EP0555688B1 - Fluorescent lamp - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a fluorescent lamp according to the introductory part of claim 1. Such a lamp is described in document FR-A-1.365.013.

To line up such fluorescent lights, additional coupling pieces have been used so far, which mechanically and electrically connect the plug-in connectors arranged in the housing.

These additional coupling pieces are relatively expensive and thus affect the overall cost of the lights.

Furthermore, it has become known in practice to slidably arrange the plug-in connectors in the luminaire housings by inserting them into a wall of the luminaire housing Longitudinal slot is recessed through which a screw engages, which engages in the connector and thus fixes it in two shifted positions.

Here, however, the screw is screwed directly into the connector block of the connector and there is no perfect electrical safety, since incorrect screwing in or screwing can damage the electrical parts in the connector.

The object of the invention is to provide a fluorescent lamp constructed in the manner mentioned at the outset for stringing together and thus electrically connecting a plurality of lamps, in which the displaceable plug-in connectors are arranged in the housing in a simple and electrically safe manner and can be easily moved into and into the two end positions can be locked, simple means should be provided for the displacement and locking on the end caps, which rule out damage to electrical parts of the connector for locking.

This object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1. The design features listed in the individual subclaims represent advantageous and beneficial further developments of the task solution.

The fluorescent luminaire is equipped with specially designed end caps for stringing together several luminaires, in which the plug connectors are mounted so that they can be moved and locked securely in the two end positions.

The connectors are each equipped with an adjustment block, which is preferably on the domes or in the holes of the connection block of the plug-in connector is fixed by plugging on, clipping on or the like, and by means of which the displacement and locking of the end position takes place by means of a screw or locking means.

The plug connector and / or adjustment block are preferably mounted in a sliding guide molded onto the end cap, and are therefore housed in an electrically secured manner with respect to the housing by the plastic design of the end cap.

When the connector is moved by means of a screw, it engages in the adjustment block made of plastic and thereby passes between two adjacent domes, so that this screw cannot come into contact with or damage to the electrical parts in the connector and thus the required electrical safety is ensured.

Furthermore, the adjustment block with the plug connector can be locked in both end positions by means of latching means and can be moved into the two end positions without a screw by means of tools, by hand or via an actuating pin. This locking means are integrally formed on the end cap or formed as part of the adjustment block.

The one-piece end cap with the sliding guide, the locking means and the spacer (screw guide) and the adjustment part with locking means are simple and inexpensive to produce plastic parts that are extremely easy to mount on and in the housing.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Leuchtstoffleuchte mit langgestrecktem Leuchtengehäuse und am Stirnende angeordneten Endkappen mit Aussparungen und in das Gehäuse eingeschobenen elektrischen Steckverbindern,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Endkappe mit elektrischem Steckverbinder und daran angebrachtem Verstellblock bei aus der Endkappe zur Aneinanderreihung benachbarter Leuchten teilweise herausgeschobenem Steckverbinder,

Fig. 3

einen Endabschnitt der Leuchte im teilweisen Schnitt mit in das Gehäuse eingeschobenem Steckverbinder mit Verstellblock und in diesen eingreifenden Schraube,

Fig. 3 a

eine Rückansicht der Endkappe mit Steckverbinder und Verstellblock und Loch für die in den Verstellblock eingreifende Schraube,

Fig. 4

eine Unteransicht im teilweisen Schnitt der Endkappe mit herausgeschobenem Steckverbinder und Verstellblock sowie federnden Rastmitteln zur Arretierung der beiden Verschiebestellungen,

Fig. 5

eine Innenansicht im teilweisen Schnitt der Endkappe mit ausgeschobenem Steckverbinder und federnden Rastmitteln,

Fig. 6

eine Draufsicht auf die Endkappe mit Rastmitteln am Verstellblock und Gegenstücken in einer Kappenwandung in der ausgeschobenen Stellung des Steckverbinders und arretiertem Verstellblock,

Fig. 7

einen senkrechten Schnitt durch die Endkappe nach Fig. 6 mit eingeschobenem Steckverbinder und arretiertem Verstellblock,

Fig. 8 und 9

eine Draufsicht und einen senkrechten Schnitt der Endkappe in den beiden Stellungen von Steckverbinder und Verstellblock gemäß Fig. 6 und 7, jedoch mit Betätigungsstift an den Rastmitteln,

Fig. 10

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Verstellblockes gemäß Fig. 8 und 9 mit federnder Zunge, Rastnocken und Betätigungsstift,

Fig. 11

eine Seitenansicht des Verstellblockes in der Arretierstellung seines Rastnockens
und

Fig. 12

eine Seitenansicht des Verstellblockes in der Verschiebestellung seines Rastnockens bei verformter Federzunge.

Fig. 13 und 14

perspektivische Darstellungen zweiter benachbarter Endkappen,

Fig. 15

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Steckverbinders,

Fig. 16

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines plattenförmigen Verstellteiles mit Rastzungen,

Fig. 17

eine Seitenansicht im teilweisen Schnitt einer Endkappe mit herausgezogenem und durch das Verstellteil arretiertem Steckverbinder,

Fig. 18

eine Seitenansicht im teilweisen Schnitt der benachbarten Endkappe mit in derselben festgelegtem Steckverbinder ohne Verstellteil,

Fig. 19

eine Draufsicht auf die Endkappe in der Arretierstellung des herausgezogenen Steckverbinders durch das Verstellteil.

In the drawings, an embodiment of the invention is shown in variations. It shows:

Fig. 1

1 shows a perspective illustration of a fluorescent lamp with an elongated lamp housing and end caps arranged at the front end with cutouts and electrical plug connectors inserted into the housing,

Fig. 2

1 shows a perspective view of an end cap with an electrical connector and an adjustment block attached to it, with the connector partially pushed out of the end cap for lining up adjacent lamps,

Fig. 3

an end section of the lamp in partial section with the plug-in connector inserted into the housing with the adjustment block and the screw engaging in it,

Fig. 3 a

a rear view of the end cap with connector and adjusting block and hole for the screw engaging in the adjusting block,

Fig. 4

a bottom view in partial section of the end cap with the connector pushed out and adjusting block and resilient locking means for locking the two displacement positions,

Fig. 5

an interior view in partial section of the end cap with the connector pushed out and resilient locking means,

Fig. 6

a plan view of the end cap with locking means on the adjustment block and counterparts in one Cap wall in the extended position of the connector and locked adjustment block,

Fig. 7

6 shows a vertical section through the end cap according to FIG. 6 with the plug-in connector inserted and the adjustment block locked,

8 and 9

6 shows a top view and a vertical section of the end cap in the two positions of plug connector and adjustment block according to FIGS. 6 and 7, but with an actuating pin on the latching means,

Fig. 10

8 and 9 with a resilient tongue, locking cams and actuating pin,

Fig. 11

a side view of the adjustment block in the locking position of its locking cam
and

Fig. 12

a side view of the adjustment block in the shift position of its locking cam with a deformed spring tongue.

13 and 14

perspective representations of two adjacent end caps,

Fig. 15

a perspective view of a connector,

Fig. 16

2 shows a perspective illustration of a plate-shaped adjustment part with latching tongues,

Fig. 17

2 shows a side view in partial section of an end cap with the connector pulled out and locked by the adjusting part,

Fig. 18

2 shows a side view in partial section of the adjacent end cap with the connector fixed in the same without an adjustment part,

Fig. 19

a plan view of the end cap in the locking position of the pulled connector by the adjustment part.

The fluorescent lamp has an elongated socket (2) for a fluorescent tube (3), which can be fixed to a wall or ceiling surface and accommodates electrical operating components and has a socket (2) on the outside, which is closed at both ends by an end cap (4) is. Each end cap (4) has a recess (5) for access to an electrical plug connector (6) arranged in the housing (1) in the form of a plug and socket part. At least one, preferably both, connectors 6) can be partially pushed out of the housing (1) through the recess (5) of the end caps (4) and can be fixed in position in both positions in order to line up fluorescent lamps.

For this purpose, an adjusting part (8/31)) in block or plate form made of plastic is fixed on the connector (6) on its domes (7) or in holes (7a) of the connector (6) and the end cap (4) has one in the sliding guide (9) extending into the housing (1), in which the plug connector (6) and / or the adjusting part (8/31) slidably supports (supports); the adjusting part (8/31) with the plug connector (6) can be displaced by means of a screw (10) extending in the sliding direction or manually, ie into the housing (1) and can be pushed out of the housing (1) for electrical connection of lamps and through the screw (10) and / or through Locking means (11/12 (32) can be locked in both sliding positions.

The sliding guide (9) extends in the extension of the recess (5) at right angles to the flap outer wall (13) which has the recesses (5) and is designed as a partially open profile undercut, partially open with the end cap (4) and encompasses at least that Connector (6) moved.

The sliding guide (9) has a rectangular C-shaped cross section and forms three contact walls (14, 15, 16) and two contact edges (17, 18) for the connection block (19) of the connector (6).

The connector or socket parts (20) of the connector (6) go from the connection block (19) at right angles to the domes (7).

The adjustment part (8) which is plugged onto the dome (7) of the connection block (19) of the connector (6) or inserted into the holes (7a) of the connector connection block (19) with plug-in lugs is formed by a columnar square or rectangular block as an adjustment block and rests on the contact edges (17, 18) on the open side of the sliding guide (9) so that they can slide.

The contact wall (16) is corresponding to the outer wall (13) extended beyond the sliding guide (9) as a wall (21) and forms an angle with the outer wall (13) and then the sliding guide (9) is at one end of the angle - cf. Fig. 2-.

This end cap (4) engages with its wall (21), the sliding guide (9) and a web (22) formed on the inside of the outer wall (13) into the metal (2) profiles (1a) connected to each other by screws (35) , 1b), preferably angular profiles, formed housing (1) and the outer wall (13) of the corner cap (4) covers and closes the open end face of the housing (1).

A screw (10) is screwed into the adjustment block (8) for displacing the adjustment block (8) with plug connector (6) from the outside of the outer cap wall (13), this screw (10) reaching between two adjacent domes (7) (cf. 3 a), so that damage to the electrical connections in the domes (7) is excluded by the screw (10).

3 and 3 a, the sliding guide (9) is rigid in itself and forms with the end cap (4) a rigid part in which the connector (6) and adjustment block (8) only by the screw (10 ) moved into its two end positions (pushed into the housing (1) and pulled out of the housing (1).

According to the modified embodiment according to FIGS. 2, 4, 5, locking means (11) can be provided in addition to the screw (10).

For this, e.g. the contact wall (16) of the sliding guide (9) as a resilient tongue (16a) with locking projections (11) for locking the connector (6) pushed into the housing (1) by the screw (10) and pushed out of the housing (1) educated.

The displacement takes place via the adjustment block (8) by means of the screw (10) and two locking projections (11) in the form of cams or bulges formed on the tongue (16a) fix the connector (6) with its connection block (19) in both end positions.

A contact edge (18) of the sliding guide (9) can also be designed to be resilient and can have locking projections (11) for locking the connector (6) with the screw (10) into the housing (1) and out of the housing ( 1) pushed out adjustment block (8) so that the adjustment block (8) itself is fixed in the end positions and the connector (6) can be moved freely by the adjustment block (8) in the sliding guide (9) (see dash-dotted line the locking projections (11) in Fig. 4, in which case the resilient tongue (16a) is omitted).

6 to 12, the adjustment block (8) is moved without a screw (10), but here the adjustment block (8) has a molded, resilient tongue (23) with a detent cam (12) molded onto it, with which the adjustment block (8) snaps into two holes in a hole (24) of the contact wall (21) next to the sliding guide (9).

The resilient tongue (23) is formed by a web on one end of the column of the adjustment block (8) by a recessed groove (25) which is elastically movable relative to the adjustment block (8) and which on its free, movable edge region has the locking cam (12) with a circular or angular basic shape.

Congruent to the two holes (24), two holes (26) for attaching a tool, such as a screwdriver, are left in the housing (1), through which the locking cams (12) can be moved out of the hole (24) to move the adjustment block (8). can be pressed out, which can be pressed by the resilient tongue (23) towards the adjustment block (8) and then slides along under the wall (21) when sliding and automatically engages again when it reaches the second hole (24) (Fig. 11, 12, 6 and 7). The displacement of the adjustment block (8) with plug connector (6) is carried out by manually grasping the plug or socket parts (20).

Furthermore, an actuating pin (27) can be formed on the latching cam (12) of the resilient adjusting block tongue (23), by means of which the latching cam (12) is pressed out of the hole (24) without tools and only by hand and with which the adjusting block (8) of one to the other hole (24) is moved by hand.

For this purpose, a longitudinal slot (28) is cut out between the two holes (24) for the locking cams (12) of the adjustment block (8) in the wall (21) of the end cap (4) and in the wall of the housing (1), which slides the displacement of the actuating pin (27) from one to the other hole (24) allows (Fig. 8, 9 and 10).

In an embodiment, not shown, the sliding guide (9) is designed such that it guides both parts (6, 8) together or only displaceably guides the adjustment block (8), which then guides the connector (6) through the dome plug -Connects the connection securely.

In order to line up luminaires, one connector (6) can be slid in each luminaire and the other (6) can be fixed, or both connectors (6) can be slidable.

For the stringing together of adjacent lights, a connector (6) is pushed out and the connector (6) of the adjacent lamp remains in the housing (1) or both connectors (6) are pushed out of their housing (1) by half length, so that everyone Connector (6) of the neighboring lights only makes half a displacement.

With (29) a removable cover on the housing (1) or on the fluorescent tube (3) is designated in Fig. 1.

(30) are the electrical cables that connect the connectors (6) to the operating components of the lamp.

According to the further embodiment according to FIGS. 14 to 19, the adjustment part (31) is formed by a plate fixed on the domes (7) by plug connection, which has at least one, preferably two locking tongues (32), which in the end cap (4 ) Engage the pulled-out coupling position behind the edge (5a) of the end cap (4).

The two latching tongues (32) of the plate-shaped adjustment part (31) are formed from its material thickness and connected to the adjustment part (31) with one length end and have at the other, in the pull-out direction of the plug connector (6) rear length end protruding from the plane of the plate (32a) on.

The adjustment part (31) has a rectangular basic plate shape which covers the connector (6) at least over its entire length and width, forms a pull-out edge (31a) protruding slightly beyond the plug or socket parts (20) at the length end and has several holes (33) which can be plugged onto the dome (7).

The connector (6) is with the plate-shaped adjustment part (31) in the inserted position by both-sided locking means (11) of the sliding guide (9) or by an end that limits the insertion position Locking means (11) and a tapering width of the sliding guide (9) fixed in position and is locked in the pulled-out position by the locking tongues (32) which stand out with their locking lugs (32a) on the outside in front of the edge (5a) of the recess (5) . 13 to 19, each lamp has a pull-out connector (6) equipped with an adjusting part (31). 17 and a connector (6) fixed in the housing (1) without an adjustment part (31). 18- for lining up luminaires. To pull out the connector (6), a tool, such as pliers, is attached to the outside pull-out edge (31a) of the adjustment part (31), so that the structural unit formed by the connector (6) and adjustment part (31) is then inserted in the sliding guide (9). can be pulled outwards until the domes (7) abutting against the outer wall (13) limit the pull-out size and at the same time latch the latching tongues (32) in front of the outer wall and thus fix the extended position. To push the connector (6) in, the latching tongues (32) with their lugs (32a) are pressed away from the edge (5a) against the connector (6) by a tool, such as a screwdriver, and then the connector (6) is pushed in, which is then fixed in the inserted position by the latching means (11). The end cap (4) with sliding guide (9) and spacer and guide piece (34) is made in one piece from plastic.

On the wall (21) of the cover cap (4), a spacer and guide piece (34) is formed in a tubular shape, which keeps the two profiles (1a, 1b) of the housing (1) at a distance and a guide for the connecting screws (35) of the two housing profiles (1a, 1b).

Claims (17)

1. Fluorescent light fitting with an elongate housing (1) accommodating inside it electrical service components and on the outside having lampholder backplates (2) for a fluorescent tube (3), said housing (1) being closed at both end faces by an end cover (4) which in each case features a recess (5) giving access to an electrical plug-in connector (6) disposed in the housing (1) and which is in the form of a plug or socket element (20), and the plug-in connectors (6) being adapted to be pushed partly out of the housing (1) through the recess (5) in the end covers (4) and to be positionally fixed in both positions so as to allow fluorescent light fittings to be arranged side by side,
   there being an adjustment element (8/31) located on the plug-in connector (6) and the end cover (4) featuring a sliding guide (9) extending into the housing (1) and in which the plug-in connector (6) and/or the adjustment element (8/31) is displaceably mounted,
   characterised in that the adjusting element (8/31) is adapted to be displaced with the plug-in connector (6) by means of a screw (10) extending in the slide direction or else manually, and to be locked in both displacement positions by the screw (10) and/or by locking means (11/12/32) and that with one external panel (13) and one panel (21) extending in prolongation of the sliding guide (9) the end cover (4) forms an angle piece in one angular extremity of which extends the sliding guide (9), and all the elements of the cover (13, 21, 9/34) having been moulded in one piece from plastic and the adjustment element (8/31) consisting of plastic.
2. Fluorescent light fitting according to claim 1, characterised in that moulded on the panel (21) of the blanking cap (4) is a spacing and guiding piece (34) in the shape of a tube, which holds the two profiles (1a, 1b) of the housing (1) apart and forms a guide for the connecting screws (35) of the two housing profiles (1a, 1b).
3. Fluorescent light fitting according to claim 1, characterised in that the sliding guide (9) runs in prolongation of the recess (5) at a right angle to the cover's outer panel (13) incorporating the recess, and takes the form of a partially open profile which is integral with the end cover (4) and undercut in cross-section, and which engages around at least the plug-in connector (6).
4. Fluorescent light fitting according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the sliding guide (9) has a cross-section in the shape of a rectangular C and forms three contact panels (14, 15, 16) and two contact edges (17, 18) for the terminal block (19) of the plug-in connector (6).
5. Fluorescent light fitting according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the adjustment element (8) pushed onto the domes (7) of the terminal block (19) of the plug-in connector (6) or push-located in holes (7a) in the plug-in connector terminal block (19) is formed by a column-shaped square or rectangular block and bears in a displaceable manner against the contact edges (17, 18) running along the open face of the sliding guide (9).
6. Fluorescent light fitting according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that from the outer face of the cover's outer panel (13) a screw (10) is screwed into the adjusting block (8) to displace the adjusting block (8) and plug-in connector (6), and said screw (10) engages between two adjacent domes (7) (Figs. 3 to 5).
7. Fluorescent light fitting according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that one contact panel (16) of the sliding guide (9) takes the form of a resilient tab (16a) with locking projections (11) for clamping the plug-in connector (6) pushed by the screw (10) into the housing (1) and pushed out of the housing (1) (Figs. 2 and 4).
8. Fluorescent light fitting according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that one contact edge (18) of the sliding guide (9) is of resilient construction and is provided with locking projections (11) for clamping the adjusting block (8) pushed by the screw (10) together with the plug-in connector (6) into the housing (1) and out of the housing (1) (Fig. 4).
9. Fluorescent light fitting according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the adjusting block (8) incorporates an injection-moulded, resilient tab (23) with a locking cam (12) moulded onto it, by means of which in both displacement positions the adjusting block (8) locks into a respective hole (24) in a cover panel (21) alongside the sliding guide (9) (Figs. 6 and 7).
10. Fluorescent light fitting according to any of claims 1 to 5 and 8, characterised in that the resilient tab (23) is formed by a crosspiece adapted to move at one end of the column of the adjusting block (8), flexibly with respect to the adjusting block (8), through a recessed groove (25), and on its free, movable rim portion said crosspiece has moulded on it the locking cam (12) of circular or angular basic shape.
11. Fluorescent light fitting according to any of claims 1 to 5 and 8 or 9, characterised in that an operating pin (27) is moulded on the locking cam (12) of the resilient adjusting block tab (23) (Figs. 8 and 9).
12. Fluorescent light fitting according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that in the panel (21) revealing the two holes (24) for the locking cam (12) of the adjusting block (8), the end cover (4) and the panel of the housing (1) that overlaps said panel (21), a respective operating opening (26) for the locking cam (12) is incorporated to coincide with the holes (24).
13. Fluorescent light fitting according to any of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that between the two holes (24) for the locking cam (12) of the adjusting block (8) in the panel (21) of the end cover (4) and in the panel of the housing (1), a slot (28) for the operating pin (27) of the locking cam (12) is incorporated to allow for displacement.
14. Fluorescent light fitting according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the adjusting element (31) is formed by a plate located on the domes (7) by a push-fitting and featuring at least one, preferably two, locking tabs (32) which lodge in locking fashion behind the rim (5a) of the end cover (4) in the coupling position pulled out from the end cover (4) (Figs. 14 to 19).
15. Fluorescent light fitting according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the two locking tabs (32) of the plate-shaped adjusting element (31) are formed out of material therefrom and are joined by one longitudinal extremity to the adjusting element (31) and at the other longitudinal extremity, at the rear in the direction in which the plug-in connector (6) is pulled out, feature locking lugs (32a) which protrude from the plane of the plate.
16. Fluorescent light fitting according to any of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the adjusting element (31) has a rectangular basic plate shape which covers the plug-in connector (6) at least over its entire length and over its width, at the longitudinal extremity on the pull-out side features a pull-out rim (31a) which protrudes slightly over the plug and socket elements (20) and has a plurality of holes (33) adapted to be pushed onto the domes (7).
17. Fluorescent light fitting according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the plug-in connector (6) with the plate-shaped adjusting element (31) is positionally fixed in the pushed-in position by locking means (11) on both end faces of the sliding guide (9) or by a locking means (11) on the end face which delimits the push-in position and by a sliding guide (9) portion of tapering width which extends in the pull-out direction and is clamped in the pulled-out position by the locking tabs (32).

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