IE20070172U1 - A luminaire apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A luminaire apparatus (1) comprising optical elements and electrical elements located within a housing (10), the optical elements comprising a reflector unit (11) having an interior reflective surface (1 la) and a longitudinal axis wherein the reflector unit (11) has an inverted substantially parabolic shaped cross sectional profile having an arcuate base portion (110) from which two opposing elongate arms project (110a,l 10b), the optical elements further comprising a bulb (12) mountable in the interior of the reflector unit (1 1) and centrally along the said longitudinal sxis of the reflector unit (1 1) by means of one of a plurality of lampholders positioned in or adjacent the reflector unit (11).

Description

A LUMlNAlFiE APPARATUS The present invention relates to an electrical lighting apparatus, in particular to an electrical lighting apparatus suitable for commercial and industrial environments.

The term “luminaire" is an industrial term used to describe an apparatus that gives off light. Simple single bulb luminaries which are commonly used in domestic environments provide insufficient light for industrial or commercial environments. In contrast batten luminaries comprising batten bulbs, reflector and diffuser units are used in commercial and/or industrial environments, however these types of Iuminaire apparatus provide inadequate light for very large areas. For such areas it was regarded as being more energy and optically efficient to use a halogen, sodium or mercury Iuminaire.

A Iuminaire apparatus utilising batten bulbs disclosed in United Kingdom Patent Specification No. GB 2387646 and supplied by Patina Lighting Limited overcame the problems associated with both the use of halogen, sodium or mercury Iuminaire and batten Iuminaire in large commercial or industrial environments. Within that Iuminaire apparatus, batten bulbs are mounted centrally in a set position along the longitudinal axis of a reflector unit. The reflector unit has an interior reflective surface having a generally concave shape along its longitudinal axis. The apparatus provides extremely good lighting for large environments and has proved to be energy efficient over conventional halogen, sodium or mercury apparatuses.

The Iuminaire of GB 2387646 has a narrow down-light distribution pattern. In effect this means that light emanates downwards and the light distribution pattern spreads through an acute angle such that band of luminance widens the further the light travels from the bulb. Generally, in use the Iuminaire is mounted at heights that ensure areas of interest under the apparatus are illuminated properly. In contrast the areas outside the light distribution region and above the apparatus are not adequately illuminated creating a 80 tunnel effect.

This creates a particular problem if, for example, the luminaire cannot be mounted at the required height to ensure that areas of interest are adequately illuminated, such as high shelving containing stock. Furthermore regardless of whether or not there is stock located lEu7o172 2 on shelving close to the apparatus, the tunnel effect appears magnified to the human eye, which causes a very unpleasant atmosphere.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a more energy efficient luminaire apparatus and to seek to alleviate the aforementioned problems.

According to the invention, there is provided a luminaire apparatus comprising optical elements and electrical elements located within a housing, the optical elements comprising a reflector unit having an interior reflective surface and a longitudinal axis wherein the reflector unit has an inverted substantially parabolic shaped cross sectional profile having an arcuate base portion from which two opposing elongate arms project, the optical elements further comprising a bulb mountable in the interior of the reflector unit and centrally along the said longitudinal axis of the reflector unit by means of one of a plurality of lampholders positioned in or adjacent the reflector unit.

The advantage of this luminaire apparatus over known luminaire apparatus is that the efficiency of the light output ratio has increased by approximately 10%. This significantly improves the energy efficiency of the apparatus. A further advantage is that the light distribution pattern can be altered from a narrow distribution pattern to a medium distribution pattern. This overcomes the disadvantage of mounting the apparatus at heights above areas of interest to ensure that those areas are adequately illuminated.

The provision of a substantially parabolic shaped reflector, with minimal angles and smooth flow characteristic further contributes to the efficiency of the light output ratio whilst ensuring reduced glare and better light control.

Preferably, the lampholders are adapted to move between a plurality of operational positions relative to the reflector unit.

Preferably, the luminaire apparatus of the invention includes two or more optical elements wherein the optical elements lie juxtaposed along the longitudinal axis of the reflector unit.

Optionally, the luminaire apparatus of the invention comprises one or more pairs of optical elements, with each optical element in pair being at either end of a central portion within the housing of the luminaire apparatus. iE07®i?2 Preferably, the luminaire apparatus of the invention further comprises one or more sensor devices. ideally the sensor detects levels of light within the building and indeed external influences which would affect the level of illumination required within the building.

Conveniently the sensor device is controlled using an integrated intellect system, which facilitates programming of the apparatus and enables the apparatus to readily accept a command. Conveniently the apparatus can be programmed using a remote PC or handheld unit at commissioning stage or alternatively while in place to set different lighting programmes.

Ideally the user is able to program the intellect system so that when the illuminated area is unoccupied, illumination levels are reduced to a minimum light level. The advantage of this system for the user is that the intellect system provides background lighting while offering a minimal energy consumption e.g. after businesses have shut, retail, commercial or otherwise, it may be preferable to offer background lighting for cleaning of work areas or general highlight of merchandising.

Conveniently the intellect system further provides instantaneous responses to changes in occupancy and natural light which in turn provides for efficient use of the apparatus thus energy during periods of non-occupancy by either switching down or switching off the apparatus. Ideally the intellect system is provided with a default mechanism which enables the lighting apparatus to reduce their power consumption from 100% to 5%, thus maintaining lighting to all apparatus while enhancing lighting quality.

Optionally a program can be uploaded and addressed to either individual lighting apparatuses or globally to all of the apparatuses in place.

In a further embodiment of the invention the luminaire apparatus can move between different locations within a site. Preferably in this embodiment the apparatus of the invention comprises wheels, rollers or castors on the housing of the luminaire apparatus remote from the optical elements and a track to which the wheels of the luminaire apparatus are attached. It is of course understood that the terms ‘wheels’ and /or ‘track’ are not limiting terms any other suitable device known to the skilled person which enables the apparatus to move from one location to another is also understood. fiEui70i7?2* 4 Preferably the luminaire apparatus of the invention is further provided with a height adjusting device wherein the lighting apparatus can be lowered from its position on the ceiling and subsequently returned to its starting position at ceiling level. This facility enables users to lower that apparatus to easily access the fittings for the purpose of changing the light source, for example, if a bulb has blown and then readily return to its original position. The advantage of this is that it allows relamping whilst reducing costs significantly. It also avoids the necessity for scaffolding or the hiring of access equipment and eliminates any safety issues pertaining to relamping.

Advantageously the lighting apparatus can be moved between different locations and also raised and lowered by remotely programming the integrated address system.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example only, an embodiment of the invenfion.

In the drawings:- Figure 1 is a simplified end view of the luminaire apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the luminaire apparatus shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a detailed end view of the luminaire apparatus shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the luminaire apparatus shown in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a plan view of the luminaire apparatus shown in Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a luminaire apparatus 1 comprising a housing to which two reflector units 11 lying in a juxtaposed position along their longitudinal axis are attached. The reflector units 11 each have an inverted substantially parabolic shaped cross sectional profile having a base portion 110 from which two opposing elongate arm portions 110a and 110b extend. The interior surface 11a of the reflector units 11 is highly reflective. rm 1????‘ The profile of the reflector unit 11 causes the light output ratio of the apparatus 1 to increase to approximately 92% over known batten type luminaire apparatus. Hence the efficiency of this apparatus 1 over known prior art has increased by approximately 10%.

The luminaire apparatus 1 further comprises a bulb 12 mountable in the interior of each reflector unit 11 and centrally along the said longitudinal axis of the reflector unit 11 by means of a lampholder (not shown). The bulb 12 is mounted such that the elements of the bulb are held in one of two lampholder positions 12a or 12b. Position 12a accommodates the bulbs such that the reflector has a 190mm centre, indicated generally by arrow X, which enables the apparatus 1 to have a narrow light distribution pattern. In contrast, position 12b accommodates the bulbs such that the reflector has a 170mm centre, indicated generally by arrow Y, and thus involves moving the lampholders towards one another by 10mm. Accordingly with the narrower central point this arrangement enables the apparatus 1 to have a medium light distribution pattern. The alternate positions for the light bulb 12 are available in one apparatus 1. This overcomes the disadvantage of inadequate Illumination as the distribution pattern of light is readily altered in situ.

The housing 10 of the luminaire apparatus 1 is attached in position by means of fixing clips (not shown) attached at points 10a and 10b respectively. Optionally the fixing clips can be replaced with wheels or rollers in the event that luminaire apparatus 1 is moveable between two separate locations.

A series of comparative tests as outlined below were carried out between the prior art apparatus and the new luminaire apparatus of the invention.

TEST ONE The objective of this test was to determine how many luminaire apparatuses were required and hence the power levels required to illuminate to approximately 200 lux, the same aisle (approximately 50Mx2M), when the apparatuses are suspended at a height of 12M. Calculations are based on the average indirect fraction algorithm. The results shown relate to the present invention being configured according to position 12a, that is, the bulbs being arranged such that the reflector has a 190mm centre and enables the apparatus 1 to have a narrow light distribution pattern.

ESQ) F01»-?'?3i PRIOR ART PRESENT (having 9 light INVENTION fittings) (having 8 light fittings) GENERAL INFORMATION Luminaire Type 4 x 55W 4 X 55W Height of Evaluation Surface 0.75M 0.75M Height of Luminaire Plane 12.00M 12.00M Maintenance Factor 0.85 0.85 Total Luminance Flux of all Lamps 17280OIm 153600Im Total Power 198OW 1 760W Total Power per area (100.OM2) 19.80W/M2 17.6OW/M2 ILLUMINANCE Average Eav 201Ix 202Ix Maximum E,,.,»,. 129Ix 132lx Minimum Ema, 234lx 230lx Uniformity g1 Em,/Em 1:1.56(0.64) 121.53 (0.65) Uniformity g2 Emir! Emax 1:1.82 (0.55) 121.74 (0.57) TEST TWO The objective of this test was to determine the Iux levels within the same room (approximately 1OMx1OM), when the apparatuses are suspended at a height of BM.

Calculations are based on the average indirect fraction algorithm. The test results shown relate to the present invention being configured according to position 12b, such that the reflector has a 170mm centre to enable the apparatus 1 to have a medium light distribution pattern.

W0 70‘l7.“/.2;.

PRIOR ART PRESENT (having 4 light INVENTION (having fittings) 4 light fittings) GENERAL INFORMATION Luminaire Type 4 x 55W 4 x 55W Height of Evaluation Surface 0.75M 0.75M Height of Luminaire Plane 6.00M 6.00M Maintenance Factor 0.85 0.85 Total Luminance Flux of all Lamps 76800|m 76800|m Total Power 880W 880W Total Power per area (100.0M2) 8.80W/M2 8.80W/M2 ILLUMINANCE Average Ea, 396Ix 438|x Maximum Em", 233|x 268lx Minimum Ema, 532Ix 531lx Uniformity g1 Em“./Em 1:1.7(O.59) 1:1.63 (0.61) Uniformity g2 Emmi Ema, 112.28 (0.44) 111.98 (0.5) It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention.

MACLACHLAN & DONALDSON Applicant’s Agents, 47 Merrion Square, DUBLIN 2

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A luminaire apparatus comprising optical elements and electrical elements located within a housing, the optical elements comprising a reflector unit having an interior reflective surface and a longitudinal axis wherein the reflector unit has an inverted substantially parabolic shaped cross sectional profile having an arcuate base portion from which two opposing elongate arms project, the optical elements further comprising a bulb mountable in the interior of the reflector unit and centrally along the said longitudinal axis of the reflector unit by means of one of a plurality of Iampholders positioned in or adjacent the reflector unit.

2. A luminaire apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the Iampholders are adapted to move between a plurality of operational positions relative to the reflector unit, optionally, the luminaire apparatus of the invention includes two or more optical elements wherein the optical elements lie juxtaposed along the longitudinal axis of the reflector unit, and optionally, optical elements are arranged in pairs with each optical element in pair being at either end of a central portion within the housing of the luminaire apparatus.

3. A luminaire apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more sensor devices, and/or each sensor device is controlled using an integrated intellect system.

4. A luminaire apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the apparatus of the invention comprises wheels, rollers or castors on the housing of the luminaire apparatus remote from the optical elements and a track to which the wheels of the luminaire apparatus are attached which enable the luminaire apparatus to move between different locations within a site, optionally, the luminaire apparatus further comprises a height adjusting device wherein the lighting apparatus can be lowered from its position on the ceiling and subsequently returned to its starting position at ceiling level, and optionally, the lighting apparatus can be moved between different locations and also raised and lowered by remotely programming the integrated intellect system.

5. A luminaire apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to, or as shown in, the accompanying drawings.