AT13052U1 - DEVICE FOR CONNECTING AND CONTACTING AT LEAST ONE LED UNIT, AS WELL AS LED UNIT AND LIGHTING SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for mechanically connecting and electrically contacting at least one LED unit (2), comprising at least one first connection socket (3) which is arranged on the LED unit (2), wherein the first connection socket (3 ) Contact elements (7) which are electrically or indirectly directly or indirectly connected to an LED module (13) of the LED unit (2), wherein a contact for electrical connection of the LED module (13) of the LED unit (2 ) is provided with a supply conductor via the first connection socket (3). It is essential that the device has at least one further connection socket (20) attached to the LED unit (2), wherein the connection sockets (3, 20) are preferably arranged in each case in the region of the ends of the LED unit (2). In addition, the invention relates to an LED unit (2) and a lighting system (28) with at least one device according to the invention.

Description

Austrian Patent Office AT 13 052 U1 2013-05-15

description

DEVICE FOR CONNECTING AND CONTACTING AT LEAST ONE LED IN-DEPTH, AS WELL AS LED UNIT AND LIGHTING SYSTEM

The invention relates to a device for mechanically connecting and electrically contacting at least one LED unit according to the preamble of claim 1, and an LED unit and a lighting system.

Light-emitting diode units (LED units) are used more and more in recent years, for example, for lighting of advertising or advertising space, rooms, shelves or the like. LED units can be used both indoors and outdoors. LED units usually consist of one or more consecutively wired LED modules, which are arranged linearly in a profile or housing, and which are operated by an LED converter. LED units are also referred to as LED engine or LED light bar.

From EP 1 436 860 B1 an LED chain with LED modules is known, wherein the LED modules are provided with a plug connection, which can be contacted in the respective connector counterparts on a continuous conductor strand. The conductor strand is predefined and not all plug-in counterparts from the conductor strand may be occupied by the LED modules or it may take ladder extension to realize the desired arrangement of the LED modules. The wiring of the LED chain is thus not always optimized.

In the US 2006/262 533 A1 a housed light emitting diode is shown, wherein at one end of the LED housing a plug connection and at the other end the connector mating piece is present, so that a plurality of LED housing can be inserted one behind the other. However, only a plurality of lines of the LED circuit board can be connected to each other and a kind of LED module can be formed with this connector. The connection to the supply line should still be made separately.

It can be seen from EP 2 078 895 A2 that the continuous supply conductor is arranged in the profile of an LED unit and that contact pins are arranged at one end of the LED unit. They allow a tool-free electrical connection between the supply conductor and the LED module in the LED unit. Disadvantage is that a continuous supply conductor is necessary. If multiple LED units need to be mounted in series, mounting such configurations can still be costly.

The invention has the object of providing a device for mechanical connection and electrical contact at least one LED unit of the types specified in such a way that the assembly or disassembly of at least one LED unit of a lighting system is improved.

The object is achieved by the features specified in the independent claims. Particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

The device according to the invention for mechanically connecting and electrically contacting at least one LED unit has at least one first connection socket, which is arranged on the LED unit, wherein the first connection socket has contact elements which are electrically conductive directly or indirectly with a LED Module of the LED unit are connected, wherein a contact to the preferably tool-less electrical connection of the LED module of the LED unit is provided with a supply conductor via the first connector socket.

An essential feature of the device is that the device has at least one further attached to the LED unit connector socket, wherein the connector sockets can be preferably arranged in each case in the region of the ends of the LED unit. [0010] It is preferred that the connection sockets can be electrically connected to one another via at least one by-pass.

It is envisaged that the further connection socket has contact elements. As a result, the at least one by-pass can be electrically connected to the contact elements of the connection sockets.

An essential feature of the invention is also that the at least one by-pass is arranged in the LED unit, preferably in a guideway of a profile of the LED unit.

For this purpose, the further connection bus is to be electrically connected only via the first connector with the first LED module of the LED unit.

It is conceivable that the connection sockets can be provided with a reverse polarity protection.

It is advantageous if the connection sockets are fixed without tools in the LED unit, preferably snapped.

It is preferred that the electrical connection of the LED unit takes place with a further element of a lighting system by means of a feed element which has a plug, wherein the plug of the feed element can be inserted into the first connector socket.

It can not be ruled out that the device and the plug of the feed element in the assembled state in the majority can not protrude over the entire height and / or entire width of the profile with the cover of the LED unit.

The invention also relates to an LED unit having the device described, as well as at least one profile and an LED module.

It is preferred that the LED unit can be sealed against the ingress of moisture into the LED unit.

The invention has the advantage that a plurality of LED units can be mounted in series, wherein two LED units are connected one behind the other preferably via feed elements.

The LED units can first be fixed in the refrigerator and then the wiring between the individual LED units can be done. The system is much more flexible for assembly and disassembly, especially if an LED unit should be replaced.

By the use of plugs, the lighting system does not necessarily have to be connected or mounted by a professional.

The entire supply line for a lighting system according to the invention comprises at least one electrical supply conductor and a by-pass, wherein the electrical supply conductor and the by-pass can be electrically connected via a plug of a feed element and a connection bus of a LED unit.

Finally, the invention relates to a lighting system comprising at least one LED unit, a feed element and an LED converter.

Such LED units are also referred to as LED engine or LED light bar.

Such LED units are used in particular for the range of refrigerated display furniture. Refrigerated display cabinets, for example refrigerated display cabinets, racks, cabinets or the like are meant. The LED units are formed linearly and when several are mounted one behind the other, a regular chain is formed, which can be arranged, for example, horizontally or vertically.

The LED units can for example be mounted on a traverse of the sales cabinet or directly on a shelf or in the door frame of the furniture, if available. The distance between two LED units can be arbitrarily long or very short, the feed element may possibly only consist of two plugs.

In the following the invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments, which should, however, be considered as an example only, not restrictive.

[0034] [0035]

Show it:

Fig. 1: exploded view of an LED unit with the device according to the invention. Fig. 2: perspective view of an LED unit.

Fig. 3: front view of an LED unit.

Fig. 4: top view of an LED unit.

Fig. 5: Schematic representation of a configuration known from the prior art. Fig. 6: Schematic representation of a first configuration of a lighting system.

Fig. 7: Schematic representation of a second configuration of a lighting system.

Fig. 8: Schematic representation of a third configuration of a lighting system.

In Fig. 1 is an exploded view of an LED unit 2 is shown with the device 1, and a feed element 17. In FIGS. 2 to 4 further views are shown.

The LED unit 2 here u.a. a profile 11, a cover 16, two LED modules 13 and 27 and the device 1 according to the invention. The length of the LED unit 2 depends on the application, especially on the length and / or number of LED modules that are in the LED unit 2.

The profile 11 may preferably be made of heat-dissipating material, for example aluminum. The shape of the profile 11 can be optimized due to the number of existing LEDs 14, 33 on the LED modules 13, 27.

The cover 16 may comprise a lens or optical lens, wherein the shape of the lens may be dependent on the application of the LED unit 2 and / or on the desired radiation characteristic. The cover 16 covers the LED modules 13, 27. The cover 16 may also be provided only as protection for the LEDs or LED modules.

In the LED unit 2, two LED modules 13 and 27 are shown in this embodiment, which are connected via corresponding electrical conductors 15. There may be one or more LED modules per LED unit 2. The electrical connection between the LED modules can be done by various methods known per se. At the end of the last LED module, if necessary, there may be an electrical conductor 26 electrically connecting both poles of the LED module. Otherwise, the end of the last LED module is electrically connected to no other element.

Each LED module 13, 27 has u.a. one or more LEDs 14, 33 mounted on a circuit board. Further electrical and / or electronic components can also be part of the LED module 13, 27.

The LED module 13 is connected in this illustrated embodiment with electrical conductors 9 to the device 1. In this case, the first LED module 13 is connected directly to the device 1. However, the first LED module 13 can also be connected indirectly to the device 1, for example via a further board 32, as shown schematically in FIG. 8. It is important that one end of the LED module 13 is connected directly or indirectly to the device 1 electrically. The other end of the LED module 13 is either electrically connected to a further LED module 27 or to another circuit board or is free or both electrical conductors are connected to each other.

A type of LED chain is formed by the LED modules 13, 27, with optional printed circuit boards 32. The Austrian Patent Office AT 13 052 U1 2013-05-15 forms. Only one end of such an LED chain should be electrically connected to the device 1. The other end should not be electrically connected directly to the device 1.

The device 1 has u.a. two Anschlußbuschen 3 and 20, which are arranged at the respective ends of the LED unit 2. The profile 11 is longer than the cover 16 in this embodiment, so that the connection sockets 3 and 20 can be inserted on the profile 11 and can be arranged in the connection to the cover 16.

It is conceivable to provide the arrangement of the connection sockets 3 and 20 at the ends of the LED unit 2 differently, for example, the front side, laterally or below the profile 11. It is important that the impression that the connection pins 3 and 20 in the LED unit 2 are integrated, can be given.

It is for reasons of space but also for optical reasons of advantage if the connection pins 3 and 20 of the LED unit 2 in the majority do not protrude beyond the height H and / or the width B of the profile 11 with the cover 16. Here are the Anschlußbuschen 3 and 20 are not wider than the width B of the cover 16. They are not higher than the height H of the profile 11 with cover 16. Since the Anschlußbuschen 3 and 20 are inserted at the ends of the profile 11, the Profile 11 longer than the length of the cover 16 and the Anschlußbuschen 3 and 20 project in this embodiment slightly over the length L of the profile eleventh

In the assembled state, when the LED unit 2 is connected to the feed element 17, it is also advantageous for the same reasons, if the plug 18 in the majority not across the width B of the cover 16 and / or on the Height H of the profile 11 with cover 16 protrudes. In this embodiment, the plug 18 protrudes only slightly above the height H, but is in the majority with the connection bush 3 within the height H.

The connection pins 3 and 20 are preferably identical, so that there is no confusion during assembly, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the Anschlußbuschen 3 and 20, a two-part housing 4, 5 and 21,22.

The lower housing part 5 and 22 is inserted in the profile 11 and fixed with the locking lug 8 and 25 in a recess 36 and 37 of the profile 11. A locking lug 8 or 25 can be provided on each side of the lower housing part 5 and 22, thereby also a recess 36 and 37 per profile page is provided. Thereby, the mechanical locking of the lower housing part 5 or 22, i. also created the mechanical locking of the Anschlußbuschen 3 and 20 in the profile 11. So that the lower housing part 5 or 25 is not mounted wrong, the locking lugs 8 and 25 on each side of the lower housing part 5 and 22 are not arranged symmetrically.

The electrical conductors 9 are connected to the contact elements 7, preferably soldered. The electrical by-pass elements 10 are also connected to the contact elements 7 and 24, for example, soldered. It is also conceivable that the contact elements 7 can be formed as a cutting-plug contacts. In this case, the electrical conductors 9 and the by-pass elements 10 would be plugged into the cutting male contacts.

The contact elements 7 and 24 are connected to the lower housing part 5 and 22 respectively.

By locking the lower housing parts 5 and 22 in the profile 11, they can not slip in the profile 11 and act as a strain relief.

Subsequently, the upper housing part 4, 21 is mounted in the profile 11. The upper housing part 4, 21 can for example be inserted and fixed with locking elements. The upper housing part 4, 21 could also be screwed or glued.

The connection sockets 3 and 20 may preferably be splash-proof, or at least the contact elements 7 and 24 may be sufficiently protected from the ingress of moisture. If necessary, sealing elements could be attached to the connection section 3 and 20.

The remainder of the LED unit 2 can preferably also be sealed against the ingress of moisture.

The by-pass conductors 10 are each arranged in a guideway 12 of the profile 11 and are contacted in the contact elements 7 and 24 to the supply line from the electrical supply conductor 19 of the feed element 17, which is inserted in the Anschlußbusche 3, to extend to the next electrical lead of another feed element that can be plugged into the connection bus 20.

The guideway 12 may be formed as a groove and be milled in the profile 11, for example.

The fact that the by-pass elements 10 are arranged in profile, the wiring of the LED units of the lighting system 28 is simplified. Several LED units can be mounted one behind the other. It is no longer necessary to connect all LED units from a distributor individually. The supply lines can also be shorter or are not visible everywhere.

The LED units 2 can be connected in series in series, but the LED modules 13 and the LED chain remain connected in parallel to the supply conductor, as known per se.

Through the recess 6 in the upper housing part 4 of the connector 3, the electrical contact elements 7 can be contacted with the plug 18 and the electrical connection of the electrical lead 19 with the by-pass elements 10 and the conductors 9 to the LED Modules 13, 27 allow.

Through the recess 23 in the upper housing part 21 of the connection socket 20, the electrical contact elements 24 can be contacted with a further plug, such as the plug 18, and the connection of a further electrical supply conductor, such as the supply conductor 19, with the By-pass Allow elements 10.

Characterized in that the connection sockets 3 and 20 are the same, the same feed elements 17 can be used for connection. A reverse polarity protection can be present. For example, it is not possible here to mount the plug 18 in the wrong direction because of its design.

A reversal of the plug-in principle can not be ruled out. In the LED unit could be the plug and in the feed the sockets.

The feed element 17 is shown in the exemplary embodiment with a plug 18 and electrical supply conductors 19. Here is an end of the lead wire 19 free, which can be connected in each case with other elements of the lighting system in a conventional manner.

The feed conductors 19 of the feed element 17 can also be provided with two plugs 18, i. with a plug on each end. This is advantageous when two LED units 2 are connected together. In this case, the feed element 17 acts as a bridge between the two LED units 2.

There may be different lengths of the lead wires 19, so that the distance between two LED units 2 may be variable due to their position in the lighting system.

Various configurations of the lighting system 28 are shown schematically in Figs. 5 to 8, wherein in Fig. 5, a configuration of the prior art is shown.

Each per se known LED unit 30 is connected to a manifold 29 via separate supply lines 35. The supply line 35 is permanently wired to the LED unit 30 known per se. The distributor 29 is connected to an LED converter 31 via a further supply line 34. Depending on the application, the arrangement of the LED converter 31 or of the distributor 29 could be complicated, or the supply lines 35 should be of different lengths and should additionally be fastened.

By the device according to the invention the assembly of the lighting system 28 is simplified.

In Fig. 6, a configuration is shown in series. The converter 31 is connected to the first LED unit 2 via a feed element 17. A second LED unit 2 with the device 1 according to the invention is connected via a further feed element 17 with the first LED unit 2, wherein this feed element 17 is provided with two plugs 18, in the respective connection sockets 20 and 3 of the first and second LED Units 2. The chain is shown in this example with four LED units 2, but more LED units 2 could be connected in series. The maximum number of LED units depends i.a. from the LED converter 31 and / or from the number of LED modules in each LED unit 2.

Such a configuration is preferred for applications in linear refrigerated shelves, for example.

In Fig. 7, another configuration is shown schematically, wherein a chain is shown by a plurality of LED units. At the end of the chain, a per se known LED unit 30 can be arranged without the device according to the invention. The supply line 35 of the LED unit 30 known per se can be provided with a plug 18 in order to be able to be connected to the last LED unit 2 with the device 1 according to the invention.

In Fig. 7, a distributor 29 is also used to allow multiple strings of LED units to be made. This may be preferred, for example, for applications in refrigerators with multiple shelves or partitions.

8, a further configuration of a lighting system 28 is shown schematically, wherein it can be seen here that not only LED modules with LEDs are present in the LED units 2 and 30, but also a further circuit board 32.

When the LED converter 31 is a constant-voltage LED converter, a constant current source 32 should be present in front of each LED chain within an LED unit 2 or 30 when the LED chain is for one LED Constant-current operation is built. As a result, the first LED module 13 is only indirectly electrically connected to the device 1.

It is also shown schematically that the mounting direction of an LED unit 2 is not critical. A first and a second LED unit 2 can be mounted, wherein the second connection socket 20 of the first LED unit 2 can be connected to the second connection socket 20 of the second LED unit 2 via the feed element 17. It is not mandatory that a second connection socket 20 of a first LED unit 2 must be connected to the first connection socket 3 of the next LED unit 2.

Characterized that no supply line outside the LED units 2 according to the invention is fixed, the assembly, disassembly and interchangeability of the LED units 2 is significantly improved. It can be exchanged only one LED unit 2 of the entire chain without having to dismantle the entire chain.

With an arrangement of the prior art lighting system, the number of LED modules for a string was limited (about 48 LED modules) because the lines between the LED modules can not be sized as a supply line. The inventive arrangement with the by-pass in the LED unit, not only a chain of LED modules is possible, but also a chain of LED units and the total number of LED modules is increased (to about 96 LED modules). The maximum number of LED modules per LED unit depends i.a. from the thermal properties of the LED unit. 6/13 AT 13 052 U1 2013-05-15 Austrian

Patent office Reference: 1. Device 2. LED unit 3. Connection socket 4. Upper housing part 5. Lower housing part 6. Recess 7. Contact element 8. Latch 9. Conductor 10. By-pass 11. Profile 12. Guideway 13. LED module 14. LED 15. conductor 16. cover 17. feed element 18. plug 19. electrical supply conductor 20. connection socket 21. upper housing part 22. lower housing part 23. recess 24. contact element 25. latching nose 26. conductor 27. LED printed circuit board 28. lighting system 29. Distributor 30. LED module 31. LED converter 32. Circuit board 33. LED 34. Supply line 35. Supply line 36. Recess 37. Recess B: Width of 2 H: Height of 2 L: Length of 11 7/13

Claims (14)

Austrian Patent Office AT 13 052 U1 2013-05-15 Claims 1. Device (1) for mechanically connecting and electrically contacting at least one LED unit (2), - with at least one first connection socket (3) attached to the LED unit ( 2), wherein - the first connector socket (3) contact elements (7) which are electrically conductively connected directly or indirectly to an LED module (13) of the LED unit (2), - wherein a contact for electrical connection of the LED module (13) of the LED unit (2) is provided with a supply conductor via the first connection socket (3), characterized in that the device has at least one further on the LED unit (2) mounted connection socket (20) , wherein the connection sockets (3, 20) are preferably each arranged in the region of the ends of the LED unit (2). 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection sockets (3, 20) via at least one by-pass (10) are electrically connected to each other. 3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the further connection socket (20) has contact elements (24) and that the at least one by-pass (10) with the contact elements (7, 24) of the connection sockets (3, 20 ) is electrically connected. 4. Device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the at least one by-pass (10) in the LED unit (2) is arranged, preferably in a guide track (12) of a profile (11) of the LED Unit (2). 5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further connection bus (20) is electrically connected only via the first connection socket (3) with the LED module (13) of the LED unit (2). 6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection sockets (3, 20) are provided with a reverse polarity protection. 7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection sockets (3, 20) in the LED unit (2) are fixed without tools, preferably snapped. 8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical connection of the LED unit (2) with a further element (2, 29, 30 and / or 31) of a lighting system (28) by means of a feed element ( 17), which has a plug (18), wherein the plug (18) of the feed element (17) is inserted into the first connection socket (3). 9. Device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the device (1) and the plug (18) of the feed element (17) in the assembled state in the majority not over the entire height and / or entire width of the profile (11) with the cover (16) of the LED unit (2) protrude. 10. LED unit (2), comprising at least one profile (11), an LED module (13) and with a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. 11. LED unit (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that the LED unit (2) is sealed against the ingress of moisture into the LED unit (2). 8/13 Austrian Patent Office AT13 052U1 2013-05-15 12. LED unit (2) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the LED unit (2) with further LED units (2) is mounted in series, wherein the LED units (2) preferably via feed elements ( 17) are connected. 13. lighting system (28) comprising at least one LED unit (2) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, a feed element (17) and an LED converter (31). 14. Lighting system (28) according to claim 13 with a supply line, characterized in that the supply line is formed at least by an electrical supply conductor (19) and a by-pass (10), wherein the electrical supply conductor (19) and the By- Pass (10) via a plug (18) of a feed element (17) and a connection socket (3, 20) of an LED unit (2) are electrically connected. 4 sheets of drawings 9/13