Storage member of electric wire with connector of elongated lighting device

Abstract

To reduce a workload for disposing an elongated lighting device at a high place etc., and secure the aesthetic quality of the elongated lighting device.SOLUTION: A storage member S includes: an arm part sa which is provided near one end of a surface 6 opposite to a surface where semiconductor light-emitting elements are arranged, of a main body 3 of a lighting device 1, extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction at a first position and has a tip side located at an end side of the elongated main body; and a fixing part sf which is located near a base end side of the arm part and rotatably fixes the arm part sa. The storage member S rotates from a second position where the storage member S is open relative to the longitudinal direction toward the first position while the arm part sa winds a loose portion 45w of an electric wire connected to a connector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a member that assists in the installation of a long lighting device equipped with a semiconductor light emitting element (LED element), and more particularly to a member that eliminates inconveniences that arise during installation due to the lighting device's long length. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the importance of spatial design has increased, and lighting devices are being used to create spaces that have a sense of calm and unity. In order to avoid spoiling the aesthetic appearance of the space, it is common to install long lighting devices equipped with semiconductor light-emitting elements along the edges of ceilings and walls.

[0003] Installing long lighting devices at high locations, such as ceilings or walls near ceilings, places a heavy burden on workers. First, the weight of the long lighting devices is a major factor. It is particularly difficult to install multiple long lighting devices while constantly supporting them against gravity and maintaining their alignment. Second, long lighting devices require long power cables and connector-attached wires. In particular, when multiple power cables bend downward due to gravity, this can hinder installation work. Furthermore, the long power cables and connector-attached wires can become exposed from the lighting devices, detracting from the aesthetic appearance. Third, to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the space, long lighting devices are often required to be installed in hard-to-reach locations that are prone to visual shadows, such as indirect lighting. This makes installation work even more difficult, compounding the first and second factors mentioned above. Fourth, when working at high altitudes such as on ceilings or walls near ceilings, workers must stand on stepladders to perform the above-mentioned tasks, which entails danger and psychological stress. Therefore, there has been a desire to shorten the work procedures and work time even if only slightly.

[0004] To address the above-mentioned problems, components for storing connector-attached electric wires have been proposed, such as the lead wire storage device in Patent Document 1. However, because these are attached externally to the lighting unit, there is room for improvement in appearance and structure. Furthermore, as a solution to multiple flexible power cables, there is a method of bundling multiple power cables in the appropriate location using cable ties, etc., as mentioned in the literature, but this method requires a lot of time and effort from the worker. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-26289 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide components for constituting a long lighting device that reduces the workload associated with installing a long lighting device at a high place as described above and that does not spoil the aesthetic appearance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the housing member of the present invention is a lighting device comprising: a long body having a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements arranged at predetermined intervals on the same surface; an electric wire having a power input connector extending from one end of the body in the longitudinal direction and supplying power to the semiconductor light-emitting elements; and an electric wire having a power supply feed connector extending from the end opposite the one end and communicating with the electric wire having the power input connector via the semiconductor light-emitting elements, wherein two lighting devices are arranged in series with one end and the opposite end adjacent to each other, and the power input connector of one lighting device is connected to the power supply feed connector of the other lighting device. The housing member is provided with a storage member that stores slack portions of the connector-connected electric wires that occur when the connector is connected to the electric wires without protruding from the width direction of the main body. The storage member is provided near one end of the surface of the main body opposite to the surface on which the semiconductor light-emitting elements are arranged, and has an arm that extends approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction in a first position, and a fixing part that rotatably fixes the arm near the base end side of the arm, with the tip side of the arm being at the end side of the long main body, and rotates from a second position open in the longitudinal direction to the first position while the arm takes up the slack portions of the connector-connected electric wires.

[0008] Furthermore, it is desirable that the storage member of the present invention has a first recess near one end of the opposite surface and a convex portion near the tip side of the arm portion, and that the convex portion engages with the first recess after the storage member rotates from the second position to the first position, stopping the rotation and thereby determining the maximum rotation position toward the first position.

[0009] Furthermore, the storage member of the present invention may have a claw portion protruding vertically from the rotating surface of the storage member near the base end of the arm, and the opposite surface may have a second recess for receiving the claw portion, and as the storage member rotates from the first position to the second position, the claw portion moves within the second recess, and eventually the claw portion comes into contact with the edge of the second recess, stopping the rotation and determining the maximum rotation position toward the second position.

[0010] The storage member of the present invention may also be provided near the other end of one end on the opposite surface so as to form a substantially mirror image of a plane including a cross section in the short side direction passing through the center of the longitudinal direction of the lighting device.

[0011] Here, the "predetermined interval" in the lighting device means any predetermined spatial distance between the semiconductor light emitting elements, and includes, for example, equal intervals and variable intervals with regularity. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the storage member of the present invention, two lighting devices are arranged in series with one end and the opposite end adjacent to each other, and the slack portion of the connector-connected electric wire that occurs when the power input connector of one lighting device is connected to the power supply connector of the other lighting device can be stored compactly without protruding from the lighting device.

[0013] Furthermore, the storage member of the present invention can function as a stopper to prevent the slack portion of the connector-connected electric wire from protruding from the lighting device again if the convex portion near the tip of the arm engages with the first concave portion near one end of the opposite surface of the main body after the storage member rotates from the second position to the first position, thereby stopping the rotation.

[0014] Furthermore, the storage member of the present invention has a claw portion that protrudes vertically from the rotating surface of the storage member near the base end of the arm, which moves through a second recess that receives the claw portion on the opposite surface of the main body as the storage member rotates from the first position to the second position, and eventually the claw portion comes into contact with the edge of the second recess, stopping the rotation, thereby preventing the storage member from opening more than necessary.

[0015] Furthermore, if the storage member of the present invention is also provided near the other end of one end of the opposite surface so as to be approximately a mirror image of a plane containing a short cross section passing through the center of the longitudinal direction of the lighting device, the slack portions of the connector-connected wires can be stored more efficiently and compactly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] Lighting device. (1) Plan view (2) Front view (3) Bottom view (4) Left side view [Figure 2]Diagram showing the slack in a conventional electric wire [Figure 3] Connector housing member, etc. (1) (a) Bottom view (open state) (b) Bottom view (closed state) (2) (a) AA cross section (b) BB cross section [Figure 4] A diagram showing the action of the connector housing member wrapping around the loose portion of the electric wire. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are explanatory views of another embodiment of a connector housing member, etc. (1) a left side view, and (2) a bottom view (open state and closed state). [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are views showing another embodiment of the storage member; [Figure 7] The lighting device body and dedicated cable duct. (1) Left side view (the body and cable duct are connected by the contraction force of the spring mechanism) (2) Left cross-sectional view (the end and cable duct are connected by the spring mechanism) (3) Front view of the state shown in (2) [Figure 8] A diagram showing a conventional power cable passing next to a lighting device [Figure 9] Wiring aid. (1) Perspective view. (2) (a) and (b) Perspective views showing the wiring aid and the dedicated cable duct mated together. [Figure 10] Diagram showing the power cable hanging from the dedicated cable duct [Figure 11] A diagram showing the power cable secured in the dedicated cable duct using the wiring aid. [Figure 12] Straight-line installation connector. (1) Perspective view. (2) Perspective view showing the straight-line installation connector connected to one dedicated cable duct. [Figure 13] (1) A diagram showing the state where the long lighting device bodies are lined up with a step. (2) A diagram showing the state where the dedicated cable ducts are bent in a "U" shape. [Figure 14] A perspective view showing the state in which the straight-line construction connecting tool is connected to two dedicated cable ducts, and the dedicated cable ducts are connected in a straight line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An embodiment for achieving the object of the present invention, which is to "reduce the workload associated with installing a long lighting device at a high altitude and provide components for constituting a long lighting device that does not spoil the aesthetic appearance," will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [Connector housing material] The description will be given based on FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. Referring to Figure 1, a long lighting device 1 has a main body 3 on which lenses 2, each with a built-in semiconductor light-emitting element, are arranged at predetermined intervals on the same plane, and an electric wire 4w having a power input connector 4 for supplying power to the semiconductor light-emitting element extends from one longitudinal end of the main body 3, and an electric wire 5w having a power supply connector 5 that communicates with the electric wire 4w via the semiconductor light-emitting element extends from the opposite end. In FIG. 1, the power supply connector 5 is sealed with a terminal connector 10.

[0019] When two long lighting devices 1 are arranged in series with one end adjacent to the other end and the power input connector 4 of one lighting device is connected to the connector 5 of the other lighting device, a slack portion 45w of the wires will occur due to the bending strength of the wires, depending on the length of the wires 4w and 5w (Figure 2).

[0020] In one embodiment, a storage member S is provided near one end of a surface 6 opposite to the surface (light-emitting surface) on which semiconductor light-emitting elements are arranged of the elongated lighting device 1 (see FIG. 3(1)). The storage member S has an arm portion sa, which extends approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main body 3 in the closed position (FIG. 3(1)(b)). The storage member S also has a fixing portion sf, the tip side of which is located at the end of the main body 3, and which rotatably fixes the arm portion sa near the base end of the arm portion sa.

[0021] The storage member S rotates (see FIG. 4) from an open position (FIG. 3(1)(a)) to a closed position (FIG. 3(1)(b)) in the longitudinal direction of the main body 3 while winding up the slack portion 45w of the electric wire with the arm portion sa. As a result, the slack portion 45w of the electric wire does not protrude from the main body 3 and can be stored in the long lighting device 1 in a compact and attractive manner.

[0022] In another embodiment, the surface 6 opposite to the light-emitting surface of the lighting device 1 has a first recess 7 near one end where the storage member S is located, and a protrusion st near the tip of the arm portion sa of the storage member S, and when the storage member S rotates from the open position to the closed position, the storage member S is temporarily deformed inward as the protrusion st overcomes the surface 6 due to its elasticity, and then returns to its original shape and engages with the first recess 7, stopping the rotation (FIGS. 3(1)(a) to 3(1)(b)). This serves as a stopper to prevent the slack portion 45w of the electric wire from protruding from the lighting device 1 again, and also defines the maximum rotation position of the storage member S in the closing direction.

[0023] In yet another embodiment, a claw sn protruding perpendicularly from the rotation surface of the storage member S is provided near the base end of the arm sa, and a second recess 9 that receives the claw sn is provided on the surface 6 opposite the light-emitting surface of the lighting device 1. As the storage member S rotates from the closed position to the open position, the claw sn moves inside the second recess 9 and eventually comes into contact with the edge of the second recess 9, preventing further rotation in the opening direction. This prevents the storage member S from opening more than necessary and defines the maximum rotation position of the storage member S in the opening direction. In Figures 1 and 3(1), the first recess 7 and the second recess 9 have a rail shape along the longitudinal direction, which allows for the convenience of attaching the mounting bracket 14 to a construction material such as a ceiling to the main body 3 at any position, and are therefore inseparable components.

[0024] The mechanism for determining the maximum rotation position of the storage member S in the opening direction in this embodiment will be further explained with reference to FIG. 5. First, in FIG. 5(2), the claw portion sn has a shape that protrudes beyond the page. This is shown in FIG. 5(1). By referring to the XYZ coordinate axes, the shape of the storage member S can be correctly understood. With this in mind, referring back to FIG. 5(2), it can be seen that in the left diagram, the claw portion sn comes into contact with the edge of the second recess 9, and cannot be rotated any further toward the open side.

[0025] 6, storage members S are provided at both longitudinal ends of the surface 6 opposite the light-emitting surface of the lighting device 1. As a result, the slack portions 45w of the electric wires can be more efficiently stored by rotating the lighting device while taking them in from both sides into the storage members S of the two lighting devices.

[0026] The material of the storage member S is preferably SUS (stainless steel), and is manufactured by molding using press working, but it is not limited to this, and it can also be manufactured by injection molding using polycarbonate (PC) or the like.

[0027] [Special cable duct] The following description will be given with reference to FIGS. In the past, in long lighting devices that were installed in series, a power cable 11 passed alongside the lighting device to supply power to an LED module containing a semiconductor light-emitting element, which required the installation work to be time-consuming and involved the use of cable ties or the like to handle the wiring, and also marred the aesthetic appearance of the installation (see Figure 8).

[0028] In one embodiment, the main body 3 of the lighting device 1 has a cable duct D that is detachably engaged with the main body 3 from the surface 6 opposite the light-emitting surface. The cable duct D has both side surfaces ds and a bottom surface db that have the same length as the longitudinal direction of the main body 3 (FIG. 7). The main body 3 has a connection spring 12 on the surface 6 opposite the light-emitting surface, and the cable duct D has a connection spring holder 13 inside the bottom surface db, and the main body 3 and the cable duct D are detachably engaged with each other by being connected by a spring mechanism in which the connection spring 12 and the connection spring holder 13 engage with each other (same figure).

[0029] In another embodiment, the cable duct D has protrusions dt on the inside of both side surfaces ds and near the main body 3, and the protrusions dt extend parallel to the bottom surface db over the entire length equivalent to the longitudinal direction of the main body 3. The protrusions dt are related to the "wiring auxiliary tool," and will be described in detail later.

[0030] By storing the power cable 11 inside such a cable duct D, the labor required for wiring during installation work can be reduced and the aesthetic appearance can be maintained.

[0031] The material of the cable duct D is preferably, but not limited to, an aluminum alloy, and is manufactured by forming using a press process or the like.

[0032] [Wiring aids] The following description will be given with reference to FIGS. By using the above-mentioned "dedicated cable duct," it is possible to organize the power cable 11 and install it without spoiling the aesthetic appearance, but during installation work, the power cable 11 will tend to sag due to its own weight (see Figure 10), making the installation work inefficient.

[0033] In one embodiment, the wiring aid F is made of resin and has a rectangular, plate-shaped flat portion fp, claw portions fn protruding from both longitudinal sides of the flat portion fp, and foot claw portions fl protruding from near the center of the same surface of the flat portion fp toward both lateral sides of the flat portion fp in a diagonal direction (FIG. 9(1)). The wiring aid F sandwiches the power cable 11 between the flat portion fp and the bottom surface db of the cable duct D, and the shape elasticity of the resin causes the claw portions fn to engage with the protruding portions dt of the cable duct D (arrows in FIG. 9(2)(a)) and the foot claw portions fl to contact the bottom surface db (arrows in FIG. 9(2)(b)), thereby fixing the power cable 11 inside the cable duct D (FIG. 11). 9, the tips of the claws fn and the leg claws fl are each provided with a hooked claw shape, but the shape is not limited to this.The number of claws fn is also not limited. Furthermore, the term "rectangle" here refers to a general representation of the shape, and includes shapes in which parts of the inside or periphery are hollowed out in order to reduce material and weight or increase shape flexibility (see Figure 9).

[0034] In this way, by fixing the power cable 11 in the cable duct D with the wiring aid F, it is possible to prevent the power cable 11 from sagging from the cable duct D due to its own weight (Fig. 11). Note that the number of wiring aids F installed in one cable duct D is not limited.

[0035] The material of the wiring aid F is preferably, but not limited to, polycarbonate (PC), and is manufactured by injection molding or the like of resin.

[0036] [Connection tool for straight line construction] The following description will be given with reference to FIGS. By using the above-mentioned [dedicated cable duct], it is possible to organize the power cable 11 and install it without spoiling the aesthetics, but when multiple cable ducts D are connected in series to install a group of long, linear lighting devices, the weight of the considerable weight of the lighting devices 1 and cable duct D makes it difficult to install in a linear manner, especially when working at high places. Specifically, there are problems such as steps being formed between the connected long lighting devices (Fig. 13(1)) and the joints between adjacent long lighting devices causing a "L" shape bend (Fig. 13(2)).

[0037] In one embodiment, the connecting tool J for linear installation has a rectangular, plate-shaped flat portion jp that contacts the inside of the bottom surface db of the cable duct D, and side portions js that extend from both sides of the flat portion jp and contact the inside of both side surfaces ds of the cable duct D (FIG. 12(1)). The connecting tool J for linear installation is connected to a cable duct D by the longitudinal right half of the flat portion jp and the longitudinal right half of the side portion js contacting the bottom surface db and both side surfaces ds of the left end of the cable duct D in the longitudinal direction (FIG. 12(2)). At the same time, the longitudinal left half of the flat portion jp and the longitudinal left half of the side surface js contacting the bottom surface db and both side surfaces ds of the right end of another cable duct D in the longitudinal direction, respectively, thereby connecting and fixing two cable ducts D in a straight line (FIG. 14). Note that the term "rectangle" here refers to the general shape, and includes shapes that have been hollowed out to save material and weight or to allow for the passage of electrical wires or power cables. Figure 12 shows a flat section jp with a large hollowed-out interior.

[0038] In this way, the connecting tool J for linear construction can easily realize the connection and fixing of two cable ducts D in a straight and serial manner with high accuracy.

[0039] The material of the connecting tool J for linear construction is preferably SUS (stainless steel), but is not limited to this. It can be manufactured by molding using press processing, etc.

[0040] (summary) The above has described in detail, with reference to the drawings, embodiments for achieving the object of the present invention, which is to "reduce the workload involved in installing a long lighting device at a high place and to provide components for constituting a long lighting device that does not spoil the aesthetic appearance." However, since the present invention is wide-ranging, the following will itemize and describe preferred embodiments of the present invention and summarize the contents of the present invention.

[0041] [Embodiment 1] In a lighting device comprising a long body having a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements arranged at predetermined intervals on the same plane, an electric wire having a power input connector extending from one longitudinal end of the body and supplying power to the semiconductor light-emitting elements, and an electric wire having a power supply feed connector extending from the end opposite to the one end and communicating with the electric wire having the power input connector via the semiconductor light-emitting element, two of the lighting devices are arranged in series with one end and the other end adjacent to each other, and a storage member is provided for storing a slack portion of the connector-connected electric wire that occurs when the power input connector of one lighting device is connected to the power supply feed connector of the other lighting device without protruding from the width direction of the body, the storage member comprising: provided in the vicinity of one end of a surface of the body opposite to the surface on which the semiconductor light emitting elements are arranged, an arm portion extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction in a first position; a distal end side of the arm portion is located at an end side of the elongated main body, and a fixing portion is provided in the vicinity of the proximal end side of the arm portion for rotatably fixing the arm portion; The storage member rotates from a second position where it is open in the longitudinal direction toward the first position while the arm portion winds up the slack portion of the connector-connected electric wire.

[0042] [Embodiment 2] a first recess in the vicinity of one end of the opposite surface; The storage member of embodiment 1 has a protrusion near the tip of the arm, which engages with the first recess after the storage member rotates from the second position to the first position, stopping the rotation and thereby determining the maximum rotation position toward the first position.

[0043] [Embodiment 3] a claw portion protruding perpendicularly from the rotation surface of the storage member near the base end side; the opposite surface includes a second recess that receives the claw portion; The storage member of embodiment 1, wherein as the storage member rotates from the first position to the second position, the claw portion moves within the second recess, and eventually the claw portion contacts the edge of the second recess, stopping the rotation and thereby determining the maximum rotation position toward the second position.

[0044] [Embodiment 4] A storage member unit in which the storage member described in any one of embodiments 1 to 3 is also provided near the other end of one end of the opposite surface so as to be approximately a mirror image of a plane containing a short-side cross section passing through the longitudinal center of the lighting device.

[0045] [Embodiment 5] A cable duct is detachably engaged with an elongated lighting device body having a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements arranged at predetermined intervals on the same surface of the lighting device body from a surface of the lighting device body opposite to the surface on which the semiconductor light-emitting elements are arranged, the cable duct comprising: The lighting device has two side surfaces and a bottom surface having a length equal to that of the lighting device body in the longitudinal direction, a connecting spring receiver provided inside the bottom surface; The lighting device body includes: a connecting spring provided on a surface opposite to the surface on which the semiconductor light emitting elements are arranged; The cable duct is detachably engaged with the lighting device body by the connection between the connection spring and the connection spring receiver.

[0046] [Embodiment 6] A cable duct as described in embodiment 5, comprising protrusions on the inner side of both sides and near the lighting device body, the protrusions extending parallel to the bottom surface over the entire length.

[0047] [Embodiment 7] It is made of resin, a rectangular plate-shaped flat portion; claw portions protruding from both longitudinal sides of the planar portion; leg claws protruding from the vicinity of the center of the same surface of the flat surface toward the same surface on both short sides of the flat surface in an oblique direction; Equipped with A wiring aid in which the power cable is sandwiched between the flat portion and the bottom surface of the cable duct described in embodiment 6, and the shape elasticity of the resin causes the leg claw portion to contact the bottom surface and the claw portion to engage with the protrusion, thereby fixing the power cable inside the cable duct.

[0048] [Embodiment 8] A connecting tool for connecting and fixing the cable ducts according to embodiment 5 or 6 in a straight line in series, the connecting tool comprising: a rectangular plate-shaped flat portion that contacts the inside of the bottom surface of the cable duct; a side surface portion extending from both sides of the flat surface portion and contacting the inside of the both side surfaces of the cable duct; The connecting device is engaged with the cable duct by the longitudinal left half of the flat portion and the longitudinal left half of the side portion contacting the bottom surface and both side surfaces of the right longitudinal end of the cable duct, respectively, and at the same time, the longitudinal right half of the flat portion and the longitudinal right half of the side portion contacting the bottom surface and both side surfaces of the left longitudinal end of another cable duct, respectively, thereby connecting and fixing two cable ducts. [Industrial Applicability]

[0049] The present invention is useful in the field of lighting applications, and is particularly suitable for use in the installation of long lighting devices in buildings, interiors, and fixtures that create spaces with sophisticated designs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Lighting equipment 2 lenses 3 Main unit 4 Power Input Connector 4w wire 45w Loose wire 5 Power supply connector 5w electric wire 6 Opposite side 7 First recess 8 Claw 9 Second recess 10 Termination Connector 11 Power cable 12 Connecting spring 13 Connecting spring holder 14 Mounting bracket D Cable duct db bottom ds both sides dt protrusion F Wiring aids fl Leg claw part fn claw part fp plane part J Connecting tool for straight line construction S Storage material sa arm sf fixed part sn claw part st convex part

Claims

1. In a lighting device comprising a long body having a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements arranged at predetermined intervals on the same plane, an electric wire having a power input connector extending from one longitudinal end of the body and supplying power to the semiconductor light-emitting elements, and an electric wire having a power supply feed connector extending from the end opposite to the one end and communicating with the electric wire having the power input connector via the semiconductor light-emitting element, two of the lighting devices are arranged in series with one end and the other end adjacent to each other, and a storage member for storing a slack portion of the connector-connected electric wire generated by connecting the power input connector of one lighting device to the power supply feed connector of the other lighting device without protruding from the width direction of the body, the storage member comprising: provided in the vicinity of one end of a surface of the body opposite to the surface on which the semiconductor light emitting elements are arranged, an arm portion extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction at the first position; a distal end side of the arm portion is located at an end side of the elongated main body, and a fixing portion is provided in the vicinity of the proximal end side of the arm portion for rotatably fixing the arm portion; The storage member rotates from a second position where it is open in the longitudinal direction toward the first position while the arm portion winds up the slack portion of the connector-connected electric wire.

2. a first recess in the vicinity of one end of the opposite surface; 2. The storage member according to claim 1, further comprising a protrusion near the tip of the arm, the protrusion engaging with the first recess after rotation of the storage member from the second position to the first position, thereby stopping the rotation and determining a maximum rotation position toward the first position.

3. a claw portion protruding perpendicularly from the rotation surface of the storage member near the base end side; the opposite surface includes a second recess that receives the claw portion; 2. The storage member according to claim 1, wherein as the storage member rotates from the first position to the second position, the claw portion moves within the second recess, and eventually the claw portion contacts an edge of the second recess to stop the rotation, thereby determining a maximum rotation position toward the second position.

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