GB2402211A

GB2402211A - Housing for sensors

Info

Publication number: GB2402211A
Application number: GB0411069A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Mans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-19
Filing date: 2004-05-18
Publication date: 2004-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2024-05-18
Also published as: GB0411069D0; GB2402211B; GB0311474D0

Abstract

A housing intended to be flush mounted in a suspended ceiling panel has a cylindrical mount 1 with a rim 1a which seats against a mount ring 4. The housing is positioned through a suitable aperture in the ceiling panel with the rim 1a and ring 4 flush against the lower surface of the panel. The mount 1 has a rectangular aperture 1e in which a carrier 3 is pivotally mounted so as to swing out through the aperture 1e. The carrier lower surface 3b in a closed position lies within the aperture 1e and flush with the lower surface 1c of mount 1. The carrier may be swung out by up to 80 degrees to provide adjustable coverage for sensors such as movement detectors or ambient light sensors.

Description

240221 1 Title: Housing for sensors.

This invention relates to a housing unit primarily intended for occupancy sensors and/or ambient light sensors for use in buildings and, more particularly, for mounting on, or in, walls or ceilings.

Occupancy sensors are used for the control of lighting, heating and ventilation as well as for intruder alarms. Lighting sensors are used in conjunction with lighting systems to ensure adequate light levels are available as required according to ambient conditions.

Such sensors may be mounted on walls or ceilings, the latter being more unobtrusive and convenient where suspended ceilings provide ready access and a void for wiring. A disadvantage of ceiling mounted sensors is that the angle of detection gives limited range.

Occupancy detectors may comprise passive infra-red (FIR) and/or microwave detectors. Light measurement may use an external ambient light detector and/or an internal light detector above the relevant work station which, of necessity has to be mounted on or in the ceiling.

An object of this invention is to provide a sensor housing, possibly also incorporating appropriate sensor devices, which can be readily set-up so according to needs to detect occupancy and/or ambient light levels.

Broadly, and in accordance with this invention, there is provided a housing to accommodate one or more sensor devices, the housing comprising: a) a mount adapted to pass through an aperture in a ceiling or the like with a face surface of the mount lying substantially coplanar with the ceiling surface, b) a carrier pivotally connected to the mount and having a viewing window for a sensor device, the carrier being adjustable over a range between one position where the sensor window surface is generally flush with the face surface of the mount, and a second position with said sensor window surface generally at right angles to the face surface of the mount, c) a module adapted to receive a sensor or components thereof, d) a body part embracing the module and detachably connected to the mount.

In this construction, according to the invention, the carrier can be set selectively to an angular position anywhere within the range of pivoting movement.

s This invention provides also a housing intended to be flush mounted in a ceiling structure such as a suspended ceiling panel or surface mounted, the housing having a cylindrical mount with a rim which seats against a mount ring located in an aperture in the ceiling structure whereby the housing may be positioned through the mount ring in a ceiling panel with the rim and ring flush so against the lower surface of the ceiling panel, the mount having a rectangular aperture within which a carrier is pivotally mounted to swing out through the aperture, the carrier lower surface, in a closed position, lying flush within the aperture and flush with the lower surface of the mount.

An embodiment of a housing according to this invention including preferred features, is shown, by way of an example only, and described with reference to the drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of a housing in a closed position, Fig. 2 shows a sectional view on A-A of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows a perspective sectioned view from the other side, Fig. 4 shows, in perspective, and exploded view of the individual components of the housing, and Fig. 5 shows the securing ring.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Fig. 4, there is shown the JO component parts of a housing according to this invention intended to be flush mounted in a ceiling structure such as a suspended ceiling panel or surface mounted. The housing has a cylindrical mount 1 with a rim 1 a which seats against a mount ring 4. The housing may be positioned through a suitable aperture in a ceiling panel with the rim 1 a and ring 4 flush against the lower Is surface of the panel. The mount 1 has a rectangular aperture 1 e. A carrier 3 is pivotally attached to the mount 1 by means of opposed sets of coacting bosses 1 b on the mount 1 and recesses 3a on the carrier 3 and may swing out through the aperture 1 e. The positioning of the pivots is arranged so that the carrier lower surface 3b in a closed position lies within the aperture 1 e and flush with o the lower surface 1 c of mount 1. The carrier may thus be swung down from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3.

The carrier 3 may include an electronic module 2 which comprises a electronic circuit board 2a optionally including a microwave emitter and receiver and/or a light sensor device. Access to adjustment means 2b may be included through apertures 3c which may be closed-off after adjustment.

The mount 1 is connected to a housing 6 by a peripheral screw threaded connection, a snap-fitting or other connection means at 6a. This housing is adapted to receive a power supply module 5 and other components as required. A cap 7 closes-off the top of the housing and provides for electrical connections. The cap also permits surface mounting to a ceiling where the unit is not to be flush mounted to a ceiling panel. The ring 4 then being omitted.

The cap includes rear cable entry apertures and side entry knock-out parts.

The carrier 3 has a quadrant shape which permits pivoting to the JO position shown in Fig. 3 but denies access to the interior of the unit. Angled overlap portions are provided at edges ad and Be to prevent the carrier 3 being pushed back into the mount 1 and lips Of ensures that the carrier can not be pulled out beyond the 90 degree position as a vandalproofing measure.

To facilitate adjustment of the angular position of the carrier 3 a finger Is access recess 1d is provided. Recess 39 may be included at the side of the carrier 3 which cooperate with a projection on the mount 1 to define preset angular positions. The carrier includes a lens which is flush fitted by means of mitred side edges.

A fixing ring 8, as shown in Fig. 5, enables the unit to be installed flush JO with a surface where access to the rear is not available. Flush mounting is where the unit is installed in a ceiling void and flush with the ceiling, such as ceiling tiles or plasterboard. Surface mounting is where the unit is screwed to the ceiling surface using cable conduits, such surfaces being typically concrete.

Advantages of the construction of housing according to this invention are: a) For occupancy detection the unit can view horizontally or vertically or at any angle in between.

b) When the carrier is retracted the housing is unobtrusive and flush with the ceiling.

c)The use of the fixing clip does not require access to the ceiling void and enables the unit to be rotated.

d) The LUX sensor application enables ambient or external light to be monitored and measured as required.

To e) User controls are hidden when the carrier is retracted.

In the construction the radius of the pivoting carrier enables larger components to be accommodated within the module 5 and only minimal gaps are present between the mount 1 and carrier 5. The housing is simple to assemble as the parts clip together with components being held by press- s fittings.

The securing ring 50 shown in Fig. 5 has flexible wings 51 which can be flexed out of the plane of the ring and pressed together to enable the wings to pass through a ceiling cavity aperture. Abutments 52 are then slid down the wings on a one way ratchet arrangement to abut against the inner surface of so the ceiling board to thus provide a firm clamping action to retain the complete housing unit.

In contrast with known devices this invention provides a housing unit for detectors of various types wherein the detection angle of the sensor head can be adjusted to achieve a required coverage area. For example with the carrier flush with the mount and thus the ceiling a coverage for open plan offices and classrooms can be set. With the carrier aligned to 80 degrees coverage of corridors and aisles can be achieved. The unit provides a relatively unobtrusive detector housing which can be installed easily.

An infra-red hand held controller may be included whereby adjustment of lighting or sensitivity can be effected by building occupants.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A housing to accommodate one or more sensor devices, the

housing comprising: e) a mount adapted to pass through an aperture in a ceiling or the like with a face surface of the mount lying substantially coplanar with the ceiling surface, f) a carrier pivotally connected to the mount and having a viewing window for a sensor device, the carrier being adjustable over a range between one position where the sensor window surface is generally flush with the o face surface of the mount, and a second position with said sensor window surface generally at right angles to the face surface of the mount, 9) a module adapted to receive a sensor or components thereof, h) a body part embracing the module and detachably connected to the s mount.
2. A housing intended to be flush mounted in a ceiling structure such as a suspended ceiling panel or surface mounted, the housing having a Cylindrical mount with a rim which seats against a mount ring located in an aperture in the ceiling structure whereby the housing may be positioned through the mount ring in a ceiling panel with the rim and ring flush against the tower surface of the ceiling panel, the mount having a rectangular aperture within which a carrier is pivotally mounted to swing out through the aperture, the carrier lower surface, in a closed position, lying flush within the aperture and flush with the lower surface of the mount.
3. A housing in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the carrier is pivotally mounted on the mount by means of opposed sets of bosses and recesses forming pivots.
4. A housing in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the carrier comprises a wedge-shaped body with the apex including means to pivotally connect with one side edge of a rectangular opening in the mount whereby the carrier may be pivoted from a first position lying within the mount and with one side of the carrier flush with a surface of the mount, to a second position wherein the carrier surface opposite the apex is exposed.

o
5. A housing in accordance with claim 4, wherein the wedge has an apex included angle of about 90 degrees, the carrier being capable of pivoting movement over an angle of up to about 80 degrees.
6. A housing in accordance with claim 4 or 5, wherein the carrier surface opposite the apex is part cylindrical the centre of curvature lying on the Is pivot axis.
7. A housing in accordance with any claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein a window for a sensor is located either in said one side of the carrier or in the carrier surface opposite the apex or windows are provided in both said surfaces.

so
8. A housing in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the carrier includes a light sensitive detector located behind a window in the carrier.
9. A housing in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the carrier includes a movement sensitive detector located behind a window in the carrier.
10. A housing in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the carrier includes abutment means cooperating with the mount preventing pivoting movement of the carrier out of the mount beyond a preselected angular limit.
11. A housing in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the carrier includes an electronic module optionally including a microwave emitter and receiver for movement detection or a light sensor device or both.
12. A housing in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein To adjustment means for a sensor are accessible through apertures in the carrier.
13. A housing in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the mount is connected to a body housing by a peripheral screw threaded connection or a snap-fitting connection means.
14. A housing in accordance with claim 13, wherein the body housing includes a power supply module.
15. A housing in accordance with claim 13 or 14, wherein a cap closes-off the top of the body housing and provides for external electrical connections.
16. A housing in accordance with claim15, wherein the cap includes To means for surface mounting to a ceiling where the unit is not to be flush mounted in a ceiling panel.
17. A housing in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the carrier includes an overlap when flush with the face surface of the mount limiting further inward movement of the carrier.
18. A housing in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein recess at the side of the carrier cooperate with projections on the mount to define preset angular positions.
19. A housing in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the mount includes laterally extending opposed displaceable wings to locate against a back surface of the ceiling to hold the mount in position when located through the aperture, a flange of the mount bearing against the front surface of the ceiling.
20. A housing for the purpose set forth constructed and arranged to function as described herein and exemplified with reference to the drawings.