EP2924335B1

EP2924335B1 - Outdoor luminaire

Info

Publication number: EP2924335B1
Application number: EP14380013.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Salvi Plaja Miró; Adrià Riqué Rebull; Francesc Jordana Casamitjana; Ángel Raúl Fernández Sánchez
Original assignee: Simon SA
Current assignee: Simon SA
Priority date: 2014-03-27
Filing date: 2014-03-27
Publication date: 2018-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2034-03-27
Also published as: BR102015006707B1; MX2015002244A; BR102015006707A2; AR099845A1; PL2924335T3; EP2924335A1; PT2924335T; CN104949001A; CN104949001B; ES2687864T3; MX351003B

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an outdoor luminaire, which provides advantages and innovative features inherent to Its particular configuration, which will be described in detail below and which represent a major novelty in the current state of the art.
The object of the present invention focuses specifically on a luminaire of the type used as outdoor lighting, usually on public roads, whose structural configuration is specifically engineered and designed to promote an enhanced Insulation between the optical compartment and the gear compartment, so as to provide proper water drainage, avoiding accumulations thereof on said structure that could damage it, as well as better dissipation of heat from the luminaire itself in its working condition.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

The scope of the present invention falls within the field of industry engaged in the manufacturing of luminaires and lighting components or accessories, specially outdoor luminaires for public roads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Different types and models of outdoor luminaires for public roads or other open spaces are known comprising a support mast and a casing in which one or more light sources and associated operating circuitry are located.
Another well known fact is that lamps for outdoor luminaires are usually high power and generate a lot of heat that the luminaire itself has to dissipate as best possible, such as is the case of LED type lamps, since the heat is produced inversely to the light radiation they emit and this is generally solved by including heat sink fins or baffles at the top of the luminaire.
Furthermore, another problem of outdoor luminaires, depending on the design thereof, is the accumulation of water on the luminaire, either due to rain or because of condensed moisture forming in any possible hollows on the luminaire themselves, such as on heat sink baffles or fins.
In any case, such accumulation requires the use of more resistant materials and always eventually leads to corrosion problems, rust and dirt, adversely affecting the performance and life of the luminaire itself.
The aim of the present invention is therefore the development of a new luminaire whose structural configuration is specifically designed to solve such drawbacks by creating channels that provide better insulation between the various parts of the luminaire as well as heat dissipation and, at the same time, proper drainage.
US 2013/0148360 A1 discloses a lighting apparatus that has a drain structure of guiding water introduced through an assembly clearance to discharge the water to the outside and improves waterproof performance.
WO 2013/047934 A1 discloses an LED projector that comprises: a first case having a first air vent through which air flows; a second case which is combined to the first case to close an LED circuit therein, and has a second air vent to provide a discharge pathway for the air flowing inside through an inlet; and a rainwater guide member which is provided between the first case and the second case to discharge inflow rainwater to an inner space of the first and the second cases without contacting the LED circuit.
From WO2013155446 it is also known an outdoor luminary whose casing is structured in two parts: an area for the circuitry and a second area for the optical elements. Both areas are separated by ventilation channels which also allow for the passage of water.
It should be noted, moreover, that the present state of the art has not disclosed any other luminaire presenting similar technical, structural and constitutive characteristics as those presented by the luminaire advocated herein, as claimed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the luminaire of the invention, as disclosed in claim 1, is configured as a remarkable novelty within its scope, and it successfully reaches the above objectives, the characterizing details that distinguish it being conveniently collected in the final claims accompanying the specification.
In particular, the invention proposes an outdoor luminaire whose structural configuration is distinguished by being specifically designed to promote enhanced insulation between the optical compartment and the gear compartment, whereby the heat caused by the lamps of the optical group does not affect the circuitry as well improving heat dissipation.
Furthermore, this structural configuration is also designed to ensure a perfect drainage of water, which due to rain or condensation may be deposited on the luminaire between the cooling fins of the upper part, making sure it runs between them dripping out of the structure and avoiding any water accumulation or flooding on it, as well as enabling part of the dirt and dust accumulating on the luminaire to be disposed of through the drain, thus improving the heat dissipation performance of the luminaire itself.
For this purpose and more specifically, the luminaire of the invention, is configured based on a casing that is structured from a main body having two clearly distinct and separate areas, one of which, occupying the part near the mast supporting point, creates a gear compartment, thus taking a receptacle-shaped configuration, while the other area, occupying the opposite part or furthest end of said body from said mast supporting point, determines the optical compartment. In a preferred embodiment, the main body may consist of a single piece.
Furthermore, the described main body is fitted with an upper lid that is hinged to the main body and adjusts by sealing over the receptacle of the area which determines the gear compartment, and a lower lid which, provided with the relevant shield /diffuser screen, covers the underside of the optical compartment.
Also, and in an especially characterizing manner, said main body is designed so that there is an intermediate aeration channel between the gear compartment and the optical compartment allowing the flow of air between the upper part and the lower part of the main body, thereby promoting ventilation and the dissipation of heat caused by the light assembly and preventing said heat from damaging the gear compartment. In a preferred embodiment, the channel covers practically the entire width of said body, except for the sides where the two areas of the main body are joined and in which connection between the optical compartment and the gear compartment is made possible.
In addition, the upper part of the area of the main body incorporating the optical group has a series of grooves, whose walls are parallel partitions that define the fins for heat dissipation through the top of the luminaire, wherein a specific characteristic of said grooves is a base opening onto said ventilation channel, so that any water that may fall on the grooves, instead of accumulating, will run towards the ventilation channel and through it to the ground and, therefore it will not accumulate on the top of the luminaire, and the mud formed by water and dust trapped on the luminaire will not accumulate, while also achieving the cleaning of such channels when it rains.
Finally, according to another prominent characteristic of the invention, it is provided that the handle of the upper lid covering the gear compartment, which, as already said, closes by a hinged Joint, presents a gripping recess to reach in and to open the lid by disengaging a clip element that retains it, a recess that also advantageously creates an additional ventilation channel which allows the passage of air and water from the top to the bottom of the luminaire, thereby and in addition to achieving greater heat dissipation, moisture accumulations on the luminaire are avoided.
The described outdoor luminaire therefore consists of an innovative structure with hitherto unknown structural and constitutive characteristics for the intended purposes, reasons which linked to its practical use, give it sufficient basis for the privilege of exclusivity applied for.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description being made and for a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification as an integral part thereof, which for the purpose of illustration and without limiting the scope of the invention, show the following:

Figure 1.: Shows a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the outdoor luminaire object of the invention, representing its overall external configuration from said upper part;
Figure 2.: Shows a perspective view of the example luminaire according to the invention, shown in the preceding figure, represented, in this case, with the top lid and the bottom lid separated from the main body that forms the casing of the luminaire, so that the main parts comprised can be seen.
Figure 3.: Shows a sectional view of the luminaire, according to section A-A of Figure 1;
Figure 4.: Shows an enlarged view of detail B of the luminaire indicated in Figure 3, showing the aeration channel arrangement and the arrangement of the additional aeration channel available in the example luminaire of the invention, both marked by arrows with dashed lines that show the respective water outlet paths.
Figure 5.: Again shows a sectional view of the luminaire, in a perspective view according to the same longitudinal section as indicated in Figure 1, but with the top lid ajar; and
Figure 6.: Shows an enlarged view of detail C shown in figure 5 and clearly showing the configuration of the central area of the main body of the casing of the luminaire of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the mentioned figures, and according to the numbering used, the drawings show a preferred embodiment, but not limited thereto, of the outdoor luminaire of the invention, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.
Thus, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, the luminaire (1) in question basically comprises a casing structured on a main body (2) having a first area (2a), on one side of the same, with a receptacle (3) open at the top, for the housing of the circuitry (not shown), and another area or second area (2b), on the opposite side, for the housing of the optical group (4), in this particular example formed by LEDs, which are placed coupled to a lamp holder plate (5) which is fixed to the bottom of the second area (2b) of the body of the casing, an area which also presents at the top a series of parallel fins (6) to act as heat sinks.
On the receptacle (3) a top lid (7) is coupled which closes with a clip (8) and the lid is hinged to the main body (2) being attached thereto by hinge axis (9) arranged in the outermost part of the main body (2) over the area (2a), allowing easy opening and closing thereof and therefore easy access to said circuitry. Logically also, the closure of this top lid (7) at the edge of the receptacle (3) has at least one joint seal (10) to seal the inside and to prevent the entrance of air, water or dust that could damage the electrical components of the luminaire.
In parallel, a lower lid (11) which, provided with a transparent protective and / or diffusion screen (12) is contemplated, covers the lamp holder plate (5) on the underside, being bolted to the lower part of the second area (2b) of the main body (2) that accommodates said plate, for which corresponding holes (13) are provided.
Considering Figures 3-6 , it is noted that between the first area (2a) of the receptacle (3) for the circuitry and the second area (2b) for the location of the optical group (4) there is a ventilation channel (14). Intermediate in this example, represented in its route for the evacuation of the possible water by an arrow with dashed lines referenced as (14), which allows the passage of air or water between the top and the bottom of the main body (2), even with the top lid (7) and the lower lid (11) closed.
As a result, the casing achieves to comprise the two parts (2a, 2b) separately, one for circuitry and one for the optical group (4), separated from each other by at least one ventilation channel (14) which allows the passage of air and water therethrough.
Also as shown in Figure 6, the ventilation channel (14) substantially covers the whole width of the main body (2), except for the sides where respective walls (15) are provided connecting the two areas (2a, 2b) and under which the connection between the second area (2b), where the optical group is located, and the first area (2a), where the circuitry is located.
In particular, the ventilation channel (14) is defined by the existence of a transversal groove (21) provided in the lower part of the main body (2) between both areas (2a and 2b), and on the ventilation channel (14) the indent (11a) of the end of the lower lid (11) is fitted.
Furthermore, the fins (6) of the top of the area (2b), where the optical group (4) is housed, create grooves whose base (6a), preferably slightly tilted, opens onto an outlet (6b) in communication with the ventilation channel (14) so that water falling into said grooves, can run towards the channel (14) for removal from the luminaire (1) itself.
Finally, the top lid (7) has a handle defined by an access recess (16) to reach in and unlock the clip (8) which, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, is coupled in this recess (16), on closing the lid the clip (8) clips onto a tab (17) provided for this purpose on the main body (2) in order to open said top lid (7), having foreseen that in the recess (16) there is an additional second ventilation channel (18), also shown in Figure 4 by an arrow with dashed lines, which also allows the passage of air and water therethrough.
Specifically , the second ventilation channel (18) is determined by the recess (16) of the handle of said top lid (7), the base wall (19) of the same recess (16) constituting the bottom adjustment of the top lid (7) with a first partition (24) of the receptacle (3) all opening onto a slit-shaped outlet (22) opened on a second partition (23). The second partition (23) separates the areas (2a, 2b), and onto which the free end of the top lid (7) also fits.
The slit (22) ends up directing the water to the transversal groove (21) provided in the lower part of the main body (2) between the areas (2a and 2b).
Accordingly, in addition to ensuring the passage of air and water through the second ventilation channel (18), from the top to the bottom of the luminaire (1), It also ensures the impossibility of water or moisture penetration inside the receptacle (3) for the circuitry.
Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as its implementation, it Is not considered necessary to further extend the explanation for one skilled in the art to understand its scope and the resulting benefits, while it is noted that, within its essence, it may be implemented in other embodiments that differ in detail from that supplied as an example , and which will also be covered by the protection provided that its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified.

Claims

Outdoor luminaire, comprising a casing which is structured from a main body (2) that comprises two areas, a first area (2a), for housing a circuitry, and a second area (2b), on the opposite side, for housing an optical group (4); the first area (2a) and the second area (2b) are separated from each other by at least one ventilation channel (14) which allow the passage of air and water there through, the first area (2a) comprises a receptacle (3), a top lid (7) with a first partition (24) which fits onto the receptacle (3) itself, characterized in that the top lid (7) has a handle formed by a recess (16) the luminaire comprises a second ventilation channel (18) defined by the recess (16) of the handle of the top lid (7) through a base wall (19) of the same recess (16) resting on a first partition (24) of the receptacle (3), which in turn ends in a slit-shaped outlet (22) on a second partition (23) which separates the areas (2a and 2b).
Outdoor luminaire, according to claim 1, characterized In that the main body (2) consists of a single piece.
Outdoor luminaire, according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the ventilation channel (14) covers practically the entire width of the main body (2), except for the sides where respective walls (15) are provided, joining the first area (2a) and the second area (2b).
Outdoor luminaire, according to claim 3, characterized in that the ventilation channel (14) is defined by the existence of a transversal groove (21) provided on the lower part of the main body (2) between the first area (2a) and the second area (2b).
Outdoor luminaire, according to claim 4, characterized in that the luminaire (1) comprises a lower lid (11) fitted to the second area (2b) of the main body (2) and which at one end has an indent (11a) that adjusts to the ventilation channel (14) when the lower lid (11) is in place.
Outdoor luminaire, according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second area (2b) has a series of parallel fins (6) to act as heat sinks.
Outdoor luminaire, according to claim 6, characterized in that the fins (6) create grooves whose base (6a) opens onto an outlet (6b) in communication with the ventilation channel (14).
Outdoor luminaire, according to claim 7, characterized in that the base (6a) of the grooves that define the fins (6) is tilted..
Outdoor luminaire, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the top lid (7) is hinged to the main body (2) being attached thereto by a hinge axis (9) disposed at the most distal part of the main body (2) over the area (2a).
Outdoor luminaire, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle of the top lid (7) houses a clip (8) and the clip (8) clips onto a tab (17) provided for this purpose on the main body (2) for the locking of the top lid (7) itself to the main body (2).
Outdoor luminaire, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the slit-shaped outlet (22) ends up directing the water to the transversal groove (21) provided in the lower part of the main body (2) between the areas (2a and 2b).