of the connection element 10.FIG. 2 shows the release tool 50 in a side view. This view shows in particular that the spreading pins 54 arranged on the holding part 53 carry a lifting extension 55. The lifting projections 55 protrude from each spreading pin 54 approximately parallel to the underside U, that is to say to the parallel bearing surface of the holding part 53.If one considers FIG. 3 and assumes that a rotation of the release tool 50 about its axis A vertically traversing the handle 51 is required for removing the inner ring 19, both lifting extensions 55 point in the locking direction R.FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the assembled system 100, in which the release tool 50 rests on the connection element 10, more precisely on the inner ring 19. In this case, the spreading pins 54--which will be discussed in detail later--are pushed between the latching springs 17 and the latching noses 18, the latching springs 17 being spread radially outwards and their engagement in the latching noses 18 being released.As can be seen from FIG. 3, the width B of the expansion pins 54 measured in the locking direction R is less than the width W of engagement openings 24, also measured in the locking direction R. These engagement openings 24 span the region of the inner ring 19 and the outer ring 15 in which the latching springs 17 and the latching noses 18 abut each other and serve to push the expansion pins 54 between the latching springs 17 and the latching noses 18.The difference between the width B and the width W results in a movement space 56 which enables a rotation, i.e. a rotational movement of the release tool 50 about its longitudinal central axis A in the locking direction R or an opposite release direction.FIG. 6 shows a sectional representation through the system 100 according to section line A-A in FIG. 3, The position of the section allows the arrangement of the spreading pins 54 and in particular of the lifting extensions 55 arranged thereon to be represented in relation to the inner ring 19, which is only visible to a limited extent here on account of the position of the section.Although the coupling between the detent spring 17 and the detent nose 18 fixing the inner ring 19 is released in this position shown in FIG. 4, the lifting extensions 55 do not engage with the inner ring 19.The inner ring 19 can form a lifting recess 25, as shown in FIG. 4. However, it is equally conceivable for the lifting extensions 55 to be positioned relative to the inner ring 19 in such a way that they can engage under the underside thereof.FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the system 100 in analogy to FIG. 3 Upon a detailed consideration, it can be seen that the release tool 50 has been rotated about its vertical axis A in the locking direction R. This can be seen exclusively from the changed position of the movement spaces 56 next to the spreading pins 54.Turning now to FIG. 6, which is a cross-sectional view through the system 100 along line B-B of FIG. 5, and comparing it to FIG. 4, the following is seen:The lifting extension 55 is inserted into the lifting recess 25 by the rotation of the release tool 50 in the locking direction R and thus couples the release tool 50 to the inner ring 19. If the release tool 50 is now removed from the connecting element 10 in the light outlet direction L or along the axis A, the release tool 50 lifts the inner ring 19 out of the outer ring 15.FIG. 7 also shows a view comparable to FIG. 3 or FIG. 5 from above of the system 100 comprising the LED connection element 10 and the release tool 50.In FIG. 8, the release tool 50 is arranged above the connection element 10. The spreading pins 54 are aligned with the engagement openings 24. If the release tool 50 is now lowered counter to the light outlet direction L, i.e. in the insertion direction onto the connection element 10, the spreading pins 54 are inserted into the engagement openings 24. FIG. 8 also shows how the latching springs 17 overlap the latching noses 18 of the inner ring 19 in order to anchor it in the outer ring 15.FIG. 9 shows the sectional view according to section line C-C in FIG. 7 with the release tool 50 placed on the LED connection element 10; it can be seen from this drawing that the spreading pins 54 strike the latching springs 17 when they enter the engagement openings 24 and spread them radially outwards. In this way, the expansion pins 54 separate the latching springs 17 from the respectively associated latching nose 18, with the result that the anchoring of the inner ring 19 on the outer ring 15 is canceled. It is now easily apparent that after completion of the locking movement in the locking direction R of the release tool 50, as described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, simple removal of the inner ring 19 from the outer ring 15 is possible.If the inner ring 19 is detached from the outer ring 15, the LED lighting means 11 can be easily removed in the event of damage and replaced by an intact LED lighting means 11.Overall, the invention shows a release tool 50 for an LED connection element 10, a system 100 consisting of release tool 50 and LED connection element 10, and a method for separating inner ring 19 from outer ring 15 by a release tool 50, whereby a simple change of LED lighting means 11 is possible.List of reference characters100 System 10 Connection element 11 LED lighting means 12 Printed circuit board 13 LED 14 Contact pad 15 Outer ring 16 Receiving frame 17 Latching spring 18 Latching nose 19 Inner ring 20 Contact chamber 21 Cover 22 Receiving space 23 Light outlet opening 24 Engagement openings 25 Lifting recess 50 Release tool 51 Handle 52 Handle 53 Holding part 54 Spreading pins 55 Lifting extension 56 Movement space A Axis B Width L Light outlet direction R Latching direction U Underside W Width

Claims

System (100) comprising - a release tool for a connection element (10) for arranging an LED (13) on a counter bearing, - a handle (51) which allows the release tool (50) to be engaged by a person or a device, - a holding part (53) which is arranged on the end side of the handle (51) and forms a bearing surface for bearing on the connection element (10), - at least two expansion pins (54) which are arranged on the holding part (53) substantially perpendicular to the bearing surface and are spaced apart from one another, - a lifting extension (55) on each expansion pin (54) which leads from the respective expansion pin (54) approximately parallel to the bearing surface, and - a connection element (10) for arranging an LED (13) on a counter bearing, wherein - the counter bearing forms an arrangement surface for the connection element (10), the connecting element (10) comprises an outer ring (15) which has at least two latching springs (17) which are preferably diametrically opposite one another, - an inner ring (19) is arranged in the outer ring (15), said inner ring forming latching projections which correspond in position with the latching springs (17), - the latching springs (17) of the outer ring (15) engage over the latching projections of the inner ring (19) in order to mechanically anchor the inner ring (19) in the outer ring (15), - with engagement openings (24) on the upper side of the connecting element (10) which faces away from the arrangement surface and engage over the respective mutual engagement region of the latching springs (17) and latching projections, characterized in that - the release tool (50) can be placed on the upper side of the connecting element (10) in the insertion direction, the spreading pins (54) are arranged between the latching springs (17) and latching projections when the release tool (50) is seated on the connecting element (10) through the engagement openings (24), the lifting extensions (55) engage the inner ring (19) in an anchoring manner on the release tool (50).System (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that - the release tool (50) is seated on the connection element (10) such that it can rotate in a locking direction (R), - each spreading pin (54) is produced with undersize in its width (B) measured in the locking direction (R) compared with the width (W) of the respective engagement opening (24) measured in the locking direction (R), - each lifting extension (55) leads out of the associated spreading pin (54) in the locking direction (R).Method for releasing an inner ring (19) from an outer ring (15) in a connection element (10) for arranging an LED (13) on a counter bearing, having a system (100) according to Claim 2, characterized in that a) the release tool (50) is placed on the connection element (10) in an insertion direction, b) each expansion pin (54) slides between the respective latching spring (17) and the respective latching projection, c) each expansion pin (54) releases the latching connection by expanding the respective latching spring (17), d) each lifting extension (55) engages the inner ring (19) and anchors the inner ring (19) to the release tool (50), e) The release tool (50) is removed from the connection element (10) counter to the insertion direction and releases the inner ring (19) from the outer ring (15).Method according to Claim 3, characterized in that after method step c) and before method step d) the release tool (50) is rotated in the locking direction (R).

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