Lighting system

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting system comprising at least one light module (3), preferably a plurality of light modules (3), which can be installed in e.g. pool walls of swimming baths or footpaths and have at least one LED (4), wherein the light modules are each connected by means of at least one system cable (2) to a common central and bus-capable controller (1) and can be controlled thereby, wherein the system cable (2) is provided for power supply to the light modules (3) and for control of the respective light modules (3) from the controller (1), and wherein in each case a light module (3) which can be positioned by means of an associated system cable (2) remote from the controller (1) has a housing, which is in particular watertight, in which driver means are disposed for supplying power to the LED (4).

Claims

1. A lighting system comprising: at least one light module comprising a water-tight light module housing, at least one LED arranged in the water-tight light module housing, and a driver arranged in the water-tight light module housing for energy supply of the at least one LED, wherein the at least one light module comprises no controller for the at least one LED; at least one system cable; a central and bus-capable common controller comprising a water-tight controller housing, wherein the at least one light module is connected by the at least one system cable to the common controller and wherein the common controller is configured to control the at least one light module via the at least one system cable; wherein the at least one system cable is configured to supply power to the at least one light module; wherein the at least one light module is positioned remote from the common controller due to the at least one system cable; wherein the water-tight light module housing and the water-tight controller housing each have an ingress protection IP68 according to DIN 40050, wherein the internal volume of the housing is protected against particulate ingress and is protected against water ingress for continuous submersion in water to an extent greater than required to prevent water ingress at an immersion depth of at least 150 mm above a highest point of the housing and at least 1 meter below the surface of the water for a lowest point of the housing for at least 30 minutes; and wherein a connection of the water-tight light module housing and the water-tight controller housing through the at least one system cable is seal-tight so that the lighting system is configured to be used under water.

2. The lighting system according to claim 1, further comprising a central transformer and a supply cable connecting the common controller to the central transformer, wherein the central transformer supplies power to the common controller via the supply cable.

3. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the common controller is configured to be connected by a data bus interface with an electronic data processing device or with a compact control unit.

4. The lighting system according to claim 3, wherein the compact control unit connected to the data bus interface comprises at least one control program which is retrievable by a remote control of the lighting system, wherein a signal of the remote control causes the common controller to control the at least one light module in a pre-programmed mode.

5. The lighting system according to claim 1, further comprising an adapter interposed between the at least one light module and the common controller, wherein the adapter enables the connection of several of said at least one light module to a controller output of the common controller.

6. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light module further comprises a circuit board arranged in the housing and provided with the at least one LED.

7. The lighting system according to claim 6, wherein the circuit board is arranged immediately on the housing that is a metallic housing such that heat produced in operation of the at least one light module is dissipated from the circuit board into the metallic housing and the circuit board is cooled thereby.

8. The lighting system according to claim 6, wherein the circuit board is indirectly arranged on the housing that is a metallic housing by interposing a heat-conductive layer such that heat produced in operation of the at least one light module is dissipated from the circuit board into the metallic housing and the circuit board is cooled thereby.

9. The lighting system according to claim 6, wherein the circuit board is arranged on a bottom side of the at least one light module, wherein the bottom side is provided with cooling ribs and is positioned opposite a topside provided with a pane of the at least one light module.

10. The lighting system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one light module comprises a cover plate that covers the circuit board and that is arranged between the pane and the circuit board, wherein the circuit board is annular.

11. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light module comprises a part that, is pivotably supported relative to a base of the at least one light module.

12. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light module comprises three RGB-LEDs distributed uniformly circumferentially or comprises LED clusters with LEDs of different colors.

13. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light module comprises a central opening for receiving a nozzle or comprises a central nozzle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages and details of the invention can be taken from the following figure description. The schematic illustrations of the Figures show in:

(2) FIG. 1 an article according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 the article of FIG. 1 in a further configuration;

(4) FIG. 3 a modification of the article of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 the article of FIG. 1 in an expanded variant;

(6) FIG. 5 a bottom view of a light module of an article according to the invention;

(7) FIG. 6 a section along VI-VI according to FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) Same or similarly acting parts are providedinasmuch as usefulwith identical reference numbers. Individual technical features of the embodiments described in the following can also lead to further embodiments according to the invention with the features of the afore described embodiments.

(9) An article according to the invention according to FIG. 1 comprises a central controller or LED controller 1 that is provided by means of system cables 2 with four light modules 3 in the present case. Each light module 3 comprises three RGB diodes 4 which are uniformly arranged along the circumference of the circular light unit of the light module. Alternatively, instead of an RGB diode, a cluster with at least three diodes of the colors red, green, and blue can be also employed. By means of a screwed-on metal ring 6, a glass pane, not illustrated in detail, is screwed on tightly onto the further housing of the light module for sealing purposes. Each light module 3 has correlated therewith a controller output 7 into which the respective system cable 2 can be inserted in a seal-tight way so that the entire arrangement can be used long-term under water. A transformer 8 serves as a power supply for the controller 1 by means of supply cable 5 and thus indirectly also as a power supply of the light modules 3.

(10) As also in the other embodiments, the system cables are shown in a position prior to connecting the light modules 3 to the controller 1.

(11) By means of a data bus interface, a data connection 9 is connected with a compact control unit 11. In the latter, a series of predefined programs is permanently stored in an associated storage means. These programs can be retrieved by means of a manual sender or a remote control 12. For example, three different programs are provided that can be switched on or switched off and can be varied with respect to luminosity by means of a plus/minus pivot lever 13. For an inconspicuous arrangement, the compact control unit 11 is provided, for example, with a stake 14 that can be submerged in the soil so that the compact control unit can be arranged inconspicuously, for example, within a flower bed adjacent to a pond. The compact control unit 11 has an appropriate receiving unit for receiving the data signals that are emitted by the manual sender.

(12) The four light modules 3 are designed free of a controller, i.e., they comprise only means for power supply and for operating the light diodes with regard to their power supply.

(13) All other control functions are carried out remote from the light modules 3 by the compact control unit or the LED controller.

(14) In the embodiment of FIG. 2, a PC 16 is connected to the data cable 9 instead of a compact control. Instead of a conventional PC, of course another electronic data processing device can be provided also. In particular, this is a portable electronic data processing device such as a tablet computer or a notebook which is provided with a program for programming light effects and control actions for the light modules. Also, the data cable 9 can be provided, for example, with a Bluetooth or WiFi interface by means of which a wireless programming of the controller can be enabled. The controller itself can also have corresponding means by means of which a wireless activation and programming or control thereof is enabled.

(15) In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the controller is provided for controlling only one light module with also, again, three RGB-LEDs. As in the further embodiments, a part of the light module which comprises the LEDs 4 is supported pivotably by means of a bracket 20 relative to the base 21.

(16) By means of the data cable 9, corresponding compact control units or programmable programs can access the LED controller 1.

(17) Advantageously, the employed system cables have identical interfaces relative to the light modules and the LED controller so that a simple operation is ensured. Likewise, the plugs 17 are of identical design.

(18) The embodiment of FIG. 4 illustrates the use of distributor boxes or adapters 18 through which more than one light module, in the illustrated example, two light modules 3, respectively, can be arranged at a controller output 7. For this purpose, the adapters 18 duplicate or multiply the connectors and provide, similar to a multi-outlet power strip, a plurality of further connectors. Expediently, these are again identical plug contacts so that the system cables 2 can be used, independent of their positioning, between adapter and light module or adapter and controller.

(19) The controller moreover can perform remote servicing or remote retrieval of the light modules with regard to the temperature, for example. Calibration of the lights is moreover possible by retrieving the driver statuses.

(20) FIG. 5 discloses a bottom view of a part of a light module according to the invention with a connector 22 for a system cable. This system cable according to FIG. 6 is connected fixedly with the light module and has, on the end which is not illustrated, a plug for connection to a controller or adapter.

(21) Moreover, a plurality of cooling ribs 23 can be seen which serve for discharging the heat that is produced by the LEDs or the driver means to the exterior of the housing. Fastening means 24 serve for screwing on the metal ring 6 belonging to the housing to the housing bottom side or the bottom part 26 of the housing. By means of sealing rings 27 and 28 a pane 29 is seal-tightly secured between the metal ring 6 and the housing bottom part or the bottom side of the housing 26. On the inner side of the bottom side 26 of the housing a printed board or circuit board 31 is arranged by means of a heat-conductive paste. The circuit board comprises three RGB-LEDs 30 whose light passes to the exterior through cutouts, not illustrated in detail, of a cover plate 32 functioning as a cover and through the pane 29. Driver means 35 are arranged on the circuit board 31 itself. A power supply is realized by means of wires 33 provided by the system cable.

(22) By means of a support sleeve of the housing bottom part which is recessed within the bottom side, a wall 34 projects into an area above the printed board 31 so that heat can be dissipated even from the area above the printed board.

(23) At the same time, by removing the top 36 and extending the walls 34, a central opening can be produced that then also passes through the pane 29 and the cover plate and in particular can serves for arranging a nozzle. The metallic elements of the housing (ring and bottom side) are made of a die cast material that is steel-based and dissipates heat particularly well.