Interior light and method of manufacture

Abstract

An interior light, in particular for shelf or display case illumination, includes an adjustment unit, which has a lens; a main body, which has a cylindrical recess inside which a lighting means is arranged; at least one guide which is provided on the recess and extends parallel to a cylinder axis of the recess; and latch means which are arranged in the region of the recess and have a plurality of latching stages, the adjustment unit having mating latch means which can latch to the latch means and guide means for guiding the adjustment unit in the guide; the guide means being arranged in each case at different positions within the guide when the mating latch means latch to the different latching stages, and a different distance being set between the lighting means and the lens in each case.

Claims

1. An interior light, comprising: an adjustment unit having a lens, wherein a homogenization film configured to homogenize emitted light is integrated into the adjustment unit; a main body having a cylindrical recess and a lighting means arranged inside the cylindrical recess; at least one guide device arranged on the cylindrical recess and extending parallel to a cylinder axis of the cylindrical recess; and latch means arranged in the region of the cylindrical recess and having a plurality of latching stages, the adjustment unit including mating latch means latachable to the latch means and guide means configured to guide the adjustment unit in the guide device, the guide means being arranged at different positions within the guide when the mating latch means latch to the different latching stages, with a different distance being set between the lighting means and the lens.

2. The interior light of claim 1 wherein the at least one guide is formed as an elongate opening in the main body.

3. The interior light of claim 1 wherein the latch means are arranged directly on the guide device.

4. The interior light of claim 3 wherein the latch means are formed as grooves laterally connecting to an opening in an inner wall of the cylindrical recess.

5. The interior light of claim 1 having at least two guide devices arranged opposite to one another on the recess, and/or at least two latch tabs arranged opposite to one another on the adjustment unit, the mating latch means being formed as latch portions provided on the latch tabs.

6. The interior light of claim 5 wherein the guide means are formed as guide portions provided on the latch tabs.

7. The interior light of claim 5 wherein the latch tabs comprise an actuation portion configured to manually release the latch portion from the latch means, the latch tabs being actuatable by resilient bending by means of manual pressure on the actuation portion.

8. The interior light of claim 5 wherein the latch portion is formed as at least one rib connecting to the actuation portion, the rib being arranged offset laterally and inwards towards the cylinder axis with respect to the actuation portion.

9. The interior light of claim 1 wherein the adjustment unit and the latching stages are shaped to adjust the beam angle of the interior light within a predetermined range by changing the distance between the lighting means and the lens.

10. The interior light of claim 9 wherein the predetermined range is from 10 to 50.

11. The interior light of claim 10 wherein the predetermined range is from 10 to 30.

12. The interior light of claim 11 wherein the predetermined range is from 15 to 25.

13. The interior light of claim 1 wherein the adjustment unit has a reflector and a latch holder configured to hold and latches both the lens and the reflector.

14. The interior light of claim 13 wherein the reflector and/or the lens have a shoulder or a flange, and the latch holder has a spring arm, the spring arm being tensioned when the lens and the reflector are inserted into the latch holder and latching in behind the shoulder and/or the flange.

15. The interior light of claim 13 wherein latch tabs are formed integrally with the latch holder as an injection-moulded part.

16. The interior light of claim 1 wherein the homogenization film is latchable between the lens and the reflector into the latch holder.

17. A method for manufacturing an interior light, comprising: providing a main body having a cylindrical recess and a lighting means arranged inside the cylindrical recess; extending at least one guide device parallel to a cylinder axis of the cylindrical recess on the cylindrical recess; providing latch means having a plurality of latching stages in the region of the cylindrical recess; providing an adjustment unit having a lens, mating latch means latchable to the latch means, and guide means configured to guide the adjustment unit in the guide device, wherein the adjustment unit includes a homogenization film configured to homogenize the emitted light and integrated into the adjustment unit; and inserting the adjustment unit into the cylindrical recess, the guide means being arranged at different positions within the guide device when the mating latch means latch to the different latching stages, a different distance being set between the lighting means and the lens.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein providing the adjustment unit includes pre-assembling the lens, a reflector and a latch holder formed integrally with the guide means and/or latch means.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following, the present invention is explained in greater detail with reference to the embodiments set out in the schematic drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an interior light for shelf or display case illumination in the assembled state;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adjustment unit;

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the adjustment unit of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a detail of a cross-section through the adjustment unit in the region of a latch holder;

(6) FIG. 5 is a detail of a plan view of the adjustment unit in the region of a latch holder and a latch tab;

(7) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through a main body;

(8) FIG. 7 is as cross-sectional view through the main body and the adjustment unit during the insertion of the adjustment unit;

(9) FIG. 8A-8C are details of a cross-sectional view of the main body and the adjustment unit in latched states at different latching stages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(10) The accompanying drawings are intended to provide further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention in connection with the description. Other embodiments and many of the stated advantages may be derived from the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

(11) In the drawings, unless stated otherwise, like, functionally equivalent and equivalently acting elements, features and components are provided with like reference numerals in each case.

(12) FIG. 1 shows an interior light 1 for shelf or display case illumination in the assembled state. The interior light 1 has a main body 3 and an adjustment unit 2. The adjustment unit 2 is fully inserted into a cylindrical recess 5 of the main body 3. The main body 3 has a guide 7, which is formed as a slot-shaped opening in the main body 3 and extends parallel to a cylinder axis 12 of the recess 5. Guide means 14, which are guided within the guide 7, are provided on the adjustment unit 2. The guide means 14 are formed as guide faces extending radially with respect to the recess 5. The guide means 14 extend through the guide 7 together with an actuation portion 17.

(13) In a first dimensioning, the interior light 1 has an opening diameter of for example 22 mm and a length of for example 44 mm. Alternatively, in a second dimensioning, the interior light 1 may have a diameter of 32 mm and a length of 53 mm.

(14) The main body 3 has, at the end thereof opposite the recess 5, a mounting 27, which is formed to be mounted in a busbar. The mounting 27 is coupled to a cooling body (not shown here) of the main body 3. The mounting is circular in the region in which it can be held in a busbar, and so the interior light 1 is rotatable at any angle relative to the busbar. The mounting 27 also has an articulation region (not shown here), by means of which the interior light 1 can be tilted from a busbar into various adjustment angles. The interior light 1 can thus be orientated in a desired direction from a busbar. By means of the adjustment unit 2, the beam angle of the interior light 1 can also be adapted, which is particularly advantageous when being used for shelf or display case illumination in order to adapt the illumination to articles arranged in the shelf or display case.

(15) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the adjustment unit 2. This has a latch holder 19 and a latch tab 16 formed integrally therewith. Furthermore, centring lugs 28, also formed integrally with the latch holder 19, are provided for centring the adjustment unit.

(16) The latch mounting 19 of the adjustment unit 2 is formed as a hollow cylinder and has a latch arm 22 which is formed and provided for holding a lens 4 arranged inside the hollow cylinder and a reflector 28 arranged inside the hollow cylinder, as is discussed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 4.

(17) The latch tab 16 is integrally formed on the latch holder 19 or the adjustment unit 2 on a first end, extends along the adjustment unit 2, and protrudes slightly outwards therefrom in the manner of a wing. At the second end thereof, which is connected to the first end via a spring arm, the latch tab 16 has a transversely extending rib, which acts as a mating latch means 13 for latch means 8 provided on the main body 3. Radially orientated, outwardly extending guide faces, which act as guide means 14, and an actuation part 17 are also provided. The actuation part 17 and the guide faces 14 are formed as a single peg, which is formed integrally centrally on the rib and extends radially outwards offset therefrom in a manner which axially extends the spring arm.

(18) The adjustment unit 2 has two latch tabs 16, which are arranged opposite one another.

(19) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the adjustment unit 2 of FIG. 2. The cross section extends through the two latch tabs 16. In this drawing, in particular the shape of the lens 4 and the reflector 18 can be seen.

(20) The lens 4 is provided as a plano-convex lens in this case. It has a shoulder 20 by means of which it is held in the latch holder 19.

(21) The reflector 18 is formed cup-shaped and has a flange 21 by means of which it is also held in the latch holder 19. The reflector 18 also has, in the region of the base of the cup shape, a large recess 28, which promotes the passage of light through the adjustment unit 2. The reflector is a deep-drawn part.

(22) In the region of the latch tab 16, it can be seen in this drawing that the actuation portions 17 are provided radially offset. By means of this radial offset, in the assembled state the actuation portions 17 engage through a guide 7 of the main body 3, and are therefore actuatable from the outside.

(23) FIG. 4 is a detail of a cross section through the adjustment unit 2 in the region of the latch holder 19. This drawing shows the shoulder 20 of the lens 4 and the flange 21 of the reflector 18 in detail. A homogenisation film 23, for homogenising the light to be emitted, is laid between the lens 4 and the reflector 18.

(24) The latch holder 19 has a latch arm 22 and an internal rib 30 integrally formed on an internal face 29 of the hollow cylindrical shape of the latch holder 19. The lens 4, the reflector 18 and the homogenisation film 23 are held positively between the internal rib 30 and the latch arm 21. For this purpose, during assembly, the lens 4, the reflector 18 and the homogenisation film 23 are inserted together into the cavity, formed by the hollow cylindrical shape, of the latch holder 19 from the side of the latch arm. A ramp 31, which slides on the shoulder 20 of the lens 4 or on the flange 21 of the reflector 18, is provided on the latch arm 22, and so the spring arm 22 is tensioned. If the end of the spring arm 22 or of the ramp 31 is passed, the latch arm 22 latches behind the flange 21 of the reflector 18. Simultaneously, in this context the shoulder 20 of the lens 4 is placed against the internal rib 30, and so the lens 4 and the reflector 18 as well as the homogenisation film 23 positioned therebetween are held positively in the latch holder 19.

(25) FIG. 5 is a detail of a plan view of the adjustment unit 2 in the region of a latch holder 19 and a latch tab 16. In particular, the outline of the latch tab 16 can be seen in detail here.

(26) The rib acting as a mating latch means 13 is rounded, and so coordinated latching is possible at the latch means 8 of the main body. It can also be seen that the guide faces provided as guide means 14 extend radially outwards and longitudinally or axially with respect to the hollow cylindrical shape of the latch holder, and so a guide face is created which is planar in a manner corresponding to the slot-like guides 7 of the main body 3. The width of the peg on which the guide faces are formed corresponds with slight play to the width of the guides 7.

(27) In the plan view shown, the end faces of the shoulder 20 of the lens 4, the homogenisation film 23 and the flange 21 of the reflector 18 can also be seen from the outside in the region of the latch arm 22.

(28) The shape of the centring lug 28 can also be seen. Two centring lugs 28 of this type are provided on the adjustment unit 2 and are arranged opposite one another. The centring lugs 28 extend substantially axially, and protrude slightly radially. They are integrally formed on the latch holder 19 or the adjustment unit 2 at a first end, and are formed flattened at the second end thereof. In the flattened regions, the centring lugs 28 slide on an inner face 15 of the recess 5 when the adjustment unit 2 is assembled in or inserted into the recess 5 of the main body 3, and thus ensure that the adjustment unit 2 remains centred during insertion into the recess 5. This also applies to the adjustment of the adjustment unit 2 between different latching stages 9, 10, 11 of the main body 3.

(29) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the main body 3. The main body 3 has a cylindrical recess 5 and a lighting means 6 arranged inside the recess 5. The lighting means 6 is an LED, together with an associated circuit board, which is attached in the recess by means of screws 32.

(30) At the end opposite the recess, the main body 3 has a cooling body 33. The cooling body is coupled to the mounting 27 (not fully shown here) via the articulation region 34. By means of the mounting 27 and the cooling body 33, the main body 3 is held, for example on a busbar. Furthermore, the cooling body 33 provides a sufficient surface area for heat transfer for reliable operation of the lighting means 6.

(31) Moreover, conductors (not shown) for the power supply to the lighting means 6 are provided in the mounting 27 and on the cooling body 33.

(32) The cylindrical shape of the recess 5 is provided as a circular cylindrical shape having a cylinder axis 12. Latch means 8 in the form of a plurality of latching stages 9, 10, 11 are provided on an inner face 15 of the recess 5 and are in the form of latch grooves. Guides 7, each forming an opening, are also provided on the recess 5, and are formed as slots and extend parallel to the cylinder axis 12, in other words axially. The latch grooves extend perpendicularly thereto, in other words in the peripheral direction or tangentially.

(33) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through the main body 3 and the adjustment unit 2 during the insertion of the adjustment unit 2. The entire adjustment unit 2 is inserted into the recess 5 axially, in other words towards the cylinder axis. For this purpose, the latch tabs 16 are pushed inwards until they fit into the recess 5, as indicated by the arrows labelled F. During the further axial displacement of the adjustment unit 2 into the recess 5, the guide means 14 reach the guides 7. As a result of the resilient biasing of the pressed-in latch tabs 16, the guide means 14 latch into the guides 7. In the position in which the guide means latch into the guides 7, a first latching step 9 of the latch means 8 is simultaneously provided in the form of a peripheral latch groove, the mating latch means 13 latching to the first latching stage 9 in this position. From this position, the different latching stages can subsequently be taken on by releasing the mating latch means.

(34) FIG. 8A to 8C are details of the cross-sectional view of the main body 3 and the adjustment unit 2 in the latched state at different latching stages 9, 10, 11.

(35) FIG. 8A shows the above-described state in which the mating latching means 13 (not shown because the section plane is through the latch tab 16) are latched to the first latching stage 9. In this context, a first distance 24, which is the largest settable distance, is set between the lens 4 and the lighting means 6. At this largest settable distance, the interior light 1 has a minimum beam angle of for example 15.

(36) FIG. 8B shows the adjustment unit 2 and the main body 3 in a position in which the mating latch means 13 are latched to the second latching stage 10. To reach this position, the latch tabs are actuated at the actuation portions 17, which happens by pressing manually from the outside, and so the mating latch means 13 are released from the latch means 8. Subsequently, the adjustment unit 2 is displaced axially towards the cylinder axis 12 of the recess 5 until the mating latch means 13 latch to the second latching stage 10. In this context, a second distance 25, which is a medium settable distance 25, is set between the lens 4 and the lighting means 6. The medium distance 25 is smaller than the first, largest settable distance 24, for example by 2.5 mm. At this medium distance 25, the interior light 1 has a medium beam angle of for example 20.

(37) FIG. 8C shows the adjustment unit 2 and the main body 3 in a position in which the mating latch means 13 are latched to the third latching stage 11. In this context, the adjustment takes place analogously to the adjustment for reaching the second latching stage 10. In this way, a third distance 26, which is a minimum settable distance 26, is set between the lens 4 and the lighting means 6. At this minimum distance 26, the interior light 1 has a maximum beam angle of for example 25.

(38) Although the present invention has been fully described in the above by way of preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but can be modified in various ways.

(39) So, for example, the adjustable range of the beam angle may be made much wider, for example between 10 and 50 or 10 and 30. Accordingly, there are greater differences between the different distances, and/or more than three different latching stages are provided, and/or the lens 4 has an appropriately adapted focal length.

(40) Aside from LEDs, all other types of lighting means may be used as the lighting means, for example also halogen lighting means, OLEDs or the like.

(41) Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

(42) In the foregoing and in the examples, all temperatures are set forth uncorrected in degrees Celsius and, all parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise indicated.

(43) The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited herein and of corresponding German application No. 10 2015 214 949.8, filed Aug. 5, 2016.

(44) The examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples.

(45) From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.