AU2018220983A1 - Improved downlight - Google Patents

Improved downlight Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2018220983A1
AU2018220983A1 AU2018220983A AU2018220983A AU2018220983A1 AU 2018220983 A1 AU2018220983 A1 AU 2018220983A1 AU 2018220983 A AU2018220983 A AU 2018220983A AU 2018220983 A AU2018220983 A AU 2018220983A AU 2018220983 A1 AU2018220983 A1 AU 2018220983A1
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
luminaire assembly
light emitting
housing
assembly according
luminaire
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
AU2018220983A
Inventor
Robert Kelley
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Aurora Ltd
Original Assignee
Aurora Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB1702524.8A external-priority patent/GB2559961B/en
Priority claimed from GBGB1702589.1A external-priority patent/GB201702589D0/en
Application filed by Aurora Ltd filed Critical Aurora Ltd
Publication of AU2018220983A1 publication Critical patent/AU2018220983A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V27/00Cable-stowing arrangements structurally associated with lighting devices, e.g. reels 
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S8/00Lighting devices intended for fixed installation
    • F21S8/02Lighting devices intended for fixed installation of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters
    • F21S8/026Lighting devices intended for fixed installation of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters intended to be recessed in a ceiling or like overhead structure, e.g. suspended ceiling
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V23/00Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
    • F21V23/003Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array
    • F21V23/007Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array enclosed in a casing
    • F21V23/008Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array enclosed in a casing the casing being outside the housing of the lighting device
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V23/00Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
    • F21V23/02Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
    • F21V23/023Power supplies in a casing
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V23/00Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
    • F21V23/04Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches
    • F21V23/0442Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V23/00Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
    • F21V23/04Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches
    • F21V23/0442Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
    • F21V23/0464Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors the sensor sensing the level of ambient illumination, e.g. dawn or dusk sensors
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V23/00Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
    • F21V23/06Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being coupling devices, e.g. connectors
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B44/00Circuit arrangements for operating electroluminescent light sources
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V29/00Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • F21V29/50Cooling arrangements
    • F21V29/70Cooling arrangements characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21YINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2115/00Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
    • F21Y2115/10Light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/64Means for preventing incorrect coupling
    • H01R13/642Means for preventing incorrect coupling by position or shape of contact members
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R31/00Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart
    • H01R31/005Intermediate parts for distributing signals

Abstract

A luminaire assembly comprising a light emitting portion and a driver/control portion, the luminaire assembly further comprising a pluggable connecting cable adapted to form an electrical/data connection between the light emitting portion and the power/control portion, such that the power/control portion and the light emitting portion can be completely separated from each other in a disassembled configuration and attached together in an assembled configuration as and when required.

Description

Improved Downlight
Field of the invention
This invention relates to improvements in a lighting unit, and in particular to a fire rated downlight using LED light source technology. It is particularly applicable, but in no way limited, to luminaire components designed to incorporate a sensor arrangement into a downlight, including incorporating a sensor arrangement into or associated with a lens in a downlight
Background to the invention
LED Downlight fittings or downlighters are a form of lighting unit becoming more and more widely used as light sources in domestic and commercial environments. They offer significant energy savings when compared with traditional incandescent lighting, whilst being particularly neat and unobtrusive in their appearance, since almost the entire downlight fitting is concealed behind a ceiling or other suitable panel or surface, whilst giving out a pleasing light. However, LED downlights suffer from a number of disadvantages.
LED’s generate significant amounts of heat. It is important to prevent overheating of the LEDs, and associated control circuitry, since overheating will have obvious detrimental effects on the light output and service life of these components. Indeed, excessive temperatures will cause LEDs and electronic components to fail leading to premature failure of the lighting unit. To this end it is known to provide LED lighting units with cooling means in the form of a heat sink. In addition, there is a consumer driven demand for LED downlights to produce greater and greater amounts of light for a given energy input, so an output of 100 lumens per watt is common today, and this lumen per watt output is expected to rise over time. The result of this trend is that larger and larger heat sinks are required to dissipate the greater amount of heat generated in use.
As part of a further new trend, light fittings and luminaires, including downlight fittings, are increasingly becoming more intelligent as a result of the Internet of Things (loT), miniaturisation of sensors, cameras and the like, and the advent of Cloud computing. This requires additional control and communication software and hardware within a luminaire fitting, all of which takes up space as well as producing additional heat. Luminaires including downlights that incorporate sensors are known from GB2526440A. These arrangements are somewhat complex and difficult to
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PCT/IB2018/050971 incorporate into downlights and relatively expensive to manufacture. It must be appreciated that the market for downlights is very competitive and price sensitive.
These developments can cause or exacerbate several problems. Firstly there is the issue of inventory management. For a particular luminaire range, a wide range of colour temperatures and colours of LEDs are required, as well as lens beam angles. Added to that is the range of different sensors required and different communication protocols needed to communicate data from those sensor(s). Furthermore there is potentially a problem of lack of space. Downlights are usually fitted into a ceiling void, which void has a limited and fixed depth and there is not always the depth available to accommodate a downlight fitting.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or mitigate some or all of the disadvantages outlined above.
Summary of the Invention
According to the present invention there is provided a downlight assembly according to Claim 1. A luminaire assembly is described comprising:
a light emitting portion comprising a first housing, the first housing comprising a substantially tubular body portion adapted to accommodate a lamp; a driver/control portion comprising a second housing; and the luminaire assembly further comprising a pluggable connecting cable adapted to form an electrical/data connection between the light emitting portion and the power/control portion, such that the power/control portion and the light emitting portion can be completely separated from each other in a disassembled configuration and attached together in an assembled configuration as and when required;
the luminaire assembly further comprising a separate fixing ring assembly, attachable to the first housing in order to form a flange at or near the front of the first housing, and fixing means adapted to secure the fixing ring to the tubular body portion;
wherein the fixing ring assembly comprises a substantially tubular body adapted to fit inside a collar of the first housing, wherein the tubular body is held in engagement with the collar by a 'twist and lock' mechanism that engages with lugs or other deformations on the inside the collar.
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Preferably the luminaire assembly further comprises a pluggable connecting cable, and the light emitting portion and/or the power/control portion incorporate a plug socket and the pluggable connecting cable is configured to be inserted into the plug socket in the light emitting portion or the power/control portion, or both.
By constructing the luminaire assembly in two separate parts, and by providing a pluggable, and therefore unpluggable, cable connection between those parts the power/control portion can be detached either partially or completely from the light emitting portion. This provides a number of advantages. There is a major cost saving advantage in terms of inventory management that has not been possible before, and reduces the number of Stock Keeping Units (SKU) required to stock a complete range. Different light emitting portions and different power/control portions can be paired together in any desired 'mix and match' combination to meet the specific needs of the customer.
Preferably the light emitting portion and/or the power/control portion incorporate a plug socket and the pluggable connecting cable is configured to be inserted into the plug socket in the light emitting portion or the power/control portion, or both. More preferably both the light emitting portion and the power/control portion incorporate a plug socket and the connecting cable incorporates a corresponding plug at each end.
Preferably the luminaire assembly comprises a downlight assembly, and the light emitting portion comprises a first housing and the power/control portion comprises a second housing, the housings being attachable to and detachable from each other as required.
Preferably the connecting cable is housed substantially within the housings when the luminaire assembly is in its assembled configuration. It will be understood that the connecting cable may be an assembly of cables including one or more power cables and one or more data/control cables. Alternatively all the necessary connecting wires may be accommodated within a single cable.
Preferably the luminaire assembly further comprises at least one cable tidy clip adapted to arrange the connecting cable within the body of the luminaire assembly, and more preferably the first housing and/or the second housing further comprise a channel adapted to accommodate part of the connecting cable when the luminaire
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PCT/IB2018/050971 assembly is in its assembled configuration. These one or more cable tidy clips and/or channel ensure that the connecting cable may be safely stowed away when the downlight is in an assembled configuration.
Preferably the luminaire assembly further comprises attachment means adapted to attach the light emitting portion to the power/control portion. This attachment means can take a wide variety of forms including a latch type arrangement or a twist and lock mechanism. Preferably the attachment means comprises a resiliently deformable latch mechanism.
Preferably the light emitting portion comprises a collar having a front side and a rear side with an inwardly directed flange on the rear side, a solid state lighting element closing off the rear side of the collar, and a heat sink in direct contact with the solid state lighting element. Preferably the collar is made from a material with a melting point above about 900 degrees centigrade, such as mild steel.
Preferably the solid state lighting element comprises a PCB and preferably the PCB is formed from a material that melts below 900°.
Preferably the light emitting portion is fire resistant. By fire resistant it is meant that the light emitting portion is able to withstand specific temperatures for a specific period of time without failing. For example, Building Regulations in the UK for certain types of buildings require ceilings, and therefore downlights, to withstand temperatures of around 1000° centigrade for a specified period of time. The regulations in other countries may vary in both the temperature and the length of time that the ceiling/fitting must withstand that temperature. One method of achieving this fire resistance is to incorporate intumescent material adapted to expand inside the light emitting portion in the event of a fire and blocking the path of the fire. This provides the required level of fire protection by preventing any fire from getting beyond the light emitting portion.
Preferably the connecting cable between the light emitting portion and the power/control portion is of sufficient length that the power/control portion may be placed separately alongside the light emitting portion when the luminaire assembly is installed in a surface is a disassembled configuration.
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Preferably first housing comprises a substantially tubular body portion adapted to accommodate a lamp, and the luminaire assembly further comprises a separate fixing ring, attachable to the first housing in order to form a flange at or near the front of the first housing, and fixing means adapted to secure the fixing ring to the tubular body portion. Preferably once attached to the tubular body portion the fixing ring becomes non-detachable. One method by which this non-detachable arrangement can be achieved is by the fixing means comprising at least one resiliently deformable lug and a corresponding recess adapted to accommodate the lug when the first housing and the fixing ring are assembled. Preferably the lug is located on the fixing ring and the corresponding recess is located in the first housing, although the opposite arrangement is also possible. Once the lug is located in the recess, rotation of the fixing ring in either direction is prevented. The recess may advantageously take the form of an aperture.
The second housing is also preferably substantially tubular. The use of tubular shaped components is advantageous as it makes optimum use of a circular hole cut in a ceiling or other surface, and the assembled unit is more aesthetically pleasing, but a tubular shape in not essential.
Preferably the first housing comprises:
an LED module on a first printed circuit board (PCB), the first PCB having a front face on which the LED module is located; a sensor arrangement incorporating one or more sensors, an optical system/lens for focusing light emitted by the LED module, wherein the lens incorporates an outwardly extending flange;
wherein the sensor arrangement is located between the LED module and the outwardly extending flange of the lens such that at least one of the sensors is forward facing and views the environment through the flange of the lens.
Preferably the luminaire assembly further comprises a connection means adapted to connect the sensor arrangement to the LED module PCB. Preferably, the sensor(s) that view the environment through the flange of the lens view the environment through an aperture in the flange. Preferably the sensor arrangement includes at least one rearward facing sensor adapted to view light emitted by the LED module. Preferably the sensor arrangement is mounted on a second PCB. Preferably the second PCB is substantially annular.
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In summary, a downlight assembly is described comprising a substantially tubular light emitting portion and a substantially tubular power/control portion attachable to and detachable from the light emitting portion, the downlight assembly further comprising a detachable connecting cable adapted to form an electrical/data connection between the light emitting portion and the power/control portion, such that the power/control portion can be placed separately from but adjacent to the light emitting portion when the light emitting portion is installed in a surface.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a housing for a downlight, said housing comprising a substantially tubular body portion adapted to accommodate a lamp, a separate fixing ring, attachable to the tubular body portion in order to form a flange at or near the front of the housing, and fixing means adapted to secure the fixing ring to the tubular body portion. By providing a separate fixing ring this also improves inventory management and reduces the number of Stock Keeping Units (SKU) required to stock a complete range because a range of different fittings, such as a baffle accessory, can be attached to the housing instead of the fixing ring.
Preferably once attached to the tubular body portion the fixing ring becomes nondetachable. One method by which this non-detachable arrangement can be achieved is by the fixing means comprising a resiliently deformable lug and a corresponding recess adapted to accommodate the lug when the first housing and the fixing ring are assembled. Preferably the lug is located on the fixing ring and the corresponding recess is located in the first housing, although the opposite arrangement is also possible. Once the lug is located in the recess, rotation of the fixing ring in either direction is prevented. The recess may advantageously take the form of an aperture.
The present invention also included a method of installing a luminaire assembly in a surface including the steps of:a) Providing a luminaire assembly according to the present invention;
b) Making an aperture of the appropriate size in the surface in which the luminaire assembly is to be installed;
c) Making electrical and control connections to the power/control portion as necessary;
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d) Disconnecting the two portions of the luminaire assembly whilst retaining the electrical connections between the light emitting portion and the power/control portion;
e) Inserting the power/control portion through the aperture and placing to one side of the aperture;
f) Fitting a fixing ring to the light emitting portion if required;
g) Inserting the light emitting portion into the aperture in the usual fashion, making sure that any springs do not foul the nearby power/control portion;
h) Fitting a suitable decorative bezel to the front of the light emitting portion as and if required
Brief Description of the Drawings
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying Figures wherein:Figures 1 to 4 show a view from above, a view from below, a perspective view and a perspective disconnected view of a luminaire assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the perspective disconnected view shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6A shows a perspective view of a luminaire with a collar at the front of a light emitting portion and Figure 6B shows a perspective view of a fixing ring prior to attachment to the collar in Figure 6A; and
Figure 7 shows a downlight assembly with the light emitting portion and the power and control portion a disassembled configuration and connected by a connecting cable;
Figure 8 shows an assembled downlight luminaire incorporating a sensor, according to an embodiment;
Figure 9 is a side perspective, exploded view of the downlight luminaire of Figure 1, showing a light emitting portion and a power/control portion with a pluggable connecting cable between the two portions;
Figure 10 is a top view of an optical lens and a sensor arrangement, according to an embodiment;
Figure 11 is a side perspective, partially exploded view of the optical lens and sensor arrangement of Figure 3;
Figures 12A and 12B are side views of the optical lens and sensor arrangement shown in Figure 3;
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Figure 13 is a bottom view of the optical lens and sensor arrangement shown in Figure 3, illustrating the light emitting side;
Figure 14 is a side perspective view of an optical lens and a sensor arrangement, separated from each other, according to an aspect;
Figures 15 and 16 are exploded perspective views of an optical lens, a sensor arrangement, and an LED module on a first PCB, according to an aspect;
Figure 17 is an exploded bottom perspective view of connections within a light emitting portion showing a sensor PCB, LED PCB and other components, according to an aspect;
Figure 18 is a side perspective view of connections within a light emitting portion showing a sensor PCB, LED PCB and other components, according to an aspect; Figure 19 is a side perspective view of a downlight luminaire for incorporating the connections of Figures 10-11;
Figure 20 is a partially disassemble perspective view of the luminaire, showing how the collar and bezel can be removed, the lens removes, and the sensor inserted; Figure 21 is a bottom view showing the same features as Figure 20;
Figure 22 is a partially disassemble perspective view of the luminaire, showing the microphone array and LED array;
Figure 23 is a bottom view showing the same features as Figure 22; and
Figure 24 is a schematic illustrating connection of the sensor to the LED PCB and thence to the power/control portion.
Description of the preferred embodiments
Luminaire assemblies in the form of downlights having a separate light emitting portion and a separate power/control portion are known from GB2543558A and GB2543664A. Referring to Figure 3, this shows a luminaire assembly in the form of a downlight assembly 10 in its assembled configuration. Figure 1 shows a view from the back or looking down on the assembly from the rear, with the light emitting front face pointing into the page. Figure 2 shows a view from below or looking up into the light emitting front face. The assembly comprises two main parts or portions, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, being a light emitting portion 11 and a power/control portion 12, both portions being substantially tubular in cross section in this example. The components that make up the downlight assembly are shown in more detail in the perspective view illustrated in Figure 5.
The light emitting portion 11 and the power/control portion 12 are connected by a pluggable connecting cable 42. In this example the cable 42 has a plug 43, 44 at
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PCT/IB2018/050971 each end and these plugs are adapted to engage with corresponding sockets 45, 46 in the light emitting portion and the power/control portion respectively. Lugs 48 on the plugs engage with clips 47 on the sockets to retain the plug in its socket once fully inserted. This avoids a plug becoming accidentally detached from its socket in use or over time. It will be understood that the connecting cable may be an assembly of cables including one or more power cables and one or more data/control cables. Alternatively all the necessary connecting wires may be accommodated within a single cable as shown in this example. It will also be understood that the plug and socket arrangement could be the other way round, with the socket or female parts being on the end of the connecting cable and the plugs, or male parts, being integrated in the light emitting portion and the power/control portion as required.
There are several variations of this plug and socket arrangement that might be adopted by a person skilled in the art. For example, the connecting cable could have a plug at one end and a socket at the other end, with a corresponding socket and plug in the respective portions. Or the connecting cable may be permanently connected at one end to either the light emitting portion or the power/control portion, with a plug or socket at the other end of the connecting cable. Alternatively, the connecting cable can be permanently connected at both ends to the light emitting portion and the power and control portion 12.
The end result of these various connecting cable arrangements is such that the power/control portion and the light emitting portion can be completely separated from each other in a disassembled configuration and attached together in an assembled configuration as and when required. By constructing the luminaire assembly in two separate parts, and by providing a pluggable, and therefore unpluggable, cable connection between those two parts the power/control portion can be detached completely from the light emitting portion. This provides a number of advantages, especially a major cost saving advantage in terms of inventory management that has not been possible before, and reduces the number of Stock Keeping Units (SKU) required to stock a complete range. This is because different light emitting portions and different power/control portions can be paired together in any desired 'mix and match' combination to meet the specific needs of the customer, dramatically reducing the number SKUs required to be held.
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Separating the power/control portion of the downlight from the light emitting portion in use also serves to reduce the overall temperature of the product as the two main heat sources are separated and not contributing to one another and therefore the total running temperature of the product is reduced. The result of this new design is a downlight, and particularly a fire rated downlight, which has an attached driver which can also be taken off to reduce the overall height of the fitting. Fire rating may be achieved by the strategic placement of intumescent material within the collar region 21, such as an annular ring of intumescent material (not shown). This intumescent material is adapted to expand inside the light emitting portion in the event of a fire. This provides the required level of fire protection by preventing any fire from getting beyond the collar region 21 of the light emitting portion.
This design allows the product to be covered with insulation in a ceiling void without a separate insulation guard/cover being required to keep the insulation away from the product. This has the advantage that loose or “blown in” insulation (commonly used in France and the USA) may be used around the product instead of the usual rolls of fibreglass or Rockwool (RTM) insulation. The cover or end cap 15 at the top of the power/control portion therefore serves as an insulation cover when the downlight is installed in its “out of the box” assembled configuration (i.e. both parts together).
There are various ways in which the connecting cable connecting the light emitting portion to the power/control portion may be accommodated in the space provided. A chamber 40, on the back of the light emitting portion, can be designed to accommodate the connection cable 42. Cable clips may be provided, along with directional arrows, (not shown) so that the cable can be clipped snugly into the chamber in a pre-determined route when the two portions are connected together in their assembled configuration. Alternatively a simple channel and clip arrangement may be provided (not shown). When the two portions are clipped together in the assembled configuration the connecting cable is held in a channel on the underside of the power/control portion. Any excess cable can be accommodated in a corresponding channel on the top of the light emitting portion. When the two portions are clipped together in the assembled configuration the channels are preferably substantially aligned with each other.
Clips 60, 61 are provided to latch the light emitting portion to the power/control portion. In this example a clip and latch arrangement comprising a lever which
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PCT/IB2018/050971 when pressed releases a latch from engaging with a shoulder 60B (not shown), 61B on the power/control portion. However, these attachment means can take a wide variety of forms and any suitable type of attachment means can be used, including a twist and lock mechanism.
In practice, when a shallow ceiling void is encountered, once an electrical connection to a suitable power supply has been made to the power/control portion, the two portions of the downlight assembly are disconnected from each other. In this disassembled configuration the power/control portion is inserted through the aperture in the ceiling first, and placed to one side of the aperture. A fixing ring assembly (see below) is attached to the front of the light emitting portion, which is then inserted into the aperture in the usual fashion making sure that the springs 14 do not foul the nearby power/control portion. A suitable decorative bezel is then fitted to the front of the fixing ring as required and the installation is complete. The connecting cable 42 is designed to be of sufficient length that the power/control portion may be placed separately alongside the light emitting portion when the luminaire assembly is installed in a surface is a disassembled configuration.
A new type of fixing ring assembly 128 is shown in Figure 6B. This fixing ring arrangement is applicable to a wide range of luminaire assemblies and downlights, not just the particular downlight assemblies described above. The fixing ring assembly comprises a substantially tubular body 129 adapted to fit inside the collar 121 of a light emitting portion. The tubular body 129 is preferably held in engagement with collar 121 by a 'twist and lock' mechanism 130 and 131 (131 is not shown) that engages with lugs 138 or other deformations (only one of which is shown) on the inside of collar 121. It should be noted that the pin 138 is long enough to accommodate both the fixing ring assembly and a bezel or other decorative accessory designed to cover an outwardly extending flange 121A, attached to the end of tubular body 129, which forms a flange around the end of the collar 121 once the fixing ring assembly is attached to the collar.
Importantly at least one fixing means is provided and adapted to ensure that once the collar and the fixing ring are fully engaged the tubular body portion of the fixing ring assembly becomes non-detachable from the collar. That is to say, the fixing ring cannot be rotated further in the direction of attachment and cannot be rotated in the reverse direction required to detach it. One method by which this nondetachable arrangement can be achieved is by the fixing ring assembly
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PCT/IB2018/050971 incorporating resiliently deformable lugs 132, 133 (only 132 is shown in Figure 6B), resiliently biased to extend outwardly from the tubular body. Corresponding recesses 134, 135 are provided in the collar 121, adapted to accommodate the lugs when the collar and the fixing ring are assembled and rotated to the full extent allowed by the twist and lock mechanism. The recesses may advantageously take the form of apertures. Preferably the lugs are located on the fixing ring and the corresponding recesses/apertures are located in the collar as shown in Figure 6, although the opposite arrangement is also possible. Once the fixing ring assembly has been rotated to the extent that one or both lugs are located in a corresponding recess, rotation of the fixing ring in either direction is prevented, and the two components become substantially non-detachable.
In the case of a fire rated luminaire assembly the fixing ring assembly is preferably made from a thin sheet metal such as mild steel sheet that will withstand the conditions of the UK Fire Rating tests in the appropriate section of BS 476. This provides sufficient flexibility in the lugs that they can flex back substantially into the plane of the tubular portion 129 when the fixing ring assembly is offered up to the inside of the collar 121. This arrangement works particularly well if the lugs depend downwards in a direction from the top of tubular portion 129 towards the flange 121A. The end edge of collar 121 meets the narrowest part of the lug as the two parts are pushed together, flexing the lugs as the fixing ring assembly is pushed fully into the collar 121. In this example it will be an edge of the lug that contacts the edge of a corresponding recess.
Where the downlight is not required to be fire rated, other materials, such as plastics materials or a lower melting metal such as aluminium, can be used in the construction of the fixing ring assembly.
In summary it will be appreciated that this arrangement prevents any subsequent rotation of the tubular portion in an anticlockwise direction with respect to the collar 121. In a similar manner, the twist and lock mechanism prevents any rotation in a clockwise direction. In this way the collar 121 and thus the light emitting portion, and the fixing ring assembly once assembled become a unitary component and are substantially non-detachable one from another. It should also be noted that this is only one example of a number of ways and fixing means that can be used to make the fixing ring assembly non-detachable from a collar, once assembled. It is
2018/150373
PCT/IB2018/050971 intended that this disclosure extends to include and encompass other mechanical equivalents.
The fixing ring assembly described above provides a means for attaching a number of decorative finishing accessories to the outside face of the luminaire assembly such as decorative bezels and the like. The fixing ring assembly itself may also take a variety of forms, such as a baffle attachment or a trimless attachment. All of these attachments incorporate a fixing means of the type described above and become substantially non-detachable from the light emitting portion or collar 121 once assembled.
Referring to Figure 8, this shows a luminaire assembly of the type shown in Figure 1 having a sensor 70. Figure 9 shows an assembly of the type show in Figures 4 and 5 assembly and havig a sensor 70, ad which comprises two main parts or portions.
An important feature of this embodiment is a forward-facing sensor 70, which is one item of a multi-part luminaire component shown more clearly in Figures 9 to13. By forward facing is meant facing in the direction in which light is emitted from the luminaire, or generally facing into the environment below the luminaire. The various parts of this luminaire component are shown more clearly in Figures 15 and 16. These Figures show an LED module 71 on a PCB 73, in this case the LED module includes an array 12 individual LEDs. Also included is an optical system or 70 74 for focusing light emitted by the LED module, wherein the lens incorporates an outwardly extending flange 75. In this example the lens 74 is of a conventional design having a solid frustoconical body with a light receiving section at the rear or narrow end of the cone and a light emitting front face at the wide end of the cone. The lens has a flange 75 around the outer circumference of the widest or light emitting front face. Typically this flange is substantially frosted or opaque.
The flange 75 has an aperture 76 adapted to accommodate the sensor or sensor array 70. The sensor array 70 is mounted on its own PCB 77. Aperture 76 can take a wide variety of forms, and in this context the term 'aperture' has a broad meaning. The flanges around these lenses are generally opaque or frosted. An aperture can therefore take the form of a substantially transparent window or gap in the frosted flange, a physical hole in the flange, or a small substantially transparent lens such as a convex lens built into the flange aligned with the sensor array 70 in order to spread the sensor detection angle. So in one embodiment the 'aperture' or
2018/150373
PCT/IB2018/050971 transparent element in the flange may consist of a convex lens in front of the sensor arrangement in order to spread the sensor detection angle. A key feature is that the sensor 70 is able to capture environmental information from an area below the lens and thus below the luminaire assembly.
In order to provide power to the sensor PCB 77 and thus to the sensor 70, and to receive data collected by sensor 70, connection means is provided between the two PCBs. In this example the connection means comprises sockets 78 and 80 on the LED PCB and the sensor PCB respectively, and a connecting cable 79 with the required number of cores, in this example 8 cores. The connecting cable may be substantially rigid for ease of assembly.
A second sensor array 82 may be provided on the reverse side of the sensor PCB 77 to the sensor array 70.
Figures 17 and 18 show a possible way of connecting a sensor PCB 177 to an LED PCB 173 and then into a power/control module 112 by means of connecting cable 142.
Sensor 70, 170 includes devices able to sense information about the local environment of luminaire. The sensor can be a light sensor or a microphone.
Figures 18 and 19 show a light sensor which is shaped so as to fit in the space in the collar 128 and connect to the LED circuit board. The sensor is fitted in place before the lens 74 is fitted, and the lens is shaped to fit around the sensor, allowing the sensor to face outwards. Once the lens and sensor are in place, collar 128 is attached and any decorative bezel.
Figures 20 to 22 show how the sensor is a ring-shaped microphone array 370 can be fitted in a similar way to the light sensor, and the lens, collar and bezel attached subsequently in sequence. The microphone sensor includes a transmitter antenna for providing audio information to a smart home control system such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or other verbally controlled home automation systems. The sensor may be connected to a LED display to signify a connection to a smart system. This can be a ring of lights 470 as show in Figure 21.
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These sensors typically include a PCB and are suitably encapsulated into modules which plug into a socket in the collar region (labelled as socket for 170) in Figure20.
The foregoing explains the application of the invention principally to downlights and 5 the like, but it is to be understood that it can be applied to other shapes and types of luminaires.

Claims (38)

1. A luminaire assembly comprising:
a light emitting portion comprising a first housing, the first housing comprising a substantially tubular body portion adapted to accommodate a lamp; a driver/control portion comprising a second housing; and a connecting cable adapted to form an electrical/data connection between the light emitting portion and the power/control portion, such that the power/control portion and the light emitting portion can be separated from each other in a disassembled configuration and attached together in an assembled configuration as and when required;
the luminaire assembly further comprising a separate fixing ring assembly, attachable to the first housing in order to form a flange at or near the front of the first housing, and fixing means adapted to secure the fixing ring to the tubular body portion;
wherein the fixing ring assembly comprises a substantially tubular body adapted to fit inside a collar of the first housing, wherein the tubular body is held in engagement with the collar by a 'twist and lock' mechanism that engages with lugs or other deformations on the inside the collar.
2. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the luminaire assembly further comprises a pluggable connecting cable, and the light emitting portion and/or the power/control portion incorporate a plug socket and the pluggable connecting cable is configured to be inserted into the plug socket in the light emitting portion or the power/control portion, or both, wherein the power/control portion and the light emitting portion can be completely separated from each other.
3. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 2 wherein both the light emitting portion and the power/control portion incorporate a plug socket and the connecting cable incorporates a corresponding plug at each end.
4. A luminaire assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the luminaire assembly comprises a downlight assembly.
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PCT/IB2018/050971
5. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 4 wherein the connecting cable is housed substantially within the housings when the luminaire assembly is in its assembled configuration.
6. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 further comprising at least one cable tidy clip adapted to arrange the connecting cable within the body of the luminaire assembly.
7. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 4, Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the first housing and/or the second housing further comprise a channel adapted to accommodate part of the connecting cable when the luminaire assembly is in its assembled configuration.
8. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 7 wherein both the first housing and the second housing incorporate a channel adapted to accommodate part of the connecting cable.
9. A luminaire assembly according to any preceding claim further comprising attachment means adapted to attach the light emitting portion to the power/control portion.
10. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 9 wherein the attachment means comprises a resiliently deformable latch mechanism.
11. A luminaire assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the collar having a front side and a rear side with an inwardly directed flange on the rear side, a solid state lighting element closing off the rear side of the collar.
12. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 11 wherein further comprising a heat sink in direct contact with the solid state lighting element.
13. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 14 wherein the solid state lighting element comprises a PCB.
14. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 13 wherein the PCB is formed from a material that melts below 900°.
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PCT/IB2018/050971
15. A luminaire assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the light emitting portion is fire resistant.
16. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 15 wherein the light emitting portion further comprises intumescent material adapted to expand inside the light emitting portion in the event of a fire.
17. A luminaire assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the connecting cable between the light emitting portion and the power/control portion is of sufficient length that the power/control portion may be placed separately alongside the light emitting portion when the luminaire assembly is installed in a surface is a disassembled configuration.
18. A luminaire assembly according to any preceding Claim wherein once attached to the tubular body portion the fixing ring assembly becomes nondetachable.
19. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 18 wherein the fixing means incorporates a resiliently deformable lug and a corresponding recess adapted to accommodate the lug when the first housing and fixing ring are assembled.
20. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 19 wherein the lug is located on the fixing ring and the corresponding recess is located in the first housing.
21. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 19 or Claim 20 wherein, when the lug is located in the recess, rotation of the fixing ring in either direction is prevented.
22. A luminaire according to any of Claims 19 to 21 inclusive wherein the recess takes the form of an aperture.
23 A luminaire assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the housings being attachable to and detachable from each other as required, wherein the power/control portion and the light emitting portion can be completely separated from each other in a disassembled configuration and attached together in an assembled configuration.
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PCT/IB2018/050971
24. A luminaire assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the first housing comprises:
an LED module on a first printed circuit board (PCB), the first PCB having a front face on which the LED module is located;
a sensor arrangement incorporating one or more sensors, an optical system/lens for focusing light emitted by the LED module, wherein the lens incorporates an outwardly extending flange;
wherein the sensor arrangement is located between the LED module and the outwardly extending flange of the lens such that at least one of the sensors is forward facing and views the environment through the flange of the lens.
25. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 24 further comprising a connection means adapted to connect the sensor arrangement to the LED module PCB.
26. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 24 or Claim 25 wherein the sensor(s) that view the environment through the flange of the lens view the environment through an aperture in the flange.
27. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 24, Claim 25, or Claim 26 wherein the sensor arrangement includes at least one rearward facing sensor adapted to view light emitted by the LED module.
28. A luminaire assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the sensor arrangement is mounted on a second PCB.
29. A luminaire assembly according to Claim 5 wherein the second PCB is substantially annular.
30. A luminaire incorporating a luminaire assembly according to any preceding Claim.
31. A luminaire according to Claim 30 wherein the luminaire is a downlight
32. A housing for a downlight, said housing comprising a substantially tubular body portion adapted to accommodate a lamp, a separate fixing ring, attachable to the tubular body portion in order to form a flange at or near the front of the housing, and fixing means adapted to secure the fixing ring to the
2018/150373
PCT/IB2018/050971 tubular body portion; wherein the fixing ring assembly comprises a substantially tubular body adapted to fit inside a collar of the housing, wherein the tubular body is held in engagement with the collar by a 'twist and lock' mechanism that engages with lugs or other deformations on the inside the collar.
33. A housing for a downlight according to Claim 32 wherein once attached to the tubular body portion the fixing ring becomes non-detachable.
34. A housing for a downlight according to Claim 32 or Claim 33 wherein the fixing means incorporates a resiliently deformable lug and a corresponding recess adapted to accommodate the lug when the housing and fixing ring are assembled.
35. A housing for a downlight according to Claim 32, Claim 33 or Claim 3426 wherein the lug is located on the fixing ring and the corresponding recess is located in the tubular body portion.
36. A housing for a downlight according to Claim 34 or Claim 45 wherein, when the lug is located in the recess, rotation of the fixing ring in either direction is prevented.
37. A housing for a downlight according to any of Claims 34 to 36 inclusive wherein the recess takes the form of an aperture.
38. A method of installing a luminaire assembly in a surface including the steps of:a) Providing a luminaire assembly according to the present invention;
b) Making an aperture of the appropriate size in the surface in which the luminaire assembly is to be installed;
c) Making electrical and control connections to the power/control portion of the luminaire assembly as necessary;
d) Disconnecting the two portions of the luminaire assembly whilst retaining the electrical connections between the light emitting portion and the power/control portion;
e) Inserting the power/control portion through the aperture and placing to one side of the aperture;
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PCT/IB2018/050971
f) Inserting the light emitting portion into the aperture in the usual fashion, making sure that any springs do not foul the nearby power/control portion;
g) Fitting a suitable decorative bezel to the front of the light emitting portion
5 as and if required.
AU2018220983A 2017-02-16 2018-02-16 Improved downlight Abandoned AU2018220983A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1702524.8 2017-02-16
GB1702524.8A GB2559961B (en) 2017-02-16 2017-02-16 Improved downlight with a detachable electronic module
GBGB1702589.1A GB201702589D0 (en) 2017-02-17 2017-02-17 Sensor arrangements
GB1702589.1 2017-02-17
PCT/IB2018/050971 WO2018150373A1 (en) 2017-02-16 2018-02-16 Improved downlight

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AU2018220983A1 true AU2018220983A1 (en) 2019-10-03

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EP (1) EP3583354A1 (en)
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AU (1) AU2018220983A1 (en)
GB (2) GB2568415B (en)
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ZA (1) ZA201906068B (en)

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GB2559891A (en) 2018-08-22
GB2568415B (en) 2020-04-01
ZA201906068B (en) 2021-07-28
GB201802609D0 (en) 2018-04-04
GB201902420D0 (en) 2019-04-10
WO2018150373A1 (en) 2018-08-23
CN110392804A (en) 2019-10-29
EP3583354A1 (en) 2019-12-25
GB2559891B (en) 2019-09-25
GB2568415A (en) 2019-05-15

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MK1 Application lapsed section 142(2)(a) - no request for examination in relevant period