EP0755494B1 - Signalling column - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/DE95/00521 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 10, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 10, 1996 PCT Filed Apr. 13, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO95/28598 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 26, 1995A signal pillar includes a plurality of signal elements (2, 2') which are identical in their design and are arranged one on top of the other. In order to achieve simple and effective mechanical and electrical connection, a bayonet closure arrangement (13) is provided between the signal elements (2, 2') and an electrical connection base (3), and connection between respectively adjacent components are made by connecting wires having L-shaped legs (31) and U-shaped connecting bridges (27).

Description

The invention relates to a signal tower according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art:

From the German designation 22 11 801, a generic signal tower has become known, which consists of several light elements with the same structure, which can be assembled without the use of special tools. The known signal tower can be taken apart at any point, so that a replacement of light bulbs is easy to carry out.

The known signal pillar has an electrical coupling device to electrically connect adjacent lighting elements by a relative, limited rotation. During this rotation, there is also a mechanical connection of the two lighting elements through the interaction of two connecting devices. In doing so the partition between two lighting elements and the transparent hood rotated against each other, wherein a screw closure, a bayonet closure or other types of closure are mentioned as connecting devices. The electrical connection between adjacent lighting elements takes place via an electrical coupling which has complementary coupling areas such as sockets and plugs, so that the stacking of two lighting elements leads to a connection of the feed lines of the lighting elements.

This known device has the disadvantage that the partition between the lighting elements and the transparent hood have to be formed in several parts and screwed or connected together. The connection between the partition and the hood must simultaneously make the connection of the electrical connections, for which purpose a complicated electrical connection element is provided as the feed line. In particular, the elastic socket for receiving the plug of the feed line has two legs which are only resilient against one another and which cannot ensure reliable contact between the plug and socket.

Object and advantages of the invention:

The invention is based on the object of proposing a signal or light column which does not have the disadvantages mentioned above and which in particular has a highly efficient electrical contacting of the signal elements which are lined up with one another. The signal elements should also be easily separable at any point on the signal tower, so that an exchange of signal transmitters or an exchange of individual signal elements with different colors is possible. The task is continue to achieve a variety of uses for the signal tower. Furthermore, a simple and expedient housing connection between the individual signal elements is to be achieved.

This object is achieved on the basis of a signal tower according to the preamble of claim 1 by the characterizing features of claim 1. In addition to the advantageous electrical connection according to claim 1, an optimal mechanical connection according to claim 10 or 11 is achieved.

Further advantageous and expedient refinements of the invention are specified in the associated subclaims.

The signal tower according to the invention with the characterizing features of claim 1 has the advantage that a very efficient electrical connection between the individual signal elements can be established. The individual electrical feed lines are in particular made from simple round wires which are U-shaped at one end as a connecting bridge, while the other end of the electrical connecting line designed as a round wire is only preferably angled L-shaped and for electrical contacting with the U- shaped connecting bridge of the adjacent signal element is used. This creates an electrical connection between the individual signal elements that is very simple in structure but highly efficient in its effect. The U-shaped connecting bridge ensures a high stability of the electrical connecting member, but in the simplest version an only pin-shaped connecting bridge can be used.

The formation of each signaling element for producing a signaling column by a pot-shaped arrangement of a cylinder part is hereby particularly advantageous connected base plate, the cylindrical parts being set one inside the other with a corresponding inner and outer flange and rotatably connected to one another via a bayonet catch. In this case, axial bracing occurs through a special seal according to the invention and through corresponding run-on bevels and a latching through corresponding latching lugs with form-fitting depressions. This results in a secure and targeted non-positive and positive mechanical connection between two adjacent signal elements. At the same time as the mechanical connection, there is also an electrical connection of the U-shaped connecting bridges to the associated wire ends, the contacting parts sliding non-positively and resiliently against one another.

Further details of the invention and in particular additional information on preferred embodiments of the invention result from the following description and the accompanying drawing. It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in another combination or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, different types of signal elements can be used.

Fig. 1

einen Längsschnitt durch ein 1. Ausführungsbeispiel mit Leuchtelement mit aufgesetztem weiteren Leuchtelement in einer Teilansicht sowie unten angesetztem Sockel,

Fig. 2a

einen Schnitt entlang der Schnittlinie A-A in Fig. 1 und

Fig. 2b

einen Schnitt entlang der Schnittlinien B-B in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3a - 3d

eine nähere Darstellung einer Dichtungsanordnung zwischen zwei Signalelementen;

Fig. 4a, 4b

ein 2. Ausführungsbeispiel mit LED-Anzeige als Rundumlicht.

In the exemplary embodiments shown:

Fig. 1

3 shows a longitudinal section through a first exemplary embodiment with a lighting element with a further lighting element attached, in a partial view and a base attached below,

Fig. 2a

a section along the section line AA in Fig. 1 and

Fig. 2b

a section along the section lines BB in Fig. 1;

3a-3d

a closer representation of a sealing arrangement between two signal elements;

4a, 4b

a 2nd embodiment with LED display as an all-round light.

Description:

The signal column shown in FIG. 1 in longitudinal section and in cross section in FIG. 2 is designed as a light column 1 and consists of a plurality of light elements 2 arranged one above the other and having the same mechanical structure. In FIG. 1 there is in particular a lower light element 2 connected to an overlying light element 2 '. Any number of such lighting elements can be arranged one above the other. As the lower end in FIG. 1, a cable connection base 3 is used, which has a central bore 4 for receiving a connection cable (not shown in more detail), the individual wires of which are attached to screw terminals 5.

Each lighting element 2, 2 'etc. consists of a pot-shaped housing, each with a transparent, that is to say translucent, cylinder part 6, which can have different colors. The cylinder part 6 is closed by an integrally connected base plate 7 on one side, which has a socket 8 for receiving z. B. carries an incandescent lamp 9 with lamp base 25. Instead of one Incandescent lamp 9, the socket 8 can also have a variety of other optical or acoustic signal generators, such as. B. flashing light, flashing light, buzzer, horn or the like.

The lower part of the cylinder part 6 is provided with an opening 10, which extends over the entire inner diameter d ₁ , with support webs 11, which extend radially inward and project into the opening 10, for fixing the electrical connecting lines 12 at individual points. These electrical connecting lines 12 consist of an approximately 1 to 1.5 mm thick round wire, which is bent and guided as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as will be explained later.

The connection of the signal or lighting elements 2, 2 'to each other and the connection of the power connector base 3 is done via a bayonet connection 13, 13' with corresponding connecting flanges. For this purpose, each light-emitting element 2 has in the region of its base plate 7 a cylindrical outer flange 14 with an outer diameter d ₂ , which interacts with a cylindrical inner flange 15 with an inner diameter d ₃ in the opening area 10 of the adjacent part 2 '. The inside diameter d ₃ is the same or only slightly larger than the outside diameter d ₂ , so that the lighting elements 2, 2 'can be pushed into one another in a form-fitting manner over a height section h ₁ . Since the inner diameter d _{1 of} the lighting elements 2, 2 'is smaller than the outer diameter d _{2 of} the outer flange 14, the outer flange 14 is supported on a circumferential, radial annular shoulder 16 with the diameter d ₂ minus d ₁ . Furthermore, the outer flange 14 can be partially supported on the mounting webs 11. Likewise, the lower part of the inner flange 15 can also be supported on a lower annular shoulder 16 ′ of the outer flange 14, the sealing arrangement 46 described in relation to FIG. 3 preferably being used.

The bayonet lock 13, 13 'between the lighting elements 2, 2' and between the lighting element 2 and the lower base 3 is formed by a conventional radially projecting guide lug 17 on the cylindrical outer flange 14 for the lighting element 2 and on the outer flange 14 'for the electrical connection base 3, which is initially inserted axially into an axial groove 18 'on the inner flange 15 and then engages in a tangential groove 18 which extends over an angle of rotation range α 30 °. The tangential groove 18 is designed to rise slightly towards its closed end, so that there is an axial contraction during the rotational movement of the bayonet connection. The sealing arrangement 46 described in relation to FIG. 3 counteracts this axial pressure. On the circumference of the connecting flanges 14, 15 are z. B. three such bayonet catches.

In order to avoid an unwanted opening of the bayonet catches, the flange connection 14, 15 furthermore has a combined positive and non-positive connection element as a special and additional bayonet catch 13 '. In this bayonet lock 13 'there is a radially inward curvature section 19 which extends over approximately the entire height h _{2 of} the bayonet connection and which has an inclined ramp 20. These parts 19, 20 are arranged on the inner flange 15 of the respective lighting element 2, 2 '. This ramp-like surface section 19, 20 interacts with a radially outwardly directed cam 21 which is V-shaped in plan view and which is located on the outer flange 14 or 14 '. So that the cam 21 can move radially inward and then outward again into the position according to FIG. 2a via the ramp, the cam 21 is delimited in the upper and lower region by two horizontal tangential slots 45, which cover the entire wall thickness s of the outer flange 14 so that the cam 21 can spring radially inwards and outwards. In Fig. 2 a is shown with position 21 'of the cam in its initial position when the parts are axially pushed together. This cam 21 'runs over the run-up ramp 20 and moves radially inward over the curvature 19 and then reaches the radially outer position 21. This results in a positive locking of the bayonet connection with a positive locking. The bayonet catches 13, 13 'connect the lighting elements 2, 2' etc. with each other, as well as the last lighting element 2 with the associated cable connection base 3.

The electrical connecting lines 12 are formed as follows:

In the area of the inner wall 22 of the cylinder part 6 there are, for. B. six electrical connection lines 12 at an angular distance of 60 °, which serve as feed lines. Two of these connecting lines 12 ', 12 "are used in each lighting element 2, 2' for connection to the conductor tabs 23, 24, which lead to the socket 8 and thus to the lamp base 25 of the incandescent lamp 9 or the like.

The remaining electrical connection lines 12 are used for the electrical power connection of the subsequent switchable lighting elements or for the electrical connection of the cable connection base 3.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, each electrical connecting line 12 consists of a round wire with a first length section 26 with the length l ₁ , which extends over almost the entire height h _{3 of} the interior of the cylinder part 6. The total height of the lighting element 2, 2 'is h ₄ designated. The difference h ₄ minus h ₃ gives the thickness or thickness of the base plate 7.

In the lower region, the length section 26 is bent over to form a U-shaped connecting bridge 27 with a lower horizontal, somewhat tangentially oriented connecting leg 28 with the width b ₁ ≈5 mm, which is followed by the upwardly bent wire leg 29 with a length l ₂ . The length l ₁ is approximately l ₁ ≈60 mm, the length l ₂ is approximately l ₂ ≈12 mm. The upper end of the wire leg 29 is firmly embedded in the mounting web 11. The section 30 of the length section 26 lying parallel to this lies with radial play within this mounting web 11.

The electrical connecting line 12 is bent at a right angle (corner 44) at its other end located at the top in FIG. 1 and forms an L-shaped leg 31 with the length l ₃ ≈ 20 mm. This leg 31 bent at a right angle runs approximately tangentially within the inner wall 22 and is clamped in a form-fitting manner with a support web 32 between the wall 22 and the support web 32. Furthermore, the L-shaped leg 31 is bent at a right angle in an end section 33 and fixed in the base plate 7.

The lighting elements 2, 2 'are joined together by axially pushing the bayonet connection together with subsequent rotation. During the axial pushing together, the U-shaped connecting bridge 27 comes into a position 27 ', as is shown in dash-dot lines in FIG. 1 between the lighting elements 2, 2'. In this case, the connecting bridge 27 'with its length section 26 is located close to the corner 44 of the right-angled L-shaped leg 31 and slides on the L-shaped leg 31 in the direction of arrow 34 due to the rotational movement of the bayonet catch, as shown in FIG. 1 is shown. Here, the L-shaped leg 31 through the radially outward the pressing force of the U-shaped connecting bridge 27 is pressed outwards in the direction of the inner wall 22, so that the position of the longitudinal section 26 which is slightly oblique in FIG. 1 results. The U-shaped bracket 27 also bends radially inward, so that there is a non-positive connection between the two support legs of the connecting bridge 27 with the wire leg 31.

As can be seen from FIG. 2 a, the U-shaped connecting bridge 27 always lies radially inside on the L-shaped leg 31. In the starting position 27 ', the lower connecting leg 28 is not exactly aligned with the L-shaped leg 31, but in a slight angular position inward so that this part can slide onto the L-shaped leg 31 without any problems.

The base plate 7 has cutouts 34 for the passage of the U-shaped connecting bridges 27 ', which are followed laterally by tangential slots 35 for carrying out the pivoting movement or rotary movement when the parts are closed.

The electrical connection of the conductor lug 23 (see FIG. 2 a) takes place via the electrical connecting line 12 ′ coming from below (from the base 3) in FIG. 1, via the longitudinal section 26 ′, which runs obliquely downward, and an angled horizontal section 36 leads to a fastening claw 37. The fastening claw 37 is electrically connected to the conductor lug 23. The horizontal section 36 is continued via a Z-shaped deflection section 38 on the inner wall up to the U-shaped connecting bridge 27 ', which leads to the associated or corresponding lamp connection of the subsequent lighting element 2'. The conductor lugs 23 are consequently electrically connected in series, there being an offset by the angle of rotation α 1 in each case. The end of this section of wire 39 is in turn held by means of a support web 32 and an embedded end section 33.

The second conductor tab 24 is also connected via a fastening claw 37 to a horizontal wire section 40, which in FIG. 1 leads downward in a length section 26 "to a U-shaped connecting bridge 27". The conductor lug 24 of the subsequent lighting element is then supplied with current by the electrical connecting line 12, which is offset by the angle of rotation a 1.

The structure of the electrical cable connection base 3 is shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 b. First, the light element 2 is connected to the base 3 with the same bayonet lock connection 13 ', the U-shaped connecting bridges 27 projecting downward into the inner flange of the light element 2 sliding towards horizontally and tangentially oriented L-shaped legs 31'. This also results in a flat and non-positive contact of the two U-shaped legs of the connecting bridge 27 with the connecting wire 31 '.

The screw terminals 5 are reached via the wire section 43 via a wire section 41 leading downward and a U-shaped configuration of this power connection wire 42. From there, an electrical connection wire, not shown, to z. B. six screw terminals 5 attached.

The sealing arrangement between two lighting elements 2, 2 'is shown in more detail in FIGS. 3a-3d. 3a shows the annular shoulder 16 'on the outer lateral surface of the lighting elements 2, 2'. An annular seal 46 made of a thin plastic film is placed on this annular shoulder. This film is selected according to optimal sliding properties, ie by using a plastic such. B. "Teflon" or the like can be the front The counter flange 47 of the upper lighting element 2 ′ shown in FIG. 3 a slides easily on the seal 46 when the rotary movement is carried out in the bayonet fitting.

In Fig. 3b the plastic seal 46 is shown in side view, in Fig. 3c in plan view. The detail X of the seal 46 from FIG. 3b is shown in FIG. 3d, i. H. a section along the section line I-I in Fig. 3c.

In order to impart a certain pretension to the sealing arrangement 46, it is profiled as shown in FIG. 3d or formed with a slight embossing, which improves the sealing properties. This embossing 48 consists of a V-shaped recess 49 with an angle γ ₁ ≈ 13 ° falling towards the outer end and an angle γ ₂ ≈ 27 ° increasing again in the outer region, in each case measured with respect to the horizontal as shown in FIG. 3d. In the embodiment for a seal 46 is z. B. the inner diameter d ₁₀ = 63.5 mm, the outer diameter d ₁₁ ≈ 67.9 mm. The radially inner break point 50 of the embossing 48 lies in a diameter range d ₁₂ ≈ 65 mm. The lower break point 51 of the V-shaped recess 49 is at a diameter d ₁₃ ≈ 66.9 mm.

Of course, these diameter ranges can vary depending on the embodiment. The decisive factor is the V-shaped embossing 48, by means of which the seal has a certain pretension which must be overcome when the two lighting elements 2, 2 'are pressed together. In the assembled state, the seal 46 is consequently pressed into an almost flat surface, ie the angles γ ₁ , γ ₂ go to zero.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b. As indicated above, the flashing light, flashing light, buzzer, horn or even voice output elements can not be used as signaling devices be used. A so-called LED column 52 can in particular also be used as the illuminant in order to produce a kind of rotating beacon. Here, for. B. four LEDs 53 arranged vertically one above the other to z. B. to form six LED columns 52. LEDs with a small beam angle are used so that a bundled light beam is generated. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the arrangement of six columns in a hexagon has proven to be expedient. Of course, other arrangements of columns can also be selected in order to produce an effect of a rotating beacon. The columns are controlled cyclically one after the other so that an apparently rotating light is created for the viewer. So that the movement appears to be "round", when moving from one column to the other, both adjacent columns are activated on the short side.

The advantage of such an LED arrangement is the fact that the size can be kept very small, which is not easily possible with a motor drive. There are no parts that are subject to wear. In addition, high vibration resistance can be achieved.

It is also conceivable that incandescent lamps are used instead of the LEDs, insofar as they show the required stability.

The arrangement according to the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown or described. Rather, it also encompasses all technical modifications within the scope of the claims.

Claims (15)

1. A signal column with a plurality of superposed signal elements (2, 2') which are of substantially the same design and which are connected to one another by means of a closure connection (13, 13') consisting of in each case one cylinder part (16) for receiving an optical and/or acoustic signal transmitter (9) and electrical connecting conductors (12) which serve the individual supply of current to the signal elements (2, 2'), characterised in that the electrical connecting conductors (12) are constructed as wires which each have at one end a substantially U-shaped connecting bridge (27) disposed in a substantially tangentially aligned plane and having at its other end an angled-over connecting web (31), the connecting bridge (27) of one signal element (2) co-operating operatively with the connecting web (31) of the adjacent signal element by a springing wire connection when two adjacent signal elements (2, 2') are fitted together.
2. A signal column according to claim 1, characterised in that the optical and/or acoustic signal transmitter (9) comprises for example light means such as an incandescent bulb, flashing light, flashing tube, flashing light, etc., and/or buzzer or hooter and/or a speech module.
3. A signal column according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a warning lamp preferably consisting of LED columns can be used as the signal transmitter (9).
4. A signal column according to claim 1, characterised in that a pot-shaped cylinder part (6) is provided which, preferably at its open end (10), has a cylindrical inner flange (15) with an outside diameter d₃ and a height h₁ which is fitted over a cylindrical outer flange (14) of appropriate diameter d₂ on the closed end of the cylinder part (6) and which can be locked by a rotary movement, by means of a bayonet closure connection (13, 13').
5. A signal column according to claim 4, characterised in that the U-shaped connecting bridge (27) is disposed to be freely movable in the area of the cylindrical inner flange (15) of the cylinder part (6) over approximately the height h₁ thereof.
6. A signal column according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a bottom plate (7) is provided on the cylinder part (6) and has in its radially outwardly located zone recesses (34) and tangentially extending slots (35) to allow axial passage and tangential displacement of the U-shaped connecting bridges (27).
7. A signal column according to claim 1, characterised in that the U-shaped connecting bridge (27) is mounted in a radially inwardly directed supporting mounting (11), the shorter arm (27) being rigidly mounted while the longer electrical connecting arm (26) is loosely mounted with radial clearance.
8. A signal column according to claim 1, characterised in that when two adjacent signal elements (2, 2') are fitted together axially, the lower connecting arm (28) of the U-shaped connecting bridge (27) comes to a position approximately adjacent the corner zone (44) of an L-shaped connecting web (31) and in that upon performance of the rotary movement about an angle of rotation α1 the U-shaped connecting bridge (27) has both arms resting operatively on the L-shaped connecting web (31).
9. A signal column according to claim 1 or 8, characterised in that the connecting web (31) is supported at its free end in a bearing (32) and/or is fixed in a bottom plate (7) by means of an angled-over portion (33).
10. A signal column according to claim 1, characterised in that in order to form a bayonet closure connection between a cylindrical inner flange (15) and a cylindrical outer flange (14) there are on the inner surface of the inner flange (15) axial insertion grooves (18') for radially projecting guide noses (17) on the outer surface of the outer flange (14) of the adjacent light element and in that, after insertion into the axial insertion grooves, the guide noses (17) can be introduced into tangential grooves (18) over an angle of rotation α 1, whereby particularly by virtue of an axially rising tangential groove (18), the signal elements (2, 2') become axially clamped.
11. A signal column according to claim 1 or 10, characterised in that there is on a bayonet closure (13, 13') oftwo flange-like connections (14, 15) an annular radial seating shoulder (16, 16') provided with an annular profile seal (46) which consists of a slidable synthetic plastics material offering minimal tangential friction and in that the profile seal (45) preferably has a cross-sectionally V-shaped impression (48, 49) to create an axial projection (51) in the unladen state.
12. A signal column according to claim 10, characterised in that at least one tangential groove (18') of the bayonet closure (13') has a radial surface portion (19) which rises like a ramp and then falls again and over which slides a radially flexible projection (21) on the outer flange (14) ofthe adjacent light element in order to produce a locking arrangement, the projection (21) being of radially movable construction particularly by virtue of two parallel and mutually tangentially orientated slots (45) which pass through the wall thickness of the outer flange (14).
13. A signal column according to claim 6, characterised in that there are on the bottom plate (7) of the light element (2, 2') two conductor tabs (23, 24) which lead to the connection ofthe signal transmitter (9), a first electrical connecting conductor (12') from the U-shaped connecting bridge (27) leading to the first conductor tab (23) and from there to the adjacent U-shaped connecting bridge (27') on the adjacent light element and which is offset by the angle of rotation α1 and which leads from there to the same conductor tab (23) of this adjacent light element and whereby an electrical connecting conductor (40) leads to the second conductor tab (24) from that U-shaped connecting bridge (24@@) of the first light element (2) which is adjacent the connecting bridge (27).
14. A signal column according to claim 1, characterised in that the connection between one signal element (2) and an adjacent electric base (3) is performed via a bayonet connection (13, 13') similarly to the connection of two signal elements (2, 2') and in that the electrical connection is achieved by means of U-shaped connecting bridges (27) on tangential L-shaped connecting webs (31').
15. A signal column according to claim 3, characterised in that in order to form a kind of all-round warning beacon, the signal transmitters (9) consist of LED columns (52) disposed in a plurality of vertical gaps and which are operated cyclically one after another.

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