Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting terminal having a housing (14) in which a lift cage (22) is arranged, with the housing (14) and the lift cage (22) each having a first opening (20,21) which can be aligned such that it is flush, for inserting a cable end (24) into the lift cage (22), in which the housing (14) and the lift cage (22) each have a second opening (36,37), which can be aligned such that it is flush, for inserting at least one part (30a,30b) of a circuit board (10) into the lift cage (22). It also relates to a system for producing a conductive connection between at least one part (30a,30b) of a circuit board and a connecting terminal according to the invention, in which case the system furthermore comprises a U-shaped crushing protection device (38) which can be pushed over that part (30a,30b) of the circuit board (10) which can be inserted into the connecting terminal in order to produce a conductive connection to the cable end (24).

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a discharge lamp from an on-board voltage source of a motor vehicle. The discharge lamp is operated at a first electrical power to produce a taillight and is operated with a second, higher power to produce a signal light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a starting-up method for a lighting system, which has a plurality of luminaries (L1; L2; L3; L4; L5; L6) which are fitted with lamps (LP1; LP2; LP3; LP4; LP5; LP6; LP7; LP8) and electric equipment for operating these lamps, a control device (St) for actuating the electrical equipment (B1; B2; B3; B4; B5; B6) and control elements (S) for controlling and programming the control device (St). During the starting-up phase of the lighting system, system initialization is carried out, during which each electrical equipment item (B1; B2; B3; B4; B5; B6) is assigned an individual appliance address, which ensures that the equipment (B1; B2; B3; B4; B5; B6) and the luminary (L1; L2; L3; L4; L5; L6) are identified by the control device (St).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generating digital control signals having the following features: an oscillator (10), which has a digital output two storage means (20, 30) for storing the value of digitally coded variables, which each have a clock input (22, 31) connected to the digital output (11) of the oscillator (10), a data input (21, 32) and a data output (23, 33) an adder (40) which has two data inputs (41, 42), a data output (43) and a carry output (44), where the first data input (41) of the adder (40) is connected to the data output (23) of the first storage means (20), the second data input (42) of the adder (40) is connected to the data output (33) of the second storage means (30), the data output (43) of the adder (40) is connected to the data input (32) of the second storage means (30), and the carry output (44) of the adder (40) is connected to a pulse divider (50).

Abstract: The drive circuit is suitable for an LED array, comprising a number of clusters of LEDs, with one cluster comprising a number of LEDs which are arranged in series and are connected to a supply voltage (UBatt). A semiconductor switch (transistor T) is arranged in series between the LED and the supply voltage and allows the LED current to be supplied in a pulsed manner. A measurement resistor (Rshunt) for measuring the LED current is arranged in series between the LED and ground, with a control loop controlling the semiconductor switch such that a constant mean value of the LED current is achieved.

Abstract: A method for coating lamp tubes in which a local drying zone tracks a liquid level of the coating material at a constant time interval. The local drying zone may be a heater or air outlet that moves in coordination with the liquid level.

Abstract: A flat lighting device (1) has an optical conductor plate (2) and at least two electric light sources (3, 4) which are suitable for coupling light into an optical conductor plate (2) during operation. A first light source (3) is arranged adjacent to the optical conductor plate (2), and a second light source (4) is arranged downstream of the first light source (3) with reference to the optical conductor plate (2) in such a way that at least a portion of the light emitted by the second light source (4) during operation can pass through the first light source (3) into the optical conductor plate (2). In dimmed operation, the first light source (3), which is closest to the optical conductor plate (2), is switched off and reduces the light flux to be coupled into the optical conductor plate (2) from the second light source (4). Extreme dimming is also possible in this way without there being a change in the electric and/or lighting properties of the light source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a discharge lamp, which has at least one dielectrically impeded electrode (2, 3), on a flyback converter, which applies periodically recurring voltage pulses to the discharge lamp (La1). If the discharge lamp (La1) has a starting aid (10), the voltage amplitude (US) of the voltage pulses is successively raised until a dielectrically impeded discharge is formed in the discharge lamp, and until the voltage amplitude (US) has reached the nominal operating voltage. If the discharge lamp (La1) has no starting aid, a first discharge which causes a partial ionization of the discharge medium is firstly ignited in the discharge lamp (La1). Immediately after the first discharge has been brought back to extinction, a dielectrically impeded discharge is ignited anew, and the voltage amplitude (US) of the voltage pulses is increased until the nominal operating voltage of the discharge lamp (La1) is reached.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing an output signal (Ua) having a desired value of a characteristic quantity (Uarms) at the output of a switched-mode power supply unit. At least one low-voltage lamp is connected to the output of the switched-mode power supply unit. A load current (IL) corresponds to the sum of the currents (I1, I2) flowing through all the low-voltage lamps. The input side the switched-mode power supply unit is driven by an input signal (Ue1, Ue2) having at least one variable characteristic quantity (PW), and the switched-mode power supply unit is connected to an operating voltage (UB).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for operating at least one light-emitting diode (LD) comprising an electronic transformer (10), the output of the electronic transformer (10) having a high-frequency rectifier (12) connected to it whose output is connected to at least one light-emitting diode (LD), the high-frequency rectifier (12) and the at least one light-emitting diode (LD) being combined to form a separate physical unit (14).

Abstract: An optoelectronic component group has at least two LEDs (2) which are mounted on a support (3). The support is composed of a material having a thermal conductivity of better than 1.5 W/K×m, for example ceramic or composite material.

Abstract: A mercury capsule for use in a fluorescent lamp comprises a metal ribbon which is provided with a first portion having a depression formed in a surface thereof for receiving and containing mercury, and a second portion having a protrusion formed on a surface thereof. A bendable portion interconnects the first and second portions. The second portion is bendably movable to a position wherein the protrusion overlies the depression and is further movable to place the protrusion in sealing engagement with the depression to sealingly enclose mercury in the depression.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for igniting a lamp, in particular a high-pressure discharge lamp. The lamp has an ignition transformer with a primary side and a secondary side, the secondary side is connected to the lamp which is to be ignited, and the primary side is connected to an ignition switch. The ignition switch is controlled for actively disconnecting a current flowing through the primary side of the ignition transformer.

Abstract: A lamp base, and mercury vapor discharge lamp including such lamp base, is provided which is fabricated from a material which substantially prevents the formation of leachable mercury in lamp disposal and testing procedures.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp 1 for exterior lighting having a discharge tube 2 of less than or equal to 26 mm outside diameter. Starting from a fluorescent lamp for interior use having a discharge tube 2 of less than or equal to 26 mm, it is possible to achieve optimum operation of the fluorescent lamp 1 in the case of exterior use by applying a thermally conducting material in the form of a coating of foil 15, 16 outside on the discharge tube 2 in the region of one or both electrodes 3, 4.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp comprises a glass tubular body defining a discharge space, and first and second electrode assemblies mounted in the discharge space in opposition to each other, each of the electrode assemblies comprising a first electrode and a second electrode. Each of the first electrodes comprises a metal lead wire with an electron-emitting material disposed on a free end thereof, and each of the second electrodes comprises a cup-shaped tube coaxially surrounding one of the first electrodes and the electron-emitting material disposed on the first electrode. The second electrode tube and the electron emitting material therein form an annular gap therebetween.

Abstract: A description is given of an operating method for a discharge lamp with dielectrically impeded discharges and also a corresponding ballast and illumination system. The invention is directed at withdrawing the external lamp voltage across the discharge lamp in order to produce a back ignition in the lamp by virtue of an internal counterpolarization. The back ignition improves the efficiency of the lamp operation and makes it possible to construct a very small, lightweight ballast.

Abstract: An electrical circuit arrangement for producing pulsed-voltage sequences for the operation of discharges which are impeded dielectrically comprises a series circuit formed from a tuned circuit inductance (TR2-A) and a controlled switch (T1), a pulse generator (OS) which drives the switch (T1), an electrical valve (D1) which is connected in parallel with the switch (T1), a tuned circuit capacitance (C2) which is likewise connected in parallel with the switch (T1), a means (TR2-B, a″, b″) for coupling a lamp (La1) to at least one electrode which is impeded dielectrically, and, optionally, a buffer and feedback capacitor (C1) which is connected in parallel with the series circuit formed by the tuned circuit inductance (TR2-A) and the switch (T1).