Luminaire comprising a lens or cover arranged on a housing

Abstract

The invention relates to a luminaire (100) comprising a housing (60) having a receiving opening (31) for accommodating at least part of a lens (40) or cover (70, 80). A circumferential seal in the form of an O-ring (5) is arranged on the outer periphery of the lens (40) or cover (70, 80), which seal rolls from a first peripheral groove (51) or constriction over an over-centre point (55) into a second peripheral groove (52) or constriction when the lens (40) or cover (70, 80) is inserted into a receiving region (30) of the housing (60).

Description

[0001] Luminaire with a lens or cover arranged on a housing

[0002] The present invention relates to a luminaire having at least one lens or cover arranged on a housing of the luminaire or a housing part of the luminaire. In particular, the invention relates to an escape luminaire having a lamp and an emergency light lens designed to direct the light emitted by the lamp into a specific area to illuminate an escape route. A particularly preferred application of the invention is a so-called escape sign luminaire, which additionally also has an escape route lighting function.

[0003] Reliable escape route lighting plays a central role in building safety concepts, as such lighting is essential for ensuring safe evacuation in an emergency. Clear lighting facilitates orientation and allows people to quickly and safely find the shortest route to the exits, even in the event of a power outage or smoke development. Therefore, appropriate escape route lighting is often combined with a graphic display of the direction of an escape route, which is why this type of escape route lighting is particularly used in so-called escape sign luminaires.

[0004] Lighting directed in a specific direction is usually achieved using specially designed lenses that specifically redirect the light from an associated light source in a specific direction. The emergency light lens is mounted on or in the wall of a corresponding luminaire housing and aligned so that the light generated by the light source arranged in the luminaire housing is emitted in the desired direction. Since, depending on the application and installation situation, the emergency light lens must be aligned in a specific direction, it is often designed so that it can be rotated in the desired direction while still attached to the housing.

[0005] A luminaire with such an emergency light lens is known from the prior art, which is accommodated with its light coupling area in a receiving opening in a luminaire housing, wherein a light source which is assigned to the emergency light lens is then positioned within the housing. In this case, the emergency light lens is held in place on the luminaire housing by means of locking elements, wherein a flange-like section of the lens is in contact with the luminaire housing from the outside. A ring-like sealing element is often provided between the luminaire housing and the flange-like section of the emergency light lens, wherein due to the locked holder of the emergency light lens with the housing, the lens is pressed towards the sealing element, so that a simple seal is created between the luminaire housing and the emergency light lens.In particular, this can prevent spray water hitting the outside of the luminaire and thus the emergency light lens from penetrating the luminaire housing.

[0006] This known implementation thus makes it possible to protect the emergency light from the ingress of splash water to a certain extent. However, it has been found that the prior art solution only inadequately protects the light from an oblique or horizontal water jet, as the contact pressure of the emergency light lens and the sealing element is not sufficiently great to prevent water from penetrating. This is particularly relevant with regard to the desired improved IP rating of the light, as a higher IP rating corresponds to a better sealed light, allowing for more versatile and flexible use.

[0007] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a novel solution that enables a lens to be reliably and sealed within the housing wall of a luminaire. Particularly preferred is an escape luminaire with improved protection against moisture ingress, while still maintaining the aforementioned adjustability of the emergency light lens, allowing escape routes to be reliably illuminated regardless of the specific mounting situation of the luminaire.

[0008] According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a luminaire having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] According to the present invention, an O-ring is used to seal the luminaire housing with regard to the lens. The sealing situation provided for this purpose is designed in such a way that when the lens is inserted or pressed into a corresponding receptacle in the housing or housing element, the O-ring rolls over a dead center on the outer circumference of the lens body and then clamps the lens in the receptacle to prevent it from falling out. In this case, to insert the lens, the O-ring must first be placed in an initial position on the lens before the dead center. Due to the design of the lens, the O-ring then rolls into the desired mounting position when the lens is inserted into the housing or housing element. The lens then remains in the housing solely due to the frictional force of the squeezed O-ring. However, it can still be rotated with a certain amount of force, so that - if desired - the light output can be adjusted, for example.B. for escape route lighting, can be directed in a desired direction.

[0010] Furthermore, it is still possible to replace the lens, whereby when removed from the housing or housing element, the O-ring rolls over the dead center and returns to its original position.

[0011] Furthermore, the inventive concept is not limited to the detachable arrangement of lenses on a luminaire housing, but can be used in a variety of ways. For example, the inventive solution also allows for the detachable arrangement of a cover element on a luminaire housing, which allows access to components arranged within the housing if necessary. For example, the present invention can also provide a cover that seals the housing, the removal of which allows access to a maintenance or configuration element arranged within the housing, for example, a fuse, a battery, or a switch for setting parameters.

[0012] According to the present invention, a luminaire is proposed which comprises: a) a housing or housing element which has a receiving opening for receiving at least part of a lens or a cover; b) a lens or cover which can be fastened to the receiving opening;

[0013] • wherein the receiving opening of the housing or housing element forms a hollow cylinder-like receiving area in which, in the mounted state of the lens or cover, a rotationally symmetrical mounting area of ​​the lens or cover is rotatably positioned, • wherein a circumferential seal in the form of an O-ring is arranged on the outer circumference of the mounting area of ​​the lens or cover, which seal is effective between the housing or housing element and the lens or cover,

[0014] • wherein the bearing area of ​​the lens or cover has a first circumferential groove or constriction for receiving the O-ring in an initial position and, axially offset therefrom, a second circumferential groove or constriction for receiving the O-ring in an assembly position,

[0015] • wherein the first and second circumferential groove or constriction are separated from one another by a protrusion defining a dead center, and the O-ring rolls from the first circumferential groove or constriction over the dead center into the second circumferential groove or constriction when the lens or cover is inserted into the receiving area.

[0016] The advantage of the solution according to the invention is that a sealed arrangement of the lens or cover in the luminaire housing can be achieved very easily, so that in this area the housing is sufficiently well protected against the ingress of dust and / or moisture, thus meeting the requirements for a so-called higher protection class. Due to the special design of the lens or cover, it is possible for this and the luminaire housing, or the luminaire housing part holding the lens or cover, to be manufactured very easily and reliably using an injection molding process, thus reducing the complexity and manufacturing costs.

[0017] It is preferably provided that the elevation forms a ramp leading from the first circumferential groove or constriction to the dead center, via which ramp the rolling of the O-ring during insertion of the lens or cover into the housing or housing element is facilitated. Since, as already mentioned above, later removal of the lens or cover should also be possible and in this case the O-ring should move back to its starting position, it is further particularly preferably provided that the elevation additionally forms a further ramp leading from the second circumferential groove or constriction to the dead center, although this further ramp is preferably designed to be steeper than the first ramp leading from the first circumferential groove or constriction to the dead center.Rolling from the starting position to the mounting position should therefore be easier, while removing the lens or cover from the housing or housing element should only be possible with increased force.

[0018] In order to support the rolling of the O-ring according to the invention during assembly of the lens or cover or removal of the lens or cover, it can preferably be provided that the receiving area of ​​the housing or the housing element has an inwardly projecting small projection or web on a peripheral wall of the receiving opening, which correspondingly supports the rolling along the bearing area of ​​the lens or cover between the two grooves.

[0019] As already mentioned, the seal between the lens or cover and the housing is solely responsible for securely holding the lens or cover in the housing or housing part. It also exerts a certain frictional force, which prevents the lens or cover from being rotated without considerable force. Ideally, this frictional force is so great that simply grasping and twisting the lens or cover is impossible, requiring the use of a suitable tool.Accordingly, it can be provided that one or more indentations are formed on a region of the lens or cover that projects outwards beyond the housing element, said indentations enabling the lens or cover inserted into the housing element to be rotated and / or removed only with the aid of a suitable tool, wherein these indentations are preferably slit-like. With the aid of a suitable screwdriver, the lens or cover can then be rotated and / or removed from the housing, ensuring that it permanently remains in the desired position and orientation. The projecting region of the lens or cover can in this case have a collar, wherein at least some of the indentations are preferably formed on the outer circumference of the collar.

[0020] The inventive concept is applicable to all types of luminaires in which one or more lenses are to be reliably sealed in the wall of the housing or a housing part of the luminaire. Particularly preferably, the luminaire is a so-called escape route luminaire, which is used for escape route illumination and in which the lens(es) are used to emit light in the direction of an escape route to be illuminated. In particular, the lens(es) can be designed such that the light is emitted asymmetrically in a specific beam direction.

[0021] As already mentioned, the lighting of an escape route is also often combined with a graphic representation of the direction of the escape route. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the escape luminaire is an escape sign luminaire which, in addition to the luminaire for the escape route lighting, also has further luminaires with the aid of which an escape route symbol is illuminated. This can, in particular, be an escape sign luminaire based on known fiber optic technology. This means:The luminaire preferably has a light guide element, which forms a plate-shaped light guide into which the light from the additional illuminants is coupled. A pictogram element is arranged on at least one flat side of the light guide, and the light guide is designed to distribute the coupled light and emit it across the flat side to illuminate the pictogram element. The emergency light lens provided for illuminating the escape route is preferably arranged laterally next to the light guide on a holder for the light guide.

[0022] The aforementioned light guide element can also form part of the housing or a cover for the luminaire housing, with the light guide element preferably forming the housing element on which the emergency light lens is arranged. This results in a very simple design of the escape sign luminaire, which nevertheless efficiently combines the graphic representation of an escape route with illumination of the escape route and, moreover, reliably seals the luminaire housing. In particular, this ensures that the luminaire also meets the requirements for a higher protection class (IP class).

[0023] Of course, the luminaire according to the invention can also have a plurality of lenses with associated light sources. In the case of an escape sign luminaire as mentioned above with a light guide, the use of a plurality of emergency light lenses is particularly expedient, since regardless of the respective installation situation, at least one of the available emergency light lenses can be used for efficient illumination of an escape route. According to another development, it can further be provided that the luminaire has a sensor element arranged in the housing, which is positioned in the region of the receiving opening. This sensor element can in particular be a camera sensor or a PIR sensor, wherein the lens attached in the manner according to the invention then serves as the optics for the sensor element.Furthermore, it can be provided that a maintenance or configuration element, for example a fuse, a battery, a switch for setting parameters, or a memory (e.g., in the form of a memory card), is arranged in the housing. The maintenance or configuration element is accessible via the receiving opening closed by the cover, for example, to perform maintenance work, read data, or perform an update. Finally, the element protected by the cover according to the invention could also be a communications module, for example, an NFC antenna or a Bluetooth module, which should also be accessible if necessary.

[0024] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0025] Figure 1 shows a particularly preferred application example of the present invention in the form of an escape sign luminaire which is designed according to the present invention and in which emergency light lenses for escape route lighting are arranged on a luminaire housing according to the solution according to the invention;

[0026] Figure 2 is a view of the underside of the escape sign luminaire of Figure 1;

[0027] Figure 3 shows a view of a light guide element which serves to hold the emergency light lens according to the invention;

[0028] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the light guide element with corresponding receptacles for two emergency light lenses;

[0029] Figure 5 shows a top view of the light guide element; Figures 6 and 7 show perspective views of a lens according to the invention, with the Ci ring in the mounting position.

[0030] Figure 8 is a sectional view of the emergency light lens attached to the light guide element before its assembly;

[0031] Figures 9a and 10a are side views of the emergency light lens with the O-ring in the initial position and the assembly position, respectively;

[0032] Figures 9b and 10b are sectional views of the emergency light lens attached to the light guide element or inserted into the light guide element;

[0033] Figures 9c and 10c are each enlarged representations of parts of Figures 9b and 10b;

[0034] Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of a luminaire according to the invention, in which access to a functional part underneath can be obtained with the aid of a detachably fastened cover;

[0035] Figures 12 to 14 show a further embodiment in which production-related openings in a luminaire housing are closed in a detachable and sealed manner with the aid of corresponding covers.

[0036] Figures 1 and 2 show two views of an escape sign luminaire designed according to the invention, generally designated by reference numeral 100. This means an escape sign luminaire in which the direction of an escape route is indicated with the aid of an illuminated pictogram and, at the same time, the escape route is also specifically illuminated with additional lighting means. It should be noted, however, that the inventive concept for the optimized mounting of at least one lens can also be used with other luminaire types. In principle, the inventive solution can always be used when lenses are to be arranged in a sealed manner on the housing wall of a luminaire, ideally in a rotatable manner.Thus, the solution according to the invention can also be used, for example, in floor-standing, ceiling-mounted, suspended, or recessed luminaires that are not necessarily used to illuminate escape routes, even though the invention is explained below in particular with reference to the illustrated escape sign luminaire. As will be further explained below, a cover can also be detachably attached to a luminaire housing in a similar manner, through which access to components located within the luminaire can be obtained.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the illuminated indication of the direction of the escape route is provided by means of a pictogram element 90, which is arranged on a flat side of a plate-shaped light guide, described in more detail below. Light is coupled into this light guide from a narrow side, which is then distributed as evenly as possible across the entire surface via multiple reflections in a known manner and then emitted via the flat side on which the pictogram element 90 is located. Typically, the pictogram element 90 is formed by a film or a thin plate-like part, which is arranged on the outside of a so-called light guide element 10 and attached there in a suitable manner.However, this aspect plays a rather minor role in the present invention, and the implementation of the pictogram and its arrangement on the light guide element 10 could be achieved in various ways. Direct printing on the light guide would also be conceivable in principle.

[0038] In the present case, the light coupled into the light guide element 10 originates from elongated light sources, which can be formed, for example, by a linear arrangement of LEDs arranged within the housing 60 of the luminaire 100. The positioning of the LEDs is such that the light is coupled as efficiently as possible, i.e., completely, into the light guide element 10 and then emitted via its flat side. For this purpose, the light guide element 10 can have corresponding output structures in the area of ​​the pictogram 90, which no longer totally reflect incoming light rays, but rather redirect them such that they can exit the light guide element 10. The positioning of these output structures depends on whether corresponding pictograms 90 are arranged on one or both sides of the light guide element 10.

[0039] Within the housing 60, which extends along the longitudinal axis L defined by the LED illuminants, not only the illuminants are arranged. Furthermore, further electronic components for operating and supplying energy to the illuminants are also located within the housing 60. This can, in particular, be a suitably designed converter that supplies the preferred LEDs with a voltage suitable for their operation. Emergency power supplies in the form of batteries or accumulators can also be arranged within the cuboid-like housing 60, which is then attached, for example, to a ceiling or another suitable support element.

[0040] The aforementioned light guide element 10 is shown in isolation in Figure 3. It is preferably a one-piece component which, in addition to transmitting and distributing the light emitted by the LED lamps, also fulfills other functions. For this purpose, the light guide element 10 essentially consists of three regions or sections, namely a light coupling section 15, a light guide section 20, and a cover 25. All three sub-regions are preferably integrally connected to form a one-piece component, which is manufactured, in particular, by injection molding. In principle, it would be conceivable for the three sub-regions to be made of different materials; for example, the cover 25, explained in more detail below, could be made of an opaque material.As a rule, however, the light guide element 10 according to the invention will consist entirely of the same, preferably clear plastic material, with PMMA or PC being particularly suitable for this purpose.

[0041] The task of the light coupling section 15 is to absorb and transmit the light emitted by the LEDs as completely as possible. The web-like light coupling section 15 has a narrow end face 16 on its upper side, which faces the LEDs and is positioned such that their light can enter the light coupling section 15 with as little loss as possible. If necessary, the end face 16 can also have additional structures tailored to the LEDs, such as lenses or the like, in order to further improve the efficiency of the light coupling.

[0042] Responsible for the actual light emission, i.e., the illumination of the pictogram 90, is the light guide section 20 following the light coupling section 15, which is designed in a conventional manner as a classic flat light guide. The light guide section 20 is thus plate-shaped, such that light is totally internally reflected several times, thus being transmitted and evenly distributed within the light guide section 20. Via the aforementioned light output structures, the light can then be emitted evenly across one or both flat sides 21 of the light guide section 20.

[0043] Finally, the transition area between the light coupling section 15 and the light guide section 20 is bordered by the third area of ​​the light guide element 10, namely the cover 25. In addition to the lighting-related tasks described above, the light guide element 10 also simultaneously forms part of the housing of the luminaire 100. Strictly speaking, the cover 25 of the light guide element 10 serves to close the open underside of the actual housing 60 of the luminaire 100. Adjacent to the light coupling section 15 and the light guide section 20, the cover 25 initially forms a cover area 26 oriented perpendicularly thereto, which forms the underside of the housing when the light guide element 10 is mounted on the housing 60. The dimensions of this cover area 26 therefore correspond to the dimensions of the further housing 60, whereby here too the most tight connection possible between the cover 25 and the housing 60 is desired.For this purpose, a vertically extending web 28 is formed around the edge of the cover area 26, which, when mounted on the housing 60, engages in a corresponding annular channel of the housing 60 (see, for example, Figure 8). In particular, a seal can be positioned in this seal, into which the upper end of the web 28 dips, so that an extremely efficient connection is achieved in the transition area between the housing 60 and the cover 25, which prevents the penetration of dust, but in particular also of moisture and splash water. Corresponding locking or clamping elements can also be formed on the cover 25, with the aid of which the light guide element 10 is fastened to the luminaire housing 60.

[0044] In addition, the cover 25 also serves to hold the emergency light lenses 40 used for escape route lighting. These are arranged in the horizontal cover area 26 laterally next to the centrally running light guide section 20 and are designed in a known manner such that they emit light in a targeted manner in a specific direction, for example to illuminate an escape route running below or diagonally below the luminaire 100. For this purpose, in addition to the already mentioned first illuminants for illuminating the pictogram 90, further illuminants are arranged inside the luminaire housing 60. These illuminants are assigned to the emergency light lenses 40 and can be selectively activated in order to illuminate an escape route with the aid of an emergency light lens 40 assigned to it.

[0045] As can be seen in particular from Figure 2, the horizontal cover section 26 of the cover 25 has a total of three receptacles 30 for holding associated emergency light lenses 40, wherein in Figure 2, the two upper receptacles 30 are equipped with emergency light lenses 40, and the lower receptacle 30, the design of which will be described in more detail below, is shown without an associated lens 40. It should be noted that during later operation of the luminaire 100, all three receptacles 30 will be equipped with corresponding emergency light lenses 40, although not all emergency light lenses 40 necessarily have to be used simultaneously for the actual illumination of the escape route.The illustrated arrangement of the three receptacles 30, in conjunction with the fact that the light guide element 10 can also be arranged rotated by 180° on the luminaire housing 60 and, furthermore, the emergency light lenses 40 can be variably rotated as explained in more detail below, covers all conceivable situations, so that depending on the mounting situation of the luminaire 100 and the course of the escape route, only a part of the associated illuminants can be used with the corresponding alignment of the associated emergency light lens(es) 40.

[0046] In principle, however, the cover 25 could also provide four receptacles for emergency light lenses 40 or just two receptacles 30 positioned diagonally opposite one another. This plays a rather minor role for the present invention, since it is primarily concerned with the task of reliably attaching the lenses 40 to the associated receptacles 30 in such a way that they can be aligned as desired while still achieving a permanent, reliable seal between the emergency light lens 40 and the housing 60 or the cover 25 for the housing 60. This will be explained in more detail below with reference to the additional figures.

[0047] The basic shape of the lenses 40 is best seen in Figures 6, 7, 9a, and 10a. With regard to the components responsible for light emission, the emergency light lens 40 according to the invention is similar to emergency light lenses already known from the prior art. The emergency light lens 40 shown in the figures therefore initially has a lens body 41 that is approximately conically shaped and forms a recess 42 at its upper end. The light source (not shown in the figures), which is preferably formed by a high-performance LED, projects at least partially into this recess 42, so that the outer surface and the bottom surface of the recess 42 represent light entry surfaces of the lens body 41. The circumferential outer wall of the conical body then serves to direct incident light rays downwards onto the light emission area by means of total internal reflection.In this sense, the lens body 41 serves primarily as a collimator for the light usually emitted by the LED over a relatively wide angular range.

[0048] The LED light, directed toward the underside by this collimator, is then emitted via a Fresnel-like structure 45. This sawtooth-shaped structure 45 is provided with flanks such that the light rays are deflected accordingly and then emitted obliquely downwards in a preferred direction, as schematically indicated by the arrow in Figure 7. In this way, the light generated by the associated lamp can be emitted in a highly directed manner in a specific radiation direction A, along which an escape route runs, in order to illuminate it.

[0049] A collar 46 is formed surrounding the Fresnel structure 45, which collar is of reduced height in the area corresponding to the direction A of light emission, so that undisturbed light radiation can occur here. The further area of ​​this collar 46 forms a circumferential, approximately partially cylindrical outer wall, which is provided with two opposing slot-shaped indentations 48, described in more detail below. The corresponding design of the collar 46 makes it easier to recognize the direction of light emission in order to be able to arrange the emergency light lens 40 in the desired orientation on the luminaire housing 60 or the cover 25. Furthermore, the collar 46 prevents unwanted emission of scattered light in other directions.

[0050] Adjacent to the top of the collar 46 is the bearing area 50, which, when the emergency light lens 40 is mounted on the cover 25, engages in the receptacle 30 of the cover 25 and serves to support an O-ring 5 acting as a seal. The outer contour of this bearing area 50 is completely rotationally symmetrical, which facilitates the manufacture of the emergency light lens 40, which can be carried out, for example, within the scope of an injection molding process. The bearing area 50 forms two grooves 51 and 52 arranged one above the other in the axial direction of the lens 40, the design of which can be seen in particular in the enlarged sectional views of Figures 9c and 10c.

[0051] Both grooves or constrictions 51, 52 are separated from each other by a single sawtooth-like protrusion 53, the tip of which defines a dead center 55, explained in more detail below. The design of the protrusion 53 is such that a first ramp is formed starting from the upper circumferential groove 51, and a second ramp is formed starting from the lower groove 52, the second ramp having a steeper gradient than that of the first ramp. Below the lower groove 52, a flange-like, outward-facing, circumferential projection 58 is also formed, which, as described in more detail below, serves as a stop element when inserting the emergency light lens 40 into the receptacle 30 of the cover 25.

[0052] With regard to the receptacle 30 itself, it should be noted that it forms a corresponding circular receiving opening 31, which is enclosed by an annular peripheral wall 32. This peripheral wall 32 preferably extends into the interior of the luminaire, but could optionally also protrude to the underside beyond the horizontal region 26 of the cover 25. Furthermore, at the lower end of the peripheral wall 32, a projection or collar 35 projecting only slightly inward is formed, which supports the rolling of the O-ring according to the inventive procedure, as described in more detail below, and prevents the lens 40 with the O-ring 5 from slipping out.

[0053] As indicated in Figure 4, to mount an emergency light lens 40 in the receptacle 30 of the cover 25, the lens 40, with the O-ring 5 located in the upper groove 51 and thus in its initial position, is placed from the underside against the opening 31 and then pressed into it. This process is illustrated in detail in Figures 9a to 9c and 10a to 10c, respectively, with Figures 9a to 9c showing the initial position of the seal, i.e., the O-ring 5. Figures 10a to 10c show the resulting arrangement with the emergency light lens 40 arranged in the receptacle 30.

[0054] Before the emergency light lens 40 is pressed in, the O-ring 5 is located in the upper groove 51. It protrudes slightly beyond the lateral circumference of the upper end region of the emergency light lens 40, as can be seen in Figure 9c, and accordingly comes into contact with the aforementioned projection 35 when the emergency light lens 40 is attached to the cover 25. If the emergency light lens 40 is now pressed in the direction of the arrow (see Figures 9b and 9c), i.e. into the receptacle 30, the O-ring 5 rolls slightly along the first ramp 51 of the elevation 53, but already reaches the receptacle area 30 of the opening 31. Because the O-ring 5 is made of a flexible material, it will compress slightly and can therefore overcome the dead center 55 as the emergency light lens 40 is further pressed into the opening 31, so that it rolls into the lower groove 52.The lens 40 is pressed into the receiving opening 31 until the lower flange-like projection 58 comes into contact with the lower edge of the projection 35, which then results in the arrangement of the O-ring 5 on the outer circumference of the emergency light lens 40 as shown in Figure 8 or in Figures 10b and 10c.

[0055] The engagement of the projection 58 with the lower edge of the receptacle 30 prevents the lens 40 from being pressed further into the receptacle 30. At the same time, the O-ring 5, as shown in Figure 10c, rests against the upper side of the projection or collar 35, ensuring that the flange-like projection 58 is pressed against the underside of the cover 25. This leads to precise positioning of the lens 40 relative to the associated LED, ensuring efficient coupling of the corresponding light.

[0056] Furthermore, the size and flexibility of the O-ring 5 are such that it cannot easily overcome the steeper lower ramp of the elevation 53 and thus the dead center 55, particularly due to the weight of the lens 40. In this situation, the emergency light lens 40 is reliably and precisely positioned in the receptacle 30 of the cover 25, while at the same time, the receptacle opening 31 is extremely reliably sealed, preventing the ingress of dust and / or moisture or splash water.

[0057] Since both the outer contour of the emergency light lens 40 and the peripheral wall 32 of the receptacle 30 are rotationally symmetrical, the emergency light lens 40 can obviously be inserted into the receptacle 30 in any desired rotational position. This means that, depending on the mounting situation of the luminaire 100 and the course of an escape route to be illuminated, the emergency light lens 40 can be oriented in a suitable manner to specifically emit light in the direction of the escape route and to illuminate it.

[0058] The aforementioned rotationally symmetrical design of the various components also offers the advantage that production can be carried out relatively easily within the scope of an injection molding process, since there are no undercuts or similar structures that would complicate demolding after injection molding. The flexibility of the O-ring should not only ensure the desired sealing of the receiving opening 31 of the cover 25 but also ensure that the mounted emergency light lens 40 permanently remains in the desired position and orientation. This means that the friction caused by the O-ring 5 is dimensioned such that a certain amount of force is required to rotate the emergency light lens 40. In particular, simply rotating it by grasping the collar 46 should not be possible.Instead, the previously mentioned slot-like indentations 48 provided on the outer circumference and a further indentation 49 provided in the area of ​​the Fresnel structure 45 (see, for example, Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 / 8) are responsible for this. These indentations 48 and 49 can be designed to allow the end portion of a suitable tool, e.g., a screwdriver, to be inserted into them and then, with the aid of this tool, to rotate the emergency light lens 40 or to pry it out of the receptacle 30 of the cover 25. This represents an additional safety measure that prevents the already fully assembled emergency light lens 40 from being accidentally or easily rotated out of the desired alignment at a later time.

[0059] Ultimately, the inventive solution allows lenses – e.g., for targeted illumination of an escape route – to be easily mounted in a sealed manner on a corresponding housing of a luminaire or part of a luminaire housing and aligned as desired. The sealing achieved in this way represents a significant improvement over previously known solutions, ensuring that this area of ​​the housing is also reliably protected against external influences.

[0060] The inventive concept is, moreover, extremely versatile and not limited to the rotatable arrangement of lenses for variable escape route lighting. In a similar way, lenses could also be arranged on a luminaire housing that do not serve to influence the light emitted by lamps, but rather serve to form an optical system for a sensor arranged within the luminaire housing. For example, it would be conceivable for a sensor, such as a camera sensor or a PIR sensor, to be provided within the luminaire housing to detect the presence of people, with this sensor then being located in the area of ​​the receiving opening. In this case, the lens, which is releasably attached to the receiving opening in a sealed manner as described above, can then represent an optical system for the sensor, with the aid of which the area monitored by the sensor is defined.In this case, too, the preferred rotatable arrangement would be useful, for example, in the case of a motion or PIR sensor, for example, by appropriately aligning the lens forming the optics to precisely define the area to be detected or monitored by the sensor. Of course, the lens could also be designed rotationally symmetrically to completely cover an area located beneath the light, i.e., across its entire circumference.

[0061] Another application example of the inventive concept is that, with the aid of the solution described above, a cover, in particular an opaque cover, is detachably fastened to the luminaire housing in order to tightly close the receiving opening, but to provide the possibility of opening the housing in this area if necessary. In the area of ​​the receiving opening, a maintenance or configuration element or, in general, a functional part can be arranged within the housing, which can be accessed by removing the cover. In this way, it would then be possible to easily access, for example, a fuse or a battery arranged within the luminaire. Access to switches or other elements with the aid of which operating parameters of the luminaire can be set and / or saved (e.g.This would allow for the connection of a memory card or the like, for example, to perform maintenance, read data, or perform an update. Positioning a communications module, such as an NFC antenna or a Bluetooth module, in the area of ​​the cover according to the invention would also be conceivable.

[0062] This further application is initially illustrated in Figure 11, where comparable elements have been provided with the same reference numerals. The housing 60 of the luminaire 100 shown here, which is again designed as an escape sign luminaire, thus also has a receiving area 30, which, analogous to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-10, has a receiving opening 31 with a surrounding wall area 32.

[0063] In this case, this receiving opening 30 is closed by a cover 70, which in turn has a circumferential seal in the form of an O-ring 5 on its circumference, wherein in particular the bearing area 50 of the cover 70 is identical to the bearing area 50 of the previously explained lenses 40. This means that in this case too, the contour of the bearing area 50 of the cover 70 is selected such that when the cover 70 is inserted into the receiving opening 31 of the luminaire housing 60, the O-ring 50 rolls and, in accordance with the process illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, a sealed attachment of the cover 70 to the housing 60 is achieved.

[0064] However, the cover 70 is not intended to emit light, but rather to enable access to a functional component 75 located underneath, i.e., within the housing 60. As already mentioned, this component may be, for example, a fuse or a battery, but may also be another component used, for example, to adjust an operating parameter of the light 100. With the aid of the cover detachably attached to the housing 60, this functional component 75 can be easily accessed when needed. During periods when access is not required, the housing 60 is reliably and tightly closed with the aid of the cover 70.To facilitate the removal of the cover 70 if necessary, an opening or notch can be provided, analogous to the previously described lenses 40 of the previous embodiment, which facilitates the application of a tool for prying the cover 70 out of the position attached to the housing 60. In this case, the cover can be made of a suitable material, in particular of an opaque material.

[0065] Finally, a third exemplary embodiment is shown in Figures 12-14, wherein the luminaire 100 here does not have a light guide element, but rather a vertically oriented, box-shaped housing 65, which in turn could be used, for example, to illuminate pictograms to display information, for example, to indicate the direction of an escape route. In this case, corresponding illuminants—not shown in detail in the figures—are arranged within the housing 65, wherein these illuminants are then preferably designed such that light is emitted over a large area and evenly across the side walls of the housing 65, for example to backlight the pictogram arranged there.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, three openings 67 are provided on the underside of the housing 65, which may be necessary for manufacturing reasons or, if necessary, are intended to allow access to a functional part located underneath (not shown in detail). Corresponding covers 80 serve this purpose and are intended to be sealed to the lamp housing 65 with the aid of an annular seal in the form of an O-ring 5. The components used for this purpose are again identical. This means that each housing opening 67 has a corresponding receptacle 30 which is designed analogously to the two previous embodiments in Figures 1-11, wherein the cover 80 in this case also has the rotational bearing region 50 which is used for mounting the O-ring 5 according to the invention.

[0067] What is new now is that the circular receptacle 30 extends from a square housing opening 67, as can be seen in Figure 12. In a similar way, the cover 80 now has a correspondingly shaped, square cover plate 82, from which the bearing area 50 then extends. This enables the square opening 67 to be closed with precise contours, as can be seen in the further Figures 12 and 13. The interaction between the receptacle 30, the bearing area 50 and the O-ring 5 is, however, identical to the interaction in the previously discussed embodiments. In this case, as can be seen in Figures 12 and 14, it can of course also be provided that the housing openings 67 and the associated covers 80 are designed to be different sizes.

Claims

Claims 1. Lamp (1) comprising: • a housing (60) or housing element (25) having a receiving opening (31) for receiving at least part of a lens (40) or a cover (70, 80); • a lens (40) or cover (70, 80) that can be fastened to the receiving opening (31); wherein the receiving opening (31) of the housing (60) or housing element (25) forms a hollow cylinder-like receiving area (30) in which, in the assembled state of the lens (40) or cover (70, 80), a rotationally symmetrical storage area (50) of the lens (40) or cover (70, 80) is rotatably positioned, and wherein a circumferential seal in the form of an O-ring (5) is arranged on the outer circumference of the storage area (50) of the lens (40) or cover (70, 80), which seal is located between the housing (60) orHousing element (25) and the lens (40) or cover (70, 80), characterized in that the bearing region (50) of the lens (40) or cover (70, 80) has a first circumferential groove (51) or constriction for receiving the O-ring (5) in an initial position and, axially offset therefrom, a second circumferential groove (52) or constriction for receiving the O-ring (5) in an assembly position, wherein the first and second circumferential grooves (51, 52) or constrictions are separated from one another by a projection (53) defining a dead center (55), and the O-ring (5) rolls from the first circumferential groove (51) or constriction over the dead center (55) into the second circumferential groove (52) or constriction when the lens (40) or cover (70, 80) is inserted into the receiving region (30).

2. Luminaire according to claim 1, characterized in that the elevation (53) forms a ramp leading from the first circumferential groove (51) or constriction to the dead center (55).

3. Luminaire according to claim 2, characterized in that the elevation (53) additionally forms a further ramp leading from the second circumferential groove (52) or constriction to the dead center (55), wherein this further ramp is preferably designed to be steeper than the ramp leading from the first circumferential groove (51) or constriction to the dead center (55).

4. Luminaire according to claim 3, characterized in that the elevation (53) is approximately sawtooth-shaped.

5. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving area (30) of the housing (609) or housing element (25) has an inwardly projecting projection (35) or collar on a peripheral wall (32) of the receiving opening (31), which supports the rolling of the O-ring (5) along the bearing area (50) of the lens (40) or cover (70, 80).

6. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more indentations (48, 49) are formed on a region of the lens (40) or cover (70, 80) projecting outwards beyond the housing (60) or housing element (25), which indentations enable rotation of the lens (40) or cover (70, 80) inserted into the housing (60) or housing element (25) and / or removal of the lens (40) or cover (70, 80) with the aid of a tool, wherein the indentations (48, 49) are preferably designed in the form of a slot.

7. Luminaire according to claim 6, characterized in that the projecting region of the lens (40) or cover (70, 80) has a collar (46), wherein at least some of the indentations (48, 49) are preferably formed on the outer circumference of the collar (46).

8. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the luminaire (1) further comprises a light source arranged in the housing, and the lens (40) is provided for emitting the light generated by the light source; wherein the luminaire (1) preferably comprises a plurality of lenses (4) with associated light sources.

9. Luminaire according to claim 8, characterized in that the lens or lenses (40) are designed to radiate the light emitted by the associated lighting means asymmetrically in a beam direction (A).

10. Luminaire according to claim 9, characterized in that it is an escape luminaire, wherein the lens or lenses (40) are emergency light lenses which are designed to emit the light for illuminating an escape route.

11. Escape light according to claim 10, characterized in that it is an escape sign light which, in addition to the light source(s) for the escape route lighting, has further light sources with the light of which an escape route symbol is illuminated.

12. Escape sign luminaire according to claim 11, characterized in that it has a light guide element (10) which forms a plate-shaped light guide (20) into which the light of the additional lighting means is coupled, wherein a pictogram element (90) is arranged on at least one flat side (21) of the light guide (20) and the light guide (20) is designed to distribute the coupled-in light and emit it distributed over the flat side (21) in order to illuminate the pictogram element (90).

13. Escape sign luminaire according to claim 12, characterized in that the emergency light lens(es) (40) is / are arranged on a holder for the light guide (20) laterally next to the latter.

14. Escape sign luminaire according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the light guide element (10) additionally also forms a part of the housing (60) or a cover (25) for the housing (60) of the luminaire (100), wherein preferably the light guide element (10) forms the housing element on which the emergency light lens(es) (40) is / are arranged.

15. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the luminaire (1) further comprises a sensor element arranged in the housing, which is positioned in the region of the receiving opening (31).

16. Luminaire according to claim 15, characterized in that the sensor element is a camera sensor or a PIR sensor and the lens (40) serves as optics for the sensor element.

17. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the luminaire (1) further comprises a maintenance or configuration element (75) arranged in the housing, for example a fuse, a battery, a switch for setting parameters or a memory element, wherein the maintenance or configuration element is accessible via the receiving opening (31) closed by the cover (70, 80).

18. Luminaire according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the luminaire (1) further comprises a communication module arranged in the housing, e.g. an NFC antenna or a Bluetooth module, wherein the communication module is accessible via the receiving opening (31) closed by the cover (70, 80).

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