Linear light and method for mounting of said light

Abstract

A linear light is provided with an axially extending housing in which an optical element and an electrical element are integrated. In this context, the optical element is formed as a profile that corresponds approximately to the length of the housing, and the electrical element is also formed as a profile, wherein the profiles can be inserted axially into the housing via a front side and are braced against one another transversially to the axial direction in the mounted state. The invention further relates to a method for mounting this linear light.

Claims

1. A linear light comprising: an optical element; an electrical element; and an axially extending housing in which the optical element and the electrical element are integrated, wherein the optical element includes an encasing having a profile that corresponds approximately to a length of the housing, and the electrical element includes an encasing having a profile, the profiles of the encasings of the optical element and the electrical element can be inserted, one at a time, axially into an opening provided at a front axial side of the housing, in an installed state, the profiles of the encasings of the optical element and the electrical element are braced against one another transversally to an axial direction, the housing is closed on all sides, the opening of the housing is smaller than the sum of a cross-section area that is formed by the profiles of the encasings of the optical element and the electrical element in the installed state, spring elements are arranged between the profile of the encasing of the optical element and the profile of the encasing of the electrical element that brace the profiles against one another in the axial direction.

2. The linear light according to claim 1, wherein the front axial side that bears the opening is closed with an intake lid, wherein the opening is disposed in an area of the intake lid that faces away from a light-emitting opening.

3. The linear light according to claim 1, wherein a top side of the profile of the encasing of the optical element is formed with sliding sections that interact with the profile of the encasing of the electrical element.

4. The linear light according to claim 1, wherein the spring element is arranged on the profile of the encasing of the electrical element on a side of the profile of the encasing of the electrical element that is opposite to the profile of the encasing of the optical element.

5. The linear light according to claim 1, wherein rigid clamping elements are disposed between the profile of the encasing of the optical element and the profile of the encasing of the electrical element, and wherein the profile of the encasing of the optical element and the profile of the encasing of the electrical element are elastic in the area of the rigid clamping elements.

6. The linear light according to claim 1, wherein guiding grooves, which interact with the profile of the encasing of the electrical element and the profile of the encasing of the optical element, are arranged on vertical walls of the housing.

7. The linear light according to claim 6, wherein sealing elements are formed in an area of the opening.

8. The linear light according to claim 1, wherein the light is intended for outdoor areas.

9. The linear light according to claim 1, wherein the optical element comprises LED illuminants.

10. The linear light according to claim 1, wherein the housing is made of an aluminum profile and has a rectangular cross-section.

11. The linear light according to claim 1, wherein the front axial side of the housing, which is located opposite to the opening, is equipped with a welded end cap.

12. The linear light according to claim 1, wherein the housing is made of an aluminum profile.

13. The linear light according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a rectangular cross-section.

14. A method for mounting a linear light in an axially extending housing, the method comprising: inserting an optical element, which includes an encasing having a profile that corresponds approximately to a length of the housing, through an intake opening formed in an area of a front side of the housing, wherein the intake opening is disposed in an upper area of the front side of the housing, fastening the profile of the encasing of the optical element on a light-emitting opening between areas of the front side of the housing that are adjacent to the light-emitting opening, inserting an electrical element, which includes an encasing having a profile, through the intake opening, the intake opening is smaller than the sum of a cross-section area that is formed by the profiles of the encasings of the optical element and the electrical element in an installed state, and as a result, the inserting of the electrical element and the optical element through the intake opening occur one at a time, bracing the profile of the encasing of the optical element and the profile of the encasing of the electrical element against one another in a direction that is transverse to an axial direction of the housing.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the optical element is positioned at least in sections under the intake opening between the axial sides on the light-emitting opening after inserting in the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in greater detail in the following and with reference to the enclosed drawings. The Figures show:

(2) FIG. 1 a cross-section through a linear light according to the invention, wherein said light is a built-in ceiling light;

(3) FIG. 2 a cross-section through a linear light according to the invention pursuant to a different embodiment, in particular through a ceiling or wall light;

(4) FIG. 3 a section through the built-in ceiling lamp displayed in FIG. 1 along the line A-A;

(5) FIG. 4 a section through the ceiling and/or wall light displayed in FIG. 2 along the line B-B, and

(6) FIG. 5 a section through the ceiling and/or wall light displayed in FIG. 2 along the line C-C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) The linear lights displayed in the embodiments are identical to one another in essential features. Here, all identical features are marked with identical reference signs and the identical features of both embodiments are not explained separately.

(8) FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 show an embodiment of a linear light 1 according to the invention in the cross-section. The linear light 1 is thereby transversal to its longitudinal direction, i.e. sectioned in parallel to one of its front sides.

(9) The linear light 1 comprises an outer housing 2 that is essentially formed in a rectangular way. Here, the outer housing 2 is formed by a U-shaped profile 3 as well as a glass plate 4 that closes the open side. In this context, the profile can be made of aluminum or another suitable material.

(10) The side of the profile that is closed by the glass plate 4 corresponds to the long side of the profile and forms the light-emitting opening. Here, the glass panel can be glued into the opening. As displayed in FIG. 1, appropriate inputs are formed in the area of the profile 3 for this purpose. Adjacent to the glass plate, the profile 3 is formed with outward-extending holding elements 5 that extend longitudinally over the profile and that are used for fastening the light in the input, i.e. on a ceiling opening. The further part of the housing 3 is hereby integrated inside the ceiling opening so that only the holding elements 5 and the glass plate 4 are visible in the area of the ceiling.

(11) Further and in case of the built-in light, an aperture, which can be closed with a lid 6, is formed at least in sections on the top side of the profile 3. The aperture as well as the lid enable an electrical connection of the light inside the mounting opening.

(12) As illustrated in FIG. 3, the outer housing 2 is closed on both front sides on one hand by an end cap 10 and on the other hand by an intake lid 11. The end cap 10 extends over the whole front side of the outer housing 2 and can be formed in a way that it encroaches in sections under the top side of the profile 3 and on the inside of the glass panel 4 in order to achieve a particularly tight closure. Here, the end cap 10 is welded firmly with the housing so that it cannot be removed anymore. According to another embodiment, the end cap 10, however, can also be formed in a removable way so that it can be replaced at any time. In a lower area, i.e. adjacent to the glass panel, the end cap 10 also has a holding element 12 that is formed in a similar way as the holding element 5 and that extends away from the housing in an outward direction. In the mounted state, this holding element fits closely to the ceiling around the opening and can for example be provided with a screw 13 for fastening the light in the mounting opening.

(13) The other front side is closed by the intake lid 11. Here, the intake lid 11 has a two-part form, comprising an outer frame 14 as well as a lid 15. The lid 15 is hereby used to close an opening in the area of the front side, i.e. of the opening that is enclosed by the outer frame 14 that enables the inner parts [Innenleben] to be inserted in the housing. The opening hereby has a size that extends over the whole horizontal width of the front side, but only over a predetermined area of the vertical height. In particular, the opening is essentially adjacent to the top side of the profile 3, i.e. the side that is located opposite to the glass plate 4, or is arranged in close proximity to said top side. Adjacent to the glass plate 4, the front side is closed by the outer frame 14 that is formed with a greater width in this section and wherein this section of the outer frame, as also described in relation to the end cap 10, is formed with a holding element 12 into which a screw 13 or another fastening device can be inserted.

(14) The lid 15 itself can be formed in a way that it engages in the opening but essentially extends over the whole front area, i.e. partially overlapping the outer frame 14. As a consequence, essentially only the lid, which is surrounded by a narrow area of the outer frame 14, is visible. In particular in cases where the linear light is used as a wall or ceiling light, a harmonious overall appearance is achieved this way.

(15) A seal, for example a sealing ring, is preferably arranged between the outer frame 14 and the lid 15 so that the opening can be sealed completely. The lid can in this context have any possible form, but forming the lid as a hinged lid has proven to be particularly effective. The lid is hereby provided in a removable way so that it can be replaced by another lid at any time. For example if the connection of the lights should be ensured by the lid 15, an appropriate connector lid instead of the hinged lid can be used by the mounting technician in this case.

(16) As illustrated in the Figures, two profile rails 7, 9, which are arranged on top of one another, are arranged inside the outer housing 2. This applies on one hand to the optical profile 7 as well as to the electrical profile 9.

(17) The optical profile can comprise the LED illuminants as well as reflector elements 16 that ensure an even radiation of the light emitted by the LED. Here, a plurality of individual reflectors are usually arranged successively over the axial length but the reflector can also be formed as an isolated reflector area that extends over the entire length.

(18) Both the LED illuminants as well as the reflector elements are disposed inside the U-shaped profile rail 7, wherein the rail can be formed in a way as to be open towards the bottom, i.e. in the direction of the glass plate 4.

(19) In the installed state displayed in FIG. 1, the reflector 16 essentially lies directly on the glass plate 4 and is held in this position on one hand by the outer profile 3 and on the other hand by the inside of the elements that delimit the front areas. Here, the distance between the inner sides of the end cap 10 as well as of the intake lid 11 is dimensioned in a way that it essentially corresponds to the dimension of the optical profile 9. This way, the optical profile 9 can be held firmly within the housing 3, the end cap 10 and the intake lid 11 and is consequently secured against shifting.

(20) In addition, an undercut, into which the optical profile encroaches and/or snaps during mounting in order to achieve an even better fixation of the optical profile inside the housing, can be formed in the area of the inner side of the intake lid 11 in the area of the outer frame 14 and adjacent to the glass plate 4. In this context, it would also be possible to provide snap-in protrusions or undercuts that interact with the optical profile 7 to be inserted.

(21) It becomes clear from FIGS. 3 and 4 that the lower area of the optical profile 9, i.e. approximately the halves of the reflectors 16, are disposed below the opening in the intake lid 11. Consequently and in order to take the optical element back out of the housing 1, it would be necessary to indicate said optical element at first until the top side is aligned essentially with the upper edge of the opening.

(22) The top side of the optical profile 7, i.e. the side of the profile 7 that faces away from the glass plate 4, is formed with a sliding surface 17. This sliding surface 17 provides an improved inserting element for the electrical profile 9 through which said profile can simply be pushed into the desired position. A sliding surface can for example be provided through an elevation.

(23) In contrast to the optical profile 7, the electrical profile 9 is formed with a U-shaped profile that is open towards the top and in which the electrical system is integrated. Consequently, the two base elements of the U-shaped profiles 7 and 9 are located on top of one another in the installed state.

(24) The surface of the electrical profile 9 that faces the optical profile 7 is formed with an element that is adapted to the sliding surface 17 in the area of the sliding surface 7. If the sliding surface 7 is formed in form of an elevation, an appropriate recess that absorbs the elevation in that case can be provided in the area of the electrical profile. Through the interaction between the sliding surface 17 and an appropriate surface of the electrical profile 9, also a fixation of the two profiles on top of one another, by means of which a smooth insertion of the electrical profile 9 into the housing is enabled without there being any tilting risk, is achieved at the same time.

(25) Further, spring elements 19 are disposed in the area of the recess 18 of the electric profile 9 that apply a clamping force onto the two profiles in the compressed state, i.e. when they are located between the two profiles, so that said profiles are braced against one another in a transversal direction to the axial direction.

(26) The profiles, in particular the electrical profile 9, can in addition be screwed together with the outer profile 3 in order to fasten said outer profile further inside the outer housing.

(27) The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 corresponds to the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 with the exception that a lid cap 20, which surrounds the lid 6 in a sealing and/or protective manner, is formed in addition. This way, an additional sealing of the light housing is achieved. This contributes at the same time to the optical compactness of the light housing, in particular because the housing is completely visible in this embodiment as a wall or ceiling light.

(28) With the exception of this lid cap 20, the two embodiments are identical to one another.

(29) During mounting of the linear light according to the invention, the optical profile 7 is at first inserted into the housing 2 through the opening in the outer frame 14. If the optical profile 7 is inserted completely, this component will fall [fllt] onto the glass element 4 and into the undercut that is formed by the tapering of the outer frame 14. In this state, the optical profile is fastened and held firmly within the housing 2. The optical profile 7 is now only partially accessible through the opening whereas the other part below the opening is arranged inside the housing.

(30) Subsequently, the electrical profile 9 is inserted into the housing 2 through the opening. Clamping elements installed on the bottom side of the electrical profile 9 create a bracing of the two profiles against the housing out of the translation. The two profiles are fastened within the housing by means of this process. Afterwards, the electrical profile can be secured through screwing. An electrical connection will then be established between the two modules by means of plug-in contacts.

(31) In the displayed embodiment, the clamping force is created by multiple spring elements 19, which are arranged in the area of the electrical profile 9, i.e. on the side of the profile 9 that faces the glass plate 4. During insertion of the electrical profile 9, said electrical profile supports itself, as already explained, on the sliding surface 17 in the area of the optical profile 7 as well as on the inside of the profile 3. When the spring elements come in contact with the optical profile 7, they are compressed by their wedge- or arc-shaped cross-section and consequently create a clamping force. The spring elements 19 can preferably be arranged in the area of the sliding surface.

(32) The linear light according to the invention provides a particularly compact structural form of the light in which the individual components are mounted in a rattle-free way. A particularly sealed light, which can be used without restrictions both in indoor and outdoor areas, can be achieved through the use of seals as well as only small opening areas.