GB2359659A

GB2359659A - Separate enclosure fluorescent lighting fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2359659A
Application number: GB0004508A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Alan Glasson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-02-28
Filing date: 2000-02-28
Publication date: 2001-08-29
Also published as: GB0004508D0

Abstract

The fining comprises a control enclosure 2 and a tube enclosure 1 which are connected together by an electro/mechanical plug and socket interface 3 or electrical cord and simple mechanical suspension (fig.3). With the exception of the supply connection to the tube enclosure, the wiring contained within the tube enclosure is permanently wired to the starter components and tube(s), the tube being manufactured with flying leads to eliminate loose mechanical connections. The tube enclosure 1 may incorporate an integral reflector 4. The control enclosure 2 houses conventional fluorescent tube control equipment. The lightweight, insulated, sealed tube enclosure 1 is a separate entity, which is seen as disposable at the end of its life.

Description

2359659 1 Separate Enclosure Fluorescent Fitting.

This invention relates to a Separate Enclosure Fluorescent Fitting.

Conventional industrial and commercial fluorescent fittings usually comprise a metal enclosure (often incorporating a reflector) housing the fluorescent tube control components (chokes and capacitors) with usually bi-pin tube holders, bi-pin tubes complete with, end-caps and starter and starter socket. This enclosure is usually of pressed steel, painted white and is directly connected to the mains supply.

After a certain period of time most fluorescent lighting systems operate inefficiently due to weaknesses in the basic design of the conventional fluorescent fitting. These weaknesses include, loose electrical connections, damaged or burnt tube holders and misaligned, loose, or damaged starter bases. These defects coupled with the access difficulties encountered whilst cleaning unwieldy reflectors and diffusers, which usually means the fitting does not get cleaned properly, result in inefficient illumination from the fluorescent fitting.

1 According to the present invention there is provided a separate enclosure fluorescent fitting which splits the control equipment from the fluorescent tube assembly.

The configuration of the proposed fluorescent fitting allows the degradable components of the fluorescent fitting to be replaced in one simple operation.

The unique lightweight, insulated construction of the tube enclosure, manufactured from plastic or any other suitable material, eliminates the need for the conventional bi-pin end-cap and tube holder method of connecting the tubes to the controlled voltage and removes entirely the conventional tube starter and starter base arrangement.

With the exception of the supply connection to the tube enclosure, the wiring contained within the tube enclosure is permanently wired to the starter components and tubes, the tubes are manufactured with flying leads to eliminate loose mechanical connections.

The tube enclosure is a totally separate sealed entity from the control enclosure and is seen as disposable at the end of the rated life of its component parts.

2 A specific embodiment of the invention will now be explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:- Figure 1 shows the configuration of the Separate Enclosure Fluorescent Fitting.

Figure 2 shows Separate Enclosure Fluorescent Fitting wiring diagram.

Figure 3 shows one of many possible methods of installation by electrical cord and simple suspension methods.

Figure 4 shows conventional fluorescent fitting wiring arrangement.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 The fluorescent tube/s is mounted in the tube enclosure 1. The fluorescent tube control equipment is mounted in the control enclosure 2. The electro/mechanical plug and socket arrangement 3 facilitates the connection between the tube enclosure and control enclosure. A section of the tube enclosure is manufactured as the reflector 4. The reflector will have suitable light reflective qualities.

Referring to the drawing Fig. 2 The fluorescent tube 2 is manufactured with flying leads 1 and is permanently connected to the tube starter components 3 shown wired in series with the tube electrodes as an integral part of the flying leads. Connection to the control equipment 5 and the mains supply 6 is via the electro/mechanical plug and socket 4.

Referring to the drawing in Fig. 3 Alternative installation can be by way of electrical cord and any method of simple suspension.

Referring to the drawing in Fig.4 Shown are end-caps 2, tube holders 3, starter base 4, canister type starter 5, these components effect the connection of the controlled voltage to the tube 1 in a conventional fluorescent fitting. This conventional wiring configuration has been replaced by the arrangement shown in Fig.2 (Separate Enclosure Fluorescent Fitting) which employs tubes manufactured with flying leads.

3

Claims

1. A Separate Enclosure Fluorescent Fitting, comprising of- (a) Control Enclosure, housing fluorescent tube control equipment and wiring thereto. (b) Tube Enclosure, a unit, housing a fluorescent tube or tubes, starter components, integral reflector or open wing reflector and permanent wiring connections thereto. (c) Electro/Mechanical Plug and Socket Type Interface by which means the two (a) and (b) Enclosures are connected together, both mechanically and electrically.

2. A separate component fluorescent fitting as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the fluorescent tube/s, housed in the tube enclosure, are manufactured with flying leads to effect permanent connection to the controlled voltage directly to the tube without the means of electrical and mechanical disconnection.

3. A separate component fluorescent fitting as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the tube starter electronic components housed in the tube enclosure, are wired directly in series with the tube electrodes without the means of electrical and mechanical disconnection.

4. A separate component fluorescent fitting as claimed in Claim I wherein Claim 2 and Claim 3 are housed within the (b) Tube Enclosure.

5. A separate component fluorescent fitting as claimed in Claim 1 wherein The (b) Tube Enclosure can be of any shape, or decorative design and colour. The reflector can be open wing or integral. The tube enclosure is seen as disposable in the event of component failure, damage, inefficient illumination or at the end of the rated life its component parts.

6. A separate component fluorescent fitting as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the fluorescent tube control equipment is to be housed in separate (a) Control Enclosure and wired in series between the (b) Tube Enclosure and the power supply.

7. A separate component fluorescent fitting as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the (a) Control Enclosure and the (b) Tube Enclosure are be connected together both mechanically and electrically by (c) an electro/mechanical plug and socket interface.

8. A separate component fluorescent fitting as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the (a) Control Enclosure and the (b) Tube Enclosure are connected together by any electrical or mechanical means.

9. A separate component fluorescent fitting claimed in claim 1 wherein the (b) Tube enclosure is further applicable to multi-tube fluorescent fittings.

10. A separate component fluorescent fitting substantially as described herein with references to Figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawing.