RU2802916C2 - Connecting device for lighting fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: lighting fixtures.

SUBSTANCE: connecting device for a lighting fixture. The connecting device (2) containing the connecting socket (10) for the lighting fixture, the connecting zone (12) for connecting to the electrical network, the housing (4), for installation in the mounting space (6), and the formation of an internal volume (V), also contains a front surface (14), which is rigidly connected to the body (4) and is made with the possibility to protrude from the mounting space (6). The internal volume (V) contains elements (34) for supplying electric power to the lighting fixture, elements (36) for connecting the socket (10) with the connecting zone (12), and a control and communication system (30) with an external unit. Moreover, the system (30) contains an antenna (32) installed in the zone of the device (2), which is located in the volume (V14), limited by the front surface (14), which has a wall with a reduced thickness (14a), and forms a cavity (14b ) oriented towards the inner side of the housing (4) and in which the antenna (32) is placed.

EFFECT: improving the reception and transmission of radio waves by the antenna.

5 cl, 11 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a connecting device for a lighting fixture.

Modern building design standards require the installation of lighting fixture connectors (DCLs) in the walls of residential or service areas, which include sockets for connecting lighting fixtures that do not require users to handle electrical wires. These luminaire connection devices are mounted inside recessed housings, which are directly mounted in walls or ceilings and have preset dimensions. The luminaire connection devices also have dimensions predetermined by the housing in which they are installed and have a central shaft for inserting a screw for connecting the luminaire. Devices for connecting luminaires are formed by means of a housing housing electronic components and connecting elements.

The need for smart devices, in particular devices that can be controlled remotely via a smartphone, means that devices for connecting luminaires must be connected to external communication devices, in particular through remote control using radio frequency technologies (Bluetooth, etc.).

Nowadays, lighting fixtures can be controlled remotely through smart bulbs or lighting fixtures, such as fixtures equipped with control buttons and communication systems. These communication devices are also mounted in free space within the integrated housing. It typically takes an electrician several minutes to complete the wiring required for each light fixture, which represents a significant additional cost.

It is these disadvantages that the invention intends to overcome by providing a new connection device for a lighting fixture in which installation and activation of intelligent functions are much simpler.

To this end, the invention relates to a connection device for a lighting fixture comprising a housing which is intended to be installed in a mounting space in a room wall, the device comprising a connection socket for the lighting fixture and a connection area for connection to an electrical network. This device is characterized in that the housing forms an internal volume, within which are contained elements for supplying electrical power to the lighting fixture, elements for connecting between the connecting socket for the lighting fixture and the connecting area for connecting to the electrical network, and a system for controlling and communicating with the unit, external for connecting device.

According to the invention, the housing of the device for connecting luminaires already contains all the components necessary for remote control. Ease of installation is greatly increased since it is no longer necessary to involve an electrician to connect communication systems.

According to some advantageous but optional aspects of the invention, such a connecting device for a lighting fixture may comprise one or more of the following features in any technically feasible combination:

– The control and communication system comprises a radio frequency communication antenna, the device includes a front surface that is rigidly connected to the housing and is configured to protrude from the mounting space, and the antenna is installed in an area of the device that is located in a volume defined by the front surface.

– The front surface has a wall provided with decreasing thickness, forming a cavity oriented towards the inside of the housing, in which the communication antenna is located.

– Elements for supplying electrical power to the lighting fixture are provided on a first circuit board that is mounted inside the housing, elements for connecting between the connection socket for the lighting fixture and the connection area for connecting to the electrical network are provided on a second circuit board that is mounted inside the housing, and the system for control and communication is provided on the third circuit board, which is mounted inside the housing.

– The first circuit board is oriented parallel to the central axis of the chassis, the second and third circuit boards are oriented perpendicular to the central axis, the second circuit board is attached to the first axial edge of the first board, and the third circuit board is attached to the second axial edge of the first board located opposite the first axial edge along the central axis .

– The circuit boards are connected using slotted/plug-in elements and welds to ensure that the boards are electrically connected to each other.

– The second and third circuit boards have a semi-circular contour centered on a central axis and defined by the inner wall of the housing and a central aperture around the central shaft of the housing.

The invention will be better explained and its other advantages will become more apparent in the light of the following description of a connecting device for a lighting fixture according to its principle, offered by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view from the front surface of a connecting device for a lighting fixture according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view from the rear surface of the connecting device of FIG. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagram of components and integrated functions in the connection device of FIG. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the connecting device of FIG. 1 without housing in order to provide an overview of the circuit boards;

Fig. 5 is a section along plane V of the connecting device according to FIG. 1;

Fig. 6 is a top view of a circuit board for control and communication of a connecting device;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view from below relative to the power circuit board;

Fig. 8 is a top perspective view of the power circuit board of FIG. 7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a connecting circuit board of a connecting device;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the antenna of the control and communication board of FIG. 6;

Fig. 11 is a cross-section of the connecting device installed in the wall and through the antenna of FIG. 10.

Fig. 1 shows a connection device 2 for a lighting fixture (not shown) comprising a housing 4 which is intended to be installed in a mounting space 6, which is shown in FIG. 5 and 11, provided in the wall 8 of room in the room (not shown). This connecting device 2, commonly referred to as "DCL" for "device for connecting lighting fixtures", contains a standardized connecting socket 10 for a lighting fixture and a connecting area 12 for connecting to the electrical network. The purpose of this device is to simplify the installation of lighting fixtures for the person in the room.

The connection socket 10 is located on the front surface 14 of the housing 4, which protrudes from the wall 8 and which includes an edge 140 that projects and runs against the wall 8. The connection area 12 is located on the rear surface 16 of the housing 4 and is located in the installation space 6.

The housing 4 takes the form of a cylinder with a circular cross-section, which is centered on the central axis X4. The central axis X4 is perpendicular to the wall 8 in which the mounting space 6 is provided. In the case shown in FIG. 5, the wall 8 is vertical, and the device 2 is mounted in the wall of the building. As a variation, the wall 8 can be horizontal, with the device 2 mounted in the ceiling.

The housing 4 includes a central shaft 18 which is centered on a central axis X4 and which extends the entire length of the housing 4 along the central axis X4. This central shaft 18 is designed to receive by screwing a rod with a hook at the end for hanging a lighting fixture.

The housing 4 forms an internal volume V, which contains elements for supplying electrical power to the lighting fixture, elements for connecting between the connecting socket 10 for the lighting fixture and the connecting area 12 for connecting to the electrical network, and a system for controlling and communicating with a unit external to the connecting device 2. Thus, device 2 combines inside the same housing 4 functions 20 for regulating and adjusting the supply of electrical power, a microprocessor 22 that implements system software (firmware), and a communication module, color diodes 24, which report the operating states of the device, a control button 26 for controlling the device 2 and for implementing certain functions, in particular pairing with an external electronic device and a relay 28, 342 for supplying power to the lighting fixture. The connecting device 2 is supplied with electric current from the electrical network through the connecting zone 12. Diodes 24, button 26 and relays 28, 342 are electrically connected to the microprocessor 22.

The integration of all functions within one housing greatly simplifies the installation: the installation technician in a building under construction simply connects the electrical wires present in the installation space 6 with the corresponding contact terminals of the connection area 12. There is no need for specific knowledge in order to connect the system for control and communication with other components, in contrast to modern methods that implement separate communication systems and devices for connecting lamps.

The control and communication system is provided on the circuit board 30, which is shown in FIG. 6 and is mounted inside the housing 4. This board 30 contains, in particular, a microprocessor 22, two diodes 24 and a push button 26.

The control and communication system contains an RF communication antenna 32, which is connected to the board 30. To enable the transmission and reception of waves, for example Bluetooth or ZigBee waves, the antenna 32 must be located outside the volume of the installation space 6 in such a way that the material walls 8, for example, concrete, do not impede the propagation of waves. The front surface 14, which is rigidly connected to the housing 4, is therefore configured to protrude from the mounting space 6, and the antenna 32 is installed in the area of the device 2, which is located in the volume V14 defined by the front surface 14. The antenna 32 is located outside the outer surfaces 80 walls 8.

The antenna 32 includes legs 320 that are attached to the board 30 and which allow the antenna 32 to be elevated relative to the board 30.

The front surface 14 has a wall provided with a thickness reduction 14a forming a cavity 14b oriented toward the inside of the housing 4 in which the communication antenna 32 is housed. This reduction in thickness allows for improved reception and transmission of waves by the antenna 32.

Elements for supplying electrical power to the electronic device and lighting fixture are provided on a circuit board 34 that is mounted within the housing 4. These elements are configured to provide and control DC power based on the AC power received through the device 2. In particular, A filter capacitor 340 and a relay 342 are included in this board 34.

Elements for the connection between the connection socket 10 for the lighting fixture and the connection area 12 for connection to the electrical network are provided on a circuit board 36, which is mounted inside the housing 4. This board 36 includes in particular three connection terminals 360 (phase, neutral and grounding terminals) forming a connection socket 10 for the lighting fixture, and three connecting terminals 362 (phase, neutral and grounding terminals) forming a connecting area 12 for connection to the electrical network.

Circuit board 34 is oriented parallel to the central axis X4, and boards 30 and 36 are oriented perpendicular to the central axis X4. The board 30 is attached to the first axial edge 344 of the board 34, which edge is located on the side of the front surface 14, and the board 36 is attached to the second axial edge 346 of the board 34, which edge is located opposite the first axial edge 344 along the central axis X4, i.e. e. on the side of the rear surface 16. Thus, the control and communication components, in particular the button 26 and the antenna 32, are located close to the front surface 14 so that they protrude from the wall 8, while the connecting terminals 362 are located on the rear surface 16 in such a way that they are able to connect with the electrical wires present in the installation space 6.

The mounting plates 30 and 36 have a corresponding semicircular outline 300 and 364 centered on a central axis X4, defined by an inner wall 40 of the housing 4 and a corresponding central aperture 302 and 366 around the central shaft 18 of the housing 4.

The circuit boards 30, 34 and 36 are connected to each other via slot/plug-in elements and welds to ensure that the boards are electrically connected to each other. In detail, the board 34 includes two tabs for attaching (phase and neutral) connections 348 to the board 36. These two tabs 348 are inserted into two complementary apertures 368 in the board 36. The tabs 348 contain conductive tracks (not shown) that establish electrical contact with conductive tracks (not shown) that are provided at the periphery of the apertures 368. Welds (not shown) provide the assembly of projections 348 and apertures 368 with mechanical strength and electrical conductivity.

Likewise, board 34 also includes two attachment and (phase and neutral) connection tabs 350 that are inserted into two complementary apertures 304 in board 30. Conductive tracks and welds (not shown) provide the assembly of tabs 350 and apertures 304 mechanical strength and electrical conductivity.

The three boards 30, 34 and 36 thus attached and connected form a rigidly connected assembly which is directly secured within the housing 4. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the housing 4 may comprise two parts 4A and 4B assembled into one unit. Part 4A is cylindrical in shape and carries the front surface 14. An assembly formed by three boards 30, 34 and 36 is inserted into part 4A. Part 4B carries the back surface 16 and closes the internal volume V of the housing 4 and places the boards 30, 34 and 36 inside the housing 4.

Claims (5)

1. A connecting device (2) for a lighting device, comprising a housing (4) intended for installation in an installation space (6) in a wall (8) of a room, wherein this device (2) contains a connecting socket (10) for a lighting device and a connecting zone (12) for connecting to the electrical network, characterized in that the housing (4) forms an internal volume (V), inside of which elements (34) are built for supplying electrical power to the lighting device, elements (36) for connecting between the connecting socket ( 10) for a lighting device and a connecting area (12) for connecting to the electrical network and a system (30) for control and communication with a unit external to the connecting device (2), wherein the system (30) for control and communication contains an antenna ( 32) radio frequency communication, wherein the device (2) includes a front surface (14), which is rigidly connected to the housing (4) and is configured to protrude from the mounting space (6), and wherein the antenna (32) is installed in the area of the device ( 2), which is located in a volume (V14) defined by the front surface (14), wherein the front surface (14) has a wall provided with a reduction in thickness (14a), forming a cavity (14b) oriented towards the inner side of the housing (4) , and in which the communication antenna (32) is located. 2. The connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elements for supplying electrical power to the lighting device are provided on the first circuit board (34), which is mounted inside the housing (4), elements for connecting between the connecting socket (10) for the lighting device and a connecting area (12) for connection to the electrical network are provided on a second circuit board (36), which is mounted inside the housing (4), and a control and communication system is provided on a third circuit board (30), which is mounted inside the housing (4) . 3. The connecting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the first circuit board (34) is oriented parallel to the central axis (X4) of the housing (4), and the second and third boards (36, 30) are oriented perpendicular to the central axis (X4), and the second board (36) is connected to the first axial edge (346) of the first board (34), and wherein the third board (30) is connected to the second axial edge (344) of the first board (34) located opposite the first axial edge (346) along the central axles (X4). 4. The connecting device according to claim 3, characterized in that the circuit boards (30, 34, 36) are connected by means of elements (348, 350, 368, 304) in the form of slots/plug-ins and by means of welds, ensuring that the boards electrically connected to each other. 5. Connecting device according to any one according to paragraphs. 3 and 4, characterized in that the second (36) and third (30) circuit boards have a semicircular contour (364, 300) centered on the central axis (X4) and limited by the inner wall (40) of the housing (4) and the central aperture (366, 302) around the central shaft (18) of the housing (4).