Interconnectable and orientable luminaire module for tunnels luminaire assemblies

Abstract

An interconnectable module (200) for a luminaire assembly, said luminaire assembly comprising a plurality of said interconnectable modules (200), said interconnectable module comprising a frame (230) for supporting at least one light source (251) for emitting light, said frame (230) comprising at a first edge (201) one or more protrusions (220) and at a second edge (202) one or more recesses (210), wherein the one or more protrusions (220) and the one or more recesses (210) have substantially complementary shapes to allow interconnecting said interconnectable module (200) with one or more additional identical interconnectable modules (200). Also a luminaire assembly, in particular for use in tunnels, comprising a plurality of interconnectable modules (100, 200) is provided.

Description

[0001] INTERCONNECTABLE AND ORIENTABLE LUMINAIRE MODULE FOR TUNNELS LUMINAIRE ASSEMBLIES

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to orientable interconnectable luminaire modules and modular luminaire assemblies for tunnels using such.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Tunnel lighting solutions need to be designed from different perspectives. They need to be designed for tunnel users looking for a safe and comfortable environment, for tunnel maintenance companies looking for an efficient management, for tunnel installation companies looking for optimal installations with a quick, easy installation and commissioning, and finally for tunnel operators looking for a low total cost of ownership.

[0006] Tunnel luminaires must for instance meet stringent considerations in terms of mechanical design, light distributions and mountings. In terms of required light distribution, no two tunnels are identical. Each tunnel has its own criteria in terms of lighting, design and geometry, such that modularity of design is highly relevant for luminaire assemblies in that field.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide an orientable and interconnectable module suitable for many tunnels luminaire assemblies.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an interconnectable module for a luminaire assembly comprising a plurality of said interconnectable modules, said interconnectable module comprising a frame for supporting at least one light source for emitting light, said frame comprising at a first edge one or more protrusions and at a second edge one or more recesses. The one or more protrusions and the one or more recesses have substantially complementary shapes to allow interconnecting said interconnectable module with one or more additional identical interconnectable modules.

[0010] In this way, a modular design is obtained allowing a pragmatic, simple and reliable assembling of multiple modules at their edges. The complementary shapes of protrusions and recesses imply an abutment of the protrusions inside the recesses, i.e. a limitation of the relative movement in the direction of the assembly of the complementary shapes. The complementary shapes further guide the assembling movement, ensuring proper relative positioning of the modules as well as a strong interconnection. By coupling a plurality of interconnectable modules, the design can be made entirely modular to fit the design requirements of any tunnel, in particular in terms of geometry and / or light distribution and / or illuminance. In particular, tunnel lighting must always guarantee that the visual perceptions of drivers are maintained, both day and night, by avoiding sudden variations in lighting levels when entering and exiting a tunnel. This leads to the luminaires in different parts of a tunnel having a different required luminance: a first part of a tunnel being strongly lit over a distance equal to the safe stopping distance to see any possible obstacle inside the tunnel from outside the tunnel, a transition zone with a gradually reduced level of luminance towards the value chosen for the lighting of the interior zone of the tunnel, and an exit zone lit to prepare drivers for their return to external luminance. In that context using different assemblies with different luminance levels by using either one, two or three optical modules for a single electronic module allow the use of the same modules for the entire lighting of a tunnel. For instance assemblies with three modules may be used in zones of the tunnel where a high luminance is required, like the entrance and exit zones. Assemblies with two units may be used in a tunnel zone with an intermediate luminance, like a transition zone. Assemblies with one optical module may be used in tunnel zones with a basic illuminance, like the central interior zone of the tunnel. Preferred embodiments relate to outdoor luminaire assemblies. By outdoor luminaire, it is meant luminaires which are installed on roads, tunnels, industrial plants, stadiums, airports, harbours, rail stations, campuses, parks, cycle paths, pedestrian paths or in pedestrian zones, for example, and which can be used notably for the lighting of an outdoor area, such as roads and residential areas in the public domain, private parking areas, access roads to private building infrastructures, etc. Particular preferred embodiments relate to luminaire assemblies for tunnels, or bridges where the luminaire is supported, suspended with respect to a ceiling or an overhang.

[0011] Although arranged for an optical module comprising a light source, the interconnectable module could be arranged for other functionalities in general, including powering, sensing, emitting or receiving. The principle described here is therefore not limited to optical modules insofar as the concept of an interconnectable module with complementary shaped recesses and protrusions as disclosed here may also be declined accordingly for other types of interconnectable modules in a luminaire assembly.

[0012] Also, although an interconnectable module according to the invention should be suitable for interconnection with identical interconnectable modules, it need not be used solely in luminaire assemblies comprising a plurality of such interconnectable modules, and may be used on its own or as part of a luminaire assembly comprising one or more different interconnectable modules. For example, a single optical interconnectable module according to an embodiment may be used in a luminaire assembly, in as far as it allows further potential connections to identical optical modules. In such an embodiment, the single optical module may further be connected to a single electronic module containing typically the driver for the light source of the single optical module.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the frame further comprises one or more additional protrusions at a third edge of the frame, and / or one or more additional recesses at a fourth edge of the frame. The one or more additional protrusions and the one or more additional recesses have substantially complementary shapes to allow interconnecting said interconnectable module with one or more additional identical interconnectable modules. In this way, the (substantially rectangular) frames may be interconnected to form row(s) and / or column(s). In a preferred embodiment, the one or more protrusions and the one or more recesses substantially extend in a plane parallel to a plane extending between the first edge and the second edge of the frame, preferably parallel to a light emitting plane of the at least one light source. In this way, two interconnectable modules may be dis / assembled together in a simple manner, by moving one to / from the other from an edge side and in a movement parallel to a plane extending between the first edge and the second edge of the frame, typically parallel to a light emitting plane of the at least one light source. The assembling / disassembling movement may then be substantially two dimensional.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, all protrusions are identical, and all recesses are identical. In this way, interconnecting options are increased and simplified. The presence of protrusions and / or recesses on all four sides further allows relative rotation(s) of modules with respect to each other, since multiple interconnecting options are available.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the first edge and the second edge are two opposite edges of the frame. In this way, a row of modules with identical orientations can be obtained. This may be particularly practical to create a row of luminaires aligned along a travel direction in a tunnel. Alternatively, the modules may form a row having a total length matching a dimension of an electronic module (gearbox) powering the light modules to obtain an elegant design.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the interconnectable module further comprises at least one electrical connector, extending out of the frame for interconnection with a complementary connector of one of the one or more additional identical interconnectable modules. In this way, mechanical and electrical connecting elements may be separated, such that no mechanical stress is affecting the electrical connecting element(s), ensuring thus robustness and reliability. It is noted that also different interconnectable modules may be interconnected with said electrical connector.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the protrusions, the recesses and the electrical connectors are configured such that electrical and mechanical contact between interconnected modules is realised simultaneously by an assembling movement in one plane only. Preferably the assembling movement is a single translational movement in the assembling plane. In this way, assembly may be simplified, as a single movement in one direction allows to obtain both the mechanical and electrical connection. Note that once assembled, no mechanical stress remains on the electrical connection, as the protrusions and recesses mechanically interlock in all directions.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more protrusions and the one or more recesses are configured to be further interlocked by a fixing element in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the dis / assembling movement. The fixing element may preferably be a screw. The complementary shapes imply some movement limitation in the direction of the (dis)assembling movement, blocking a degree of freedom of movement in an axis perpendicular to the plane of the (dis)assembling movement which further improves the solidity of the interconnection.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more protrusions and one or more recesses are each configured to receive a fixing element from a light emitting front side of the interconnectable module. In this way, in tunnels and bridges situations in which the luminaire modules are fixed to a ceiling or overhang, mounting and / or dismounting a module from below can be achieved, simplifying thus installation and / or maintenance.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, each protrusion is configured to receive, in a direction perpendicular to a plane extending from the first edge to the second edge, a fixing element for interlocking said protrusion with a recess of an additional module. In this way, any movement in said plane extending from the first edge to the second edge is blocked, interlocking the two modules in all three directions.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, each recess is configured to receive, in a direction perpendicular to a plane extending from the first edge to the second edge, a fixing element for interlocking said recess with a protrusion of an additional module. In this way, any movement in said plane extending from the first edge to the second edge is blocked, interlocking the two modules in all three directions. In a preferred embodiment, each protrusion and each recess comprises a tubular opening for receiving a fixing element, wherein said tubular openings preferably comprise stainless steel tubular inserts. In this way, corrosion may be avoided ensuring durability and robustness of the fixation.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, each protrusion and each recess comprises at least one contact surface for cooperating with a respective complementary contact surface of a respective complementary protrusion or recess. Said at least one contact surfaces are substantially parallel to a plane extending from the first edge to the second edge, preferably substantially parallel to a bottom face of the frame shaped as a tray. In this way, two horizontal surfaces are provided abutting vertically one onto the other for guiding the assembling in the assembling movement plane.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more protrusions and one or more recesses have substantially rounded edges. Round edges limit corrosion ensuring thus durability of the frame.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the interconnectable module further comprises one or more additional connection interfaces for connection to external elements at the second edge. In this way, connection via a bracket at the distal end of an assembly to the ceiling and / or overhang can be realised.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more protrusions are arranged to protrude outwardly of the frame over the first edge of said frame from a bottom face of said frame shaped as a tray, and the one or more recesses are substantially integrated at the second edge of the frame in the bottom face of said tray-shaped frame. The protrusions bridge over the edges of the frames to overlap the recesses. In this way, the protrusions and recesses, when connected, are not visible from the light emitting front side, ensuring an elegant design.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more protrusions and the one or more recesses are provided at corresponding positions on the first and second edge, such that identical interconnectable modules may be edge connected using their first and / or second edges. In this way, modules can be easily interconnected. It is noted that the same concept may be used to interconnect with different interconnectable modules as long as said different interconnectable modules have compatible (in the sense of complementary) protrusions and / or recesses.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the additional connection interfaces are provided next to the one or more recesses, preferably aligned between the one or more recesses and the one or more protrusions. In this way, connection to ceiling and / or overhang can be performed aligned with the mechanical connections in between modules, reducing torsion stresses and ensuring an elegant design.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more additional protrusions at a third edge of the frame, and / or one or more additional recesses at a fourth edge of the frame are provided at corresponding positions on the third and fourth edge, such that identical interconnectable modules may be edge connected using their third and / or fourth edges. In this way, modules can be easily interconnected along their third and fourth edges. It is noted that the same concept may be used to interconnect with different interconnectable modules as long as said different interconnectable modules have compatible protrusions and / or recesses.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the frame has an elongated shape with a length at least twice the width. In this way, an asymmetric frame is obtained allowing combining modules differently along their width and length depending on circumstances to meet different design requirements.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the frame comprises a tray containing the light source, and an at least partially light transmitting cover closing said tray, said tray further having a bottom face and edges extending from the bottom face to the cover.

[0031] According to another aspect, there is provided a luminaire assembly, in particular for use in tunnels, comprising a plurality of interconnectable modules, wherein at least one of said interconnectable modules comprises at least one light source for emitting light. The luminaire assembly comprises at least a first module and a second module, one or more fixing elements for at least mechanically interconnecting the first module and the second module. The first and second module each comprise a frame. The first module frame comprises at a first edge one or more protrusions, each protrusion being configured to receive a fixing element. The second module frame comprises at a first edge one or more recesses, each recess being configured to receive a fixing element. The one or more protrusions and the one or more recesses have substantially complementary shapes for cooperating with each other and for receiving a common fixing element. In this way a first and second module may be easily mechanically interconnected regardless of their nature and function. This allows interconnectivity within a family of interconnectable modules.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the first module and the second module are both optical modules each comprising at least one light source. Preferably the light distribution of an optical module may be asymmetric. In this way, the photometry of a luminaire assembly can be adjusted. In particular by selecting different orientations of the optical modules with respect to an assembly direction of the optical modules the photometry of the luminaire assembly may be changed.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the first module is an optical module comprising the at least one light source and the second module is an electronic module comprising driver circuitry for driving the at least one light source. In this way, a large variety of assemblies comprising one electronic modules for one or more optical modules may be obtained, by interconnecting said modules.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more protrusions and the one or more recesses substantially extend in a plane parallel to a light emitting plane of the at least one light source.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more protrusions and one or more recesses are each configured to receive a fixing element from the light emitting side of the luminaire assembly. In a preferred embodiment, a protrusion and a cooperating respective recess each comprise a tubular opening, said tubular openings being configured to align in use to receive a fixing element, said openings being preferably oriented perpendicularly to a light emitting plane of the at least one light source. The tubular openings more preferably may comprise stainless steel tubular inserts. In this way, any movement in said plane extending from the first edge of the first module to the first edge of the second module is blocked, interlocking the two modules in all three directions.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, each module further comprises at least one electrical connector extending out of the frame for interconnection with a complementary electrical connector of another module.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the protrusions, the recesses and the electrical connectors are configured such that electrical and mechanical contact between modules are realised simultaneously by an assembling movement in one plane only, preferably a single translational movement in said assembling plane.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, a protrusion and a recess are configured to be further interlocked in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the assembling movement by a fixing element, the fixing element being preferably a screw.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the frame of the first optical module comprises one or more additional protrusions at a second edge, each protrusion being configured to vertically receive a fixing element. By vertically is meant here in a direction perpendicular to a plane extending from the first edge to the second edge, or in other words in a direction perpendicular to any one of the following: the light emitting plane, the cover surface, the bottom face of the tray acting as a frame, the plane of the dis / assembling movement.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the frame of the first optical module comprises one or more recesses at a third edge opposite the first edge, and optionally at a fourth edge, each recess being configured to vertically receive a fixing element.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, each protrusion and each recess comprises at least one contact surface for cooperating with a respective complementary contact surface of a respective complementary protrusion or recess, wherein said at least one contact surfaces are substantially parallel with a light emitting surface of the at least one light source. The light emitting surface of the at least one light source may be defined as the surface on which the lights source is placed, that is typically the surface of the printed circuit board holding the LEDs used as light sources.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more protrusions and one or more recesses have substantially rounded edges. In this way, the die cast process may be simplified while corrosion points limited.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, are provided one or more additional connection interfaces for connection to external elements.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the portion of the second module frame comprising the one or more recesses is further shaped as an hinge element for receiving a cover of the second module frame. In this way, an elegant solution combining mechanical interconnection between modules and providing accessing the interior of the second module into a single element is obtained.

[0045] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0046] This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing currently preferred embodiments of the invention. Like numbers refer to like features throughout the drawings

[0047] Figures la and lb schematically illustrate perspective front and back views of an interconnectable optical module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a close-up front perspective view of a protrusion of an interconnectable optical module according to Figures la.

[0049] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a close-up back perspective view of a recess of an interconnectable optical module according to Figure lb.

[0050] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the connection between two interconnectable optical modules of Figures la, lb according to an embodiment of the invention. Figures 5a and 5b schematically illustrate close-up front and back perspective views of the connection between two optical modules of Figures la and lb. Figures 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b schematically illustrate front and back views of luminaire assemblies according to two exemplary embodiments of the invention, each having three optical modules oriented either parallel or perpendicular with an electronic module.

[0051] Figures 8a and 8b schematically illustrate front views of luminaire assemblies according to two exemplary embodiments of the invention, each having two optical modules oriented either parallel or perpendicular with an electronic module.

[0052] Figure 9 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an electronic module as shown in Figures 6-7.

[0053] Figures 10a and 10b schematically illustrate close-up front and back perspective views of the connection between an optical module as shown in Figures la, lb and an electronic module as shown in Figure 9.

[0054] DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0055] Preferred embodiments relate to outdoor luminaire assemblies. By outdoor luminaire, it is meant luminaires which are installed on roads, tunnels, industrial plants, campuses, parks, stadiums, airports, harbours, rail stations, cycle paths, pedestrian paths or in pedestrian zones, for example, and which can be used notably for the lighting of an outdoor area, such as roads and residential areas in the public domain, private parking areas, access roads to private building infrastructures, etc. Particular preferred embodiments relate to luminaire assemblies for tunnels, or bridges where the luminaire is supported, suspended with respect to a ceiling.

[0056] It is here noted that similar reference numbers will be used for similar features in all figures, to avoid repetitions.

[0057] Figures la and lb schematically illustrate perspective front and back views of an interconnectable optical module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The interconnectable optical module 200 is meant for a luminaire assembly comprising a plurality of interconnectable modules (illustrated for instance in Figures 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b). The interconnectable module 200 comprises a frame 230 shaped as a tray (the terms frame and tray may be used in the rest of the text to refer to the same element 230) for supporting one or more light sources, typically LED arrays. LED arrays 251-254 may be arranged inside the frame 230 for emitting light. The LED arrays 251- 254 may comprise a printed circuit board with LEDs mounted thereon and optical elements, such as lenses, covering said LEDs. In preferred embodiments, the optical elements are included in optical plates covering said printed circuit boards. A cover 240, acting typically as a protector of the module 200, may close the tray 230. The frame 230 comprises at a first edge 201 a plurality of protrusions 220 and at a second edge 202 a plurality of recesses 210. In the shown embodiment, an edge comprises either protrusions or recesses. However a skilled person in the art would see that recesses and protrusions may be combined on a single edge provided the other edge would have a complementary combination of recesses and protrusions. The frame 230 may further comprise a bottom face 231 from which the edges 201-204 extend perpendicularly forming thus a flat tray with raised surrounding edges. The plurality of protrusions 220 and the plurality of recesses 210 have substantially complementary shapes to allow interconnecting said interconnectable optical module 200 with one or more additional identical interconnectable optical modules. The frame 230 may have an elongated shape with a length at least twice the width.

[0058] In an embodiment, the frame 230 may further comprise one or more additional protrusions 220 at a third edge 203 of the frame 230, and / or one or more additional recesses 210 at a fourth edge 204 of the frame 230. Like the protrusions and recesses on the first and second edges, the one or more additional protrusions 220 and the one or more additional recesses 210 on the third edge 203 and the fourth edge 204 may have substantially complementary shapes to allow interconnecting the interconnectable module 200 with one or more additional identical interconnectable modules 200. Further all the protrusions 220 may be identical, and all the recesses 210 may be identical on all four edges 201-204. The third edge 203 and the fourth edge 204 may each be adjacent to the first edge 201 and the second edge 204 as illustrated in Figure la. The first edge 201 and the second edge 202 may be two opposite edges of the frame 230, for instance the long sides of the tray 230. The third edge 203 and the fourth edge 204 may be two opposite edges of the frame 230, for instance the short sides of the tray 230.

[0059] As illustrated in Figure la, the interconnectable optical module 200 may further comprise at least one electrical connector 270 extending out of the frame 230 for interconnection with complementary connectors of one or more additional identical interconnectable modules 200. The electrical connectors 270 may be a standardised, off-the-shelf connector. The electrical connector 270 may be one of a female or a male connector. The electrical connector 270 may be orientable with respect to the frame 230. The protrusions 220, the recesses 210 and the electrical connector 270 may be configured such that electrical and mechanical contact between interconnected modules 200 is realised simultaneously by an assembling movement in one plane only (the assembling plane). The assembling movements may be a single translational movement in the assembling plane. The assembling movement plane may be a horizontal plane. By horizontal plane is meant here a plane parallel to any one of the following parallel planes: a plane extending from the first edge to the second edge, the light emitting plane (of the printed circuit boards holding the LEDs of the LEDs arrays 251-254), the cover 240 surface, the bottom face 231 of the frame 230 shaped as a tray.

[0060] It is noted that although fixing elements 300, typically screws, are represented in Figures la and lb extending through the recesses 210 on the second edge 202, these are not part of the interconnectable optical module 200, but separate elements used for potentially interconnecting the disclosed module 200 to another interconnectable module (not represented). The fixing elements 300 may be screws. The fixing elements 300 may be inserted from the light emitting side of the optical module 200 into vertical openings traversing the frame 230 from the light emitting side to the bottom surface 231 of the frame 230. The vertical openings (further detailed in following figures) may debouch at the recesses 210. The fixing elements 300 may extend beyond the recesses 210 to cooperate with the protrusions 220 of an interconnected module.

[0061] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a close-up front perspective view of a protrusion 220 of an interconnectable optical module 200 according to Figure la. As illustrated the protrusion 220 may be configured to vertically receive a fixing element 300 (represented in Figure 4) for interlocking said protrusion 220 with a recess 210 of an additional module 200. Similarly, Figure 3 schematically illustrates a close-up back perspective view of a recess 210 of an interconnectable optical module 200 as shown in Figure lb. As illustrated the recess 210 may be configured to vertically receive a fixing element 300 (represented in Figure 4) for interlocking said recess 210 with a protrusion 220 of an additional module 200. Figure 4 schematically illustrates a cross- sectional view of the connection between two interconnectable optical modules of Figures la, lb according to an embodiment of the invention. Figures 2, 3 and 4 will now be discussed together. Both the protrusion 220 and the recess 110 may comprise a respective tubular opening 225, 215 for receiving the fixing element 300. The openings 225, 215 may be oriented vertically, i.e. perpendicularly to the cover 240. The tubular openings 225, 215 may comprise stainless steel tubular inserts.

[0062] Each protrusion 220 and each recess 110 may comprise a respective main contact surface 221, 211 for cooperating with a respective complementary main contact surface 221, 211 of a respective complementary protrusion or recess 210, 220. The main contact surfaces 221, 211 may be substantially horizontal. Each protrusion 22 and each recess may further have substantially rounded edges to reduce corrosion.

[0063] Each protrusion 220 may be shaped as a tongue extending laterally from the first edge 201 of the frame 230. Each protrusion 220 may have a substantially flat tip formed by the main contact surface 221. A rounded peripheral lateral surface 223 may surround the main contact surface 221 at the tip of the tongue. Each protrusion 220 may further have a substantially rounded internal lateral surface 222 close to the edge 201.

[0064] In a complementary manner, each recess 210 may be shaped as a heel extending vertically inwards of the bottom surface 231 of the frame 230. Each recess may have a substantial flat heel pad formed by the main contact surface 211. A rounded peripheral lateral surface 212 may surround the main contact surface 211 at the top of the heel. The rounded peripheral lateral surface 212 may match the rounded internal lateral surface 222. Each recess 210 may further have a rounded internal lateral surface 213 matching the rounded peripheral lateral surface 223 of a protrusion. In this way, when interconnecting a first and a second identical optical modules 200, the peripheral surface 223 of a first protrusion 220 of the first module may come to fit in the internal peripheral surface 213 of a first recess 210 of the second module. In addition, when interconnecting a first and a second identical optical modules 200, the peripheral lateral surface 212 of said first recess 210 of the second module may come to fit in the internal lateral surface 222 of the first protrusion 220 of the first module. Finally, when interconnecting a first and a second identical optical modules 200, the main contact surface 221 of the first protrusion of the first module may come to abut on the main contact surface 211 of said first recess 210 of the second module.

[0065] As illustrated in Figures la, and lb, the one or more first protrusions 220 may be arranged to protrude outwardly of the frame 230 over the first edge 201 of said frame 230, and the one or more first recesses 110 may be substantially integrated at the second edge 202 of the frame 230 in the bottom face 231 of said frame 230. Alternatively to a tongue-shaped protrusions and a heel-shaped recess cooperation, an embodiment in which a tongue- shaped protrusion is inserted within a slitshaped recess in the second edge may also be envisaged.

[0066] As illustrated in Figure 4, the tubular openings 225, 115 may be arranged such to align in use to receive a fixing element 300. A tubular opening 215 associated with a recess 210 may further have a flange for receiving a gasket 500 and a washer 400. The fixing element 300 may engage with the washer 400, the gasket 500 and metallic (stainless steel) inserts provided within the openings 225 and 215. In this way, a corrosion resistant mechanical binding of interconnectable modules 200a and 200b (identical to the module 200 of Figures la and lb) may be obtained.

[0067] Figures 5a and 5b schematically illustrate close-up front and back perspective (see-through) views of the connection between two optical modules 200a and 200b identical to the module 200 of Figures la and lb. In as far as the same elements are represented in Figures 4, 5a and 5b, these figures will be discussed together. As presented in Figures 4 and 5a, a protrusion 220 and a recess 210 may be configured to be interlocked in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the assembling movement. The fixing element 300 performing said interlocking may extend within the tubular openings 225, 215, i.e. within stainless steel tubular inserts inserted in the respective protrusion 220 and recess 210. The presence of stainless-steel inserts may reduce corrosion and improve the longevity of the mechanical binding between optical modules 200a and 200b realised by the fixing element 300. The fixing element 300 may be received from the light emitting front side of the interconnectable module 200. In this, way, an operator may connect and / or disconnect modules from the front which is practical for luminaires typically mounted from below (typical in tunnels for instance). In figure 4, an additional connection interface 260 is shown but not used. Such an additional connection interface is meant for connection to external elements when the edge accommodating the connection interface 260 is the last one of an assembly. The additional connection interface 260 may be provided next to a recess 210, preferably aligned between said recess 210 and the associated protrusion 220. The additional connection interfaces 260 will be further illustrated in later figures 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b showing mounting to the outside environment. Figure 5b illustrates the interlocking of the heel shape of the recess 210 of a first module 200a with the tongue shape of the protrusion 220 of a second module 200b. The complementary shapes of the protrusion 220 and the recess 210 allow an easy and guided assembly of modules 200a and 200b from the front without requiring access / visibility over the back side of the modules 200a, 200b. The associated electrical connectors 270a and 270b of the respective modules 200a and 200b may be coupled electrically at the same time as the mechanical contact is realised between the associated protrusions 220 and recesses 210 of the respective modules 200a and 200b. By associated elements is meant here elements from edges that have complementary shapes for interconnection.

[0068] Figures 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b schematically illustrate front and back views of luminaire assemblies 1000, respectively 2000, according to two exemplary embodiments of the invention, each having three optical modules 200a, 200b, 200c oriented parallel, respectively perpendicular, with an electronic module 100. Luminaire assemblies 1000 and 2000 typically comprise one electronic module 100 housing a driver and three optical modules 200a, 200b and 200c. The electronic module 100 and the optical modules 200a- 100c are shaped like thin boxes sharing preferably substantially the same length to obtain a compact assembly. Although only three modules are represented, typically between 1 and 5 modules 200 may be connected to a single electronic module 100. The optical modules 200a, 200b, 200c are typically meant to light the inside of a tunnel. Mounting elements 280 may be provided to engage with connection interfaces 260 for mounting the assemblies 1000, 2000, with the outside world (namely a tunnel roof). Similarly to the module 200 of figures 1-5, the optical modules 200a, 200b, 200c may comprise printed circuit boards, each comprising at least one light source, typically a LED array. The electronic module 100 may comprises a driver circuitry for driving the lights sources of the optical modules 200a- 200c. The driver circuitry may comprise one or more drivers for powering a plurality of independent strings of lights sources. In particular, according to an embodiment, each optical module may comprise four LED arrays belonging to two separate strings, while the electronic module 100 may comprise two drivers with independent control. In such an embodiment, one driver is to provide power to six in series-connected LED arrays, comprising each two LED arrays of each optical module. In this way, light distribution may be controlled over time by controlling the power supply to the two strings of each six arrays independently.

[0069] In Figures 6a and 6b, all third edges 203 of the optical modules 200a-200c, labelled in the Figures 203200a, 203200b, 203200c, may be connected mechanically to a first edge 101 of the electronic module 100 using fixing elements 300. Between the third edge 203 of the third module 200c and the electronic module 100, an electrical connection 271 may be provided from the electronic module 100 to the optical module 200c in order to provide power to the light source(s) of all three optical modules 200a-200c. A first edge 201 of the third optical module 200c may be connected mechanically to the second edge 202 of the second optical module 200b using fixing elements 300. A first edge 201 of the second optical module 200b may be connected mechanically to the second edge 202 of the first optical module 200a using fixing elements 300. Between the first edge 201 of the third module 200c and the second edge 202 of the second module 200b, an electrical connection 272 may be provided to provide power to the light source(s) of the subsequent modules 200a and 200b. Between the first edge 201 of the second module 200b and the second edge 202 of the first module 200a, an electrical connection 273 may be provided to provide power to the light source(s) of the module 200a. The location of the electrical connections 272 and 273 may be driven wire management considerations. A fourth 204 edge of the first and third optical modules 200a and 200c as well as a second edge 102 of the electronic module 100 (opposite the first edge 101 of the electronic module 100) may be further independently connectable to a tunnel ceiling or intermediate connection frame to the ceiling.

[0070] Assembling two optical modules may involve approaching one module next to another from the side such that complementary edges may face each other and may be parallel to each other. When the protrusions of one module and the recesses of the other module are at a relative matching (vertical and longitudinal) position, the optical modules may then be brough in physical contact by translating one module towards the other in a horizontal plane in a transversal direction. The modules 100, 200 may thus be brought in mechanical contact in a single translational movement. By vertically is meant here in a direction perpendicular to any one of the following: the light emitting plane, the cover surface of each module, the bottom face of the tray acting as frame of each module. The plane of the dis / assembling movement is in this sense a horizontal plane. By longitudinal is here meant a direction in a horizontal plane and parallel to the first and second edges 201 and 202 of the optical module(s) 200, i.e. along a length of the optical module(s) 200. By transversal direction is here meant a direction in a horizontal plane and perpendicular to first and second edges 201 and 202 of the optical module(s) (said relatively displaced modules being arranged in the same horizontal plane and with parallel complementary edges), i.e. perpendicular to a length of the relatively displaced optical module(s). The same assembling process may be repeated between an assembly of several modules and a subsequent module until the assembly is complete. The same assembling process may be used for assembling optical modules together and / or to an electronic module 100.

[0071] This means in the case of the embodiments of Figures 6a and 6b, that the optical modules 200a- 200c may be mechanically and electrically coupled to each other through a relative transversal translation (of any one or more of the optical modules 200a-200c), while the optical modules 200a- 200c may be mechanically and electrically coupled through a relative longitudinal translation (of the optical modules 200a-200c with respect to the electronic module 100).

[0072] In Figures 7a and 7b, side connections between the modules 200a-200c via their long sides 201 and 202 are identical to the embodiment of Figures 6a and 6b. The difference with the embodiment of Figures 6a and 6b lies in the relative orientation of this arrangement of modules 200a-200c with respect to the electronic module 100. These different arrangements may be selected depending on circumstances based on the desired light distribution. Since the optical plates have a primary direction determining the resultant light distribution, the orientation of the modules according to Figures 6a, 6b or 7a, 7b allows different light distributions. Optical plates fixed above the circuit boards holding the LEDs may alternatively be fixed in two positions rotated by 180 degrees from each other. Fixing means may be provided on the tray 230 to allow fixing the optical plates and the printed circuit boards in several ways. By combining the inner rotations of the optical plates and / or the relative orientation of the optical modules with respect to the electronic module, multiple light distribution may then be achieved.

[0073] In Figures 7a and 7b, the mechanical coupling is realized between the first edge 201 of the first optical module 200a and the first edge 101 of the electronic module 100. The electrical connection 271 between the electronic module and the modules 200a-200c is realized over the first edge 201 of the first optical module 200a and the first edge 101 of the electronic module 100. The electrical connection 272 between the first optical module 200a and the modules 200b and 200c is realized over the first edge 201 of the first optical module 200a and the second edge 202 of the second optical module 200b. The electrical connection 273 between the second optical module 200b and the third optical module 200c is realized over the first edge 201 of the second optical module 200b and the second edge 202 of the third optical module 200b.

[0074] This means in the case of the embodiments of Figures 7a and 7b, that the optical modules 200a- 200c may be mechanically and electrically coupled to each other through a relative transversal translation (of any one or more of the optical modules 200a-200c), and that the optical modules 200a-200c may be mechanically and electrically coupled through a further relative transversal translation (of the optical modules 200a-200c with respect to the electronic module 100). The protrusions 220 and the recesses 210 may be provided at corresponding (longitudinal) positions on the first edge 201 and the second edge 202 of the optical modules 200a-200c, such that the optical interconnectable modules 200a, 200b, 200c may be edge connected using their first and / or second edges 201 and 202. The protrusions 220 and the recesses 210 may be provided at corresponding (transversal) positions on the third edge 203 and the fourth edge 204 of the optical modules 200a-200c, such that the optical interconnectable modules 200a, 200b, 200c may be edge connected using their third and / or fourth edges 203 and 204 to create additional rows of interconnected optical modules (not represented). Additionally, the one or more protrusions 220 and the one or more recesses 210 may be provided at corresponding positions on edges (201, 203) of the optical modules 200a-200c and on the first edge 101 of the electronic module 100, such that the optical interconnectable modules 200a, 200b, 200c may be edge connected to the electronic module 100 using either the short sides of the optical modules 200a-200c or one long side of one optical module of the optical modules 200a-200c.

[0075] Figures 8a and 8b schematically illustrate front views of luminaire assemblies according to two exemplary embodiments of the invention, each having two optical modules oriented either parallel or perpendicular with an electronic module. Figures 8a and 8b may be selected depending on a desired direction for the light distribution, due to the asymmetry of the light distribution of each module 200.

[0076] Compared to Figure 6a, the relative position of the optical modules 200a and 200b with respect to the electronic module 100 in Figure 8a was varied such that the short sides of the optical modules 200a and 200b in Figure 8a may be centred on the (long) first edge of the electronic module 100. To accommodate for both an assembly according to Figure 6a and 8a, the electronic module 100 may comprise two sets of recesses. The first set of recesses may be incorporated on the first edge close towards the short sides, while the second set of recess may be accommodated on the first edge of the electronic module 100 substantially closer to the middle of the length of said first edge. The first set of recesses used in Figure 6a may be incorporated into hinges for opening / closing a lid of the electronic module 100. The second set of recesses used in embodiments like Figure 8a may be distinct from hinges for opening / closing a lid of the electronic module 100. Figure 8b differs only from figure 7a in that only two optical modules are connected in series via their first / second (long) edges. As seen from Figures 6a, 7a, 8a, 8b, multiple combinations and numbers of optical modules may be combined with an electronic module 100. Although represented, a skilled person could envisage without inventive step different luminaire assemblies with different numbers and / or arrangement of interconnected modules according to embodiments of the invention insofar as said interconnectable modules have edges with complementary shapes allowing for interconnections of identical modules and / or interconnections of different modules. In this way, photometry flexibility and design flexibility may be achieved.

[0077] Figure 9 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an electronic module 100 as shown in Figures 6-8. The electronic module 100 comprises a driver circuitry for driving the light sources (i.e.. the LED arrays of the printed circuit boards) of the connected optical modules 200 connected to it. In particular, the electronic module 100 may comprise multiple drivers for multiple strings of light sources (i.e.. strings of LED arrays) of the optical modules connected to it in order to control said multiple strings of light sources independently. A first edge 101 of the electronic module 100 is connected mechanically to at least one of the optical modules 200. At the edge 101, an electrical connection is also provided from the electronic module 100 to the optical module 200. A second edge 102 of the electronic module 100 is further independently connectable to a tunnel ceiling or intermediate connection frame to the ceiling. The electronic module 100 is enabled to drive all the optical modules 200 connected to it. In particular the electronic module 100 may comprise a driver for half of the LED arrays 151-154 of every optical module 200 and another driver for the other half of the LED arrays 151-154 of every optical module 200 in order to control two strings of lights independently.

[0078] The electronic module 100 comprises a box-shaped tray 130 and a cover 140, acting typically as a lid, closing the tray 130. The cover 140 is abutting against the tray 230 to seal the inside of the module 100. Inside the tray 130 and the cover 140, circuit boards of the driver circuity, typically included in one or more driver housings, as well as protection elements including for instance a fuse and a surge protection device, and / or an EMC filter and / or a communication and / or a control interface may be housed. On the edge 101 of the tray 130, at least one electrical connector 150 is provided. The electrical connector 150 is interconnectable with the electrical connector 170 of the optical module 200 as respectively fitting female and male connectors which can be plugged together. A mechanical connector 160 is also provided at the edge 101 to interconnect the electronic module 100 and the optical module 200. On the first edge 101 of the electronic module 100, recesses 110 may be arranged. The plurality of protrusions 220 of an optical module 200 and the plurality of recesses 110 of the electronic module 100 may have substantially complementary shapes to allow interconnecting said interconnectable optical module 200 with one or more additional identical interconnectable optical modules. The recesses 110 provided at the electronic module 100 may be identical in essence to the ones of the optical modules described previously, such that the reader referred to the above description of the recesses 210 including their characteristics with respect to the protrusions 220 of the optical modules 200.

[0079] Figures 10a and 10b schematically illustrate close-up front and back perspective views of the connection between an optical module as shown in Figures la, lb and an electronic module 100 as shown in Figure 9. The electronic module 100 may comprise hinge elements 160 for moveably connecting the cover 140 with the tray 130. An hinge element 160 may be formed with the tray 130 and may comprise on the back side a recess 110 identical to a recess 110 of an optical module 200. It is noted that in Figure 10b, the electrical connection between the electrical connector 250 of the electronic module 100 is not realised with electrical connector 270 of the left optical module 200 represented, due to a rotation of said connectors 150 and 270 out of alignment. By rotating the connectors, electrical connection may thus be disabled.

[0080] Whilst the principles of the invention have been set out above in connection with specific embodiments, it is understood that this description is merely made by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of protection which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An interconnectable module (200) for a luminaire assembly, said luminaire assembly comprising a plurality of said interconnectable modules (200), said interconnectable module comprising: a frame (230) for supporting at least one light source (251) for emitting light, said frame (230) comprising at a first edge (201) one or more protrusions (220) and at a second edge (202) one or more recesses (210), wherein the one or more protrusions (220) and the one or more recesses (210) have substantially complementary shapes to allow interconnecting said interconnectable module (200) with one or more additional identical interconnectable modules (200).

2. The interconnectable module according to the above claim, wherein the frame further comprises one or more additional protrusions (220) at a third edge (203, 204) of the frame (230), and one or more additional recesses (210) at a fourth edge (204, 203) of the frame (230), wherein the one or more additional protrusions (220) and the one or more additional recesses (210) have substantially complementary shapes to allow interconnecting said interconnectable module (200) with one or more additional identical interconnectable modules (200).

3. The interconnectable module according to any of the above claims, wherein the one or more protrusions and the one or more recesses substantially extend in a plane parallel to a plane extending between the first edge (201) and the second edge (202) of the frame (230), preferably parallel to a light emitting plane of the at least one light source (251).

4. The interconnectable module according to any of the above claims, wherein the one or more protrusions (220) and the one or more additional protrusions are identical, and wherein the one or more recesses (210) and the one or more additional recesses are identical.

5. The interconnectable module according to any of the above claims, wherein the first edge (201) and the second edge (202) are two opposite edges of the frame (230).

6. The interconnectable module according to any of the above claims, wherein the interconnectable module further comprises at least one electrical connector extendingout of the frame for interconnection with a complementary electrical connector of one of the one or more additional identical interconnectable modules.

7. The interconnectable module according to the above claim, wherein the protrusions, the recesses and the electrical connectors are configured such that electrical and mechanical contact between interconnected modules are realised simultaneously by an assembling movement in one plane only, preferably a single translational movement in said one assembling plane.

8. The interconnectable module according to any of the last two claims, wherein the one or more protrusions and the one or more recesses are configured to be further interlocked in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the assembling movement by a fixing element, the fixing element being preferably a screw.

9. The interconnectable module according to any of the claims above, wherein the one or more protrusions (220) and one or more recesses (210) are each configured to receive a fixing element (300) from the light emitting front side of the interconnectable module.

10. The interconnectable module according to any of the claims above, wherein each protrusion is configured to receive, in a direction perpendicular to a plane extending from the first edge (201) to the second edge (202), a fixing element for interlocking said protrusion with a recess of an additional module.

11. The interconnectable module according to any of the claims above, wherein each recess is configured to receive, in a direction perpendicular to a plane extending from the first edge (201) to the second edge (202), a fixing element for interlocking said recess with a protrusion of an additional module.

12. The interconnectable module according to any of the claims above, wherein each protrusion (220) and each recess (110) comprises a tubular opening (225, 215) for receiving a fixing element, wherein said tubular openings preferably comprise stainless steel tubular inserts.

13. The interconnectable module according to any of the claims above, wherein each protrusion (220) and each recess (110) comprises at least one contact surface (225, 215) for cooperating with a respective complementary contact surface of a respectivecomplementary protrusion or recess, wherein said at least one contact surfaces are substantially parallel to a plane extending from the first edge (201) to the second edge (202), preferably substantially parallel to a bottom face (231) of the frame (230) shaped as a tray.

14. The interconnectable module according to any of the claims above, wherein the one or more protrusions (220) and one or more recesses (110) have substantially rounded edges.

15. The interconnectable module according to any of the claims above, further comprising one or more additional connection interfaces (260) for connection to external elements at the second edge.

16. The interconnectable module according to any of the claims above, wherein the one or more first protrusions (220) are arranged to protrude outwardly of the frame (230) over the first edge (201) of said frame (230) from a bottom face (231) of said frame (230) shaped as a tray, and wherein the one or more first recesses (110) are substantially integrated at the second edge (202) of the frame (230) in the bottom face (231) of said tray-shaped frame (230).

17. The interconnectable module according to any of the claims above, wherein the one or more protrusions (220) and the one or more recesses (210) are provided at corresponding positions on the first (201) and second edge (202), such that identical interconnectable modules may be edge connected using their first and / or second edges.

18. The interconnectable module according to the claim above and claim 15, wherein the one or more additional connection interfaces (260) are provided next to the one or more recesses, preferably aligned between the one or more recesses and the one or more protrusions.

19. The interconnectable module according to any of the last two claims above and claim 2, wherein the one or more additional protrusions (220) at a third edge (203, 204) of the frame (230), and / or one or more additional recesses (210) at a fourth edge (204, 203) of the frame (230) are provided at corresponding positions on the third and fourth edge, such that identical and / or different interconnectable modules (100, 200) may be edge connected using their third and / or fourth edges.

20. The interconnectable module according to any of the claims above, wherein the frame has an elongated shape with a length at least twice the width.

21. The interconnectable module according to any of the claims above, wherein the frame comprises a tray containing the light source, and an at least partially light transmitting cover closing said tray, the bottom face of the frame being the external under surface of the tray, said tray further having side surfaces extending from the edges of the bottom face to the cover.

22. A luminaire assembly, in particular for use in tunnels, comprising a plurality of interconnectable modules (100, 200), wherein at least one of said interconnectable modules (200) comprises at least one light source for emitting light, the luminaire assembly comprising at least a first module (200) and a second module (100, 200), wherein the first module and the second module each comprises a frame (230, 130) one or more fixing elements (300) for at least mechanically interconnecting the first module (200) and the second module (100, 200), wherein the first module frame (230) comprises at a first edge (201) one or more protrusions (220), each protrusion (220) being configured to receive a fixing element (300), wherein the second module frame (230, 130) comprises at a first edge (101, 203) one or more recesses (110, 210), each recess (110, 210) being configured to receive a fixing element (300), wherein the one or more protrusions (220) and the one or more recesses (110, 210) have substantially complementary shapes for cooperating with each other and for receiving a common fixing element.

23. The luminaire assembly according to the claim above, wherein the first module and the second module are both optical modules each comprising at least one light source (251).

24. The luminaire assembly according to the above claim 22, wherein the first module (200) is an optical module comprising the at least one light source (251) and wherein the second module (100) is an electronic module comprising driver circuitry (150) for driving the at least one light source.

25. The luminaire assembly according to any of the assembly claims above, wherein the one or more protrusions and the one or more recesses substantially extend in a plane parallel to a light emitting plane of the at least one light source (251).

26. The luminaire assembly according to any of the assembly claims above, wherein the one or more protrusions (220) and one or more recesses (110, 210) are each configured to receive a fixing element (300) from the light emitting side of the luminaire assembly.

27. The luminaire assembly according to any of the assembly claims above, wherein a protrusion (220) and a cooperating respective recess (110, 210) each comprise a tubular opening (225, 115), said tubular openings (225, 115) being configured to align in use to receive a fixing element, said openings (225, 215) being preferably oriented perpendicularly to a light emitting plane of the at least one light source, wherein said tubular openings more preferably comprise stainless steel tubular inserts.

28. The luminaire assembly according to any of the assembly claims above, wherein each module further comprises at least one electrical connector extending out of the frame for interconnection with a complementary electrical connector of another module.

29. The luminaire assembly according to the above claim, wherein the protrusions, the recesses and the electrical connectors are configured such that electrical and mechanical contact between modules are realised simultaneously by an assembling movement in one plane only, preferably a single translational movement in said assembling plane.

30. The luminaire assembly according to any of the last two claims, wherein a protrusion and a recess are configured to be further interlocked in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the assembling movement by a fixing element, the fixing element being preferably a screw.

31. The luminaire assembly according to any of the assembly claims above, wherein said frame (230) of the first optical module comprises one or more additional protrusions (220) at a second edge (203, 204), each protrusion being configured to, preferably vertically, receive a fixing element.

32. The luminaire assembly according to any of the assembly claims above, wherein said frame (230) of the first optical module (200) comprises one or more recesses (210) at athird edge (202) opposite the first edge (201), and optionally at a fourth edge (203, 204), each recess being configured to, preferably vertically, receive a fixing element.

33. The luminaire assembly according to any of the assembly claims above, wherein each protrusion (220) and each recess (110) comprises at least one contact surface (225, 215) for cooperating with a respective complementary contact surface of a respective complementary protrusion or recess, wherein said at least one contact surfaces are substantially parallel with a light emitting surface of the at least one light source.

34. The luminaire assembly according to any of the assembly claims above, wherein the one or more protrusions (220) and one or more recesses (110) have substantially rounded edges.

35. The luminaire assembly according to any of the claims above, further comprising one or more additional connection interfaces (260) for connection to external elements.

36. The luminaire assembly according to any of the claims above and claim 24, wherein the portion of the second module frame (130) comprising the one or more recesses is further shaped as an hinge element for receiving a cover (140).

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