Lighting device with a coupling device of the lighting body

Abstract

A lighting device comprising at least one LED module associated with a power supply unit by means of a quick coupling device. The quick coupling device facilitates maintenance, repair, inspection and modification of the lighting system.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device with a coupling device of a lighting body.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to a lighting device consisting of an LED module associated with a driver housing, i.e. the power supply unit of the LED module.

[0003] Lighting devices are known to have light sources consisting of one or more LED modules powered by a power supply unit, called a driver.

[0004] KR20120138535A discloses an LED lamp structure having a fixing unit power supply connector installed at the lower part of a power supply housing. A bracket is installed at the lower part of the housing. An LED housing comprises a bracket joint. A separate unit power supply connector is installed at the upper part of the LED housing. An LED module is inserted inside the LED housing.

[0005] US2016 / 053976A1 discloses a positioning structure of an electrical element of an LED lamp. The positioning structure includes: a base portion fixed inside the lamp, two spring arms standing upright and extending from two ends of the base portion respectively, and two clipping portions disposed on the two spring arms respectively. The two clipping portions are disposed toward each other to form a concave shape, thereby forming a contact portion in contact with the electrical element and applying a clipping force to the electrical element via the two spring arms.

[0006] EP2990716A1 discloses an LED lamp structure having a housing body, an LED lamp module, and an electronic module. The housing body includes a lamp base, a module base, a connecting ring connecting the lamp base, and a clasping member connecting the module base. The LED lamp module connects the connecting ring and is disposed on the lamp base. The electronic module connects the clasping member and is disposed on the module base.

[0007] KR20130117533A and WO2015 / 070586A1 also disclose similar devices.

[0008] Replacing the LED modules in conventional lighting systems is not an easy task, so repair, service, modification of lighting systems are laborious and time-consuming.

[0009] This type of operation is also increasingly in demand as a result of regulations aimed at promoting the sustainability of products and ensuring that, in the event of damage or loss of performance of LED modules or the power supply unit (driver), the user is not forced to throw away the entire lighting device, but may replace only the damaged or degraded component.

[0010] In addition, it is now also possible to replace only the LED module or the power supply unit (driver) if better performance is desired, e.g. in terms of lifetime, photometry or energy efficiency.

[0011] This raises the issue of facilitating and speeding up operations such as the removal and installation of lighting system components, in this case the LED modules.

[0012] The aim of the present invention is to provide a lighting device that overcomes the above-cited problems.

[0013] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a lighting device that facilitates maintenance, repair, control, and modification of the lighting system.

[0014] A further aim of the invention is to provide a lighting device that complies with regulations aimed at promoting product sustainability and which aim to ensure that, in the event of damage or loss of performance of the LED modules or the power supply unit (driver), the user is not forced to throw away the entire lighting device, but may replace the damaged or degraded component.

[0015] A further object of the invention is to allow to replace the LED module or the power supply unit (driver) alone, for example in order to increase the performance of the device, e.g. in terms of lifetime, photometry, and energy efficiency.

[0016] A further object of the invention is to provide a lighting device that can be manufactured with a minimum of additional components compared to a conventional structure.

[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device which, due to its special design features, is capable of ensuring the broadest possible guarantees of reliability and safety in use.

[0018] This aim and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a lighting device as claimed in the appended claims.

[0019] Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent from the description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lighting device with a quick-release coupling device of the lighting body, according to the invention; Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the device, showing the quick coupling device in detail; Figure 3 is a front view of the device illustrating the step of pressing the levers to start the release procedure; Figure 4 is a side view of the device illustrated at the same stage as the previous figure; Figure 5 is a side view of the lighting device illustrating the translation phase of the LED module; Figure 6 is a side view of the device showing the LED module separated from the power supply unit.

[0020] With reference to the figures, the lighting device according to the invention, globally designated by the reference number 1, comprises at least one LED module 2 associated with a power supply unit 3, comprising a housing containing a driver.

[0021] According to the invention, the LED module 2 is fastened to the power supply unit 3 by means of a quick coupling device 7.

[0022] The quick coupling device 7 comprises a support plate 71, fixed to the LED module 2, and a pair of coupling levers 72 associated with the support plate 71 with the interposition of an elastic plate 73.

[0023] The coupling levers 72 interfere with a pair of reliefs 31 formed in the body of the power supply unit 3 defining at least two functional positions; a coupling position, visible in figure 1, and a release position, visible in figures 3-5.

[0024] The coupling levers 72 also have lugs 74 designed to engage transverse recesses 32 formed in the body of the supply unit 3.

[0025] The elastic plate 73 is associated with the support plate 71 by means of fixing screws 75, with the interposition of spacers 76.

[0026] The coupling levers 72 are made integral with the elastic plate 73 at attachment points 77.

[0027] The supporting plate 71 has the function of a mechanical seal against the downwardly applied weight represented by the LED module 2 below.

[0028] The coupling levers 72 and the spring plate 73 work synergistically as a single element and, once engaged with each other, are captive and secure the LED module 2 against the power supply unit 3.

[0029] The power supply unit 3 has reliefs 31 and recesses 32 configured to cover multiple tasks. Firstly, they allow the complete extraction of the LED module 2, secondly they ensure the perfect centring of the LED module with respect to the body of the power supply unit 3, and lastly they block the only degree of freedom, translation, that the release system would have, once it has been inserted inside the body of the power supply unit 3 and the coupling levers 72 have been released.

[0030] Figures 3-6 show the steps involved in disconnecting the LED module 2 from the body of the power supply unit 3 for later replacement with another LED module.

[0031] From the initial coupling position of the system within the body of the power supply unit 3, visible in figure 1, it is necessary to press down the coupling levers 72, as illustrated in figures 3 and 4, allowing the disengagement of the coupling levers 72 from the reliefs 31 formed in the body of the power supply unit 3, disengaging the LED module 2 itself from the body of the power supply unit 3.

[0032] Then, still holding down the coupling levers 72, the LED module 2 is moved to one end of the body of the power supply unit 3.

[0033] Once it has come to rest against the cover of the body of the power supply unit 3, the support plate 71 exits the dedicated track and it is therefore possible to lower the LED module 2 to remove it completely from the body of the power supply unit, which has remained in its original position.

[0034] A new LED module is inserted by repeating the same operations but in reverse order.

[0035] The quick release system allows for the easy and quick removal of a part of the lighting device, in this case the LED module from the power supply unit, without the use of tools of any kind.

[0036] The LED module can be replaced by an operator without access to live parts.

[0037] Similarly, if the problem is related to the power supply unit 3, it is possible to quickly replace only that part of the lighting device, avoiding complete replacement and without having to work inside the device.

[0038] Another important aspect of the invention is that, compared to a conventional structure, the device according to the present invention has an extremely limited number of additional components to achieve the quick release.

[0039] In practice, it has been found that the invention achieves its task and purpose by creating a lighting device that facilitates maintenance, repair, control, and modification of the lighting system.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising at least one LED module (2) associated with a power supply unit (3); said LED module (2) being associated with said power supply unit (3) by means of a quick coupling device (7); said lighting device (1) being characterized in that said quick coupling device (7) comprises a support plate (71), fastened to said LED module (2), and a pair of coupling levers (72) associated with said support plate (71) with the interposition of an elastic plate (73).

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said coupling levers (72) interfere with a pair of reliefs (31), formed in a body of said power supply unit (3), defining at least two functional positions; a coupling position of said LED module (2) to said power supply unit (3), and a release position of said LED module (2) from said power supply unit (3).

3. The lighting device, according to 1 or 2, characterized in that said coupling levers (72) comprise lugs (74) configured to engage transversal recesses (32) formed in said body of said power supply unit (3).

4. The lighting device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic plate (73) is associated with said support plate (71) by fixing screws (75) with the interposition of spacers (76).

5. The lighting device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said coupling levers (72) are integral with said elastic plate (73) at fixing points (77).

6. The lighting device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said LED module (2) is replaced without interference with said power supply unit (3).

7. The lighting device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said power supply unit (3) is replaced without intervening on said LED module (2).

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