WO2013160554A1

WO2013160554A1 - Ceiling element

Info

Publication number: WO2013160554A1
Application number: PCT/FI2013/050461
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mikko MYYRYLÄINEN
Original assignee: Caverion Suomi Oy
Priority date: 2012-04-25
Filing date: 2013-04-24
Publication date: 2013-10-31
Also published as: FI20125452A; EP2675963B1; DK2675963T3; EP2675963A4; FI123895B; EP2675963A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a ceiling element comprising light sources (2) for illuminating a space below the ceiling element, and a flow channel (1) for passing a liquid through the ceiling element in order to heat or cool the space below the ceiling element. In order to obtain a ceiling element with improved lighting and temperature adjustment properties substantially the entire bottom area of the ceiling element is covered by one or more solid plates (3) through which light and heat passes from the light sources (2) and the flow channel (1) to the space below the ceiling element. The flow channel (1) and the light sources (2) are distributed in the ceiling element substantially over the entire bottom area of the ceiling element.

Description

CEILING ELEMENT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a ceiling element providing light and temperature adjustment to a space.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0002] Previously there is known a ceiling element with light sources for providing light to a space below the ceiling element. Additionally, this known ceiling element comprises a flow channel for passing a fluid through the ceiling element in order to heat or cool the space below the ceiling element.

[0003] In order to allow heat to pass from the ceiling element to the space below, a perforated plate with a plurality of holes is arranged to cover the underside of the ceiling element at the location of the flow channel. The light sources are arranged at the side of the perforated plate where they do not disturb the flow of heat from the perforated plate to the space below.

[0004] A problem associated with this known ceiling element is uneven distribution of light and heat into the space. In practice, heat (or cooling) is provided only at some locations of the bottom surface of the ceiling element, and similarly, the light sources provide light only to some areas of the space below. This is problematic because it limits the possibilities of utilizing the space. It is not possible to arrange a desk (requiring excellent lighting conditions) at any location in the space because sufficient light for working at the desk is not available directly under the perforated plate, for instance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned drawback and to provide a ceiling element with improved lighting and temperature adjustment properties. This object is achieved with a ceiling element according to independent claim 1 .

[0006] The use of a plate or plates covering substantially the entire bottom area of the ceiling element, through which light and heat may pass, together with an arrangement where the flow channel and light sources are distributed substantially over the entire bottom area of the ceiling element makes it possible to obtain a ceiling element with excellent properties. With such a ceiling element light and heat (or cooling) is no longer provided only at specific locations, but instead practically over the entire area surface of the ceiling element.

[0007] Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] In the following the present invention will be described in closer detail by way of example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which

[0009] Figure 1 is a bottom view of a ceiling element, and

[0010] Figure 2 is a cross section of the ceiling element of Figure 1 .

DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE EMBODIMENT

[0011] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of a ceiling element. Figure 1 is a bottom view of the ceiling element, in other words, the ceiling element is seen from below, however, the bottom plate covering the bottom area of the ceiling element has been removed. Figure 2 is a cross section of the ceiling element along line II - II of Figure 1 .

[0012] The illustrated ceiling element comprises a flow channel 1 , such as a pipe, arranged to pass fluid back and forth within the ceiling element such that the flow channel 1 covers substantially the entire bottom area of the ceiling element. A liquid passing through the flow channel 1 therefore provides heating or cooling, depending on the temperature of the liquid used, over substantially the entire bottom area of the ceiling element.

[0013] Light sources 2, which may consist of LEDs (Light Emitting Diode), are also arranged over substantially the entire bottom area of the ceiling element. In the illustrated embodiment it has, by way of example, been assumed that the LEDs are attached to strips such that each strip comprises a plurality of LEDs arranged in a row. This is, however, only one implementation and in practice it is possible to arrange the light sources 2 one by one in the ceiling element.

[0014] The ceiling element may be provided with a metal frame, for instance, that surrounds the ceiling element. Additionally, the interior of the ceiling element may be provided with a plurality of beams 6 which are attached to this frame and which provide the ceiling element with the necessary strength and rigidity, and serve as points of attachment needed for the flow channel 1 and the light sources 2.

[0015] A solid plate 3 or plates are arranged to cover substantially the entire bottom area of the ceiling element. Light and heat may pass through the plate 3 or plates such that even lighting and heating (or cooling) is obtained in the space below the ceiling element. Heating and cooling are in that case obtained by heat radiation through the plate. It is therefore not necessary to make any holes or perforations in the plate or plates for lighting or heating (or cooling) purposes. Instead, one or more solid plates may be utilized. The plate or plates covering substantially the entire bottom surface of the ceiling element are preferable non-perforated air-tight plates preventing air from passing through the plates.

[0016] In many implementations it is advantageous to implement the bottom surface by utilizing (only) one single plate 3 because this will result in a very nice-looking ceiling element with a smoothly illuminated bottom surface. A suitable material for the bottom plate 3 is any material allowing light and heat to pass through it. Possible materials include glass and plastics, such as polypropylene.

[0017] The plate 3 or plates preferably spread out light from the light sources 2 substantially over the entire bottom area of the ceiling element. Such a solution may be obtained by utilizing a colored plate or plates, for instance. One alternative is to use white plastic or glass plates. In that case the light is able to efficiently pass through the plate, however, the color in the plate ensures that the light is distributed such that when the ceiling element is looked at from below, it is not possible to identify the precise locations of the light sources 2. Instead, it looks like that the entire bottom surface of the ceiling element is evenly illuminated.

[0018] In order to obtain a thermally efficient ceiling element, a space in the ceiling element which is located above the light sources 2 and the flow channel 6 is filled with a thermal insulation layer 4. This thermal insulation layer prevents heat from passing upwards from the ceiling element.

[0019] The ceiling element is provided with supports 5 for suspending the ceiling element to hang from support points 7. The support points 7 may, in practice, consist of hooks attached to the ceiling of a room, for instance.

[0020] The flow channel 1 includes interfaces 8 at the end of the pipes, for instance, for receiving liquid and passing on liquid from the flow channel. In the case of a single ceiling element arranged in a room, for instance, these interfaces 8 are used to connect the flow channel 1 to a heating or cooling device providing the ceiling element with a liquid with a suitable temperature, and for receiving the liquid once it has passed through the flow channel. However, it is also possible that several similar ceiling elements are arranged side by side in a room. In that case one of the interfaces 8 may be used to connect the flow channel 1 of the illustrated ceiling element to a flow channel of a second adjacent ceiling element in order to pass the liquid through the flow channels of more than one ceiling element.

[0021] The ceiling element may be arranged as a part of an intermediate ceiling hanging from an actual ceiling 9 of a room, for instance. In that case elements 10 of the intermediate ceiling, such as plates, may be supported by the ceiling element. In the illustrated embodiment an outer side surface 1 1 of the ceiling element has, by way of example, been provided with an L-shaped attachment 12 for receiving and supporting such an element 10 of the intermediate ceiling.

[0022] It is to be understood that the above description and the accompanying figures are only intended to illustrate the present invention. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention can be varied and modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A ceiling element comprising:

light sources (2) for illuminating a space below the ceiling element, and

a flow channel (1 ) for passing a liquid through the ceiling element in order to heat or cool the space below the ceiling element, characterized in that

substantially the entire bottom area of the ceiling element is covered by one or more solid plates (3) through which light and heat passes from the light sources (2) and the flow channel (1) to the space below the ceiling element,

the one or more solid plates (3) are non-perforated plates through which heat radiation passes, and

the flow channel (1) and the light sources (2) are distributed in the ceiling element substantially over the entire bottom area of the ceiling element.

2. The ceiling element according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (3) or plates spread out light from the light sources (2) substantially over the entire bottom area of the ceiling element

3. The ceiling element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one single plate (3) covers substantially the entire bottom area of the ceiling element.

4. The ceiling element according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light sources (2) are light emitting diodes.

5. The ceiling element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a space in the ceiling element which is located above the light sources (2) and the flow channel (1) is filled with a thermal insulation layer (4).

6. The ceiling element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ceiling element is provided with supports (5) for suspending the ceiling element to hang from support points (7).

7. The ceiling element according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plate (3) or plates are made of colored plastic or glass.

8. The ceiling element according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the flow channel (1 ) comprises an interface (8) for connecting the flow channel (1) to a flow channel of a second adjacent ceiling element in order to pass the liquid through flow channels of more than one ceiling element.

9. The ceiling element according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the ceiling element is provided with an attachment (12) for receiving and supporting an element (10) of the intermediate ceiling arranged along one or more outer edges of the ceiling element.