IES20020154A2 - An improved lighting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A luminaire apparatus has housing (1), a cover (11), optical fittings and electrical fittings. The optical fittings comprise an enclosed reflector unit (20), the interior surface of which has a generally convex shape along its longitudinal axis. A bulb or lamp (30) is mountable centrally along the interior of the reflective unit by means of a lampholder (41) positioned adjacent the reflector unit. The cover (11) comprises a sheet or sheets of a refracting material. <Figures 1 & 2>

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical lighting apparatus, in particular to an electrical lighting apparatus suitable for commercial and industrial environments.

The term “luminaire” is an industrial term used to describe an apparatus that gives off light. Simple single bulb luminaire used in domestic environments provide insufficient light for industrial or commercial environments. Batten luminaire in conjunction with reflector and diffuser units have been developed for commercial and or industrial environments in order to solve this problem.

In some instances where the area to be illuminated is very large in conjunction with the height of the building it is not conducive to use batten luminaire. Instead it is more energy efficient and optically efficient to use a Halogen, Sodium or Mercury luminaire. An example of such a building, is a factory warehouse.

However, despite solving the problem of illuminating vast areas there are problems associated with the methods of doing so. For example, the wattage of batten luminaire is directly related to the length of the bulb, therefore in order to increase the wattage, the length of the bulbs also increases. This is very inconvenient when trying to provide a lot of light in a restricted space. There is also a flicker associated with this type of bulb, normally the human eye cannot perceive the flicker but as the bulb nears the end of its lifetime the flicker becomes very prominent and can cause a distraction.

Halogen, Sodium or Mercury bulbs require a lot of energy initially to reach maximum luminescence, thus when the luminaires are switched on the bulbs emit a dull orange glow before lighting up fully. The bulbs generate huge volumes of heat which are generally focused on the surface of the luminaire. The surface area of the luminaire is usually too small to dissapate the energy effectively thus when the luminaire is switched off, the area surrounding the bulb is too warm to allow this type of bulb to cool down immediately. Thus the bulbs also emit a dull orange glow during a cool-down period after the luminaire OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 26 AND RULE 23 JNL NaJSife.------I •Ε 0 2 0 15 It is the object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the aforementioned problems.

The present invention provides a luminaire apparatus comprising a housing unit and a cover wherein optical and electrical elements are fixed to the housing unit, the optical elements comprising a reflector unit with a plurality of facets, the interior of the reflector unit having an overall hemi-spherical convex shape, wherein a bulb may be held centrally in the interior of the reflector unit by a lampholder, with the reflector unit fitting around the bulb, and wherein the lampholder is positioned in or adjacent the reflector unit, and in which the cover of the housing unit comprises a refracting material.

Advantageously the cover of the housing unit comprises the front of the housing unit and the side of the housing unit remote the cover of the housing unit comprise the rear.

Ideally, the housing unit can be accessed from either a front or a rear door.

It is preferable for the rear door to be fitted with a plurality of ribbed enforcers along the longitudinal element to provide rigidity and support for the optical and electrical fittings.

Advantageously, the reflector unit comprises a first horizontal facet from which projects a plurality of pairs of facets, where each pair of facets project from opposite sides of the preceding facet and have equal dimensions. Ideally the first horizontal facet comprises a rectangular shape and each pair of facets project from the longitudinal side of the first horizontal facet.

Ideally there are four reflector units fitted to the rear door of the housing unit. Preferably the reflector units are positioned in pairs and each pair are positioned at opposite sides of the housing unit such that there is an area central the rear door of the housing unit to which the lampholders are attached.

Advantageously there are four lamps attached to each of the lampholders, where each lamp extends along the length of the reflector unit. Optionally each lamp is a pin lamp.

Advantageously the luminaire apparatus can be suspended from main roof structures. Alternatively the luminaire apparatus can be mounted in a recessed fashion using for example a T-grid attachment.

Advantageously, the luminaire apparatus is suitable for installing in either concealed or exposed T-grid applications for clean room environments.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example only, two embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings :Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the housing of the apparatus of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional plan view of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention; Figure 2a is a plan view of the rear door of the housing of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the first embodiment of the apparatus of Figure 2 with the bulbs and light fittings removed; Figures 4 and 4a are a plan view and perspective view respectively of a reflector unit of the apparatus of Figure 3; Figures 5 and 5 a are a perspective view and plan view respectively of a second embodiment of the reflector unit of the apparatus of Figure 3; on the main front door frame 11 is optional. The front door 11 is fitted with a lock in assembly providing a hinged facility.

The front door arrangement 11 provides a tight seal maintaining a high ingress protection utilising a continuous neoprene gasket fitted to the internal element of the door frame. If present, the photo-electric controller/occupancy detector are fitted to the front door 11 by means of flying leads. As the photocell is located on the hinged side of the front door 11 this will allow for ease of movement without field wiring becoming strained or dislodged.

The rear door 12 is hinged and accommodates all electrical elements. This provides simplistic maintenance, as all electrical circuitry will be exposed for servicing when the door is opened. All optical and electrical elements are fixed to the rear assembly 12, A terminating gland is positioned at 14. A mains push connector assembly is located adjacent to the proposed gland 14 is located on the hinged side of the rear door 12.

The rear door 12 is fitted with a locking hinged arrangement, as is the front door 11. Both hinged arrangements will be located on the same side of the housing unit 1.

Access to the lighting apparatus is provided by either the front door 11 or by the rear door 12. This is especially prevalent in the event of clean room applications, as the integrity of the clean room is maintained while providing ease of maintenance on the lighting apparatus.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional plan view of the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention showing the optical and electrical elements in position within the housing unit 1. The apparatus has four luminaire units within the housing unit 1. Where each luminaire unit comprises a reflector unit 20, a lampholder 41 and a pin lamp 30.

The reflector unit 20 is purposely designed and has a first horizontal facet 20a (not seen) from which produces three pairs of facets 20b - d. Each facet within a pair projects from opposite longitudinal sides of the preceding facet such that each facet within a pair are Figure 6 is a perspective view of the central partition of the housing unit of figure 1 of the invention; Figure 6a is an exploded side view of the upstand unit of the apparatus of the invention of Figure 2; Figure 6b is a perspective side view of the upstand unit of Figure 6a; Figure 7 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the housing of the apparatus of the invention; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the housing of the apparatus of Figure 7.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 there is shown a perspective view of a first embodiment of the housing unit of the apparatus of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1.

The housing unit 1 is constructed from sheet steel aluzinc powder coated with a 1.5mm depth of material, and has the following dimensions; 1175mm(L) x 470mm(W) x 125mm(D).

The housing unit 1 is fitted with a one piece front door 11 onto which are fixed two UV stabilized polycarbonate refractors 13. The two UV stabilized polycarbonate refractors 13 enable the light generated by the lamps within the housing be dispersed over the location being illuminated. The refractors are not limited to this material, any suitable material known to a person skilled in the art can be used. A metal fillet, which forms part of the front door 11, is provided down the centre element of the housing unit for the purpose of sitting the photoelectric controllers/occupancy detector 15. The sensor unit is located on the hinged side of the front door 11. The daylight dimming controller/occupancy detector opposite to each other. Each pair of facets have identical dimensions. The overall dimensions of the reflector unit are 525m (L) x 220mm (W) x 95mm (D).

The first horizontal facet is 38mm (W) 20a. The first, second and third pairs of facets 20b-d respectively are 39mm (W) 20b, 39mm (W) 20c, 58mm (W) 20d respectively. The facets adopt a hemi-spherical shape, where the interior of the reflector unit 20 is convex.

The longitudinal edge of the reflector is turned down by 5mm providing the hemispherical shape with a smooth edge and an interlocking arrangement down the central element in the longitudinal plane.

The reflector unit 20 is fixed to the rear door 12 of the housing unit 1 using quick release locking screws, thus rendering the optical reflector unit 20 rigid.

Two upstands are provided located 85mm apart, essentially in the centre section 40 of the housing unit 1 providing a rigid fixed arrangement for the lampholder configuration 41. The lampholders 41 are spaced centrally 220mm apart.

The linear single ended pin lamp 30 is mounted in a horizontal fashion at a distance of 20mm off the base of the horizontal facet 20a of the reflector unit 20.

The lamp 30 is held captive by the recessed lampholder 41 and held in the horizontal position by a metal encapsulating bracket fixed to the back of the reflector unit 20. This holds the lamp 30 in the optical efficient position.

Figure 2a is a plan view of the rear door 12 of the housing unit 1. The rear door 12 essentially houses all the electrical and optics of the luminaire, so designed for ease of maintenance, particularly in a class room environment.

The rear door 12 is provided with a continuous neoprene gasket providing a continuous seal and maintaining an IP rating. Reinforcing ribs 50 are located on the rear door 12. The first reinforcing rib 50a is located centrally on the rear door 12, whilst reinforcing ribs 50b and 50c are located on either side of the central rib 50a. The two side reinforcing ribs 50b and 50c are positioned 125 mm in from opposite longitudinal edges of the rear door 12. The three reinforced ribbing elements 50 in addition to providing rigidity and strength provide the following functions: Rib element 50b provides retaining elements for two reflector units 20 and fixing for lampholders 41 and is a fixing point for electronic control ballasts.

Rib elements 50a provides the suspension anchor fixing for the luminaire apparatus.

Rib element 50c also provides retaining elements for two reflector units 20 and fixing for lampholders 41 and is a second fixing point for electronic control ballasts.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the reflector unit 20 with the frame 10 of the housing unit 1. The reflector unit 20 is attached to the reinforcing ribs 50 on the rear door 12 of the housing unit 1 using screws 21. Figures 4 and 4a are plan and perspective views respectively of a first embodiment of the reflection unit 20. Figure 5 and 5a are perspective and plan views respectively of a second embodiment of a reflector unit 23, where the second embodiment 23 comprises two reflector units 20 attached along the longitudinal edge of the outer facet 20d of two different reflector units 20. The reflector unit can be combined with each other reflector units 20 in this manner to form a plurality of attached reflector units.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the central partition of the housing unit 1, comprising a frame 10 and central section 40. Figures 6a and 6b show exploded and perspective side views of the upstands 44 which are housed in the central section 40. The electrical lampholders 41 are located recessed in the upstands 44 in the centre section 40 of the frame 10. 36W/55W/80W linear electronic control ballasts are fitted on to the reinforced ribs 50b and 50c.

Figures 7 and 8 are plan and perspective views respectively of the second embodiment of the housing apparatus 2, where the housing apparatus is adapted for mounting in a recessed fashion using a T-grid attachment. The main frame 61 of the housing unit 2 is surrounded by a 60 which provides support for the lighting apparatus when in position on the T-ffame.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention.

MACLACHLAN & DONALDSON Applicant’s Agents 47 Merrion Square DUBLIN 2

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A luminaire apparatus comprising a housing, a cover, optical elements and electrical elements located within the housing, the optical elements comprising an enclosed reflector unit having an interior reflective surface which has a generally convex shape along its longitudinal axis, with a bulb mountable centrally along the said longitudinal axis in the interior of the reflective unit by means of a lampholder positioned in or adjacent the reflector unit and in which the cover comprises a sheet or sheets of a refracting material.

2. A luminaire apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the interior surface of the reflector unit has a plurality of reflective facets and has a generally hemispherical convex shape.

3. A luminaire apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the cover is located at the front of the housing with the side of the housing remote from the cover being the rear of the housing, with the housing being accessible by a door mounted at the front or the rear of the apparatus and optionally comprising a rear door having a plurality of ribbed longitudinal reinforcing elements to provide rigidity and support for the optical and electrical elements.

4. A luminaire apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, having one or more pairs of reflector units, with each reflector unit being at either ends of a central portion which houses the lampholders for the reflector units and optionally including means to enable the apparatus to be suspended from a roof or alternatively to be recessed in a roof.

5. A luminaire apparatus substantially in accordance with any of the embodiments as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.