The invention relates to street lighting, more particularly to LED street lighting.

BACKGROUND

Street lighting by means of LEDs (light emitting diodes) is known per se. For example, US2013088864, US2011305019, US2010182795, EP2123972, and US2009034257 describe fixtures for street lighting with LEDs. US201308864 provides a fixture which includes a base and one or more modular angled light engines. A first angled light engine can be coupled to the base and a second angled light engine in turn can be coupled to the first angled hght engine and so on until the fixture includes a desired number of light engines. With the aid of a bracket present in the base, the fixture can be attached to a lamppost.

WO2011/149238, in figures 1-3, also shows a fixture for street lighting which includes a number of modules of corresponding design to be coupled to each other. The mechanical coupling between the modules is designed as a kind of bayonet coupling and looks particularly vulnerable.

US20130027935, in figures 4A-4D, shows a fixture which includes multiple uniform LED modules. The LED modules are coupled to each other using bolts and/or screws, which is laborious. Also, the extent to which watertightness is provided seems particularly questionable in the module disclosed there and the application text is silent on this aspect.

US20130215606 shows an LED fixture for street lighting which includes a base, a first frame, an end cap and optionally a second frame. The first and the optional second frame contain the LED modules. When more LED modules are desired, the dimensions of the frames can be changed. When particularly few LED modules are needed, the second frame can be omitted and the end cap can be connected directly to the first frame. The manner of connecting the two frames with each other is laborious and is done with bolt/nut assemblies.

In the known fixtures, the manner of mechanically and electrically coupling the different modular light engines and the base to each other is laborious. The mechanical locking between the light engines mutually and between a light engine and the base is effected using screws that are to be fitted in threaded holes of the light engines. Electrical connection is done by passing electrical wiring through one or more openings in the housing and then connecting it to the LEDs. This makes assembling the known fixture time-consuming and costly. For this reason, further expanding the fixture to include additional light engines after placement of the fixture on a lamppost is no option in view of the attendant costs.

The invention contemplates the provision of street hghting whereby the above-described drawbacks are at least partly alleviated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More particularly, the invention contemplates the provision of street hghting comprising a fixture which is attachable to a lamppost, wherein the fixture extends in the direction of a central fixture axis, wherein the fixture includes:

• a proximal housing part which is provided with attachment means for attachment of the proximal housing part to a lamppost;

• at least one intermediary housing part which on a proximal side is provided with attachment means for connection of the intermediary housing part to the proximal housing part, or to another, proximally located intermediary housing part, wherein the attachment means comprise at least one stub, wherein the at least one stub, viewed in proximal direction, tapers; • a distal housing part which on a proximal side is provided with attachment means for connection of the distal housing part to an intermediary housing part, wherein the attachment means comprise at least one stub;

wherein

• the at least one stub of the distal housing part is designed in the same manner as the at least one tapering stub of the at least one

intermediary housing part;

wherein

· the proximal housing part and the or each intermediary housing part on a distal side thereof are provided with a mounting in which the at least one tapering stub of an intermediary housing part or the at least one tapering stub of the distal housing part are received;

and wherein

· the number of intermediary parts of the fixture is variable and

depends on the application of the fixture.

The street lighting according to the invention provides the possibility of varying the number of intermediary housing parts depending on the application. When more luminous power is desired, an intermediary housing can be added in which extra LEDs are accommodated. However, also when it is desired to add other functionality to the street lighting, this can be done by adding an extra intermediary housing part to the fixture. The attachment means designed as at least one stub, which are received in an associated mounting, provide a particularly firm mechanical connection between the different housing parts. Moreover, the connection can be made of watertight or at least moisture-tight design in a simple manner, so that the connection complies with the standard IP65. The connection can be estabhshed fast and in a simple manner, so that the assembly of the fixture can be carried out relatively advantageously cost-wise. Further, assembly can be so simple that even after connecting the fixture to a lamppost, it is still possible to expand the number of intermediary modules of the fixture in a simple manner, for instance when upon further consideration more light intensity is desired after all, or when it is desired to add extra functionality to the street lighting.

In an embodiment, with each intermediary housing part an intermediary electrical connector assembly may be associated, which is so configured that a mechanical coupling of two intermediary housing parts simultaneously brings about desired electrical connections between the two intermediary electrical connector assemblies.

When connecting an intermediary housing part to another intermediary housing part by sliding the at least one stub of the one intermediary housing part into the corresponding mounting of the other intermediary housing part, the two connector assemblies are automatically connected to each other as well. This renders electrically interconnecting the intermediary housing parts particularly simple. In an embodiment, not only the power supply for the LEDs can then be estabhshed by means of the electrical connections but also connections for data communication. Data communication can be used, for instance, for communication between the driver electronics of the LEDs and a control. For expanding a fixture to include an extra intermediary housing part, it is therefore not necessary to call in an electrician because by establishing the mechanical connection between the housing parts, the electrical connections are automatically estabhshed at the same time, and moreover these electrical connections can include not only power supply connections but data connections as well.

The invention will hereinafter be clarified further on the basis of a number of embodiments, with reference to examples of such embodiments which are represented in the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a side view of an example of the street lighting according to an embodiment;

Fig. 2 shows detail II of figure 1;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the example of the fixture which is represented in figure 1;

Fig. 4 shows a similar perspective view to that represented in figure 3, in exploded view;

Fig. 5 shows detail V of figure 4;

Fig. 6 shows a front view of the example represented in figure 1; Fig. 7 shows the cross-sectional view along line VII-VII of figure 6; Fig. 8 shows detail VIII of figure 7;

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of two mutually coupled assemblies of intermediary housing parts with connector assemblies included therein;

and

Fig. 10 shows a perspective, explosive view of a connector assembly, an intermediary housing part, a proximal housing part, and a coupling part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures 1-10 show in various views an example of street lighting according to the invention in which various embodiments as described in the subclaims are embodied. It is noted that the embodiments can also be applied independently of each other and that the invention is not limited to the examples that are shown in the figures. Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described, reference to the figures being made using reference numerals. The reference numerals are used herein for clarification but have no limiting effect. An embodiment may also be implemented in a different manner than represented in the example that is shown in the figures. In most general terms, the invention provides street lighting which comprises a fixture 10 which is attachable to a lamppost 12. The fixture 10 extends in the direction of a central fixture axis La. The fixture includes a proximal housing part 14 which is provided with attachment means for attachment of the proximal housing part to a lamppost. The fixture 10 includes at least one intermediary housing part 16 which on a proximal side is provided with attachment means for connection of the intermediary housing part 16 to the proximal housing part 14 or to another, proximally located intermediary housing part 16, the attachment means comprising at least one stub 18, 18'. The stubs 18, 18' are designed to taper, viewed in proximal direction. In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, the attachment means can comprise two stubs 18, 18'. However, one stub or more than two stubs are also among the possibilities. The fixture 10 is further provided with a distal housing part 20 which on a proximal side is provided with attachment means for connection of the distal housing part 20 to an intermediary housing part 16, the attachment means comprising at least one stub 22, 22'. In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, the attachment means can include two stubs 22, 22'. However, one stub or more than two stubs are also among the possibilities. The at least one stub 22, 22' of the distal housing part 20 is designed in the same way as the at least one stub 18, 18' of the at least one intermediary housing part 16 and therefore also tapers, viewed in the proximal direction. The proximal housing part 14 and the or each intermediary housing part 16 are provided, on a distal side thereof, with a mounting 44, 44', 38, 38' in which, in an assembled condition of the fixture 10, the at least one stub 18, 18' of an intermediary housing part 16 or the at least one stub 22, 22' of the distal housing part 20 are received. The number of intermediary parts 16 of the fixture 10 is variable and depends on the application of the fixture 10.

The tapering stubs 18, 18', 22, 22' and the mountings 44, 44', 38, 38' are robust, so that a firm mechanical connection between the different housing parts 14, 16, 20 is realized. Around the stubs 18, 18', 22, 22', O-rings can be fitted which upon placement of the stubs 18, 18', 22, 22' are received in the mountings 44, 44', 38, 38' and thus can reliably establish a watertight closure between the housing parts 14, 16, 20. In the example shown in the figures, the housing parts 14, 16, 20 are manufactured from plastic and a force of 500 N can be applied to the fixture 10, without it breaking down. The extent of watertightness can then comply with IP65 and/or IP66 according to DIN EN 60529 (VDE 0470).

In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, with each intermediary housing part 16 an intermediary electrical connector assembly 46 may be associated, which is so designed that the mechanical coupling of two intermediary housing parts 16 simultaneously establishes desired electrical connections between the two intermediary electrical connector assemblies 46.

Such an embodiment is particularly handy because the electrical connections between the various housing parts are automatically

estabhshed as the mechanical connection between two intermediary housing parts 16 is established. No specific electrotechnical knowledge is required, so that the activity of coupling and uncoupling intermediary housing parts 16 can also be carried out by persons who are not electrotechnically skilled.

In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, each intermediary housing part 16 may be provided with a top wall 26 and two opposite lateral walls 28, 28', all three extending substantially parallel to the central fixture axis La. Further, the housing part 16 can include a proximal wall 30 and a distal wall 32, both extending substantially perpendicularly to the central fixture axis La. The intermediary housing part further includes a chamber 34 which is bounded at an upper side, the lateral sides and the proximal and distal sides by, respectively, the top wall 26, the lateral sidewalls 28, 28', the proximal wall 30 and the distal wall 32. Optionally, the chamber 34 may be closed off at the underside by a light- transmitting or a light-tight bottom wall 84, depending on what is

accommodated in the chamber 34. The light-transmitting bottom wall 84 may have lens action and/or be designed as a light diffuser. The light- transmitting bottom wall 84 may also be of transparent design. The at least one tapering stub 18, 18' is preferably of hollow design and extends from the proximal wall 30 in the proximal direction. In the example shown, there are two tapering stubs 18, 18'. Instead, there may also be one, or three or more stubs. Each stub 18, 18' has a central stub axis Ls, Ls'. The intermediary housing part 16 of the embodiment discussed in this paragraph is further provided with at least one proximal wall opening 36, 36'. Each proximal wall opening 36, 36' has a center that is on the stub axis Ls, Ls' of the stub 18, 18' associated with the respective proximal wall opening 36, 36', so that each proximal wall opening 36, 36' is collinear with the associated stub 18, 18'. Further, the intermediary housing part 16 in this embodiment has at least one distal wall opening 38, 38' forming the above-mentioned mounting of the intermediary housing part 16. Each distal wall opening 38, 38' has a center that is on the stub axis Ls, Ls' of the stub 18, 18' associated with the respective distal wall opening 38, 38', so that each distal wall opening 38, 38' is collinear with the associated stub 18, 18'. The diameter of each distal wall opening 38, 38' is such that, in an assembled condition of the fixture 10, the associated stub 18, 18' of a distally located intermediary housing part 16, or the associated stub 22, 22' of the distal housing part 20, is fittingly received therein.

With such an embodiment, the fixture 10 can be simply expanded to include an extra intermediary housing part 16 and an extra associated connector assembly 46. From an esthetic viewpoint, it is also of benefit that the dimensions of the fixture 10 are always tuned to the required

functionality thereof. 'Functionality' should here be understood to mean not only lighting capacity but also other functionality, such as, for instance, the presence of extra sensors, a camera, a transmitter/receiver assembly, a loudspeaker and like functionality which increase the application options of the street lighting considerably. With prior art street lighting, often, the fixture has fixed dimensions and the quantity of LEDs that is included in the fixture can be varied depending on the required lighting capacity. This regularly results in the use of particularly large fixtures for a relatively small number of LEDs. It will be clear that this is unfavorable from the viewpoint of costs and is undesirable from an esthetic viewpoint as well.

In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, the distal housing part 20 can comprise a bridge part 40 with which two stubs 22, 22' are connected. The two tapering stubs 22, 22' may then be of hollow design and extend from the bridge part 40 in proximal direction, each having a central stub axis Ls. In an assembled condition of the fixture 10, the two hollow tapering stubs 22, 22' are fittingly received in the two distal wall openings 38, 38' of a proximally located intermediary housing part 16.

A thus designed distal housing part 20 can be connected with the most distal intermediary housing part 16 in a robust manner and close off chamber 34 of that intermediary housing part 16 watertightly. The watertight closure can then comply with IP65 and/or IP66 according to DIN EN 60529 (VDE 0470).

In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, the proximal housing part 14 can comprise a bridge part 42 as well as two distal openings 44, 44' in the bridge part 42 which form the mounting 44, 44' of the proximal housing part 14. The two distal openings 44, 44' are collinear with the hollows stubs 18, 18' of the intermediary housing part 16 located distally of the proximal housing part 14. In an assembled condition of the fixture 10, the stubs 18, 18' are fittingly received in these two distal openings 44, 44'.

In this way too, in a simple manner, a robust connection between the most proximal intermediary housing part 16 and the proximal housing part 14 can be obtained. This connection can again be made of substantially watertight design, so that IP65 and/or IP66 according to DIN EN 60529 (VDE 0470) can be complied with.

In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, the or each intermediary connector assembly 46 can comprise an

intermediary connector housing 48 which has a central connector axis Lc which is collinear with one of the stub axes Ls of the corresponding intermediary housing part 16. In an assembled condition of the fixture 10, the connector housing 48 may be substantially received in the respective stub 18. Further, the intermediary connector assembly 46 in this

embodiment comprises a proximal intermediary connector 50 which is at a proximal end of the connector housing 48 and substantially extends in a plane that is perpendicular to the central connector axis Lc. The

intermediary connector assembly 46 in this embodiment is further provided with a distal intermediary connector 52 which is at a distal end of the intermediary connector housing 48 and which substantially extends in a plane that is perpendicular to the central connector axis Lc. The

intermediary connector assembly 46 may also be provided with a lateral intermediary connector 54 which is on a lateral side of the connector housing 48 and which in assembled condition of the fixture 10 is in the chamber 34 of the corresponding intermediary housing part 16.

In such an embodiment, the lateral intermediary connector 54 can be used for connection of, for example, an LED assembly, a sensor assembly, a camera assembly, a transmitter assembly or a like device. This connection can be simply realized by providing such an assembly with a connector which is configured for connection to the lateral intermediary connector 54. The proximal intermediary connector 50, upon placement on a more proximally located intermediary housing part 16, is automatically connected with the distal connector 52 of that neighboring intermediary housing part 16. In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, in the proximal housing part 14 a proximal connector assembly 56 may be included, this proximal connector assembly 56 comprising a distal connector 58 which substantially extends in a plane that is perpendicular to the central fixture axis La and which is configured for connection to a proximal intermediary connector 50.

When on the proximal housing part 14 an intermediary housing part 16 is placed, the distal connector 58 of the proximal connector assembly 56 will be automatically connected with the proximal intermediary connector 50 of the intermediary connector assembly 46.

In a urther elaboration of the embodiment described directly hereinabove, an example of which is shown in the figures, the proximal intermediary connector 50 may be provided with a number of proximal electrically conductive contacts 60. The distal intermediary connector 52 may be provided with a number of distal electrically conductive contacts 62. Also the distal connector 58 of the proximal connector assembly 56 may be provided with a number of distal electrically conductive contacts 64. In an assembled condition of the fixture 10, the proximal electrically conductive contacts 60 of a distally positioned intermediary housing part 16 are connected to the distal electrically conductive contacts 62 of a neighboring proximally positioned, intermediary connector assembly 46, or to the distal electrically conductive contacts 64 of the neighboring, proximally positioned proximal connector assembly 56.

In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, in assembled condition of the fixture 10, the connector housing 48 of an intermediary connector assembly 46 may be substantially arranged in one of the stubs 18 of the corresponding intermediary housing part 16, whereby the proximal intermediary connector 50 is located proximally of the proximal end of the respective stub 18 and whereby the distal intermediary connector 52 is located distally of the proximal wall part 30 of the intermediary housing part 16 in the chamber 34 of the intermediary housing art 16.

What is accomplished with such a configuration is that the connections between the proximal electrically conductive contacts 60 and the distal electrically conductive contacts 62 are in the chamber 34 which is watertightly closed off from the environment. The chances of malfunction due to moisture are thereby minimized.

In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, each assembly of an intermediary housing part 16 with intermediary connector assembly 46 may be provided with a locking bolt 66 having a locking bolt axis Lb. The locking bolt 66 at a first free end has a bolt head 68 and at a second free end a locking arm 70 which extends substantially perpendicularly to the locking bolt axis Lb. For this embodiment, it holds that each intermediary housing part 16 and the proximal housing part 14 are provided with a locking cam 72 which is configured for engagement by the locking arm 70 of an assembly of an intermediary housing art 16 with intermediary connector assembly 46 that is located distally of the respective housing part 14, 16.

Such an embodiment enables quick assembly and locking of the housing parts 14, 16 and the connector assembly 46 with respect to each other.

In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, each locking bolt 66, in an assembled condition of the fixture 10, can extend through a bore in the associated intermediary connector assembly 46. The locking bolt 66 in the locking position engages by way of the locking arm 70 a proximal side of the locking cam 72, while the bolt head 68 engages a distal side of the intermediary connector housing 48, such that with the locking bolt 66 the connector assembly 46 is fixed in the associated intermediary housing part 16 and the respective intermediary housing part 16 is secured to a proximally located intermediary housing part 16 or to the proximally located, proximal housing part 14. Optionally, between the bolt head 68 and the distal side of the intermediary connector housing 48 a helical spring may be included which has been slipped over the shank of the bolt 66. As a result, any play that is present can be compensated and a particular press-on force between the various parts connected together with the bolt 66 can be guaranteed, which can be of relevance in connection with a watertight closure.

A distal intermediary housing part 16 with connector assembly 46 can be simply connected with a proximally located intermediary housing part 16 or with the proximal housing part 14, by moving the stubs 18, 18' of the distal intermediary housing part 16 into the distal wall openings 38, 38' of the proximally located intermediary housing part 16 or into the distal wall openings 44, 44' of the proximal housing part 14. The connector assembly 46 present in the stub 18 already contains the locking bolt 66, and the locking arm 70 is then in a first position in which this locking arm 70 does not yet engage the locking cam 72 of the proximally located

intermediary housing part 16 or the proximal housing part 14. To secure the whole together, the locking bolt 66 only needs to be turned, for example, through a quarter turn, so that the locking arm 70 engages behind the locking cam 72. The helical spring 86 which can optionally be fitted on the shank of the locking bolt 66 is thereby compressed slightly, so that the two intermediary housing parts 16 and the connector assembly 46 of the distally located intermediary housing part 16 are firmly connected with each other and are continuously pressed against each other.

In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, the attachment means for attachment of the proximal housing part to a lamppost can comprise a bracket 74. The street lighting can further comprise a coupling part 76 which is provided with a first end 78 which is connectable with a lamppost 12, and with a second end 80 which is connectable with the bracket 74. Here, the bracket 74 and the second end 80 may be so configured that during assembly of the proximal housing part 14 to the second end 80, pivoting of the proximal housing part 14 relative to the coupling part 76 about a horizontal centerline Z is possible, so that the fixture 10 can be fixed in a desired pivotal position. In the example represented in the figures, a pivoting pin 88 is provided which is coaxial with the horizontal centerline Z and which forms a connection between the bracket 74 and the second end 80 of the coupling part 76. The bracket 74 is pivotable about this pivoting pin 88. Further, in the example, two fixing bolts 90 are shown, by means of which the proximal housing part 14 can be fixed in the desired pivotal position relative to the coupling part.

In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, in at least one intermediary housing part 16 an LED lighting assembly (not shown) may be included. In a further elaboration, the LED lighting assembly may be accommodated in the chamber 34 of an intermediary housing part 16.

Depending on the lighting capacity needed, the number of intermediary housing parts 16 in the chamber 34 of which an LED lighting assembly is accommodated, can be varied. When only a small lighting capacity is required, one intermediary housing part 16 provided with an LED lighting assembly can suffice. When, however, a stronger lighting capacity is desired, the fixture 10 may be provided with multiple

intermediary housing parts 16 that are each provided with an LED lighting assembly.

In an embodiment, an example of which is shown in the figures, in the chamber 34 of at least one intermediary housing part 16 or in a chamber 82 in the proximal housing part 14, at least one of the following devices may be included:

a power module;

a sensor assembly;

a camera assembly; a loudspeaker assembly;

a wireless transmitter/receiver assembly; and

a control module configured for control of assemblies included in the fixture 10 and for control of an LED lighting assembly included in the fixture.

The power module will generally be present because it must convert the voltage that is supplied to the fixture 10 to a voltage that is fit for connection of LED lighting.

As indicated above, in one of the above-mentioned chambers 34, 82 a sensor assembly may be accommodated. The sensor assembly may be of different types, so that all kinds of environmental factors can be observed. To be considered, for example, is a sensor that senses the proximity of a moving object. For instance, the sensor can sense whether any person is present in the vicinity of the lamppost. The sensor may also be configured for sensing an external object that is provided with a transponder. For instance, a garbage container could be provided with such a transponder. When such a garbage container is set up in the vicinity of the lamppost, the signal of the transponder can be picked up by the sensor, and this

information in turn can be used for providing services. For instance, the thus-obtained information may be sent to a garbage collection service. The containers then do not need to be placed along the roadside at fixed times anymore, but can simply be set up anytime. The garbage collection service can then forward a collection route to the garbage truck which leads the garbage truck along all the places where it has been observed with the smart street lighting 10 that a garbage container has been set up there.

Further, in one of the chambers 34, 82 a camera assembly may be included, such as for example a CCD camera or a 360° CCD camera. With this, the area surrounding the lamppost can be monitored. With the aid of a loudspeaker in one of the chambers 34, 82, people passing by can be warned, for instance by a guard's voice or by means of an alarm. In one of the chambers 34, 82, also a transmitter/receiver assembly may be included, such as a WIFI transmitter/receiver assembly. This provides the possibility of providing a whole city with a full coverage wireless network. Also, with a transmitter/receiver assembly, information can be gathered about the traffic situation in the surroundings of the lamppost. For instance, the telephones of passing persons can be observed and on the basis thereof the amount of traffic at the location of that lamppost can be accurately observed. Thus, a very accurate and fine-mesh picture of the traffic situation in a city can be obtained. Based on these data, in turn, the flow of traffic in surrounding areas can be influenced.

The control module that may be included in one of the chambers 34, 82 may, for instance, depending on signal delivered by a sensor, switch on or off, or dim, the LED lighting in the fixture 10. Thus, energy can be saved by switching on the LED lighting only when there is anyone present in the vicinity of the lamppost.

The various embodiments described above can be applied independently of each other and be combined with each other in different ways. The reference numerals in the detailed description and the claims do not limit the description of the embodiments and the claims and serve for clarification only.