Headlight with locking element

Abstract

headlights (1) • a base part (2) designed to be placed on a surface and / or to be attached to a counter-attachment part, • a head part (3) attached to the base part (2) designed to emit light, wherein the head part (3) is designed to be rotatable relative to the base part (2) about at least one axis of rotation (100, 200) in order to change an output direction of the light, • at least one drive device (4, 5) designed to rotate the head part (3) about the at least one axis of rotation (100, 200), • a control unit (10) configured to receive a control signal for the at least one drive device (4, 5) and to control the at least one drive device (4, 5) according to the received control signal, and • at least one locking element (6, 7) which is movable between a first position in which rotation of the head part (3) relative to the base part (2) about at least one axis of rotation (100, 200) is blocked, and a second position in which rotation of the head part (3) relative to the base part (2) about the at least one axis of rotation (100, 200) is released, • wherein the locking element (6, 7) has an operating handle (8, 9) for manually moving the locking element (6, 7) between the first position and the second position by a user and an actuator (11, 12) which is designed to move the locking element (6, 7) in at least one direction between the first position and the second position, and • wherein the control unit (10) is further configured to receive a control signal for the actuator (11, 12) and to control the actuator (11, 12) in accordance with the received control signal.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a headlight. The headlight has a locking element that can be moved manually on one side and via an actuator on the other.

[0002] Moving-head spotlights are well-known in the art. In event technology, for example, moving-head spotlights with pan / tilt movement capabilities are used. When the spotlights are in use, they are controlled via a central controller, e.g., using a DMX protocol, to adjust the pan / tilt alignment. When the spotlights are not in use, a transport lock is usually manually activated to prevent unwanted pan / tilt movements.

[0003] If you forget to release the transport lock, the spotlight will not be able to perform the desired movements during use. Depending on the installation location or where the spotlight is used, it may be difficult to access, for example, if it is mounted on a truss above a stage. This makes it considerably more difficult to subsequently release the transport lock.

[0004] If, however, an automatic brake is used, such as a spring-loaded brake, the spotlight can move reliably because the brake is automatically released and then re-engaged when the spotlight is activated. However, this has the disadvantage that once the spotlight is disconnected from the power supply or central control, it is no longer possible to adjust its alignment. If the spotlight is locked in an incorrect or unsuitable orientation for a transport box, the spotlight must first be reconnected to the power supply or control system in order to return it to the desired orientation. This leads to increased disassembly work when dismantling event equipment.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a head-moving headlight which can be locked and / or unlocked easily and reliably while being simple and cost-effective to manufacture and assemble.

[0006] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. The subclaims contain preferred developments of the invention.

[0007] The spotlight has a base part and a head part. The base part is designed for placement on a surface and / or for attachment to a counter-mounting part. In particular, the base part can have feet made, for example, of plastic or a rubber material. This allows the spotlight to be placed at a desired location. Alternatively or additionally, mounting receptacles are preferably provided on the base part for suspending the spotlight from a counter-mounting part, for example, on a crossbeam. It is provided that the base part is stationary and the head part can be moved relative to the base part.

[0008] The head part is attached to the base part. Furthermore, the head part is configured to emit light. In particular, a light source and / or an optical system is present in the head part. The head part is configured to be rotatable relative to the base part about at least one rotation axis in order to change the direction of the light output.

[0009] The spotlight has at least one drive device and a control unit. The drive device is designed to rotate the head part about the at least one axis of rotation. In particular, the spotlight can be controlled thereby to achieve a desired output direction of the light by appropriately aligning the head part. The control unit is designed to receive a control signal for the at least one drive device. For example, the control unit can have a DMX interface (Digital Multiplex Interface) or RDM interface (Remote Device Management Interface) to receive and / or output data. Furthermore, the control unit is designed to control the at least one drive device according to the received control signal.

[0010] In addition, the headlight has at least one locking element that is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, rotation of the head part relative to the base part about at least one axis of rotation is blocked. In the second position, rotation of the head part relative to the base part about the at least one axis of rotation is permitted. Blocking by the locking element is possible, in particular, only in predefined relative orientations of the base part and head part; in particular, continuous blocking of any relative orientation of the base part and head part is not provided. The locking element has an operating handle for manual movement of the locking element between the first position and the second position by a user. In addition, the locking element has an actuator that is designed to move the locking element in at least one direction between the first position and the second position.The control unit is designed to receive a control signal for the actuator and to control the actuator according to the received control signal.

[0011] The locking element can therefore be operated manually. In particular, a conventional transport lock is achieved in this way. In addition, the locking element can also be moved remotely, at least in one direction. In other words, at least the movement from the first position to the second position or the movement from the second position to the first position is possible using the actuator. This offers the advantage, for example, of forgetting to release the transport lock by subsequently controlling the headlight by moving the locking element using the actuator. Since the locking element can still be moved manually, there is no risk of forgetting to control the headlight to activate the transport lock, since this can also be done manually when the headlight is removed.The ability to control the headlight to move the locking element also allows for automated functional testing, eliminating the need to move the locking element manually.

[0012] The combination of control handle and actuator allows for flexible handling of the headlight and optimized, simplified operation. The headlight remains simple and cost-effective, and in particular, it dispenses with complex, stepless locking devices or automatic brakes.

[0013] The headlight preferably comprises an intermediate element. The head part is attached to the intermediate element for rotation about a first axis of rotation. The intermediate element is attached to the base part for rotation about a second axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are not parallel, but are preferably oriented perpendicular to one another. The intermediate element is, in particular, a yoke. The intermediate element preferably allows relative rotation between the base part and the head part about two axes of rotation independent of one another. The intermediate element and base part, as well as the intermediate element and head part, are each attached to one another, in particular, by means of pivot bearings.

[0014] Particularly advantageously, the headlight comprises a first drive device for rotating the head section about the first axis of rotation relative to the intermediate element and base part. Furthermore, the headlight particularly advantageously comprises a second drive device for rotating the head section and intermediate element together about the second axis of rotation relative to the base part. The two drive devices can be used to control rotation about the respective axis of rotation independently of one another.

[0015] In addition, the headlight particularly preferably has a first locking element for blocking and releasing rotation of the head part about the first axis of rotation relative to the intermediate element and base part. The headlight particularly preferably has a second locking element for blocking and releasing rotation of the head part and intermediate element about the second axis of rotation together relative to the base part. The first locking element advantageously has a first operating handle and a first actuator. The second locking element advantageously has a second operating handle and a second actuator. This makes it possible, in particular, to block and release rotations about the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation independently of one another. The locking elements for the respective axis of rotation each have the advantages described above, which result in particular from the combination of operating handle and actuator.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the headlight has at least one sensor element. The sensor element serves to detect the position of the locking element and to output information about the position of the locking element to the control unit. Preferably, a sensor element is present for each locking element present. The sensor element can be integrated into the actuator, or the actuator can also act as a sensor element. This makes it possible to output feedback to a central control unit regarding the position of the locking element. This facilitates the operation or control of the headlight by a user.

[0017] The actuator is advantageously designed for bidirectional movement of the locking element between the first and second positions. This means that the actuator can move the locking element into both the first and second positions. Thus, rotation about the rotation axis can be both blocked and released by controlling the actuator. This allows for flexible and easy operation of the headlight.

[0018] The actuator is preferably a solenoid, particularly a bistable solenoid. A solenoid is simple and cost-effective and allows for reliable movement of the locking element. Furthermore, the solenoid can be controlled easily and reliably.

[0019] The locking element is particularly designed to block the rotation of the head section relative to the base section about the at least one rotation axis in the first position by means of a positive locking mechanism. This positive locking mechanism reliably prevents further relative movement between the head section and the base section. This ensures optimal transport security.

[0020] The locking element is preferably a slide element or a lever element. The slide element is in particular mounted so as to be translationally movable and can be moved translationally between the first position and the second position. The lever element is in particular rotatably mounted on a lever pivot point and can be moved between the first position and the second position by rotation about the lever pivot point. In the first position, the slide element is preferably designed to engage in a recess of a counter-element in order to block the rotation of the head part relative to the base part about the at least one axis of rotation by means of a positive fit. This results in a simple and cost-effective design. The blocking of rotation about the axis of rotation occurs in predefined alignments of the head part and base part to one another and cannot occur continuously or for any arbitrary relative alignment.The form closure, however, provides a reliable blocking effect.

[0021] The drive device is preferably a belt drive. The counter element is preferably a pulley. This allows for simple integration of the locking element and the blocking effect of the locking element into the drive device.

[0022] Further details, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a headlight according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic detailed view of the headlight according to the embodiment of the invention, Fig. 3 a further schematic view of the headlight according to the embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 4 a further schematic detailed view of the headlight according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Fig. 1 schematically shows a spotlight 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The spotlight 1 comprises a base part 2, a head part 3, and an intermediate part 13. The base part 2 is designed to be placed on a surface and / or to be attached to a counter-mounting part, for example, to a crossbeam or the like. The base part 2 is, in particular, stationary. The head part 3 and the intermediate part 13 are designed to be movable relative to the base part 2.

[0024] The head part 3 is attached to the base part 2 via the intermediate part 13. The attachment is effected via pivot bearings, so that the intermediate element 13 is attached to the head part 3 about a first rotation axis 100, and the intermediate element 13 is attached to the base part 2 about a second rotation axis 200.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the first axis of rotation 100 and the second axis of rotation 200 are oriented perpendicular to each other, or alternatively, at least not parallel. Thus, the axes of rotation 100, 200 allow for setting different orientations for emitting light in different directions. Rotation about the first axis of rotation 100 allows a tilt movement in the illustrated embodiment, while rotation about the second axis of rotation 200 allows a pan movement in the illustrated embodiment.

[0026] The head part 3, which is attached to the base part 2, is designed to emit light. In particular, the head part 3 has a light source (not shown) and an optical system (not shown) so that light can be emitted with a desired focus. The head part 3 is designed to be rotatable relative to the base part 2 about the rotation axes 100, 200 in order to change the output direction of the light.

[0027] In the embodiment shown, the headlight 1 has a drive device 4, 5 for each axis of rotation 100, 200, thus a first drive device 4 and a second drive device 5 (cf. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4). The drive devices 4, 5 are designed to rotate the head part 3 about the respective rotational axis 100, 200. The first drive device 4 is provided for rotating the head part 3 about the first rotational axis 100 relative to the intermediate element 13 and base part 2. The second drive device 5 is as described later with reference to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is provided for the joint rotation of the head part 3 and the intermediate element 13 about the second axis of rotation 200 relative to the base part 2.

[0028] The headlight 1 also has a control unit 10 which is Fig. 1 is schematically shown as a circuit board. The control unit 10 is designed to receive a respective control signal for the drive devices 4, 5 and to control the drive devices 4, 5 according to the received control signal. The control signals can be received, for example, within the framework of a DMX protocol, so that the control unit 10 particularly advantageously enables the integration of the spotlight into a higher-level control system via DMX. Likewise, the control unit 10 can be designed, for example, to communicate with a higher-level control unit via RDM.

[0029] The headlight 1 further comprises a first locking element 6. The first locking element 6 is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first locking element 6 is designed to block rotation of the head part 3 relative to the base part 2 and to the intermediate element 13 about the first axis of rotation 100. In the second position, said rotation of the head part 3 relative to the base part 2 and the intermediate element 13 about the first axis of rotation 100, 200 is released by the locking element 6. Thus, the first locking element 6 serves to block and release rotation of the head part 3 about the first axis of rotation 100 relative to the intermediate element 13 and the base part 2. Switching between blocking and releasing occurs by moving the first locking element 6 between the first position and the second position.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of the first locking element 6. The first locking element 6 is provided as a slide element and is designed to block the rotation of the head part 3 relative to the intermediate element 13 and the base part 2 about the first axis of rotation 100 by means of a positive connection in the first position. This is achieved in that the first drive device 4 has a belt drive. A pulley of the belt drive serves as a counter element 15a for the positive connection with the first locking element 6. This in particular determines the mobility between the head part 3 and the intermediate element 13 about the first axis of rotation 100. Since the intermediate element 13 and the base part 2 are not designed to be movable relative to one another about the first axis of rotation, a locking between the head part 3 and the base part 2 with respect to the first axis of rotation 100 is also achieved.

[0031] The pulley, as a counter element 15a, has a plurality of recesses 14a. In the first position, the first locking element 6 can engage in one of the recesses 14a of the counter element 15a to block the relative rotation about the first rotation axis 100 by positive locking. Thus, a blocking in predefined relative orientations of the head part 3 and base part 2 or intermediate element 13 about the first rotation axis 100 is necessary to transfer the first locking element 6 into the first position and to achieve a blocking.

[0032] As a sliding element, the first locking element 6 moves translationally between the first position and the second position. In order to move the first locking element 6 between the first position and the second position, the first locking element 6 has a first operating handle 8 and a first actuator 11. The first operating handle 8 is used for the manual movement of the first locking element 6 between the first position and the second position by a user. The first actuator 11 is used for the controlled movement of the first locking element 6 between the first position and the second position. For this purpose, the control unit 10 is designed to receive a control signal for the first actuator 11. Furthermore, the control unit 10 is designed to control the first actuator 11 according to the received control signal.

[0033] The first locking element 6 can be moved by the first actuator 11 only in one direction, i.e., either only into the first position or only into the second position. Preferably, the first actuator 11 is designed for bidirectional movement of the first locking element 6 between the first position and the second position. The first actuator 11 is, for example, a bistable solenoid. In the illustrated embodiment, the first actuator 11 is connected to the remaining first locking element 6 via a first piston rod 11a.

[0034] Fig. 3 schematically shows another view of the headlight 1. This schematically shows the relative mobility of the intermediate element 13 and the head part 3 (not shown) relative to the base part 2 by rotation about the second axis of rotation. Fig. 4 shows a detailed view.

[0035] The headlight has a second locking element 7 for blocking and releasing a joint rotation of the intermediate element 13 and the head part 3 about the second axis of rotation 200 relative to the base part 2. The second locking element 7 is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a rotation of the intermediate element 13 relative to the base part 2 about the second axis of rotation 200 is blocked. In the second position, the rotation of the head part 3 relative to the base part 2 about the second axis of rotation 200 is released. Since the intermediate element 13 is not rotatable relative to the head part 3 about the second axis of rotation 200, the blocking and releasing of the mobility between the base part 2 and the intermediate element 13 with respect to the second axis of rotation 200 also affects the relative mobility between the base part 2 and the head part 3 about the second axis of rotation.

[0036] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second locking element 7 is designed, for example, as a rotary lever that can be rotated about a lever pivot point 7a. The second locking element 7 has a second operating handle 9 for manually moving the second locking element 7 between the first position and the second position by a user. Furthermore, the second locking element 7 has a second actuator 12 designed to move the second locking element 7 between the first position and the second position. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the operating handle 9 and the second actuator 12 are arranged on different sides of the lever pivot point 7a, although alternative arrangements are also possible.

[0037] The second drive device 5 is also designed as a belt drive and, analogous to the first drive device 4, has a belt pulley which serves as a counter-element 15b for the second locking element 7 and has a plurality of recesses 14b. The interaction of the second locking element 7 and counter-element 15b or the corresponding recesses 14b is analogous to the previously described first locking element 6 and counter-element 15a. The second actuator 12 is preferably designed analogously to the first actuator 11, i.e. the above description of the first actuator 11 also applies to the second actuator 12. The control unit 10 is also designed to receive a control signal for the second actuator 12 and to control the second actuator 12 in accordance with the received control signal.

[0038] The first locking element 6 and the second locking element 7 can thus be moved by means of the respective actuators 11, 12, so that this can be controlled by a higher-level controller. For example, a spotlight 1 in which one of the locking elements 6, 7 has inadvertently remained in the first position, i.e., in the blocking position, can always be controlled from a control center during use in order to move the corresponding locking element 6, 7 into the second position. No user access to the spotlight 1 is necessary, which considerably simplifies the movement of the locking elements 6, 7, particularly in the case of spotlights 1 that are difficult to access, such as on a truss above a stage.

[0039] Manual movement of the locking elements 6, 7 is also possible using the respective operating handles 8, 9. This is particularly advantageous when switching the locking elements 6, 7 between the first position and the second position is necessary while the headlight 1 is not connected to a power supply and / or a control system.

[0040] In an advantageous development, the headlight 1 can also have at least one sensor element for detecting the position of the respective locking element 6, 7. Preferably, a separate sensor element is provided for each locking element 6, 7. The respective actuator 11, 12 can, for example, have this sensor element or act as a sensor element itself. The information about the position detected by the sensor element can then be output to the control unit 10, for example, to communicate this to the higher-level control system.

[0041] In addition to the above written description of the invention, reference is hereby explicitly made to the graphic representation of the invention in the figures for its supplementary disclosure. List of reference symbols 1 headlight 2 Base part 3 headboard 4 first drive device / first belt drive 5 second drive device / second belt drive 6 first locking element 7 second locking element 7a Lever pivot point 8 first operating handle 9 second operating handle 10 Control unit 11 first actor 11a first piston rod 12 second actuator 12a second piston rod 13 Intermediate element 14a, 14b recess 15a, 15b Counter element / pulley 100 first axis of rotation 200 second axis of rotation

Claims

[1] headlights (1) having • a base part (2) designed to be placed on a surface and / or to be attached to a counter-attachment part, • a head part (3) attached to the base part (2) designed to emit light, wherein the head part (3) is designed to be rotatable relative to the base part (2) about at least one axis of rotation (100, 200) in order to change an output direction of the light, • at least one drive device (4, 5) designed to rotate the head part (3) about the at least one axis of rotation (100, 200), • a control unit (10) configured to receive a control signal for the at least one drive device (4, 5) and to control the at least one drive device (4, 5) according to the received control signal, and • at least one locking element (6, 7) which is movable between a first position in which rotation of the head part (3) relative to the base part (2) about at least one axis of rotation (100, 200) is blocked, and a second position in which rotation of the head part (3) relative to the base part (2) about the at least one axis of rotation (100, 200) is released, • wherein the locking element (6, 7) has an operating handle (8, 9) for manually moving the locking element (6, 7) between the first position and the second position by a user and an actuator (11, 12) which is designed to move the locking element (6, 7) in at least one direction between the first position and the second position, and • wherein the control unit (10) is further configured to receive a control signal for the actuator (11, 12) and to control the actuator (11, 12) in accordance with the received control signal. [2] Headlight (1) according to claim 1, characterized byan intermediate element (13), wherein the head part (3) is fastened to the intermediate element (13) so as to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation (100) and wherein the intermediate element (13) is fastened to the base part (2) so as to be rotatable about a second axis of rotation (200), wherein the first axis of rotation (100) and the second axis of rotation (200) are not oriented parallel, preferably perpendicular to one another. [3] Headlight (1) according to claim 2, characterized by a first drive device (4) for rotating the head part (3) about the first axis of rotation (100) relative to the intermediate element (13) and base part (2) and a second drive device (5) for rotating the intermediate element (13) and head part (3) about the second axis of rotation (200) relative to the base part (2). [4] Headlight (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized bya first locking element (6) for blocking and releasing a rotation of the head part (3) about the first axis of rotation (100) relative to the intermediate element (13) and base part (2) and a second locking element (7) for blocking and releasing a rotation of the intermediate element (13) and head part (3) about the second axis of rotation (200) relative to the base part (2), wherein the first locking element (6) preferably has a first operating handle (8) and a first actuator (11) and wherein the second locking element (7) preferably has a second operating handle (9) and a second actuator (12). [5] Headlight (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a sensor element for detecting the position of the locking element (6, 7) and for outputting information about the position to the control unit (10). [6] Headlight (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the actuator (11, 12) is designed to move the locking element (6, 7) bidirectionally between the first position and the second position. [7] Headlight (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuator (11, 12) is a lifting magnet, in particular a bistable lifting magnet. [8] Headlight (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking element (6, 7) is designed to block the rotation of the head part (3) relative to the base part (2) about the at least one axis of rotation (100, 200) by positive locking in the first position. [9] Headlight (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the locking element (6, 7) is a slide element or a lever element which, in the first position, is designed to engage in a recess (14a, 14b) of a counter-element (15a, 15b) in order to block the rotation of the head part (3) relative to the base part (2) about the at least one axis of rotation (100, 200) by positive locking. [10] Headlight (1) according to claim 9, characterized by that the drive device (4, 5) is a belt drive and the counter element (15a, 15b) is a pulley.

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