GB2528627A

GB2528627A - Improved lighting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2528627A
Application number: GB1405622.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Johnson
Original assignee: Aurora Ltd
Current assignee: Aurora Ltd
Priority date: 2014-03-28
Filing date: 2014-03-28
Publication date: 2016-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2034-03-28
Also published as: GB2528627B; GB201405622D0

Abstract

A downlight assembly 2 comprises a light source 4, a heat sink 8 located at a first side of the light source, a driver 10 for the light source located at the first side of the light source, and a lens 22 located to a second side of the light source 4. The downlight assembly 2 further incorporates a charge indicator 40 located behind a front face of the lens 22. The charge indicator 40 is seated against a rear surface of the lens.

Description

Improved Lighting Apparatus

Field of the invention

s This invention relates to an improved lighting apparatus, in particular to a lighting apparatus adapted for fitting to a ceiling void, such as a downlight utilising an LED integrated light source.

Background to the invention

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 are particularly neat and unobtrusive in their appearance, since almost the entire downlight fitting is concealed behind a is ceiling or other suitable panel or surface (hereafter ceiling), whilst giving out a pleasing light. However, downlights suffer from a number of conflicting requirements.

In particular it is desirable to have an indication that an emergency power source for the light is charged. It is known to create a separate opening in the ceiling through which the charge indicator is visible. The charge indicator requires separate connection to the downlight which is complicated for an installer of the downlight.

In the case of fire rated downlights, the downlight assembly is adapted to act as a fire barrier, for example the ventilation openings will be adapted to be closed in the event of fire, for example due to the expansion of intumescent material. However the opening through which the charge indicator may be seen is not adapted to halt or resist the spread of fire.

In fact the requirement to create an opening through which the charge s indicator is visible will reduce the fire rating of the ceiling.

A known solution to this problem is for the charge indicator to be incorporated in the luminaire bezel. However, this portion of the bezel is outside of the luminaire fitting and so does not provide a full fire rated io solution.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention a downlight assembly is comprising a light source, a heat sink located to a first side of the light source, a driver for the light source located to the first side of the light source, and a lens located to a second side of the light source wherein the downlight assembly further incorporates a charge indicator located behind a front face of the lens.

This has as an advantage that the charge indicator is situated behind the lens and so does not have to be mounted separately in the ceiling thereby not affecting the fire rating of the ceiling. Since the LED is inside the downlight assembly and not incorporated in the front bezel of the assembly, the front bezel can still be removed, for example to allow a differently coloured bezel to be fitted. Since the front bezel may be removed, the present invention also allows for the ceiling to be painted after installation of the downlight assembly without painting over the bezel (as the bezel may be removed prior to painting and once again located in place once the ceiling has been painted).

S

Preferably the light source comprises an LED integrated light source including an LED light engine.

Preferably the charge indicator is an LED light engine.

U

Preferably the charge indicator is seated against a rear surface of the lens.

Brief description of the drawings

is The invention will now be described, by way of example only, in relation to the attached Figures, in which Figure 1 shows a side section through a downlight assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the components of a downlight assembly in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 3 shows a view from below of the downlight assembly of the present invention in use.

Description of preferred embodiments

Reference will be made to a front and a rear of the downlight assembly and other references should be understood inn relation to these terms.

The front of the downlight assembly is, when the downlight assembly is in the position shown in Figure 1 the lowermost face of the downlight s assembly and the rear the uppermost part of the downlight assembly shown in that Figure.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, there can be seen a downlight assembly 2. The downlight assembly 2 includes an LED integrated light io source including an LED light engine 4 mounted on a printed circuit board 6. The printed circuit board 6 may be of any suitable material, preferably aluminium.

A heat sink 8 is mounted at the rear of the printed circuit board 6. The is heat sink may be of any suitable material, conveniently cast aluminium.

The heat sink may be of any suitable shape, for example being provided with fins to provide a large surface area for the dissipation of heat.

A driver 10 for the LED integrated light source is conveniently provided in the heat sink 8. The driver 10 may be secured, for example, by fasteners 11 extending through a peripheral flange provided at one end of the driver and into the heat sink 8.

A generally U-shaped bracket 12 is provided about the heat sink 8, an upper surface of the bracket being located over the top of the heat sink 8 with limbs depending to each side. The limbs are provided with mounting points for spring clips 14. The spring clips 14 are biased into the position shown in Figure 1 such that when the downlight assembly is in position within a ceiling void, free ends of the spring clips 14 act against a rear surface of a ceiling 60 to draw the downlight assembly into position and s hold it in position.

Inwardly directed flanges are provided at lower ends of the side limbs of the bracket 12. Fasteners 16 extend through a peripheral part of the printed circuit board 6, an upper inwardly directed flange of a housing 18 io and the inwardly directed flanges of the bracket 12.

The housing 18 is of generally cylindrical form having a top hat section provided by the upper inwardly directed flange at an upper end region of a circular wall and an outwardly directed flange at a lower end region of a is circular wall. The housing 18 defines an internal volume bounded at an upper end by the printed circuit board 6 and the LED light engine 4.

A lens holder 20 located within the housing and conveniently secured to a peripheral region of the printed circuit board 6 by fasteners 21 supports a lens 22. The lens 22 is supported by the lens holder 20 in any suitable manner. The lens 22 may be seen to comprise a front surface and a rear surface. The rear surface comprises a centrally located first light receiving portion adjacent the LED light engine 4, surrounded by an outer second frustoconical portion.

The internal volume of the housing is closed at a lower end by a bezel 24 mounted at the lower end of the housing 18. The bezel 24 comprises a generally circular wall portion adapted to fit an internal diameter of the housing having a first externally directed flange and a second internally s directed shoulder. The shoulder supports a glass 26 through which the light from the LED light engine exits the downlight housing.

A first ring or washer 28 of silicon or similar material is provided on the upper surface of the lower peripheral housing flange. In use, the ring or io washer 28 butts up against a rim of an aperture in the ceiling 60 into which the downlight is fitted.

A second ring or washer 30 of silicon or similar material is provided on the upper surface of the lower peripheral bezel flange. In use, the ring or is washer 30 butts up against a lower surface of the lower peripheral housing flange.

A first ring or washer of fireproof material 32 is located between the inwardly directed flange of the housing and the printed circuit board. The fireproof material conveniently takes the form of an intumescent material.

A second region of fireproof material 34 is provided on an inner surface of the wall of the housing 18. Conveniently the second region of fireproof material is provided as a sleeve around an upper portion of the wall. The second region of fireproof material may be continuous or discontinuous.

The fireproof material conveniently takes the form of an intumescent material.

Similarly, while the embodiments show a generally circular cylindrical s tubular housing other sections may be used with amendment to the sectional shape of other components.

A terminal block 35 is secured to the upper surface of the bracket 12.

A cover member 38 is also secured to the upper surface of the bracket 12.

The cover member 38 also covers the terminal block 35 while allowing passage of connecting wiring to the terminal block 35. The cover member 38 is provided with a plurality of openings intended to allow air flow from the downlight assembly into the ceiling void into which it is is mounted, but to prevent insulating material from coming into contact with the heat sink 8 and so allowing the use of insulating materials within the ceiling void.

A lighting power supply is connected to the downlight assembly by way of the terminal block 35, for example by way of a first connection 42. The first connection 42 may conveniently provide for connection to the lighting power supply by a connector unit to allow ready fitting and replacement of the downlight assembly. It can be seen that the first connection 42 is adapted to provide for power to be supplied to the driver and in turn to the LED integrated light source.

Conveniently the first connection 42 includes connector units (not shown) adjacent the terminal block 35 to allow ready disconnection and replacement of downlight assembly from the lighting power supply.

s A charge indicator 40 is also located within the volume defined within the housing 18. The charge indicator 40 conveniently takes the form of an LED, more conveniently an LED emitting green light. As may be seen from the Figures, the charge indicator 40 is located behind the lens. Light emitted from the charge indicator 40 can be seen through the glass 26 o retained by the bezel 24. In this way, the downlight assembly provides a fully fire rated solution.

The charge indicator 40 may be suspended behind the lens 22.

Alternatively the charge indicator 40 may rest against the outer portion of is the rear surface of the lens 22. In a further alternative arrangement the rear surface of the lens may be provided with a groove or recess to receive a portion of the charge indicator 40.

The terminal block 35 is connected first to a lighting power supply, for example by way of a first connection 42. The first connection 42 may conveniently provide for connection to the lighting power supply by a connector unit to allow ready fitting and replacement of the downlight assembly.

An emergency battery emergency pack (not shown) comprising an LED driver and a suitable rechargeable battery supply is also provided.

Conveniently the LED driver and rechargeable battery supply are wrapped in a mesh sleeve.

A second connection 44 connects to the emergency pack. The second s connection 44 runs through the terminal block 35 through the heat sink S to the LED integrated light source. The second connection 44 allows for power supply by the rechargeable battery. Conveniently the second connection 44 includes connector units (such as part connector unit 45) between the terminal block 35 and the emergency pack to allow ready disconnection and replacement of the emergency pack.

A third connection 46 is shown in Figure 2 adjacent the second connection 44 and connects the charge indicator 40 to the emergency pack. The third connection 46 runs through the terminal block 35 through is the heat sink S to the charge indicator 40. The third connection 46 is conveniently provided with a connector unit (such as part connector unit 47) between the terminal block 35 and the emergency pack to allow ready disconnection and replacement of the emergency pack.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A downlight assembly comprising a light source, a heat sink located to a first side of the light source, a driver for the light source located to s the first side of the light source, and a lens located to a second side of the light source wherein the downlight assembly further incorporates a charge indicator located behind a front face of the lens.
2 A downlight assembly according to claim 1, in which the light o source comprises an LED integrated light source including an LED light engine.
3 A downlight assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the charge indicator is an LED light engine.
4 A downlight assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the charge indicator is seated against a rear surface of the lens.A downlight assembly substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Figures.