Tunnel light

Abstract

The invention relates to a tunnel luminaire comprising at least one luminaire housing for accommodating at least one luminaire or a lighting arrangement and a housing cover detachably connectable to the luminaire housing. The housing cover and the luminaire housing are connectable via at least one locking device that can be released without tools. The at least one locking device comprises at least one tension lock arranged on the housing cover and a lock holder arranged on the luminaire housing. The tension lock advantageously comprises a suspension section, and the housing cover comprises at least one lock receptacle for detachably and captively receiving the suspension section on the housing cover.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a tunnel light. State of the art

[0002] Tunnel luminaires for illuminating tunnel systems are well known. These are lighting devices used in traffic tunnels, such as road or motorway tunnels, to provide sufficient and safe illumination.

[0003] Such tunnel lights, which have at least one light source and other technical components, such as a light housing, electrical cables, fastening elements and the like, are generally exposed to extreme stresses caused by dirt, dust and moisture, for example by the volume of traffic or by the flow of traffic.

[0004] Conventional tunnel luminaires have, as shown by way of example in DE 20 2017 103 636 U1, a luminaire housing which can be fastened to the tunnel ceiling or the tunnel wall and which can be connected to a housing cover which is at least partially translucent and which can be detachably connected to the luminaire housing.

[0005] The housing cover of known tunnel lights can, for example, comprise a frame or cover frame in which a transparent glass or plastic cover is accommodated, wherein respective fastening devices are provided on the cover frame and the luminaire housing, by means of which the cover frame can be detachably fastened to the luminaire housing.

[0006] Quick-release fasteners or tension locks are known fastening devices for detachably attaching the housing cover to the luminaire housing. These are designed for tool-free connection and release. In conventional tunnel luminaires, the quick-release fasteners or tension locks are usually attached to the housing cover via riveted connections.

[0007] A disadvantage of conventional tunnel lighting is that the quick-release fasteners or tension fasteners often suffer from damage, as the riveted connections used to attach the quick-release fasteners to the housing cover cannot adequately and reliably withstand the environmental conditions in a traffic tunnel over a long period of time. Corrosion and wear caused by the humid and exhaust-laden atmosphere in the tunnel lead to cracks in the riveted connections or the quick-release fasteners breaking off in the area of ​​the riveted connections. Despite the state-of-the-art solutions, this remains a key goal for the further development of tunnel lighting. Description of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a tunnel luminaire that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, ensures a stable, solid, and reliable detachable connection between the housing cover and the luminaire housing, particularly over long periods of use or operation of the tunnel luminaire. This object is achieved according to the invention by the device according to independent claim 1. Further advantageous aspects, details, and embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0009] The present invention provides a tunnel luminaire comprising at least one luminaire housing for accommodating at least one luminaire or illuminant arrangement and a housing cover detachably connectable to the luminaire housing. The housing cover and the luminaire housing are connectable to one another via at least one locking device that can be released without tools, wherein the at least one locking device comprises at least one tension lock arranged on the housing cover and a lock holder arranged on the luminaire housing. The invention is characterized in particular in that the tension lock has a suspension section and the housing cover has at least one lock receptacle for detachably and captively receiving the suspension section on the housing cover.Preferably, the tension lock is suspended from the housing cover, preferably in such a way that the tension lock is pivotably mounted on the lock receptacle of the housing cover by means of the suspension section. Preferably, the tension lock is thus detachably mounted on the housing cover, thus preparing the cover for installation in the tunnel.

[0010] The suspension section and the closure receptacle are to be understood in this case as corresponding elements by means of which the captive, detachable and preferably pivotable fastening of the tension lock to the housing cover is realized.

[0011] In the present sense, the locking device is to be understood as a quick-release fastener which can be opened and closed manually, i.e. without the aid of a tool, and can be opened and closed repeatedly and as often as required, for example in order to carry out maintenance and / or cleaning work or in order to replace, maintain or repair the luminaire or light source, control units or similar components of the tunnel luminaire.

[0012] In particular, the locking device is a quick-release fastener, by means of which the housing cover and the luminaire housing can be clamped together in a particularly safe and solid manner or by means of which a secure clamping connection between the housing cover and the luminaire housing can be quickly and easily established.

[0013] The expression "the tension lock is suspended from the housing cover" is understood here to mean that the tension lock is attached to the housing cover, in particular without or without a rivet connection. The "suspended attachment" is thus particularly a non-rigid or movable attachment of the tension lock to the housing cover and can therefore also be understood as a "fastening with play," namely a fastening that allows for a certain, predetermined amount of play. The "suspended attachment" can also be referred to in this case as a suspension or bearing, or as a supporting or floating mount of the tension lock on the housing cover.

[0014] The suspended fastening of the tension lock to the housing cover provides particular advantages for the tunnel luminaire according to the invention, as this makes the locking device particularly solid, stable, and durable, offering greater durability and safety. This reliably ensures a secure, clamped connection between the housing cover and the luminaire housing, particularly over a long operating life of the tunnel luminaire, thereby improving longevity and safety and minimizing wear and tear.

[0015] Particularly advantageously, the tunnel light according to the invention can be dispensed with using a riveted joint to secure the tension lock. This reliably prevents and avoids known signs of wear that occur in connection with riveted joints in the vicinity of traffic tunnels due to the prevailing conditions there, such as humidity, exhaust gas pollution, etc. Such signs of wear that occur in known tunnel lights with riveted joints include, for example, dissolution and / or corrosion, as well as breakage of the riveted joints, which can be avoided with the tunnel light according to the invention, so that the closure device of the tunnel light according to the invention exhibits significantly reduced signs of wear.

[0016] Furthermore, the tunnel luminaire according to the invention offers particular advantages due to the suspended and thus non-rigid attachment of the tension lock to the housing cover, which allows for tolerance compensation. This allows, for example, temperature-related stresses in the housing cover or in the luminaire housing to be compensated, as well as stresses caused by dimensional inaccuracies or variably dimensioned seals. Breaking of the tension lock caused by tension forces is thus effectively prevented in the tunnel luminaire according to the invention.

[0017] The production of the tunnel light according to the invention is also simplified and cost-effective, since, for example, the process step for creating the riveted connection can be omitted in the manufacturing process, unlike conventional methods. Advantageously, the tension lock can be simply hooked into the lock receptacle with the greatest possible ease of use.

[0018] Particularly advantageous is the fact that the tension lock is captive and detachably attached to the housing cover. The captive lock prevents the tension lock from falling out or slipping out of the lock holder, so that the tension lock, while detachable, is always securely held to the housing cover, even when the cover is removed from the luminaire housing, for example, for maintenance or replacement. This makes it particularly user-friendly.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the housing cover has at least one cover frame for receiving a transparent cover plate, wherein the cover frame is made of metal, preferably steel or stainless steel. In these preferred embodiments, the cover frame has a corresponding central recess in which the cover plate, for example a glass plate, in particular a temperature-change-resistant safety glass pane, is received.

[0020] Particular advantages arise from having the bolt mount molded onto the housing cover or having the bolt mount welded to the housing cover. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the bolt mount to be attached in another way, for example, by screwing.

[0021] Most preferably, the closure receptacle is molded onto the cover frame of the housing cover and formed integrally with it. Advantageously, the closure receptacle can be easily manufactured and formed together with the cover frame during the manufacturing process of the cover frame, by bending and / or punching, thereby further simplifying production. The integral design of the closure receptacle with the cover frame also provides additional advantages in terms of stability and durability.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the closure receptacle is designed to be hook-shaped, at least in sections. For this purpose, the closure receptacle has a hook-shaped engagement end for engaging the hooking section of the tension lock. This allows for a simple yet secure "hooking" of the closure receptacle into the hooking section of the tension lock.

[0023] In this preferred embodiment, the hook-shaped engagement end of the closure receptacle advantageously has at least one first hook section and at least one second hook section adjoining the first hook section via a reversing section and extending substantially parallel to the first hook section. In this embodiment, the hook-shaped engagement end is configured as a substantially U-shaped hook, with the first and second hook sections forming respective leg sections and the reversing section forming the connecting web section, so that a receiving space for receiving the suspension section of the tension lock is formed between the hook sections.

[0024] The hook-shaped engagement end of the closure receptacle has at least one securing portion, wherein the securing portion is designed to secure the hook-shaped engagement end of the tension lock. This can, for example, ensure loss protection.

[0025] Preferably, the closure receptacle has, at its housing-cover-side end, a support portion connected to the housing cover or merging into the housing cover. Likewise, the closure receptacle is preferably designed as an angled element, wherein in this variant, the support portion is advantageously angled and, for example, forms an angle of approximately 90° or at least 90° with the first hook portion.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the suspension section of the tension lock is formed by a partially flat frame element with a recess for the engagement of the lock receptacle. The flat frame element can also be understood as a plate-shaped element with a central opening. The dimensions of the recess or opening are adapted to the geometry of the engagement end of the lock receptacle, so that the engagement end of the lock receptacle received in the recess is held in a supporting manner, but preferably is not rigidly fixed.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the housing cover is equipped with a circumferential single or double seal, in particular with a profile seal. The profile seal is preferably made of ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). Particularly in the case of a double seal, an inner seal is positioned higher.

[0028] The present tunnel light preferably features several, preferably four, locking devices, with two locking devices being arranged on each longitudinal side wall of the tunnel light. The locking devices are preferably designed as stainless steel safety quick-release fasteners, which results in particularly good durability, especially corrosion resistance.

[0029] The tunnel luminaire is advantageously designed as a linear luminaire.

[0030] Further developments, advantages, and possible applications of the invention will also become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. All described and / or illustrated features, individually or in any combination, are fundamentally part of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their reference back to them. Short description of the drawings

[0031] The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tunnel light according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the light housing and housing cover of a tunnel light in a separated state; Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of a section of a housing cover with a tension lock attached thereto; Fig. 4 is a highly simplified perspective view of a tension lock; Fig. 5a is a schematic side view of a section of an engagement end of the lock receptacle for hangingly fastening the tension lock; Fig. 5b is a highly simplified and roughly schematic view of a section of the engagement end of the lock receptacle in a side view; and Fig. 6 is a view of a section of the tunnel light with the locking device in the closed state. Ways to implement the invention

[0032] The Figure 1The tunnel light 1 shown as an example is essentially elongated and extends along a longitudinal axis LA of the tunnel light 1. The tunnel light 1 has a light housing 2 and a housing cover 3 which is detachably connectable or detachably connected to the light housing 2 and which, in the example shown, comprises a cover frame 3.1 made of stainless steel in which a transparent cover plate is received, which is formed, for example, by a temperature change-resistant safety glass pane. The housing cover 3 and the light housing 2 are in the Figure 2 shown in a separate state.

[0033] The essentially rectangular luminaire housing 2, which is also preferably made of metal, in particular steel or stainless steel, has two opposing longitudinal side walls 2a extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis LA and two likewise opposing short side walls or transverse side walls extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA and connecting the longitudinal side walls 2a. Welded fastening tabs or height-adjustable fastening brackets 19 are provided for mounting the tunnel luminaire 1 on a substructure provided on site in the tunnel.

[0034] In the example shown, the luminaire housing 2 and the cover frame 3.1 of the housing cover 3 are made of dimensionally stable, folded V4A stainless steel sheet, in particular of an austenitic, acid-resistant stainless steel of material number 1.4571 (AISI 316Ti) with high mechanical strength and corrosion resistance, and can additionally be pickled and passivated or electropolished.

[0035] The luminaire housing 2 of the tunnel luminaire 1 accommodates a luminaire or illuminant arrangement (not visible in the figures), the latter being formed, for example, by a plurality of illuminants in the form of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). For the supply connection or for the energy or power supply and / or control, cable glands or corresponding connection connections are mounted on one of the transverse sides of the luminaire housing 2, namely on the front side, as can be seen from the Figures 1 and 2 emerges.

[0036] The housing cover 3 and the luminaire housing 2 are connected via at least one - in the example of the Figures 1 and 2 can be connected via four locking devices 17 that can be released without tools or are releasably connected via the locking devices 17. The locking devices 17, which in the example shown are arranged in pairs on the longitudinal side walls 2a of the tunnel light 1, are designed as stainless steel safety quick-release fasteners and are also made of stainless steel with material number 1.4571.

[0037] Each of the locking devices 17 has a tension lock 4 arranged on the housing cover 3 and a locking holder 5 arranged on the luminaire housing 2, serving as a counter-holder, which cooperates with the tension lock 4. The tension lock 4 engages, via a connecting section preferably provided in the form of a hook, in the locking holder 5, which is designed, for example, as a bracket-like device and serves as a counter-holder. The interaction of the tension lock 4 and the locking holder 5 can also be understood in this case as a clamp-like or clamping interaction, so that the housing cover 3 and the luminaire housing 2 are clamped together or connected in a clamping manner by means of the locking devices 17.

[0038] In the use state of the tunnel light 1, that is to say when the housing cover 3 and the light housing 2 are clamped together or connected to one another by means of the locking devices 17, the interior of the tunnel light 1 is effectively shielded from the outside world and the lamps accommodated therein are protected, wherein in order to achieve a particularly high degree of protection, for example a so-called protection class IP66 (e.g. complete contact protection, dust-tight and protected against strong water jets up to 6 bar water pressure), a circumferential single or double seal, in particular a double seal designed as a profile seal, which is made for example from an ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), is provided in the cover frame 3.1.

[0039] In the present tunnel luminaire 1, each tension lock 4 of the locking devices 17 is attached in a hanging manner to the housing cover 3, whereby the locking devices 17 are advantageously given a particularly high resistance to mechanical and environmental stresses, so that the locking devices 17 are therefore particularly solid and durable and thus reliably ensure the secure clamping effect when connecting the housing cover 3 to the luminaire housing 2 over a long service life.

[0040] The suspended fastening of the tension lock 4 to the housing cover 3, which in the present case can also be understood as a non-rigid or non-rigid fastening or as a bearing or as a supporting or floating holder of the tension lock 4 on the housing cover 3, is realized in that, on the one hand, the tension lock 4 has a suspension section 7 and, on the other hand, a closure receptacle 9 is provided on the housing cover 3 for the suspended reception of the suspension section 7 of the tension lock 4.

[0041] The hanging fastening of the tension lock 4 on the housing cover 3 is described below using the Figures 3 to 6 described in more detail.

[0042] In the Figure 3 a section of a housing cover 3 with a clamping lock 4 attached to it is shown schematically in a side view. In Figure 4A tension lock 4 is shown in an isolated and simplified perspective view. Figures 5a and 5b again show an area of ​​a hook-shaped engagement end 9.1 of the closure receptacle 9 for hanging fastening of the tension lock 4 and finally in Figure 6 a view of a section of the tunnel light 1 with locking device 17 in the closed state is shown.

[0043] The tension lock 4 has a base body 6 comprising the suspension section 7, to which a pivoting body 8 is hinged or articulated. In the example shown in the figures, the suspension section 7 on the base body 6 of the tension lock 4 is formed by a flat, essentially plate- or plate-shaped frame element 15, which has a central recess 16 for engagement with the closure receptacle 9 arranged on the housing cover 3.

[0044] The central recess 16 in the frame element 15 of the suspension section 7, which can also be understood as a perforation or opening of the suspension section 7, is essentially rectangular, for example, and its shape and dimensions are matched to the geometry of the engagement end 9.1 of the closure receptacle 9. In the example shown, the central recess 16 has a dimension of approximately 10 mm along a longitudinal direction of the tension lock 4, namely in the direction of a base body axis GA. Transverse to the base body axis GA, the central recess 16 has a dimension of approximately 19 mm in the example shown.

[0045] In particular, a length of the recess 16 running transversely to the base body axis GA is matched to a width b of the engagement end 9.1 of the closure receptacle 9, wherein the length of the recess 16 is slightly greater than the width b of the engagement end 9.1 in such a way that the frame element 15 is received freely and not rigidly mounted in the recess 16.

[0046] In the suspended state - that is, in the state in which the tension lock 4 is suspended from the housing cover 3 - the hook-shaped engagement end 9.1 of the lock receptacle 9 engages in the central recess 16 of the suspension section 7 of the tension lock 4.

[0047] The closure receptacle 9, designed as an angle element in the example of the figures, is preferably formed integrally with the cover frame 3.1 of the housing cover 3 and molded onto the cover frame 3.1. The closure receptacle 9, provided integrally with the cover frame 3.1, is manufactured in particular together with the cover frame 3.1 by bending and / or stamping.

[0048] At its housing cover-side end opposite the hook-shaped engagement end 9.1, the closure receptacle 9 has a support section 10 connected to the housing cover 3 or merging therewith, which is angled in the illustrated examples. Adjoining the support section 10 is a first hook section 11, which in turn is connected to a second hook section 13 via a reversing section 12.

[0049] The hook sections 11, 13 connected via the reversing section 12 form a substantially U-shaped hook, wherein the first and second hook sections 11, 13 extend along a main axis AE of the engagement end 9.1 and run approximately parallel to one another, such that a receiving space 18 for receiving the plate-shaped frame element 15 of the suspension section 7 on the tension lock 4 is formed between the hook sections 11, 13. In the closed state of the tunnel light 1 (cf. Figure 6 ), the first hook section 11 is arranged directly adjacent to the longitudinal side wall 2a of the luminaire housing 2 and the second hook section 11 is facing away from the longitudinal side wall 2a of the luminaire housing 2.

[0050] The first hook section 11 connects to the support section 10, for example, at an angle β, wherein the angle β in the example of the figures is greater than 90° and in particular is approximately 92°. In the closed state of the tunnel light 1 (cf. Figure 6 ), the main axis AE of the engagement end 9.1, and thus also the first and second hook sections 11, 13, thus has a slight inclination of approximately 2° relative to an outer surface of the longitudinal side wall 2a of the luminaire housing 2.

[0051] At the free end of the second hook portion 13, a securing portion 14 is provided, by which the plate-shaped frame element 15 of the suspension portion 7, accommodated in the receiving space 18, is secured against slipping or falling out. The tension lock 4 is thus secured to the housing cover 3 in a captive manner. List of reference symbols

[0052] 1Tunnel light 2Luminaire housing 2aLong side wall 3Housing cover 3.1Cover frame 4Tension lock 5Lock holder, counterholder 6Base body 7Hanging section 8Pivoting body 9Lock receptacle 9.1Engaging end 10Support section 11First hook section 12Reversing section 13Second hook section 14Securing section 15Frame element 16Recess 17Locking device 18Receiving space 19Mounting bracket AEMain axis of the engagement end bWidth of the engagement end GAMain body axis LALongitudinal axis β angle

Claims

1. Tunnel light (1) comprising at least one light housing (2) for accommodating at least one light or a lighting arrangement and a housing cover (3) which can be detachably connected to the light housing (2), wherein the housing cover (3) and the light housing (2) can be connected via at least one locking device (17) which can be detachably removed without tools, wherein the at least one locking device (17) has at least one tension lock (4) arranged on the housing cover (3) and a locking holder (5) arranged on the light housing (2), characterized in that the tension lock (4) has a suspension section (7) and the housing cover (3) has at least one lock receptacle (9) for the releasable, captive reception of the suspension section (7) on the housing cover (3).

2. Tunnel light (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tension lock (4) is attached to the housing cover (3).

3. Tunnel light (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tension lock (4) is pivotably mounted on the lock receptacle (9) of the housing cover (3) by means of the suspension section (7).

4. Tunnel light (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing cover (3) has at least one cover frame (3.1) for receiving a transparent cover plate, wherein the cover frame (3.1) is made of metal, preferably of steel or stainless steel.

5. Tunnel light (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure receptacle (9) is molded or welded onto the housing cover (3).

6. Tunnel light (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the closure receptacle (9) is formed integrally with the cover frame (3.1) of the housing cover (3), wherein the closure receptacle (9) provided integrally with the cover frame (3.1) is preferably manufactured by bending and / or punching.

7. Tunnel light (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure receptacle (9) is at least partially hook-shaped.

8. Tunnel light (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the closure receptacle (9) has a hook-shaped engagement end (9.1) for engagement in the suspension section (7) of the tension lock (4).

9. Tunnel light (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the hook-shaped engagement end (9.1) of the closure receptacle (9) has at least one first hook section (11) and at least one second hook section (13) adjoining the first hook section (11) via a reversing section (12) and running substantially parallel to the first hook section (11).

10. Tunnel light (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe hook-shaped engagement end (9.1) of the closure receptacle (9) has at least one securing section (14), wherein the securing section (14) is designed to secure the suspension section (7) of the tension lock (4) received in the hook-shaped engagement end (9.1).

11. Tunnel light (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure receptacle (9) has, at its housing cover-side end, a support section (10) connected to the housing cover (3) or merging into the housing cover (3) and / or that the closure receptacle (9) has an angular cross-section.

12. Tunnel light (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe suspension section (7) of the tension lock (4) is formed by a partially flat frame element (15) with a recess (16) for receiving the lock receptacle (9) and / or that the housing cover (3) is equipped with a circumferential single or double seal, in particular with a profile seal, wherein the profile seal is preferably made of an ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM).

13. Tunnel light (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several, preferably four closure devices (17) are provided, wherein in particular two closure devices (17) are arranged on respective longitudinal side walls (2a) of the tunnel light (1).

14. Tunnel light (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking devices (17) are designed as stainless steel safety quick-release fasteners.

15. Tunnel light (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tunnel luminaire (1) is designed as a linear luminaire.

Images