Device for improved operability of illuminant in a luminary corpus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (100) for operation of an illuminant (230) in a luminary corpus (210) having a corpus opening (220), comprising a cover element (11) having a covering surface for shielding the corpus opening (220) to an outer side (OS) of the device (100), an illuminant holder (21) having electrical contacts (22) for engaging with and electrically connecting to the illuminant (230) to an inner side (IS) of the device (100), and a power supply circuit (30). According to the invention, the device (100) comprises an activation section (13) spatially assigned to an operable switch (31) of the power supply circuit (30) and configured to operate the operable switch (31) from an outer side (OS) of the device (100).

Description

[0001] The present application relates to a device for operation of an illuminant in a luminary corpus providing an improved operability, and also relates to a luminary device comprising said device, the illuminant and the luminary corpus.Technical field of the invention

[0002] The device according to the invention is suitable to be integrated in a luminary device operated with an electric illuminant of low energy consumption that enables an autarkic and long-life operation ability. Such luminary devices are widely used in applications of cultural or religious context, such as e.g. grave lights on a cemetery, or sacrificial lights in holy places.Background of the invention

[0003] It is well known that grave candles are used for the aforementioned applications, which are placed in a weatherproof shield to prevent the light from being extinguished by wind or rain. Nowadays, electrified versions are also available that are visually modeled on the original grave light with a candle and enable significantly longer operating times in autarkic operation. This is made possible in particular by the use of energy-efficient LED light sources and batteries with high storage density, especially when supplemented by renewable energy generation and supply through the integration of a solar cell.

[0004] In general, the structure of such an electric grave light, which is visually based on the familiar appearance of a traditional grave light with a candle, consists of a transparent luminary corpus with an upward-facing opening and an integral form having a clean design without functional buttons on the outer side to avoid external references to technical components within such electric variant of grave light. Therefore, the technical components, such as a battery, a circuit, an illuminant, etc. are inserted into the luminary corpus through this upper opening. A cover is placed over the upper opening of the luminary corpus, which serves as a kind of roof to shield the inside of the luminary corpus from external influences such as rain and wind.

[0005] The disadvantage of the known technology is that it is relatively cumbersome to operate an internal switch to turn the light on or off or to adjust any lighting parameters such as brightness if provided. In particular, the known technology requires the upper cover on the luminary corpus to be removed, the luminary corpus to be turned upside down, i.e., placed on its head, and the technical components protruding downwards to be caught. The components released in this way can then be used to switch the light on or off or to adjust a lighting function. The technical components must then be reinserted through the opening in the luminary corpus and the opening must be closed again with the cover. These steps are necessary for every operation to switch or adjust a lighting function of the grave light.Summary of the Invention

[0006] It is an object of the invention to overcome the described problems in the state of art. More particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a technique that enables an improved or at least an alternative way of operating a lighting function of a grave light having a closed luminary corpus. It is an alternative object of the invention to avoid functional buttons on the outer side and enabling an integral form having a clean design without external references to switches or technical components and for reproducing the appearance of a traditional shielded grave candle.

[0007] The objects are solved by a device for operating an illuminant in a luminary corpus having the features of claim 1. Further features and details of the invention result from the dependent claims, the specification, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the claimed device according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the claimed luminary device including the same device features according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the individual aspects of the invention are or can always be mutually referred to in the disclosure.

[0008] The invention proposes a device for operation of an illuminant in a luminary corpus having a corpus opening. The device comprises a cover element, an illuminant holder and a power supply circuit with an operable switch. The cover element has a covering surface for shielding the corpus opening to an outer side of the device. The illuminant holder has electrical contacts for engaging with and electrically connecting to the illuminant to an inner side of the device. The power supply circuit is arranged to the inner side of the device, and it is electrically connected to the illuminant holder.

[0009] The power supply circuit has an operable switch being operable to shift an electric power supply of the power supply circuit between at least an off-state in which no power supply is output from the power supply circuit, and at least one first on-state in which at least one first level of the power supply is output from the power supply circuit. According to the invention, the device comprises an activation section spatially assigned to the operable switch and configured to operate the operable switch from the outer side of the device.

[0010] Hence, for the first time, the invention provides a convenient operability on the outside of an electric grave light by means of a section of an upper cover element of a luminary corpus that is spatially assigned to an internal switch.

[0011] According to the disclosure of invention, a luminary device is an autarkic lighting device configured as a grave light. The term luminary device is restricted to lighting means and features providing a warm homogenous illumination of ambient at low intensity comparable to a candle. The term luminary device is restricted to devices that, even though it is portable by reason of autarky and weight, are yet designed for stationary use of its warm homogenous illumination of ambient. A luminary device in terms of the invention and its lighting characteristic is primarily defined by the design of a transparent luminary corpus surrounding the illuminant to all sides. A luminary device in terms of the invention therefore distinguishes from other kinds of portable lighting devices like camping lights that feature a substantial handle section designed for handheld use, or flashlights that feature a small transparent section including a spotlight for focused and bright illumination of a fraction of ambient.

[0012] According to the disclosure of invention, a luminary corpus is a transparent shielding with cylindrical or otherwise smooth body form in the appearance of a traditional shielded grave candle. To provide warm, homogeneous ambient illumination of a traditional shielded grave candle, a luminary corpus in terms of the invention surrounds the illuminant with a transparent shielding to all sides but an area of an upper opening, while the transparent shielding might include the lower base side underneath the illuminant, meaning that the illuminant is suspended instead of standing supported on the base. A luminary corpus in terms of the invention includes bodies completely made of glass or a polymer based transparent materials. For providing a warm homogenous illumination and outer appearance of a traditional shielded grave candle, a luminary corpus in terms of the invention includes a tinted transparency, most likely a red tinted transparency.

[0013] An illuminant in terms of the invention refers to light sources like bulbs of appropriate small dimensions and low energy consumption in favor autarkic operation, most likely a bulb of LED technology. To provide the appearance of a traditional shielded grave candle, an illuminant in terms of the invention might include a recreated flickering of the lighting.

[0014] An inner side of the device for operating an illuminant in a luminary corpus is substantially defined in terms of the invention by an inner side of the cover element or an inner side of the luminary corpus, while the outer side of the device is defined by an outer side of the cover element or an outer side of the luminary corpus.

[0015] The structure of the luminary device according to the invention has the advantage that, despite a positioning of the switch inside the grave light, and an integral form of clean design without functional buttons on the outer side, the internal switch can be easily activated or switched between states from the outside without having to remove the upper cover element and without having to remove and reinsert technical components from the luminary corpus.

[0016] In addition, the structure of the luminary device according to the invention has the advantage that all technical components are arranged on the inside of the luminary corpus and can remain there for any operation of lighting functions.

[0017] This results in a further special advantage of the invention, namely that all technical components are and remain safely and permanently protected from the effects of weather in the luminary corpus. Even in cases where critical external conditions such as precipitation prevail and there is a simultaneous need to switch states of the lighting function, the invention prevents moisture from entering the luminary corpus. The reliable prevention of moisture in the luminary corpus is based on the fact that, according to the invention, there is no need to open the cover and, according to the invention, there is also no need to reinsert components that would become wet during removal and manipulation due to precipitation.

[0018] According to an advantageous further feature of the invention, the activation section comprises a coupling arranged between the cover element and the operable switch for a transfer of motion between the cover element and the operable switch. Through a coupled active connection between the switch and an opposite area on the inside of the cover, the switch is activated by a movement of the cover initiated from the outside and transferred to the switch. The cover can remain closed on the outside, maintaining its protective function against external influences. The coupling can be designed to enable a reversible or irreversible transfer of motion to the operable switch from the at least one off-state to the at least one on-state. The coupling can enable at least once an actuation of the operable switch from the off-state into the at least one on-state by manually manipulating the cover element.

[0019] According to an advantageous further feature of the invention, the coupling comprises a mechanical operative connection including a rigid or kinematic linkage between the cover element and the operable switch. The mechanical connection is the simplest and most cost-effective, yet reliable option. Such mechanical coupling may be integrally formed with a support of the cover element or concentrically formed with a central axis supporting the cover element, e.g. in the form of a rotatable mount or push rod between the cover element and the power supply circuit being attached to the luminary corpus.

[0020] According to an advantageous further feature of the invention, the operable switch comprises a switching path extending over at least an angle of a rotation, and the activation section comprises a rotation coupling including a rotation axis in common with the cover element and the switching path of operable switch, for a transfer of motion by a torque centered to said common rotation axis between the cover element and the operable switch. This variant of coupling can be reliably implemented by means of a rotatable mount at the center of the cover element with respect to a component body of the supply circuit, so that the whole cover element acts as a rotatable button switch on the switch located underneath. The common rotation axis of the switch path and the cover element can be integrally formed by means of or with said rotatable mount. The operable switch can be placed off-centered from the rotation axis. Alternatively, the operable switch can be concentrically formed with and arranged to the rotation axis. This variant provides rotary manipulation of the cover element in parallel to a plane of the corpus opening cross-section. Advantageously, multiple or continuously variable switch positions can be implemented for controlling lighting functions such as brightness or lighting output within an intuitive operation.

[0021] According to an advantageous further feature of the invention, the operable switch comprises a linearly extending switching path, and the activation section comprises a translation coupling including a translation axis in common with the cover element and switching path of the operable switch, for a transfer of motion by force directed along said common translation axis between the cover element and the operable switch. This variant of coupling can be reliably implemented by means of a sliding mount of the cover element with respect to a component body of the supply circuit, so that the whole cover element acts as a push button on the switch located underneath and perpendicular to a plane of the corpus opening cross-section. The common translation axis of the switch path and the cover element can be integrally formed by or with means of said translation mount. The operable switch can be placed off-centered from the translation axis. Alternatively, the operable switch can be concentrically formed with and arranged to the translation axis.

[0022] According to an advantageous further feature of the invention, the activation section comprises a magnetic coupling including a magnetically or electromagnetically interactive operative connection between at least one magnet or electromagnet arranged to each side of the cover element and the operable switch. This variant of coupling also allows a contactless coupling between the cover element and the switch underneath to be achieved by means of movement, e.g., a rotational or translational movement of the cover element. Advantageously, several switch positions can also be represented, or provides tactile feedback feature with magnetic detent moments can optionally be implemented by means of a suitable magnetic structure of said coupling. The magnetic coupling can recreate the cover element a similar rotary switch for volume control of an audio device, i.e., without or without end positions of a continuous rotation, and with or without periodical detent moments along continuous rotation.

[0023] According to an advantageous further feature of the invention, the operable switch comprises a sensor configured to trigger the operable switch, and the activation section comprises a sensory coupling including a sensor target fixed to the cover element and facing the sensor of the operable switch, for a transfer of sensorially detectable motion between the cover element and the operable switch. This variant of coupling allows a contactless coupling between the cover element and the switch underneath by means of movement, e.g., a rotary or translatory movement of the cover element. This also allows multiple kinds of contactless switches or sensors to be employed for triggering a shift of switch, including pairings of a magnetic target element detected by an inductive sensor, an electrostatic target detected by a capacitive sensor, or an optical target detected by an optical sensor. However, the sensory coupling can also include a contact target detected by a touch sensor triggering the operable switch.

[0024] According to an advantageous further feature of the invention, the activation section comprises an operation opening in the cover element arranged facing the operable switch, for external access to the operable switch. This embodiment provides a particularly simple and cost-effective variant of the activation section. Preferably, a flexible pot-shaped element or a flexible cylindrical element made of rubber can be attached to the inside of the opening of the cover, which allows manual operation of the switch underneath but prevents water from entering.

[0025] According to an advantageous further feature of the invention, the device comprises at least one battery cell, and the battery cell is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the electrical power supply circuit. The battery cell ensures an autarkic energy supply for the illuminant.

[0026] According to an advantageous further feature of the invention, the device comprises at least one solar cell, and the at least one solar cell is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the electrical power supply circuit and / or to the battery cell. The solar cell enables a renewable energy generation to feed the autarkic energy supply of the illuminant, so that the luminary device can operate without maintenance like battery exchanges for a very long period of time.

[0027] According to an advantageous further feature of the invention, the at least one solar cell is arranged on an inner side of the cover element, and the cover element is made of a light-transmissive material. The solar cell is protected from external weather conditions and mechanical influences through a transparent layer of the cover element that can be coated or laminated above the solar cell.

[0028] According to an advantageous further feature of the invention, the covering surface has dimensions extending over at least a cross-sectional area of the corpus opening, wherein, preferably, an outer contour of the cover element extends beyond an outer contour of the corpus opening, for an effective weather shielding of the inner side of the device. In this way, the upward-facing opening of the luminary corpus is effectively closed and covered while an inside of the luminary corpus is protected from weather conditions.

[0029] According to an advantageous further feature of the invention, the device comprises retaining means configured to clamp mount the device to a contour of the corpus opening. The device is arranged to an inner side of the luminary corpus, wherein a part containing the supply circuit is preferably arranged within a region of the corpus opening. The retaining means may have a hooked shaped to engage with an upper rim or collar of the corpus opening and may exert a radially outward directed clamping force for a firm fixture of the device to the luminary corpus. This allows the device to be easily and detachably connected to the luminary corpus.

[0030] According to an advantageous further feature of the invention, the power supply circuit and the operable switch being operable to shift the electric power supply of the power supply circuit in at least a second on-state in which a power supply of a second power level having a higher power output than the first on-state is output from the power supply circuit. The operable switch may offer multiple power levels or continuous adjustment of lighting output, achieved by varying the voltage supplied to the illuminant. Also other lighting features like an artificial flickering might be activatable or de-activatable by a further position of the operable switch.Brief description of the drawing

[0031] Further objectives, advantages, features and applications of the present invention arise from the following description of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. In the drawing: Fig. 1shows a schematic perspective representation of a luminary device including a luminary corpus and the device for operating an illuminant; Fig. 2shows a corresponding schematic representation of the device for operating an illuminant; Fig. 3shows a cross-sectional view of the luminary device; Fig. 4shows a cross-section including an embodiment of the activation section of the device for operating an illuminant; Fig. 5shows a cross-section of another embodiment of the activation section of the device for operating an illuminant; Fig. 6shows a cross-section of another embodiment of the activation section of the device for operating an illuminant; Fig. 7shows a cross-section of another embodiment of the activation section of the device for operating an illuminant; Fig. 8shows a cross-section of another embodiment of the activation section of the device for operating an illuminant; and Fig. 9shows a cross-section of an alternative embodiment of the activation section of the device for operating an illuminant. Detailed description of the Invention

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a representation of a luminary device 200. The luminary device 200 consists of a luminary corpus 210 and an illuminant 230 and a device 100 for operating the illuminant 230 in the luminary corpus 210. The luminary corpus 210 in this exemplary embodiment has a cylindrical closed shape having a centered upper circular corpus opening with an upwards oriented collar that is not visible from this perspective due to be hidden under a later described cover element 11. The exemplary embodiment of the luminary corpus 210 is made of red tinted glass or a similar polymer based transparent material. The device 100 for operating the illuminant 230 rests in a suspended manner mainly inside and for a small part outside the luminary corpus 210 by inserting a main part of the device 100 through the upper corpus opening 220. The illuminant 230 in the present exemplary embodiment is a LED bulb.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a representation of the device 100 for operating the illuminant 230 in the luminary corpus 210. The device 100 provides a cover element 11 for covering the corpus opening 220 of the luminary corpus 210. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the cover element 11 has a circular covering area and a downwards oriented collar. The circular covering surface and said collar of the cover element 11 define an inner side IS and an outer side OS of the device 100 which are comparable in common sense with an inside and an outside of the luminary corpus 200 in Fig. 1. On the inner side IS the device 100 comprises a circular shaped component body including an electric power supply circuit 30 to which the cover element 11 is attached in a movable manner as explained later. The cover element 11 might be provided in different diameters or different shapes and dimensions for adapting the covering surface and collar of the covering element 11 to several corpus openings 220 of a selection of variants of the luminary corpus 210 in different size and shape.

[0034] The power supply circuit 30 supplies electricity to the aforementioned illuminant 230 and comprises electric or electronic means for setting an output power of a predefined level of voltage adapted to specifications of said illuminant 230. The power supply circuit 30 is accommodated in the shown circular component body which is attached to the luminary corpus 210 as explained later.

[0035] At a lowest section of the shown exemplary embodiment, the device 100 comprises an illuminant holder 21 for fixing and powering the aforementioned illuminant 230 to be operated by the device 100. The illuminant holder includes two electric contacts 22 for electrically connecting to said illuminant 230. A stem 24 internally guides electric conductors in the form of cables (not shown in Fig. 2) from the power supply circuit 30 to the illuminant holder 21. The illuminant holder 21 is accommodated in a chamber forming a lower end of the stem 24 that holds the illuminant holder 21 in place at a suitable height adapted to the dimensions of the aforementioned luminary corpus 210. The stem 24 might be provided in different length for individually adapting a height of the illuminant holder 21 to each variant of a selection of luminary corpus 210 in different size and shape.

[0036] For providing an interchangeable connection of stems 24 of different lengths, the stem 24 is attached to the component body of the power supply circuit 30 by means of a module connector 40. The connector 40 includes two complementarily formed connector parts 41 and 42 each formed on one side of the power supply circuit 30 and the stem 24. The first connector part 41 and the second connector part 42 of the module connector 40 have a slide guiding shape and locking mechanism features for a reversal attachment in between each other.

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the luminary device 100 as described with Figures 1 and 2. The device 100 is attached to the luminary corpus 210 in a suspended manner by hook shaped retaining means 15 radially protruding from the component body of the power supply circuit 30 that clamp to the upwards oriented collar of the corpus opening 220. Said upwards oriented collar of the corpus opening 220 is shielded by the downwards oriented collar of the cover element 11 with a ventilation air gap in-between. A solar cell 52 is attached to an upper side of the covering surface of the cover element 11 and electrically connected to the power supply circuit 30. The cover element 11 is attached at its center to the component body of the power supply circuit 30 by means of a movable axis as explained later. The component body of the power supply circuit 30 also accommodates a battery cell 51 that is connected to the power supply circuit for powering the illuminant 230, as well as an operable switch 31. The operable switch 31 provides at least two switching states including an off-state where a power output of the power supply circuit 30 to the illuminant holder 21 is interrupted, and at least one on-state that provides at least one level of the power output to the illuminant holder 21. The operable switch 31 might have a mechanically movable element exposed to an upper side of the component body of the power supply circuit 30 for manually manipulating an activation or switching between states of the operable switch 31. In other embodiments the operable switch is realized in the form of a touch pad or other motionless triggerable switch or a contactless triggerable switch by means of an intermediate sensor device as explained later.

[0038] The device 100 comprises an activation section 13 provided for operating, from the outer side OS, the operable switch 31 arranged on the inner side IS as defined in Fig. 2. The activation section 13 comprises at least a part of the cover element 11 acting together in a movable manner with the operable switch 31 for triggering a state shift of the operable switch 31, wherein different embodiments of the activation section 13 are explained in the following.

[0039] Fig. 4 refers to an embodiment of activation section 13 including a mechanical coupling 13C linked to an inner surface of the cover element 11 and part of the operable switch 31 exposed and mechanically movable for triggering a switching or power output of the power supply circuit 30. In a most basic variant of such mechanical coupling 13C the cover element 11 is directly attached in contact to the exposed movable part of the operable switch 31.

[0040] Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the activation section 13 including a rotational coupling 13CR linked to an inner surface of the cover element 11 and said movable part of the operable switch 31, as well as a rotation axis RA centered and attached to the cover element 11 with a bearing (not depicted) with respect to the component body of the power supply circuit 30. The operable switch 31 provides an arched switching path in plane with the covering surface of the cover element 11, centered to the rotation axis RA. The movable part of the operable switch 31 is set along the switching path for triggering different switching states. Hence, the cover element 11 and the ached switching path are concentrically aligned for allowing a mutually coupled rotary movement. The rotational coupling 13CR can be realized at an off-centered position as shown in the exemplary embodiment.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the operable switch 31 is configured as a rotary switch in a centered position to or around the rotation axis RA. Such rotary switch variant of the operable switch 31 might be ring-shaped, integrally formed with or directly coupled by embracing the rotation axis RA that movably supports the cover element 11 to the component body of the power supply circuit 30.

[0042] Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the activation section 13 including linear or translational coupling 13CT linked to said inner surface of the cover element 11 and said movable part of the operable switch 31, as well as a translation axis TA centered and attached to the cover element 11 with a bearing with respect to the component body of the power supply circuit 30. The operable switch 31 provides a linear switching path perpendicular to the covering surface of the cover element 11, in parallel to the translation axis TA. The movable part of the operable switch 31 is set along the switching path for triggering different switching states. Hence, the cover element 11 and the linear switching path are aligned in parallel for allowing a mutually coupled translational movement. The translational coupling 13CT can be realized at an off-centered position as shown in the exemplary embodiment. Alternatively, the translational coupling 13CT is directly centered to or integrally formed with the translation axis TA that movably supports the cover element 11 to the component body of the power supply circuit 30, wherein the operable switch 31 is perpendicularly positioned, linked to and triggered along a longitudinal side of the translation axis TA. The operable switch 31 might be integrally formed with or directly coupled by embracing the translation axis TA.

[0043] Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the activation section 13 including magnetic coupling 13CM linked to said inner surface of the cover element 11 and the operable switch 31, as well as an axis A attached to the cover element 11 and a bearing with respect to the component body of the power supply circuit 30 for providing a degree of freedom of relative movement, e.g. rotational movement or linear movement, of the cover element 11. The operable switch 31 has a second magnet M2 arranged to the movable part on the switching path, and is coupled by arranged polarities and resulting magnetic force upon a movement of a first magnet M1 which is fixed to and mutually moving with the cover element 11. The operable switch 31 provides an arched switching path in plane with the covering surface of the cover element 11, centered to an axis A configured as a rotation axis. Alternatively, the operable switch 31 provides a linear switching path perpendicular to the covering surface of the cover element 11, in parallel to the axis A configured as a translation axis. The movable part of the operable switch 31 is set along the switching path for triggering different switching states. Hence, a rotational or translational movement of the cover element 11 as described with the embodiments in Fig. 5 or Fig. 6, manipulated by hand, causes a movement of the first magnet M1 arranged on the inner surface of the cover element 11 and exerts a movement on the second magnet M2 attached to the movable part of the operable switch 31 by magnetic force between both magnets M1 and M2. In a modification of this embodiment, more than one first magnet on the side of the cover element 11 and more than one second magnet M2 on the side of the operable switch 31 might be provided. The magnetic coupling 13CM can be realized at an off-centered position as shown in the exemplary embodiment. Alternatively, the translational coupling 13CM is ring-shaped, directly centered to or integrally formed with the axis A that movably supports the cover element 11 to the component body of the power supply circuit 30

[0044] Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of the activation section 13 including sensory coupling 13CS linked to said inner surface of the cover element 11 and the operable switch 31, as well as an axis A attached to the cover element 11 and a bearing with respect to the component body of the power supply circuit 30 for providing a degree of freedom of relative movement, e.g. rotational movement or linear movement of the cover element 11. The operable switch 31 has no movable part on a switching path, but a sensor S that is not directly triggered by a movement, but by capturing a movement of a sensor targe T which is fixed to and mutually moving with the cover element 11. Hence, a manual rotational or translational movement of the cover element 11 as described with the embodiments in Fig. 5 or Fig. 6 causes a movement of the sensor target T arranged on the inner surface of the cover element 11. The movement of the sensor target T is detected by the sensor S and an output signal of the sensor S triggers a switching between states of the operable switch 31. Several combinations of a sensor target T and a sensor S can be employed. In one variant of this embodiment a magnetic sensor target T is detected by an inductive sensor S. In another variant of this embodiment an electrostatic sensor target T is detected by a capacitive sensor S. In another variant of this embodiment an optical sensor target T is detected by an optical sensor S. Despite said variants of a contactless sensory coupling 13CS, the latter can also include a variant of a contact sensor target T detected by a touch sensor S triggering the operable switch 31. The sensory coupling 13CS can be realized at an off-centered position as shown in the exemplary embodiment. Alternatively, the translational coupling 13CS is ring-shaped, directly centered to or integrally formed with the axis A that movably supports the cover element 11 to the component body of the power supply circuit 30

[0045] Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of the activation section 13 omitting any kind of coupling 13C. In this embodiment, the activation section 13 comprises an operation opening 13O permitting manual access for a user's finger to manipulate a moving part or a touch sensor S of the operable switch 31 being positioned under said operation opening 13O. For protecting the inner side IS of the device 100 from water entering through the operation opening 13O, a flexible pot-shaped hollow rubber element, or a solid cylindrical rubber element 33 is arranged between the cover element 11 and the operable switch, allowing a transfer of the user's operation force of a fingertip through the flexible rubber material onto the movable part of the operable switch 31.

[0046] The foregoing explanations of the embodiments describe the present invention solely by way of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided this is technically expedient, without departing from the scope of the present invention.List of reference characters

[0047] 11cover element 13activation section 13Ccoupling 13CMmagnetic coupling 13CRrotation coupling 13CSsensory coupling 13CTtranslation coupling 13Ooperation opening 15retaining means 21illuminant holder 22electric contacts 24stem 30power supply circuit 31operable switch 33rubber element 40module connector 41first connector part 42second connector part 51battery cell 52solar cell 100device for operating an illuminant 200luminary device 210luminary corpus 220corpus opening 230illuminant Aaxis ISinner side of device M1first magnet M2second magnet OSouter side of device RArotation axis Ssensor Tsensor target TAtranslation axis

Claims

1. Device (100) for operation of an illuminant (230) in a luminary corpus (210) having a corpus opening (220), comprising: a cover element (11) having a covering surface for shielding the corpus opening (220) to an outer side (OS) of the device (100); an illuminant holder (21) having electrical contacts (22) for engaging with and electrically connecting to the illuminant (230) to an inner side (IS) of the device (100); a power supply circuit (30) arranged to the inner side (IS) of the device (100) and being electrically connected to the illuminant holder (21), the power supply circuit (30) having an operable switch (31) being operable to shift an electric power supply of the power supply circuit (30) between at least an off-state in which no power supply is output from the power supply circuit (30), and at least one first on-state in which at least one first level of the power supply is output from the power supply circuit (30); characterized in that the device (100) comprises an activation section (13) spatially assigned to the operable switch (31) and configured to operate the operable switch (31) from the outer side (OS) of the device (100).

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the activation section (13) comprises a coupling (13C) arranged between the cover element (11) and the operable switch (31) for a transfer of motion between the cover element (11) and the operable switch (31).

3. Device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the coupling (13C) comprises a mechanical operative connection including a rigid or kinematic linkage between the cover element (11) and the operable switch (31).

4. Device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operable switch (31) comprises a switching path extending over at least an angle of a rotation, and the activation section (13) comprises a rotation coupling (13CR) including a rotation axis (RA) in common with the cover element (11) and the switching path of operable switch (31), for a transfer of motion by a torque centered to said common rotation axis (RA) between the cover element (11) and the operable switch (31).

5. Device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operable switch (31) comprises a linearly extending switching path, and the activation section (13) comprises a translation coupling (13CT) including a translation axis (TA) in common with the cover element (11) and switching path of the operable switch (31), for a transfer of motion by force directed along said common translation axis (TA) between the cover element (11) and the operable switch (31).

6. Device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the activation section (13) comprises a magnetic coupling (13CM) including a magnetically or electromagnetically interactive operative connection between at least one magnet (M1, M2) or electromagnet arranged to each side of the cover element (11) and the operable switch (31).

7. Device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operable switch (31) comprises a sensor (S) configured to trigger the operable switch (31), and the activation section (13) comprises a sensory coupling (13CS) including a sensor target (T) fixed to the cover element (11) and facing the sensor (S) of the operable switch (31), for a transfer of sensorially detectable motion between the cover element (11) and the operable switch (31).

8. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the activation section (13) comprises an operation opening (13O) in the cover element (11) arranged facing the operable switch (31), for external access to the operable switch (31).

9. Device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the device (100) comprises at least one battery cell (51), and the battery cell (51) is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the electrical power supply circuit (30).

10. Device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the device (100) comprises at least one solar cell (52), and the at least one solar cell (52) is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the electrical power supply circuit (30) and / or to the battery cell (51).

11. Device (100) according to claim 10, wherein the at least one solar cell (52) is arranged on an inner side of the cover element (11), and the cover element (11) is made of a light-transmissive material.

12. Device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the covering surface has dimensions extending over at least a cross-sectional area of the corpus opening (220), wherein, preferably, an outer contour of the cover element (11) extends beyond an outer contour of the corpus opening (220), for an effective weather shielding of the inner side (IS) of the device (100).

13. Device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the device (100) comprises retaining means (15) configured to clamp mount the device (100) to a contour of the corpus opening (220).

14. Device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the power supply circuit (30) and the operable switch (31) being operable to shift the electric power supply of the power supply circuit (30) in at least a second on-state in which a power supply of a second power level having a higher power output than the first on-state is output from the power supply circuit (30).

15. Luminary device (200), comprising: the device (100) for operation of an illuminant (230) in a luminary corpus (210) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 14, and at least one of the luminary corpus (210) and the illuminant (230).

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