DK2592335T3

DK2592335T3 - Heat dissipation cage

Info

Publication number: DK2592335T3
Application number: DK12191317.2T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Gilbert Sergent
Original assignee: Ram Chevilles Et Fixations
Priority date: 2011-11-08
Filing date: 2012-11-05
Publication date: 2015-01-05
Also published as: FR2982341B1; EP2592335B1; EP2592335A1; PL2592335T3; ES2526332T3; FR2982341A1; PT2592335E

Description

This invention relates to a heat dissipation cage intended to be installed through an insulating panel in order to receive a lamp. A field of application considered is in particular that of spotlights that can be embedded through insulated ceiling panels.

These spotlights generally release a large quantity of thermal energy and insulated ceiling panels have a wall whereon an insulating layer bears, for example made of glass wool. Also, as the spotlights are embedded through an orifice made in the wall and under the glass wool, the thermal energy that they produce is not easily dissipated and risks causing an ignition of the wall and of the insulation.

Heat dissipation cages intended to be installed on the inner face of the wall have consequently been imagined, under the glass wool in order to reserve therein a housing that is sufficiently substantial so as to receive a portion of the spotlight and to make it possible to progressively dissipate the thermal energy that accumulates therein. Such cages are described in documents DE 1993 7617, DE110335515 or EP0427498.

These cages comprise a base and four flexible axial legs that extend facing one another from said base and opposite two by two. The flexible axial legs each have a free abutment end, and the free abutment ends of the flexible axial legs come to bear against the edge of the orifice, after the cage has been engaged through the orifice and brought between the insulation and the wall. When the cage passes through the orifice, the flexible axial legs flex and are moved towards one another, while they then move apart from one another when the free abutment ends are located on the wall. As such, locally, around the orifice, the insulation is maintained separated from the wall, and the housing is able to receive a portion of the lamp, on the side of its base, without contact with the insulation.

Despite the implementation of such a cage, the thermal energy produced by the lamp is evacuated with difficulty, in certain circumstances.

In addition, heat dissipation cages are made from a polymer material and the thermal energy produced by the lamps is so substantial that the flexible axial legs can flex and move apart from one another under the pressure of the insulation. From there, the size of the housing is reduced and the thermal energy is no longer dissipated optimally.

Also, a problem that occurs and which the invention aims to overcome is to provide a heat dissipation cage, which not only allows for a netter evacuation of the thermal energy but also, which retains its shape after it is installed and this despite the thermal energy produced by the lamp.

For this purpose, this invention proposes a heat dissipation cage intended to be installed through an insulating panel in order to receive a lamp, said insulating panel comprising a wall that has an outer face opposite an inner face and an orifice opening in both faces in order to receive said lamp, said cage comprising a base and a plurality of flexible axial legs extending facing one another from said base, with the flexible axial legs each having a free abutment end, said heat dissipation cage being able to be installed on said inner face in such a way that the abutment ends of said flexible axial legs come into abutment around said orifice of said wall, while said base extends facing said orifice in such a way as to provide a housing facing said orifice. According to the invention, the heat dissipation cage further comprises branches pivotably mounted on said base, and said branches can move between an axial position in which said branches are moved towards one another opposite said flexible axial legs and a radial position in which said branches are deployed around said base.

As such, a characteristic of the invention resides in the implementation of branches mounted on the base and which make it possible, when they are deployed radially, to further separate the insulating layer from the wall, and from there, from the housing. In this way, the dissipation of the thermal energy produced in side the housing is improved with respect to the cages made according to prior art. Likewise, the risks of ignition of the insulating layer are substantially reduced.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heat dissipation cage comprises a first flexible link to connect said branches to one another, said first flexible link being, on the one hand, suitable for flexing in order to permit said branches to move towards one another, and on the other hand, for retaining said branches in said radial position, when they move apart from one another. In this way, the first flexible link forms a relatively simple means for stopping in order to block the branches in a radial position, and it makes it possible for them to move towards one another during the introduction through the orifice.

What is more, each one of said branches has a first free end, and said first flexible link advantageously connects successively the first free ends of said branches. Of course, the flexible link is divided into portions that extend respectively between two consecutive ends wherein it is anchored, and the extended length of these portions must necessarily be less than the maximum distance that separates two consecutive ends. This maximum distance corresponds to a position of the branches where they are located in the same plane perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the base. Also, the branches are maintained in a substantially inclined position in relation to the axis of symmetry, in the shape of an inverted umbrella as shall be explained in more detail in the rest of the description.

Furthermore, said base has a first connection piece and a second connection piece intended to be connected to said first connection piece, said flexible axial legs being fixedly attached to said second connection piece, while the said branches are fixedly attached to said first connection piece. The base is as such divided into two portions respectively bearing the flexible axial legs and the branches for practical reasons of manufacturing. It is observed that the heat dissipation cage can also be moulded from a single piece.

In addition, for practical reasons, said connection pieces are intended to be connected together by fitting one inside the other. According to a particularly advantageous alternative embodiment of the invention, said first connection piece has a protruding cylindrical part, while said second connection piece has a cylindrical aperture opening opposite said flexible axial legs, and said cylindrical part is then intended to be fitted inside said cylindrical aperture.

As the connection pieces are made respectively from a single part with the branches and the flexible axial legs in a material of the polymer type, the assembly via fitting is easy to implement.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the heat dissipation cage comprises a second flexible link in order to connect said flexible axial legs together in such a way as to be able to prevent said flexible axial legs from moving apart from one another, said second flexible link being able to flex when said flexible axial legs are moved towards one another. As such, thanks to the second flexible link between the flexible axial legs, the moving of the legs towards one another is authorised, in particular when the cage is introduced through the orifice made in the wall. Then, the second flexible link makes it possible to limit the moving apart of the legs when the cage is in position on the side of the inner face of the wall and the abutment ends come to bear around the orifice. In this way, the second flexible link flexes when the legs are moved towards one another and it extends when the legs move apart from one another. Also, when a lamp is housed inside the heat dissipation cage, the thermal energy released during its operation is not only dissipated, but also the flexible axial legs are not deformed since they are retained at a distance from one another by the flexible link.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of said flexible axial legs has two proximal flexible axial legs, and said second flexible link connects each of said flexible axial legs with said proximal flexible axial legs. As such, the flexible axial legs are successively connected to one another around the base of the cage in such a way as to make free the housing formed between the axial legs. This housing can in this way receive the rear portion of the lamp and its receiving base.

Preferentially, each of said flexible axial legs has an intermediate zone located between said base and said free abutment end, and said second flexible link is anchored in the intermediate zones of said flexible axial legs. Advantageously, the intermediate zones are located substantially at an equal distance between the base and the free abutment end. Furthermore, said flexible link extends in an arc between said flexible axial legs, and it is for example formed from a ring that connects all of the intermediate zones wherein it is anchored. As such, when the flexible axial legs are moved towards one another, the radius of curvature of the portion in an arc of the second flexible link located between the legs decreases, while it increases when the legs move apart from one another up to a limit or the portion in an arc becomes straight.

With regards to the base, it has at least one notch arranged between two flexible axial legs, said notch being closed by two opposite flexible tabs. In this way, it is easy to engage the electrical current power cords of the base of the lamp inside the notch.

Furthermore, each of said flexible axial legs advantageously has an external rib extending from said base to said free abutment end. This rib not only makes it possible to rigidity the flexible axial legs but also, as shall be explained in more detail in the rest of the description, to constitute friction ramps when the cage is introduced through the orifice,

Advantageously, said free abutment end has fins and abutment lugs axially spaced from said fins, said fins being suitable for coming into abutment against said inner face around said orifice, while said abutment lugs come into abutment against said outer face.

As such, when the cage is introduced through the orifice, the flexible axial legs are moved towards one another and the fins escape the reach of the edges of the orifice. As soon as the fins are located at a level higher than the inner face of the wall, the legs can be released and the fins come into abutment around the orifice against the inner face of the wall. What is more, and simultaneously, the abutment lugs come into abutment against the outer face around the orifice. In this way, the cage is maintained in fixed position in relation to the wall.

Other particularities and advantages of the invention shall appear when reading the description hereinafter of a particular embodiment of the invention, provided for the purposes of information and in a non-limiting manner, in reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a right cross-section diagrammatical view of a heat dissipation cage in accordance with the invention and in its conditions of implementation;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatical view in perspective of an element of the heat dissipation cage shown in figure 1, according to a first viewing angle;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatical view in perspective of the element shown in figure 2 according to a second opposite viewing angle;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatical view in perspective of another element of the heat dissipation cage shown in Figure 1, according to a first viewing angle and in a first state; and,

Figure 5 is a diagrammatical view in perspective of said other element shown in Figure 4, according to a second viewing angle.

Figure 1 shows the insulating ceiling panel 48 and a heat dissipation cage 10 embedded inside.

The insulating ceiling panel 48 comprises on the one hand a wall 50 made of plaster having an outer face 52 and an inner face 54 and on the other hand a thermal insulation 56 of the glass wool type. A circular orifice 58 has been made in the wall 50, and it opens in the inner face 54 and the outer face 52.

The heat dissipation cage 10 has a first portion as an umbrella 11 and a second axial portion 13 that shall first be described in reference to Figure 2.

Figure 2 shows as a bottom view the second axial portion 13 and it comprises a circular base 12, four identical flexible axial legs 14, 16, 18, 20 diametrically opposite two-by-two, and a second portion flexible link 22 that connects them. The four flexible axial legs 14, 16, 18, 20 are angularly separated by 90° from one another. The second axial portion 13 has a circular axis of symmetry A cutting the circular base 12 at its centre and the four flexible legs 14, 16, 18, 20 are substantially inclined outwards in relation to the circular axis of symmetry A in such a way as to form a generally conical-shaped housing 24.

The second axial portion 13 is moulded from a single part made of plastic material, of polyamide for example in such a way as to be able to resist the heat. Also, the axial legs 14,16,18, 20 can move pivotably on the circular base 12, between a balanced separated position in relation to the circular axis of symmetry A and a closer position.

The flexible axial legs 14,16,18, 20 respectively have an abutment end 26 and an intermediate zone 28 located substantially midway between the circular base 12 and the abutment end 26.

The second portion flexible link 22 forms a ring that successively connects the contiguous axial legs, precisely on their intermediate zone 28. The second portion flexible link 22 is of course moulded with the cage 10, also, it forms arcs between each pair of contiguous flexible axial legs 14, 16; 16, 18; 18, 20; 20,14.

Furthermore, each of the flexible axial legs 14, 16, 18, 20 has a longitudinal outside rib 30 that extends from the circular base 12 to the free abutment end 26. The latter comprises a radial fin 32 and two axial fins 34, 36 terminated re spectively by an abutment lug 38 in return, substantially parallel to the radial fin 32.

Moreover, the circular base 12 has two opposite notches 40, 42 respectively located between the flexible axial legs 20, 14 and 16, 18, and partially closed by two opposite flexible tabs 44, 46. These notches 40, 42 make it possible, advantageously, to form means for fastening power cords.

Figure 3 shows the axial portion 13 as a top view with the circular base 12 and the flexible axial legs 14, 16, 18, 20. The circular base 12 has a bearing surface 63 and an axial cylindrical aperture 64 of circular symmetry opening coaxially into the bearing surface 63, outside and opposite flexible axial legs 14, 16, 18, 20. The role of the axial cylindrical aperture axial 64 shall be explained hereinafter in combination with the bearing surface 63 of the circular base 12.

Before this explanation, reference will be made to figures 4 and 5, showing in detail the first portion as an umbrella 11 of the heat dissipation cage 10, in two different states.

Figure 4 shows the first portion as an umbrella 11 in a semi-open position. It comprises a first circular connection piece 66 and four branches 68, 70, 72, 74 that extend radially from the circular connection piece 66. Each of the branches 68, 70, 72, 74, is mounted articulated on the circular connection piece 66 and has a first free end in return 76. The free ends in return 76 of the branches 68, 70, 72, 74 are connected together by a first portion flexible link 78. The latter can be broken down into four identical portions 80 successively connecting the four branches 68, 70, 72, 74, two-by-two, 68, 70; 70, 72; 72, 74; and 74, 68. Each of these portions 80 of first portion flexible link 78, comprises two flexible strands 82, 84, articulated on the one hand one in relation to the other and on the other hand, respectively to the branches to which they are connected.

Figure 5 shows the first portion as an umbrella 11 in a folded position, wherein the four branches 68, 70, 72, 74, are moved towards one another and are orien ted substantially axially, while the flexible strands 82, 84 of the portions 80 of the flexible link 78 are folded back onto each other. Furthermore, this Figure 5 shows the first circular connection piece 66, from which extends as a protrusion, opposite branches 68, 70, 72, 74, a cylindrical revolution part 86 having axial ribs 88 that can form bearing surfaces.

This cylindrical revolution part 86 is then able to be force fitted, inside the axial cylindrical aperture 64 shown in Figure 3, while the first circular connection piece 66 comes to press against the bearing surface 63 of the circular base 12 in such a way as to fixedly attached the first portion as an umbrella 11 and the second axial portion 13.

As such, the axial cylindrical aperture 64 and the bearing surface 63 of the circular base 12 together form a second connection piece, and the two connection pieces 66, 64 are intended to be connected together in order to form a single circular base. And moreover, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is provided to directly connect the branches 68, 70, 72, 74, to the base 12 of the second axial portion 13 shown in Figures 2 and 3, between the flexible legs 14, 16, 18, 20, in such a way as to be able mould the two portions together from a single piece.

The heat dissipation cage 10 comprising the first portion as an umbrella 11 fixedly attached to the second axial portion 13 is then intended to be engaged through the circular orifice 58. The first portion as an umbrella 11 first, the four branches 68, 70, 72, 74 extended in an axial position such as shown in Figure 5, is engaged through the circular orifice 58 by separating the thermal insulation 56 from the inner face 54 of the wall 50. Also, the four branches 68, 70, 72, 74, after having crossed the circular orifice 58, are deployed as an inverted umbrella, while the first free ends in return 76 bear against the thermal insulation 56, until the flexible strands 82, 84, of the portions 82 of flexible link 78 extend in a straight manner respectively between the four branches 68, 70, 72, 74, in such a way as to retain them in a radial position. In this way, the four branches 68, 70, 72, 74 deployed and connected by the flexible link 78, in the inverted urn- brella situation, form a wide bearing screen in relation to the second axial portion 13, and which separates the thermal insulation 56 from the housing 58.

Simultaneously to the deployment of the four branches 68, 70, 72, 74, the second axial portion 13 passes through in turn the circular orifice 58 and the flexible axial legs 14, 16, 18,20 are then moved towards one another in order to permit its passage through the circular orifice 58. The second portion flexible link 22 then bends in order to permit the flexible axial legs 14, 16, 18, 20 to move towards one another. It is observed that the flexible axial legs 14, 16, 18, 20 can be deformed elastically, and their longitudinal outside rib 30 is able to come press with friction against the edge of the circular orifice 58 during the introduction.

Then, the flexible axial legs 14, 16, 18, 20 are released in a way such that the fins 32 come to bear against the inner face 54 of the wall 50 around the circular orifice 58 and that the abutment lugs 38 of the axial fins 34, 36 come simultaneously to bear opposite against the outer face 52 around the circular orifice 58. In this way, the abutment ends 26 of the flexible axial legs 14, 16, 18, 20 are partially fixedly attached to the wall 50 around the circular orifice 58.

Moreover, when the flexible axial legs 14, 16, 18, 20 are released, they move apart from one another in such a way as to return to their initial position and from there, the bent second portion flexible link 22 also returns to its initial position.

The heat dissipation cage 10 then forms a housing 24 that cannot be deformed inside the second axial portion 13, while the first portion as an umbrella 11 maintains the thermal insulation 56 separated from said housing 24.

After the installation of the cage 10, a lamp not shown and its plugging support are mounted inside the housing 24. When the lamp is then in operation, and it is releases thermal energy inside the housing 24, the heat dissipation cage 10 makes it possible precisely to evacuate this thermal energy thanks to the free space that it generates precisely around the housing 24. In this way, the thermal insulation 56 as well as the wall 50 are not damaged.

What is more, thanks to the second portion flexible link 22 that retains the flexible axial legs 14, 16, 18, 20 at a distance from one another, the latter do not flex under the action of the heat released by the lamp and the vertical pressure of the thermal insulation 56. In this way, the housing 24 retains its shape and from there, the thermal energy continues to be dissipated normally without overheating.

Claims

A heat dissipation cage (10) adapted to be installed through an insulating plate (48) for receiving a lamp, said insulating plate comprising a wall (50) having an outside side (52) positioned opposite an inner side (54) ), as well as an opening (58) which opens into the two sides and is adapted to receive the lamp, which cage comprises a bottom (12) and a plurality of axially flexible legs (14, 16, 18, 20) extending facing each other from the bottom (12), which flexible axial legs each have a free supporting (26), said heat spreading cage (10) arranged to be installed in such a manner on said inner side (54) that the axial flexible leg (14, 16, 18, 20) support ends (26) find support around the opening (58) in the wall, while said bottom (12) extends in such a manner with respect to the opening that a space is formed the opening, characterized in that it has, among other things, branches (68, 70, 72, 74) which are rotatably mounted on the bottom (12) and said branches being movable between an axial position in which the branches (68, 70, 72, 74) are located closer to each other opposite the flexible axial legs (14, 16, 18, 20), and a radial position in which said branches (68, 70, 72, 74) are unfolded around the bottom (12).

Heat dissipation cage according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first flexible band (78) for interconnecting the branches (68, 70, 72, 74) with each other, the first flexible band (78) being partly arranged to yield to allow the branches to approach, and partly to keep the branches (68, 70, 72, 74) in the radial position.

Heat dissipation cage according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said branches (68, 70, 72, 74) has a first free end (76) and that the first flexible band (78) connects in sequence the first free ends of the branches .

Heat dissipation cage according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bottom (12) has a first connecting piece (66) and a second connecting piece (63, 64) arranged to be connected to the first connecting piece (66), said flexible axial legs (14, 16, 18, 20) being firmly connected to said second connector (63, 64), while said branches (68, 70, 72, 74) being firmly connected to said first connector (66).

Heat dissipation cage according to claim 4, characterized in that the connecting pieces (63, 64, 66) are arranged to be connected to each other by joining.

Heat dissipation cage according to claim 5, characterized in that the first connecting piece (66) has a cylindrical protruding part (86), while the second connecting piece (63, 64) has a cylindrical hollow (64) which opens opposite the flexible axial legs. (14, 16, 18, 20), and the cylindrical portion (86) is arranged to fit into the interior of the cylindrical cavity (64).

Heat dissipation cage according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has another flexible band (22) for connecting the flexible axial legs (14, 16, 18, 20) in such a way that the removal of the flexible axial legs from each other is prevented, the second flexible band (22) being arranged to yield as the flexible axial legs (14, 16, 18, 20) are moved closer together.

Heat dissipation cage according to claim 7, characterized in that each of the flexible axial legs (14, 16, 18, 20) has an intermediate zone (28) which is located between the bottom (12) and the free support (26), and that the second flexible band (22) is anchored in the intermediate zones (28) of the flexible axial legs.

Heat dissipation cage according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the flexible band (22) extends arcuate between the flexible axial legs (14, 16, 18, 20).

Heat dissipation cage according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the free support (26) has pins (32) and support hooks (38) located at axial distance from said pins, the pins (32) ) is arranged to find support against the inner side (54) around the opening (58), while the support hooks (38) find support against the outer side (52).