EP0555688A1 - Fluorescent lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

The fluorescent lamp has an elongated housing, which accommodates electrical operating components within itself, supports on the outside holder caps for a fluorescent lamp and is sealed at both end faces by an end cap (4) which in each case have a cutout (5) for accessing an electrical connector (6) which is arranged in the housing and has the form of a plug part or socket part (20), it being the case that for the purpose of lining up fluorescent lamps the connectors can be pushed partially out of the housing through the cutout (5) of the end caps (4) and be fixed in position in both positions. An adjusting part (8) made from plastic is fixed on the connector (6), and the end cap (4) has a slide guide (9) which extends into the housing (1) and in which the connector (6) and/or the adjusting part (8) is displaceably mounted and the adjusting part (8) with the connector (6) can be displaced by means of a screw, running in the sliding direction, or manually and can be locked in both displaced positions by the screw and/or by locating means (11). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a fluorescent lamp with an elongated, in electrical operating components receiving and on the outside socket for a fluorescent tube housing, which is closed at both ends by an end cap, each of which has a recess for access to an electrical connector arranged in the housing in Have the shape of a plug or socket part and the connectors for stringing together fluorescent lights can be partially pushed out of the housing through the recess in the end caps and can be fixed in position in both positions.

To connect such fluorescent lamps in series, additional coupling pieces have hitherto been used, 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 improper screwing or improper 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 exclude 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 thus 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 view of a fluorescent lamp with an elongated lamp housing and end caps arranged at the front end with cutouts and electrical plug connectors pushed into the housing,

Fig. 2

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

Fig. 3

an end section of the luminaire in partial section with the plug-in connector with adjusting block inserted into the housing and 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 and adjustment block pushed out 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 the plug connector and adjusting 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

1 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

3 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 plug 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.

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 lights 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, undercut cross-section 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 against the bearing edges (17, 18) running on the open side of the sliding guide (9).

The contact wall (16) is extended according to the outer wall (13) beyond the sliding guide (9) as a wall (21) and forms an angle with the outer wall (13) and then the sliding guide (9) lies 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).

From the outside of the cap outer wall (13), a screw (10) is screwed into the adjustment block (8) for displacing the adjustment block (8) with plug connector (6), 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 (pressed 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) and 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 be provided with 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 then 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) engages in both 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 latching cams (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 adjusting block (8) can be pressed out, which can be pressed by the resilient tongue (23) towards the adjusting block (8) and then slides along when sliding under the wall (21) 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 and socket parts (20).

Furthermore, an actuating pin (27) can be formed on the latching cam (12) of the resilient adjusting block tongue (23), through 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) is one to the other hole (24) is moved by hand.

For this purpose, a longitudinal slot (28) is left 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 securely.

To string lamps together, one connector (6) can be slid in each lamp 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 each Connector (6) of the adjacent 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 locking tongues (32) of the plate-shaped adjustment part (31) are formed from its material thickness and connected to the adjustment part (31) at one length end and have at the other, in the pull-out direction of the plug connector (6) rear length end protruding from the plate level, protruding lugs (32a) on.

The adjustment part (31) has a rectangular basic plate shape that 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 on the extract side, 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-side, which 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 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 locking means (11). The end cap (4) with sliding guide (9) and spacer and guide piece (34) is made in one piece from plastic.

A spacer and guide piece (34) in the form of a tube is formed on the wall (21) of the cover cap (4), 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) forms.

Claims (18)

Fluorescent lamp with an elongated, in electrical operating components receiving and on the outside socket base for a fluorescent tube housing, which is closed at both ends by an end cap, each of which has a recess for access to an electrical connector arranged in the housing in the form of a plug or socket part and the plug connectors for lining up fluorescent lamps can be partially pushed out of the housing through the recess in the end caps and can be fixed in position in both positions, characterized in that
that on the connector (6) is an adjustment part (8/31) made of plastic and the end cap (4) has a sliding guide (9) extending into the housing (1), in which the connector (6) and / or Adjusting part (8/31) slidably supports and the adjusting part (8/31) with the plug connector (6) by means of a screw (10) extending in the sliding direction or manually displaceable and by the screw (10) and / or by locking means (11/12 / 32) can be locked in both shift positions. Fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding guide (9) extends at right angles to the outer wall (13) of the cap (5) and extends as an undercut, partially open profile with the end cap (4) is formed and at least engages around the connector (6) in a guided manner. Fluorescent lamp according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sliding guide (9) has a rectangular C-shaped cross section and three contact walls (14, 15, 16) and two contact edges (17, 18) for the connection block (19) of the plug connector (6) forms. Fluorescent lamp according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the adjusting part (8) fixed on the domes (7) of the connection block (19) of the plug connector (6) or in holes (7a) of the plug connector connection block (19) ) is formed by a columnar square or rectangular block and rests on the contact edges (17, 18) running on the open side of the sliding guide (9) so as to be displaceable. Fluorescent lamp according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a screw (10) is screwed into the adjustment block (8) for displacing the adjustment block (8) with a plug connector (6) from the outside of the outer cap wall (13), which is inserted between two neighboring domes (7) reaches through (Fig. 3 to 5). Fluorescent lamp according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a bearing wall (16) of the sliding guide (9) as a resilient tongue (16a) with locking projections (11) for locking the screw (10) into the housing (1) inserted and pushed out of the housing (1) connector (6) is formed (Fig. 2 and 4). Fluorescent lamp according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a contact edge (18) of the sliding guide (9) is resilient in itself and with locking projections (11) for locking the with Connector (6) is provided by the screw (10) into the housing (1) and out of the housing (1) sliding adjustment block (8) (Fig. 4). Fluorescent lamp according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the adjusting block (8) has a molded, resilient tongue (23) with a locking cam (12) molded thereon, with which the adjusting block (8) has a hole in both displacement positions (24) a cap wall (21) next to the sliding guide (9) snaps in (6 and 7). Fluorescent lamp according to one of Claims 1 to 4 and 8, characterized in that the resilient tongue (23) is formed by a web which is movable elastically with respect to the adjustment block (8) at a column end of the adjustment block (8) by a recessed groove (25), which carries the detent cam (12) with a circular or angular basic shape formed on its free, movable edge area. Fluorescent lamp according to one of claims 1 to 4 and 8 or 9, characterized in that an actuating pin (27) is formed on the latching cam (12) of the resilient adjusting block tongue (23) (FIGS. 8 and 9). Fluorescent lamp according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that in the wall (21), the end cap (4) and the wall which overlaps this wall (21) and which shows the two holes (24) for the locking cams (12) of the adjusting block (8) the housing (1) is congruent with the holes (24), one actuation opening (26) for the locking cams (12) is left out. Fluorescent lamp according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that 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), a longitudinal slot (28) for the actuating pin (27) of the locking cam (12) is recessed for displacement is. Fluorescent lamp according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the adjusting 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 from Lock the end cap (4) of the pulled-out coupling position behind the edge (5a) of the end cap (4) (Fig. 14 to 19). Fluorescent lamp according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the two latching tongues (32) of the plate-shaped adjustment part (31) are formed from its material thickness and are connected to the adjustment part (31) with one length end and at the other, in the pull-out direction of the connector ( 6) have rear lugs (32 a) protruding from the plate level. Fluorescent lamp according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the adjusting part (31) has a rectangular basic plate shape which covers the plug connector (6) at least over its entire length and over its width, at the length end on the outlet side it is slightly above the plug or Has bushing parts (20) projecting pull-out edge (31a) and shows several holes (33) that can be plugged onto the domes (7). Fluorescent lamp according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connector (6) with plate-shaped adjustment part (31) in the inserted position by means of latching means (11) on both sides of the sliding guide (9) or by an end-side Locking position limiting insertion position (11) and a tapering width of the sliding guide (9) extending in the pull-out direction is fixed in position and locked in the pulled-out position by the locking tongues (32). Fluorescent lamp according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that on the wall (21) of the cover cap (4) a spacer and guide piece (34) is molded in tube shape, which the two profiles (1a, 1b) of the housing (1 ) holds at a distance and forms a guide for the connecting screws (35) of the two housing profiles (1a, 1b). Fluorescent lamp according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the end cap (4) with its outer wall (13) and the wall (21) extending in the extension of the sliding guide (9) forms an angular part, in one end of which the sliding guide ( 9) extends and wherein all cap parts (13, 21, 9/34) are formed in one piece from plastic.

Images