System comprising an illumination component

Abstract

Disclosed is a system comprising an illumination component, an electrical apparatus, a cable configured to be mechanically connected to the illumination component, a winch configured to wind and/or unwind the cable, and a connector device comprising a bearing and configured to mechanically connect the illumination component to the cable in such a manner that, in a connected state, at least part of the illumination component is rotationally decoupled from the cable via the bearing. The system is configured to supply power and/or data to the illumination component via the cable.

Claims

1. A system, comprising an illumination component comprising an electrical apparatus; a cable configured to be mechanically connected to the illumination component; a winch configured to wind and/or unwind the cable; and a connector device comprising a bearing and configured to mechanically connect the illumination component to the cable in such a manner that, in a connected state, at least part of the illumination component is rotationally decoupled from the cable via the bearing, wherein the system is configured to supply power and/or data to the illumination component via the cable; wherein the illumination component comprises a first part and a second part, and wherein the connector device is configured to rotationally decouple the first part and the second part from the cable or to rotationally decouple only the second part from the cable.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein only the second part is decoupled from the cable, and wherein the second part has a bigger mass and/or moment of inertia than the first part.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cable is attached to a first portion of the connector device and the at least part of the illumination component that is rotationally decoupled from the cable via the bearing is attached to a second portion of the connector device, the first and second portion of the connector device being freely rotatable with respect to each other.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the first portion of the connector device is attached to the first part of the illumination component and the second portion of the connector device is connected to the second part of the illumination component.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the illumination component comprises an electrical apparatus and the system is configured to transmit power and/or data from the cable to the electrical apparatus via the connector device.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the connector device comprises an electrical contact electrically connecting the first portion and the second portion of the connector device, and/or a contactless transfer interface configured to transfer power and/or data between the first portion and the second portion of the connector device.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the illumination component comprises an electrical apparatus and the first part of the illumination component comprises parts of the electrical apparatus to be supplied with power and/or data via the cable.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the parts of the electrical apparatus to be provided with power and/or signals via the cable have an electrical connection, the connection bypassing the connector device.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the electrical connection comprises a direct connection between a wiring of the cable and a wiring of the electrical apparatus.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the illumination component comprises a lighting apparatus, which comprises a light-emitting device and a shell; wherein the shell at least partially encloses the light-emitting device; and wherein the first part comprises the light-emitting device and the second part comprises the shell.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the illumination component comprises a lighting apparatus comprising a light-emitting device and a shell, wherein the shell at least partially encloses the light-emitting device; wherein the connector device is configured to rotationally decouple the shell from the cable; and wherein the system is configured such that power and/or data are provided from the cable to the light-emitting device via an electrical contact and/or via a contactless transfer interface for transferring power and/or data.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the connector device comprises the electrical contact and/or contactless transfer interface for transferring power and/or data.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the illumination component comprises at least one of a light-reflecting element, a diffusor, a fluorescent element, or a phosphorescent element.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein, when the system is assembled and mounted, the winch is mounted to a building.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein, when the system is assembled and mounted, the cable is tensioned, and/or wherein, when the system is assembled and mounted, the illumination component is suspended, via the cable, from the winch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further examples of the invention will be described below with reference to the attached figures.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic and not-to scale view of a system according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic and not-to scale view of the system according to a first embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic and not-to scale view of the system according to the first embodiment;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic and not-to scale view of the system according to a second embodiment;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic and not-to scale view of the system according to the second embodiment; and

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic and not-to scale view of the system according to a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) In the following, for the same or similar elements, the same reference signs will be used.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a system 1 according to the invention comprising a winch 2, a cable 3, and an illumination component 4. A longitudinal axis 3a of the unwound and tensioned portion of the cable is also shown. The winch is configured to wind and/or unwind the cable. Moreover, a connector device 5 is schematically shown. The connector device 5 mechanically connects the cable and the illumination component in such a manner that at least part of the illumination component is rotationally decoupled from the cable in a connected state. The winch is here shown as being attached to and suspended from a framework 6a, but it may alternatively be attached to a ceiling 6b of a building, for example. Thus, the illumination component is suspended from the framework via the cable. The framework may be standing, e.g., in the form of a scaffold, as suggested in FIG. 1 or it may be suspended from the ceiling. The winch may comprise or be connected to an external control device 7 configured to control the operation of the winch and/or the illumination component. The system is configured to supply power and/or data to the illumination component via the cable. Details in this respect are provided below.

(10) That is, different examples of how the cable, the illumination component, and the connector device of such a system may be configured and arranged, will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. In said Figures the winch is not shown, so as to allow for a more detailed view of the connector device and how it interacts with the cable and the illumination component.

(11) FIGS. 2 and 3 show a first embodiment, in which the illumination component comprises an electrical apparatus, in particular, a lighting apparatus. In this case, the lighting apparatus comprises a first part 4a in the form of a light-emitting device. The lighting apparatus also comprises a second part 4b, in the present example in the form of a shell that at least partially encloses the light-emitting device. The shell may optionally be transparent or translucent so as to transmit part of the emitted light or it may be opaque and have openings through which the light is emitted.

(12) As illustrated in FIG. 3, which is a more detailed view of the system shown in FIG. 2, the cable 3 and the light-emitting device 4a are attached to a first portion 5a of the connector device. In the present case, the cable is attached to the first portion of the connector device via the first part of the lighting apparatus, but it may also be directly attached to the first portion of the connector device. The second part 4b of the lighting apparatus, i.e., the shell, is attached to a second portion 5b of the connector device. The second portion is rotatably supported on the first portion via a bearing 8. However, it is equally possible to support the first portion on the second portion, depending on the geometry.

(13) Thus, the connector device rotationally decouples the second part 4b of the lighting apparatus from the cable and from the first part 4a of the lighting apparatus.

(14) That is, when the second part, in this case the shell, of the lighting apparatus rotates, the second portion of the connector device will rotate together with the shell. However, by means of the bearing, it is avoided that the rotation is transferred to the first portion of the connector device. The first part of the lighting apparatus and the cable are attached to the first portion of the connector device, but not to the second portion thereof or the second part of the lighting apparatus. Thus, the rotation will also not be translated to them. Therefore, the second part, here shell, of the lighting apparatus may rotate, but a rotation of the cable can be avoided. In view of this, the risk that the cable will be twisted around its longitudinal axis (of the unwound and tensioned portion) is reduced.

(15) The cable may have wiring and a sheath. The wiring of the cable may be connected, for example via a plug connection, directly to wiring of the first part of the light-emitting device. Alternatively, the wiring of the cable and the wiring of the lighting apparatus may each be connected, for example via a plug connection, to wiring of the first portion of the connector device, such that the electrical contact between the cable and the light-emitting device may be obtained through the first portion of the connector device.

(16) An alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Similar to the first embodiment, the illumination component comprises an electrical apparatus, in particular, a lighting apparatus. The lighting apparatus comprises a first part 4a in the form of a light-emitting device. The lighting apparatus also comprises a second part 4b, in the present example in the form of a shell that at least partially encloses the light-emitting device. The shell may optionally be transparent or translucent so as to transmit part of the emitted light, or it may be opaque and have openings through which the light is emitted.

(17) As illustrated in FIG. 5, which is a more detailed view of the system shown in FIG. 4, the cable 3 is attached to a first portion 5a of the connector device. The first part 4a and second part 4b, i.e., the light-emitting device and the shell, are each attached to a second portion 5b of the connector device.

(18) Thus, the connector device rotationally decouples the first part 4a and the second part 4b of the lighting apparatus from the cable.

(19) That is, when the second part of the lighting apparatus, in this case the shell, of the lighting apparatus rotates, the first part of the lighting apparatus and second portion of the connector device will rotate together with the shell. However, by means of the bearing, it is avoided that the rotation is transferred to the first portion of the connector device. The cable is attached to the first portion of the connector device, but not to the second portion thereof or the first and second parts of the lighting apparatus. Thus, the rotation will also not be translated to the cable. Therefore, the first and second part of the lighting apparatus may rotate, but a rotation of the cable is avoided. In view of this, the risk that the cable will twist around its longitudinal axis is reduced.

(20) The cable in this case has wiring 3b and a sheath 3c. In this embodiment, the wiring of the cable may be connected, for example via a plug connection 9a, to the wiring 10a of the first portion of the connector device. The wiring 11 of the light-emitting device may be connected, for example via a plug connection 9b, to wiring 10b of the second portion of the connector device.

(21) The first and second portion of the connector device may be electrically connected via a gliding contact 12, for example a slip ring. Alternatively, or in addition, the connector device may comprise an interface for wirelessly transmitting power and/or data, for example electrical signals between the first portion and the second portion of the connector device. In the first alternative, an electrical contact between the cable and the light-emitting device may be obtained through the first portion and the second portion of the connector device. The system may be configured to provide power and/or data via the cable and the electrical contact to the light-emitting device. In the second alternative, the system may be configured to provide power and/or data via the cable and the contactless transfer interface. Accordingly, in this case power and/or data can be provided to the light-emitting device even when no electrical connection with the cable is established.

(22) It should be noted that the connector device in all embodiments may have more than one bearing. An example where the connector device has two bearings is shown in FIG. 6. In the example of FIG. 6, a second part 4b of the illumination component, in this example a lighting apparatus, is rotatably supported at two different locations by the connector device.

(23) The first part 4a of the lighting apparatus, i.e., the light-emitting device, includes at least one, in this example several, light-emitting elements 13, like LEDs or light bulbs, attached to a support element 14. As shown in FIG. 6, the support element 14 has an elongated shape and the light-emitting elements are provided at different positions along the length of the elongated support element. It should be noted that any other type of light-emitting device may be used, for example a fluorescent tube. The second part 4b of the lighting apparatus, i.e., the shell, also has an elongated shape and is arranged so as to at least partially encase the support element.

(24) The connector device comprises a first portion 5a and two bearings 8a and 8b. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the first portion of the connector device has at least a first and a second piece. The first and second pieces are each attached to the first part 4a of the lighting apparatus, in this example to the support element, at different positions along the length of the support element, in particular, at different ends of the support element. The second portion 5b of the connector device also has at least a first and a second piece. The respective first pieces of the first and second portion of the connector device are connected via bearing 8a and the respective second pieces of the first and second portion of the connector device are connected via bearing 8b.

(25) In the example shown in FIG. 6, the first piece of the first portion of the connector device is arranged at the end of the support element that is closer to the cable. The second piece and the second piece of the first portion of the connector device is arranged at the end of the support element that is further from cable.

(26) Thus, in the system as shown in FIG. 6, the first and second portion of the connector device and the bearings are arranged such that the second portion of the connector device is rotatably supported at two different locations, such that also the second part of the lighting apparatus is supported at two different locations.

(27) It is to be understood that in addition to or alternatively to the above described arrangements, the connector device may have more than one bearing and be configured such that the first and second part of the illumination component are rotationally decoupled from the cable independently of each other, for example via separate bearings.

(28) Moreover, alternatively or in addition to any of the above described arrangements, the illumination component may have more than two parts. In such a case, it is possible that the connector device is configured such that other parts than the first and/or second part of the illumination component are rotationally decoupled from the cable, in particular, that they are decoupled from the cable independently from the first and/or second part.

(29) Although the previously discussed embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described separately, it is to be understood that some or all of the above-described features can also be combined in different ways. The above-discussed embodiments are not intended as limitations, but serve as examples, illustrating features and advantages of the invention.

(30) The terms “comprising” or “comprise” are used herein in their broadest sense to mean and encompass the notions of “including,” “include,” “consist(ing) essentially of,” and “consist(ing) of. The use of “for example,” “e.g.,” “such as,” and “including” to list illustrative examples does not limit to only the listed examples. Thus, “for example” or “such as” means “for example, but not limited to” or “such as, but not limited to” and encompasses other similar or equivalent examples. The term “about” as used herein serves to reasonably encompass or describe minor variations in numerical values measured by instrumental analysis or as a result of sample handling. Such minor variations may be in the order of ±0-25, ±0-10, ±0-5, or ±0-2.5, % of the numerical values. Further, The term “about” applies to both numerical values when associated with a range of values. Moreover, the term “about” may apply to numerical values even when not explicitly stated.

(31) Generally, as used herein a hyphen “-” or dash “—” in a range of values is “to” or “through”; a “>” is “above” or “greater-than”; a “≥” is “at least” or “greater-than or equal to”; a “<” is “below” or “less-than”; and a “≤” is “at most” or “less-than or equal to.” On an individual basis, each of the aforementioned applications for patent, patents, and/or patent application publications, is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety in one or more non-limiting embodiments.

(32) It is to be understood that the appended claims are not limited to express and particular compounds, compositions, or methods described in the detailed description, which may vary between particular embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims. With respect to any Markush groups relied upon herein for describing particular features or aspects of various embodiments, it is to be appreciated that different, special, and/or unexpected results may be obtained from each member of the respective Markush group independent from all other Markush members. Each member of a Markush group may be relied upon individually and or in combination and provides adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

(33) The present invention has been described herein in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims. The subject matter of all combinations of independent and dependent claims, both single and multiple dependent, is herein expressly contemplated.