NL1041810B1

NL1041810B1 - Novel led panel Fixture.

Info

Publication number: NL1041810B1
Application number: NL1041810A
Authority: NL
Inventors: René Maria Servatius Prop Ing
Original assignee: Ledshine Dev B V
Priority date: 2016-04-12
Filing date: 2016-04-12
Publication date: 2017-11-01

Abstract

The LED panel fixture according to the present invention for installation in for example strips ceilings combines lighting with other functions, including plenum air extraction. The fixture comprises concealed means for the suspension or support of a LED panel such that the bending moment in the LED panel does not exceed the maximum allowable limit.

Description

NOVEL LED PANEL FIXTURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to LED lighting fixtures and to plenum air extraction systems for buildings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the past ten to fifteen years office illumination has evolved rapidly. In the past, offices were predominately illuminated by means of T8 fluorescent tubes in various types of fixtures. Some ten to fifteen years ago the T8 tubes were gradually replaced by more energy efficient T5 fluorescent tubes. Both the T8 and T5 fluorescent tubes were placed in fixtures that were installed in grid or strips ceilings. The choice between grid ceilings (sizes 600 x 600 mm or 300 x 1200 mm) with an aluminum visible grid, and a strips ceiling with self-supporting ceiling strips (size approx. 200 x 1800 mm) is predominately based on considerations of an esthetic nature.

Besides illumination the ceiling of office spaces also contains devices for air conditioning. The insertion of fresh air and extraction of air to be purified, is normally effectuated by means of a series of air inlets and outlets. Some manufacturers of office fixtures developed and introduced T5 and T8 fixtures that combined illumination and air extraction through the same fixture, the so-called plenum extraction fixtures.

With the introduction of LED fixtures most of the fixtures for T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes are being replaced by so-called LED panel fixtures. These LED panel fixtures with dimensions of for example approximately 600 x 600 mm or 300 x 1200 mm can easily be installed in grid ceilings. Until now there is only a limited number of LED panel fixtures as replacements for T5 fixtures for strips ceilings, because of the fact that the traditional T5 fixtures for strips ceilings are the so called plenum fixtures which combine illumination and air extraction. So far, no LED fixtures exist that offer the combination of LED panel illumination and air extraction in the same fixture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a simplified cross section of an embodiment of a LED panel fixture according to the invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a LED panel fixture according to the invention; FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical section through a part of the length of an embodiment of a LED panel fixture according to the invention; FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical section through a part of the length of an embodiment of a LED panel fixture according to the invention;

Identical or similar parts have been designated with identical or similar reference numbers in all drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows a simplified cross section of an embodiment of a LED panel fixture according to the invention. In this simplified cross sectional view of the embodiment the fixture comprises a LED panel 1, a first zed profile 2, also referred to as z-profile, on the right side of the panel and a second zed profile 3 on the left side of the panel. In this embodiment the two zed profiles 2 and 3 are identical and are positioned as each other's mirror image on either side of the LED panel. However, the invention also includes the option of using different types of profiles on each side of the LED panel. Taking the first profile 2 in the embodiment of the LED panel fixture shown in FIG. 1 as an example, it is apparent that this profile comprises a narrow bottom flange 2a with a lip 2b, a vertical body and a broad flat top flange 2c. FIG. 1 further shows two arrows depicting the flow of air that is extracted from the plenum through the air extraction gaps 4 and 5 between the longitudinal edges of the LED panel and the zed profile on either side of the LED panel. In strips ceilings lighting fixtures are only supported at two ends. If a LED panel with a length of for example 1200 mm is supported only at the two ends, this will result in an unallowable bending moment and, hence, in fracture of the LED panel. Therefore, the LED panel fixture according to the present invention comprises the two zed profiles which provide sufficient stiffness to the fixture that it will retain its straightness when supported only at its two ends. FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a LED panel fixture according to the invention. In addition to the LED panel 1 and the two zed profiles 2 and 3 that were also shown in FIG. lthe embodiment of the LED panel fixture as per the exploded view in FIG. 2 comprises two end sections 6a and 6b which in the assembled state of the fixture rigidly interconnect the two zed profiles at both ends forming an essentially rectangular frame. The dimensions of the end sections 6a and 6b and in particular the widths are such that the LED panel can be positioned horizontally between the vertical walls of the zed profiles 2 and 3 while leaving the required air extraction gaps 4 and 5 between the longitudinal edges of the LED panel and the vertical wall of the zed profiles. FIG. 2 further shows a plurality of spacers 7 which assure an essentially uniform distance between the LED panel 1 and the top flange of the zed profiles when the LED panel is suspended from the top flanges of the two zed profiles. The black dots on the top side of the top flanges of the zed profiles represent holes which enable the suspension of the LED panel by means of screws or other types of fasteners, hereinafter referred to as screws or suspension screws. In an embodiment of the LED panel fixture the spacers 7 comprise cylindrical objects with a longitudinal bore through which they can be positioned around a suspension screw. Any number of screws for the suspension of the LED panel of the LED panel fixture according to the invention can be selected. Of course, the number of suspension screws and the distance between the screws shall be such that the bending moment in the LED panel between two consecutive suspension points does not exceed the allowable limit.

The embodiments of respectively the end sections 6a and 6b shown in FIG. 2 are identical and comprise a horizontal lip that covers the crevice between the edge of the LED panel 1 and an end section 6a or 6b. The latter is clarified by FIG. 3. In this embodiment the lip and the LED panel are attached to each other. FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical section through a part of the length of an embodiment of a LED panel fixture according to the invention. This drawing clearly shows the lip 8 of the end section.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 2, 3 and 4 the air extraction is essentially confined to the air extraction gaps 4 and 5. However, the invention also covers embodiments of the LED panel fixture comprising air extraction means along all edges of a LED panel. FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical section through a part of the length of an embodiment of a LED panel fixture according to the invention, whereby the end section 6a is substantially shorter than the end section 6a of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. This is a characteristic that enables a modular variation in the length and appearance of the LED panel fixture according to the invention by using end sections with a different length. Not shown in the drawing but also forming a part of the invention is the use of end sections with different width in order to modularly vary the width of the LED panel fixture.

Essentially, the fixture according to the invention involves a self-supporting ceiling element structure for strips ceilings (i.e. in the ceiling the oblong ceiling element is only supported at the two ends) in which ceiling element a LED panel can be suspended or supported by a plurality of fasteners preferably without the suspension or supporting means being visible when looking up to the ceiling that comprises the fixture. The structure may hereinafter be referred to as a self-supporting structure or a frame of a LED panel fixture with concealed LED panel suspension means. In addition, the structure should create one or more plenum air extraction openings around the LED panel while blocking a direct view into the plenum through those openings. In the remainder of this description and in the appended claims such air extraction openings or gaps may also be referred to as semi-blind air extraction gaps or openings. The embodiments of the LED panel fixture shown in the appended drawings are just a few examples of possible embodiments complying to the aforementioned requirements and therefore falling within the scope of the invention.

Since, under certain circumstances, such as for example when draught problems arise, it may be desirable to (temporarily) adapt the number of plenum air extraction points or the distribution of plenum air extraction points across a ceiling, the invention includes the possibility to easily close one or more air extraction gaps of a LED panel fixture. The solution provided by the invention includes a variety of embodiments of shutter strips which can be placed on the top side, the side facing the plenum, of the LED panel and close the air extraction gaps. The shutter strip may have a shape, for example the shape of an L-profile, which allows it to be placed on the top surface of the LED panel in front of the air extraction gap. Another possible embodiment of the shutter strip comprises a flat strip with clamps that can engage with the spacers 7 in order to be held in position detachably. While the aforementioned embodiments of shutter strips have to be put in position manually and involve accessing the top side of the LED panel fixture, the invention also includes embodiments with shutter strips that can be operated without the need for removal of any ceiling elements from the ceiling.

In an embodiment of the LED panel fixture according to the invention, further characteristics of the fixture include but are not limited to: possibility to use a central driver with a UTP cable; inclusion of a plurality of sensors in the fixture; - the LED panel being dimmable; plastic structural elements instead of metal.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

An LED panel fixture for use in a system ceiling in general and in a strip ceiling in particular, characterized in that the fixture comprises a ceiling element with a construction comprising concealed means for suspending or supporting an LED panel (1) and at least one semi-blind plenum suction port (4,5).

Luminaire according to claim 1, characterized in that the construction of the luminaire comprises a z-profile (2,3).

Luminaire according to claim 2, characterized in that the LED panel (1) is suspended with at least two fixing means on the upper flange (2c, 3c) of the z-profile.

Luminaire according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one semi-blind extraction opening comprises a gap between a longitudinal side of the LED panel (1) and the vertical body of a z-profile.

Luminaire according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the luminaire comprises two end caps (6a, 6b) which form a rigid connection between z-profiles (2,3) which are located on either side of the LED panel.

Luminaire according to claim 5, characterized in that the end cap can comprise different lengths and / or widths.

Luminaire according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end cap (6a, 6b) comprises a lip (8) which covers the gap between the end cap and the LED panel (1) and connection possibilities between the end cap and the LED panel provided.

Luminaire according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the luminaire is self-supporting.

Luminaire according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the luminaire comprises one or more of the following characteristics: - suitability for use in combination with a central power supply; - power supply by means of a UTP cable; - one or more sensors included in the fixture; - full dimmability.