WO2007095993A1 - Luminaire, in particular for forensic purposes, having a plurality of light sources - Google Patents

Abstract

A luminaire, in particular for forensic purposes, comprises a housing (2) in which a luminous means is arranged and which has an outlet opening (3) through which the light of the luminous means can be emitted when the luminous means is in an operating position. The luminous means is supplied with electrical energy via a current source and is controlled using a control apparatus. The luminous means comprises a plurality of light sources (6a to 6f) which are of different generic types and are arranged in the housing such that they can be moved, in particular rotated, in order to emit light of different quality, wherein they can be alternately moved into the operating position. This makes it possible to use the same luminaire to cover a broad light spectrum without having to change light sources.

Description

LIGHT, IN PARTICULAR FORENSENSISCHE ZWECKE, WITH SEVERAL LIGHT SOURCES

The invention relates to a luminaire, in particular for forensic purposes, according to the preamble of claim 1. Such lights are used, for example, in forensic investigations to find traces such. Fingerprints, footprints and so on. However, the luminaires can also be used to detect forgeries on documents or works of art or for other purposes such as e.g. used for scientific investigations and the like. Evidently, lamps for such special purposes also require appropriate bulbs.

A problem with generic luminaires is that, depending on the application, light with a very specific wavelength spectrum is required. Therefore, often several lights must be carried, each of which covers a specific area of application. This is obviously expensive and not practical in a field use.

In US 2004/0120151 a lamp is proposed, which has a housing with power supply and control part and can be placed on the interchangeable lighting heads with different light sources. Although this solves the problem that it is not necessary to carry a plurality of autonomous luminaires of different types, because only the illumination heads need to be replaced in order to generate light with different wavelength ranges. However, the replacement of the lighting heads is in practice but time-consuming and unsatisfactory. The connection points with the electrical contacts are exposed to contamination, which can lead to malfunctions. In addition, there is often a fast change between different light spectra different light spectra required, which is not possible with the interchangeable lighting heads.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a luminaire of the type mentioned, which is simple and practical and can be quickly changed to different light spectra with the help of no costly installation work. The luminaire should also be able to be used in particular for field use and therefore be as insensitive to external influences as possible. This object is achieved according to the invention with a luminaire, which has the features in claim 1.

The light-emitting means has a plurality of light sources of different types, which are arranged so as to be movable in the housing for emitting light of different quality such that they can be moved alternately into the working position. A common housing thus encloses a plurality of light sources, each supplied by the same power source and driven by a single control device. The light sources are thus always available and can not be lost or misplaced. The problem of contamination of plug contacts or the like does not arise.

The movement of the light sources within the housing can be realized in various ways. However, the light sources are particularly advantageously arranged on a moving unit, which is movably mounted in the housing and which has at least one actuating element emerging from the housing for manual actuation. The actuating element could also be a movable section of the housing itself. Alternatively to manual operation but also a motorized operation would not be excluded. A special ders advantageous structural design is obtained when the moving unit is designed as a rotary body, in particular as a drum, distributed on the outer circumference, the light sources are arranged. A rotary body can be integrated into the housing to save space and its operation does not require any elaborate transmission means. Of course, however, a linearly displaceable movement unit would be conceivable, for example in the form of a slide which can be pushed through the housing.

When forming a rotary body, the actuating element is preferably designed as a rotary knob on which the rotary body is preferably rotatable in both directions. Thus, in each case can be rotated in the direction in which the desired light source is closest.

The housing may have an approximately cylindrical handle, wherein the outlet opening is located approximately on the longitudinal central axis of the handle and wherein the rotary body between the handle and the outlet opening is arranged on a transverse axis to the longitudinal center axis of rotation. This results in the housing of the configuration of two interpenetrating cylinders. A particularly advantageous handling can be achieved if at the ends of the rotary body depending a knob is arranged, wherein the housing extends between the two knobs. In this way, the rotary body can always operate easily, regardless of whether the light is held in the left or in the right hand.

In order to ensure that the individual light sources each remain in the correct working position, a locking device acting on the rotary body is provided for latching the rotary body in each case a working position of a light source. The locking device is adjusted so that no unnecessarily high force required for further rotation of the rotating body and that, nevertheless, an inadvertent change of the working position is prevented.

So that the user knows in each case which light source is currently in the working position, a viewing window is arranged on the housing in the region of the rotary body. Through the viewing window arranged on the rotary body marker is read, indicating the genus of standing in the working position light source. For example, the marker may indicate the wavelength of the light of the light source being switched on.

The rotary body may have a cross-sectionally polygonal carrier section with a plurality of carrier surfaces on which the light sources are arranged. This configuration is particularly advantageous if the light sources are light-emitting diodes which are integrated in a planar board. The boards can be advantageously arranged on the support surfaces. Of course, other cross-sectional shapes would be conceivable for the rotary body. For example, not all light sources should have the same radius of rotation.

For cooling the light sources arranged on the rotary body, it can be made hollow in the center and / or provided with cooling fins. In this way, ambient air can flow through the rotating body, in certain cases, the air flow could be improved by a built-fan.

The housing is advantageous in particular in the region of the actuating element, so for example watertight sealed in the region of the knobs. Thus, the light can be used in all weather conditions. conditions of use without the risk of breakdowns.

The supply of the light sources with electrical energy advantageously takes place via sliding contacts, wherein in each case only the light source can be switched in the working position. Thus, a switching function is achieved, the circuit is closed only at the relevant light source in the correct working position. In certain cases, the light sources could, of course, also be supplied with power via flexible conductors.

The light sources are advantageously light emitting diodes of different wavelengths. With such LED light sources can be covered with low power consumption and small footprint and high efficiency very different light spectra. Of course, however, other light sources such as e.g. Gas discharge lamps, incandescent lamps etc. conceivable.

If a total of six light sources of different types are arranged on the movement unit, a sufficient spectrum of light is already covered, for example, for forensic purposes. In certain cases, however, it is also possible to arrange more light sources, wherein preferably one light source emits white light in each case. In addition, it may be advantageous if at least a part of the light sources arranged on the movement unit is permanently assigned a light filter. This may be, for example, a low-pass edge filter to specify the desired spectrum. Further improvements can be achieved if at least some of the light sources are provided with a reflector to improve the radiation. The reflector does not directly light which can be emitted via the outlet opening is supplied by reflection of the outlet opening and is thus not lost.

As a power supply, a replaceable accumulator can be used in a conventional manner. The receptacle for the accumulator in the housing is designed so that no wrong polarity is possible. In certain cases, it would be conceivable that the light sources are supplied from a fixed network with electricity or that the power source is located outside the housing, for example in a portable shoulder bag and that the power is supplied via a cable.

In order to preserve the service life of the accumulator, the control device may have an automatic shut-off which automatically interrupts the power supply after a certain period of time in the switched-on state. This prevents that an accidentally not switched off light completely empties the accumulator. After expiration of the predeterminable period, therefore, the power button must be pressed again.

In the region of the outlet opening, an optical condenser for bundling the light beams and / or a diffusing screen for homogenizing the light is advantageously arranged. The diffuser is particularly important in LED light sources, because with these there is a risk that in the light cone caused by the light source structure is displayed. The diffusing screen compensates for these brightness differences again. For focusing the light beams, it is also advantageous if the optical condenser is movably held on the housing. In this way, the light cone can be adjusted within certain limits. Further individual features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment and from the drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1a The perspective illustration of a luminaire,

FIG. 1 b The luminaire according to FIG. 1 a with partially cutaway housing,

FIG. 2 is a perspective and partially cutaway view of a removed rotary body;

3 shows the rotary body according to FIG. 2 from a different perspective, but with the outer ring removed, FIG.

4 shows a side view of the luminaire according to FIG. 1a, with a partially cutaway housing, FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the luminaire according to FIG. 1 a, with a partially cutaway housing,

FIG. 6 the detail A according to FIG. 5,

7 shows a view of the front side of the luminaire according to FIG. 1a with a partial section through the plane B-B in FIG. 5, FIG.

Figure 8 is a section through the plane C-C in Figure 7, and

Figure 9 is a schematic representation of a control device for the power supply. As shown in Figures Ia and Ib, there is a generally designated 1 light from a housing 2, which in turn is composed of various components. An approximately cylindrical handle 10 is fixedly connected to a housing block 23. On the side opposite the handle 10 side of the housing block, an outlet opening 3 is arranged, which lies on the longitudinal central axis 11 of the handle. The handle 10 is closed at the end with a screw 22. On this a transport eyelet 26 is arranged, which can accommodate a loop for carrying the lamp. The outlet opening 3 is optionally closed with a lens 21.

As described in more detail below, a rotary body 7 is rotatably mounted in the housing block 23, which is rotatable about the outside of the two knobs 9 and 9 'about a rotation axis 12. The knobs are completed with a perforated grid structure 25. In this way, outside air can circulate through a cavity 18 in the rotating body, which extends across the entire rotating body.

The lamp is switched on and off at a switch 24 on the housing block 23 in the region of the handle 10. This switch is advantageously a housing hermetically sealing switch with a rubber membrane. In the area of the rotary body between the two rotary knobs 9 and 9 ', a viewing window 14 is also arranged, which releases a marking 15 arranged on the rotary body 7. Of course, the viewing window is hermetically sealed.

Housing block 23 and handle 10 may for example be made of light metal and the knobs 9 and 9 'and the screw 22 made of plastic material. In particular, a housing block of light metal favors due to the good Thermal conductivity is a derivative of the heat caused by the light sources. In the area of the cavity 18 and also on the outside, additional cooling fins could be arranged. Of course, other material combinations are conceivable.

For a better understanding, the general structure of the rotary body denoted by 7 will first be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The rotary body consists of a cross-sectionally polygonal, namely hexagonal support portion 16, on which thus six support surfaces 17 are arranged. On each of the support surfaces, an LED light source 6a to 6f is attached, including the associated board. The power supply success from the side via conductor 32, which are in operative connection with the sliding contacts described below. In all or individual of the light sources, a light filter 19 is also permanently assigned. The light filters 19 are arranged in openings in an outer ring 35. This outer ring is rotatably connected to the support portion 16 and also carries the aforementioned markings 15, which are visible through the viewing window 14. The support portion 16 is seated on a rotary shaft 30, which is designed as a hollow shaft, so that a cavity 18 extends through the entire rotary body 7.

Details of the mounting of the rotary body 7 in the housing 2 and in the housing block 23 will be apparent from FIGS. 5 and 6. The rotary body shaft 30 is mounted on both sides of the housing in a bearing ring 34 and connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the respective rotary knob 9. The sealing of the rotating body relative to the housing or relative to the fixed bearing ring 34 takes place on a slip ring seal 29. On the inside of the housing 34 fixed sliding contacts 28 are arranged on a certain circle segment in the region of the bearing ring. The power supply takes place via the each light source associated pantograph 33, which are at least in the working position with the corresponding sliding contacts 28 in operative connection. Each current collector 33 is in turn connected to a current conductor 32, which closes the circuit to the light source. Two current conductors 32 and two current collectors 33 each sit on a bolt 36 and are pressed together with a nut 37 to form a package. The sliding contacts 28 are supplied laterally via arcuate supply lines 38 from the control device 5 ago with power (Figure 4).

For precise positioning of the rotary body in the working position of a light source, a latching device 13 is provided. This is shown in Figures 5 and 8 and consists of a resilient pressure piece with a ball which engages in respective recesses on the rotary body.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the supply lines 38 are connected to a control device 5 which is arranged on a circuit board 27 in the housing directly below the switch 24. The power supply via an accumulator 4, which is arranged in a receiving compartment 8.

In addition, FIG. 5 also shows a condenser lens 20, which is arranged behind the diffusing screen 21 in the outlet opening 3. The lens insert, which carries the condenser lens and the lens, can be displaceably mounted in the direction of arrow x, so that a focusing of the light beam is possible.

Details of the control device 5 can be seen from FIG. On the circuit board 27 are various electronic control parts not shown here for the power supply to orderly. The switch 24 closes the circuit to the individual light sources via a timer 31, which automatically interrupts the circuit when the switch is turned on. In addition, when the light sources are switched on, the circuit is closed via the sliding contacts 28 or via the current collectors 33, either via the circuit I for, for example, 35 ohms or via the circuit II, for example, 70 ohms. Of the total of six LED light sources 6a to 6f, each has a different light spectrum, which ranges, for example, from 400 nm to 550 nm in the light sources 6b to 6f. 6a denotes a light source for normal white light. Of course, the control device could also contain other elements such as a breaker for strobe light and the like.

Claims

claims 1. lamp (1), in particular forensic purposes, with a housing (2) in which a light source is arranged and which has an outlet opening (3) through which in a working position of the light source whose light can be emitted, and with a power source (4) for supplying the illuminant with electrical energy, as well as with a control device (5) for controlling the illuminant, characterized in that the illuminant comprises a plurality of light sources (6a to 6f) of different types, which are movable in such a way for emitting light of different quality Housing (2) are arranged so that they are movable alternately in the working position. 2. Lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the light sources are arranged on a moving unit (7), which is movably mounted in the housing (2), and which has at least one exiting from the housing actuating element (9) for manual operation. 3. Lamp according to claim 2, characterized in that the movement unit (7) is designed as a rotary body, in particular as a drum, distributed on the outer circumference, the light sources are arranged. 4. Lamp according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuating element is at least one rotary knob (9) on which the rotary body is preferably rotatable in both directions of rotation. 5. Luminaire according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the housing (2) has an approximately cylindrical handle (10), wherein the outlet opening (3) approximately on the Längsmit- lying telachse (11) of the handle and that the rotary body between the handle and the outlet opening on a transverse to the longitudinal center axis axis of rotation (12) is arranged. 6. Lamp according to claim 4 and claim 5, characterized in that at the ends of the rotary body depending on a knob (9,9 ') is arranged, wherein the housing (2) extends between the two knobs. 7. Lamp according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that a latching device (13) acts on the rotary body for engaging the rotary body in each case a working position of a light source. 8. Luminaire according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the housing (2) in the region of the rotary body, a viewing window (14) is arranged, through which a arranged on the rotary body marking (15) is read, which is the genus of Indicates standing in the working position light source. 9. Luminaire according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the rotary body has a cross-sectionally polygonal support portion (16) with a plurality of support surfaces (17) on which the light sources (6a to 6f) are arranged. 10. Lamp according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the rotary body is designed to be hollow in the center for cooling the light sources arranged thereon and / or provided with cooling fins. 11. Lamp according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the housing is sealed watertight, in particular in the region of the actuating element. 12. Luminaire according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the supply of the light sources with electrical energy via sliding contacts (28), wherein in each case only the light source can be switched in the working position. 13. Luminaire according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the light sources are light emitting diodes (LED) whose light has different wavelengths. 14. Luminaire according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that on the movement unit (7) a total of six light sources (6a to 6f) of different types are arranged. 15. Luminaire according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that at least a part of the arranged on the moving unit light sources, a light filter (19) is permanently assigned. 16. Light according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the current source is arranged by a housing arranged in the removable accumulator. 17. Luminaire according to claim 16, characterized in that the power supply to protect the life of the accumulator has a shutdown, which the power supply automatically interrupts after a certain period of time in the switched-on state. 18. Luminaire according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that in the region of the outlet opening (3) an optical condenser (20) for the bundling of the light beams and / or a diffusing screen (21) is arranged for the homogenization of the light. 19. Luminaire according to claim 18, characterized in that the optical condenser for focusing the light beams is movably held on the housing.