WO2020207623A2

WO2020207623A2 - Radiant ceiling panel

Info

Publication number: WO2020207623A2
Application number: PCT/EP2020/025124
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maik BRAUER; Hans-Peter Weschle
Original assignee: Zehnder Group International Ag
Priority date: 2019-03-11
Filing date: 2020-03-11
Publication date: 2020-10-15
Also published as: WO2020207623A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a radiant ceiling panel (1) for emitting and absorbing heat radiation for controlling the air temperature and radiation intensity of a room. The radiant ceiling panel (1) comprises a panel element (2) and tubes (3) in thermal contact with the panel element (2). A heat transfer fluid such as water or oil can be made to flow through the tubes (3). The radiant ceiling panel (1) comprises a light source (5).

Description

Radiant ceiling panel

The present invention relates to a radiant ceiling panel for emitting and absorbing heat radiation for controlling the air temperature and radiation intensity of a room.

Radiant ceiling panels for heating and/or cooling rooms are known in the prior art.

Most of these known radiant ceiling panels emit and absorb radiation mostly in the infrared frequency range, typically referred to as "heat radiation". Radiant ceiling panels are typically mounted more or less close to the ceiling of a room and can use almost the entire ceiling area of a room. Such a "room" can be a small low-ceiling-type room such as an office or a living room or a large high-ceiling-type room such as a factory building, shop floor, storehouse, department store, etc.

It is an object of the present invention to widen the radiation spectrum emitted by a radiant ceiling panel.

According to the invention, there is provided a radiant ceiling panel for emitting and absorbing heat radiation for controlling the air temperature and radiation intensity of a room, wherein the radiant ceiling panel comprises a panel element and tubes in thermal contact with the panel element, wherein a heat transfer fluid such as water or oil can be made to flow through the tubes, characterized in that the radiant ceiling panel comprises a light source.

The light source in the ceiling panel widens the spectrum of radiation that can be emitted by the radiant ceiling panel. For instance, infrared radiation resulting from a hot fluid at temperatures between 20°C and 90°C flowing through the tubes and emitted by the radiant ceiling panel into the space of the room as well as infrared radiation (IR) and/or visible radiation (VIS) and/or ultraviolet radiation (UV) generated in and emitted by the light source into the space of the room can be provided. Alternatively, for instance by using a cold fluid at temperatures between 5°C and 20°C flowing through the tubes, IR radiation in the room can be absorbed by the radiant ceiling panel while infrared radiation (IR) and/or visible radiation (VIS) and/or ultraviolet radiation (UV) generated in the light source can be emitted into the space of the room. Also, the light source (IR, VIS, UV), preferably an electrically operated light source, and the radiating ceiling panel per se, i.e. the tempered fluid operated panel, can be operated independently.

The light source may be a light emitting diode (LED). Preferably, the light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The plurality of light emitting diodes may comprise one sort of LED all emitting the same type of light. Alternatively, the plurality of light emitting diodes may comprise different sorts of LEDs with each sort of LED emitting a different type of light, preferably visible light such as at least one of violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, etc.

Alternatively, the light source may be a fluorescent lamp. Preferably, the light source comprises a plurality of fluorescent lamps. The plurality of fluorescent lamps may comprise one sort of fluorescent lamp all emitting the same type of light. Alternatively, the plurality of fluorescent lamps may comprise different sorts of fluorescent lamps with each sort of fluorescent lamp emitting a different type of light, preferably visible light such as at least one of violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, etc.

This provides the radiant ceiling panel according to the invention with a wider range of functions beyond heating and cooling based on IR emission and IR absorption, respectively, such as light therapy, mood control, etc. for persons staying in the room.

The light source may be connected to a control module or driver for controlling the light source. Preferably, the light source and the control module or driver are positioned at different locations. More preferably, the light source is located at the bottom side of the radiant ceiling panel and the control module or driver is located at the upper side of the radiant ceiling panel.

Preferably, the control module or driver comprises an on-board radio transceiver

(transmitter/receiver) (first radio transceiver) for transmitting or receiving a radio signal.

The received radio signal may originate from a user-operated remote control type radio transceiver (transmitter/receiver) (second radio transceiver), for instance hand-held or wall- mounted. The transmitted radio signal may be received by the user-operated remote control type radio transceiver (transmitter/receiver). Typically, the user operates the remote-control type (second) radio transceiver to transmit a control signal with a control input to the on-board radio transceiver for modifying a control output fed to the light source connected to the control module or driver.

The connection between the control module or driver and the light source may be a wireless connection and/or a wired connection. Preferably, the connection for providing energy to the light source is a wired connection. The connection for providing control information to the light source may be a wireless connection or a wired connection.

If the connection for providing control information to the light source is a wired connection, the wired connection is used for both energy transfer and control information transfer from the control module or driver to the light source.

If the connection between the control module and the light source is wireless, the control module or driver may comprise a further on-board radio transceiver (sender/receiver) (third radio transceiver) for transmitting or receiving a radio signal from/to the control module or driver, or it may comprise an on-board radio transmitter for only transmitting a radio signal to the light source. Preferably, the light source comprises a still further on-board radio transceiver (sender/receiver) (fourth radio transceiver) for transmitting or receiving a radio signal from/to the light source, or it comprises an on-board radio receiver for only receiving a radio signal from the controller or driver.

The light source may be an LED light board. Alternatively, the light source may be an LED strip, an LED tape or an LED ribbon. The LED light board or LED strip/tape/ribbon may comprise a lens. Preferably, it comprises a plurality of lenses, more preferably a single lens for each single LED. Alternatively, it comprises a single lens for a plurality of LEDs, more preferably, the single lens for a plurality of LEDs is a cylinder lens.

Preferably, the light source is located in a recess in the radiant ceiling panel. This partial "embedding" of the light source in a recess provides added protection of the light source against potential damage by mechanical impact, for instance with pre-installed light sources and control modules in radiant ceiling panels still to be mounted at a ceiling. Preferably, a current line connecting the control module or driver to the light source passes from the upper side of the radiant ceiling panel to the bottom side of the radiant ceiling panel. Preferably, a feed-through from the upper side to the lower side of the radiant ceiling panel is provided. This feed-through allows the current line to be passed from the control module on the upper side of the radiant ceiling panel to the light source on the lower side of the radiant ceiling panel.

Preferably, the light source is located between adjacent tube locating grooves of said radiant ceiling panel. This partial "embedding" of the light source between adjacent tube locating grooves provides added protection of the light source against potential damage by mechanical impact, for instance with pre-installed light sources and control modules in radiant ceiling panels still to be mounted at a ceiling.

Preferably, the control module or driver is located at an edge portion of the radiant ceiling panel. This allows the on-board radio transceiver (transmitter/receiver) or first radio transceiver to transmit/receive a radio signal to/from a user-operated remote control type radio transceiver (transmitter/receiver) or second radio transceiver without being intercepted, i.e. absorbed, by the metal portions of the radiant ceiling panel.

Alternatively, the control module or driver is located above an open slit/slot portion of the radiant ceiling panel. Again, this allows the on-board radio transceiver (transmitter/receiver) or first radio transceiver to transmit/receive a radio signal to/from a user-operated remote control type radio transceiver (transmitter/receiver) or second radio transceiver without being intercepted, i.e. absorbed, by the metal portions of the radiant ceiling panel.

Preferably, the ceiling panel comprises a support element extending above the upper side of the ceiling panel and supporting the control module.

Further applications, features and advantages provided by the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and the drawings showing several embodiments of the invention. They are to be taken as examples of the radiant ceiling panel according to the invention and not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2A is an enlarged view of a detail of the first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2B is an enlarged view of a detail of a second embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3 is a partial bottom view of the first or second embodiment. Fig. 4 is a partial top view of the first or second embodiment. Fig. 6A is a schematic side view of a third embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6B is a schematic side view of a fourth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6C is a schematic side view of a fifth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6D is a schematic side view of a sixth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 7 A is the same as Fig. 2A, shown as a reference for Figs. 7B and 7C. Fig. 7B is an enlarged view of a detail of a seventh embodiment of the invention. Fig. 7C is an enlarged view of a detail of an eighth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 8A is a schematic side view of a ninth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 8B is a schematic side view of a tenth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 8C is a schematic side view of an eleventh embodiment of the invention. Fig. 8D is a schematic side view of a twelfth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 9A is a schematic side view of a thirteenth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 9B is a schematic side view of a fourteenth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 9C is a schematic side view of a fifteenth embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic side view of a sixteenth embodiment of the invention and an enlarged view of a detail thereof. Fig. 11 shows a schematic side view of a seventeenth embodiment of the invention and an enlarged view of a detail thereof.

Fig. 12 shows a schematic side view of an eighteenth embodiment of the invention and an enlarged view of a detail thereof.

Fig. 13 shows a schematic side view of a nineteenth embodiment of the invention and an enlarged view of a detail thereof.

Fig. 14 is a schematic side view of a twentieth embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 15 is a schematic side view of a twenty-first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 16 is a schematic side view of a twenty-second embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, a schematic side view of a first embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 according to the invention is shown. Instead of using lights with an integrated control module, the ceiling panel 1 according to the invention comprises a panel element 2 with several tubes 3 in thermal contact with the panel element 2. Typically, the panel element 2 is made from steel with bent edge portions for increasing panel element stiffness. The light source 5 is attached to the bottom side of the ceiling panel 1, while the control module 6 is attached to the upper side of the ceiling panel 1. A connection cable or current line, shown as a dashed line, runs from the control module 6 to the light source 5.

Referring to Fig. 2A, an enlarged view of a detail of the first embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 is shown. The light source 5 is a light board and attached to the bottom side of the ceiling panel 1. The light board 5 is partially embedded between adjacent locating grooves for the tubes 3.

Referring to Fig. 2B, an enlarged view of a detail of a second embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 is shown. The light source 5 or light board attached to the bottom side of the ceiling panel 1 is more deeply, but still partially embedded in a recess between adjacent locating grooves for the tubes 3.

Referring to Fig.3, a partial bottom view of the first or second embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with the panel element 2 and some tubes 3 is shown. The light source 5 or light board comprises several LEDs and lenses. Only the light board 5 is visible. No cut-outs are needed in the ceiling panel 1. The control module 6 is not visible.

Referring to Fig. 4, a partial top view of the first or second embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with the panel element 2 and some tubes 3 is shown. Only a small feed-through 7 or hole for the connection cable or current line is required.

Referring to Fig. 6A, a schematic side view of a third embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with the panel element 2 and some tubes 3 is shown. The width of the light source 5 or light board is between 50% and 80% of the center-to-center distance A1 between adjacent locating grooves for the tubes 3.

Referring to Fig. 6B, a schematic side view of a fourth embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with the panel element 2 and some tubes 3 is shown. The width of the light source 5 or light board is between 20% and 50% of the center-to-center distance A2 between adjacent locating grooves for the tubes 3.

Referring to Fig. 6C, a schematic side view of a fifth embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with the panel element 2 and some tubes 3 is shown. The tubes 3 are embedded in the panel element 2, for instance within a layer of expanded graphite. The width of the light source 5 or light board is between 20% and 50% of the center-to-center distance A2 between adjacent tubes 3.

Referring to Fig. 6D, a schematic side view of a sixth embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with the panel element 2 and some tubes 3 is shown. The tubes 3 are embedded in the panel element 2, for instance within a layer of expanded graphite and contacting a cylindrically bent seat portion of the metal portion of the panel element 2. The width of the light source 5 or light board is between 20% and 50% of the center-to-center distance A2 between adjacent locating seats portions for the tubes 3.

Referring to Fig. 7A, the same as Fig. 2A_; the light source 5 or light board having a

rectangular or planar/planar cross section is shown as a reference for Figs. 7B and 7C.

Referring to Fig. 7B, an enlarged view of a detail of a seventh embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with the panel element 2 and some tubes 3 is shown. The light source 5' or light board has a planar/convex cross section, i.e. the side of the light board facing the panel element 2 or attached to the panel element 2 is planar whereas the opposite side of the light board facing away from the panel element 2 is convex. The small sides of the light board 5' are concave and complementary to the locating grooves for the tubes 3.

Referring to Fig. 7C, an enlarged view of a detail of an eighth embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with the panel element 2 and some tubes 3 is shown. The light source 5" or light board has a planar/planar cross section with two parallel surfaces, i.e. the side of the light board facing the panel element 2 or attached to the panel element 2 is planar and the opposite side of the light board facing away from the panel element 2 is planar. Again, the small sides of the light board 5" are concave and complementary to the locating grooves for the tubes 3.

Referring to Fig. 8A, a schematic side view of a ninth embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with the panel element 2, four light sources or light boards 51, 52, 53, 54 and only one control module 6 is shown. The first light source 51, the second light source 52, the third light source 53 and the fourth light source 54 are attached to the bottom side of the panel element 2. All four light boards 51, 52, 53, 54 are equally spaced. In addition, four connection cables or current lines, each shown as a dashed line, are provided in the ceiling panel 1. In particular, a connection cable or current line, shown as a dashed line, runs from the one control module 6 to each of the light sources or light boards 51, 52, 53, 54.

Referring to Fig. 8B, a schematic side view of a tenth embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with the panel element 2, four light sources or light boards 51, 52, 53, 54 and only one control module 6 is shown. Again, the first light source 51, the second light source 52, the third light source 53 and the fourth light source 54 are attached to the bottom side of the panel element 2. Light boards 51 and 52 are located directly adjacent to each other, thus forming a first contiguous light board block 51-52 of two light boards 51, 52. Similarly, light boards 53 and 54 are located directly adjacent to each other, thus forming a second contiguous light board block 53-54 of two light boards 53, 54. The first and second contiguous light board blocks are spaced from each other. In addition, four connection cables or current lines, each shown as a dashed line, are provided in the ceiling panel 1. In particular, a first connection cable or current line runs from the control module 6 to the first light board block 51-52, a second connection cable or current line runs from the control module 6 to the second light board block 53-54, a third connection cable or current line runs from the first light board 51 to the second light board 52, and a fourth connection cable or current line runs from the third light board 53 to the fourth light board 54.

Referring to Fig. 8C, a schematic side view of an eleventh embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with the panel element 2, four light sources or light boards 51, 52, 53, 54 and only one control module 6 is shown. Again, the first light source 51, the second light source 52, the third light source 53 and the fourth light source 54 are attached to the bottom side of the panel element 2. Light boards 51, 52 and 53 are located directly adjacent to each other, thus forming a contiguous light board block 51-52-53 of three light boards 51, 52, 53.

Remaining light board 54 is located adjacent, but not directly next to light board block 51-52-

53, thus forming a spacing between fourth light board 54 and light board block 51-52-53. In addition, four connection cables or current lines, each shown as a dashed line, are provided in the ceiling panel 1. In particular, a first connection cable or current line runs from the first light board 51 to the second light board 52, a second connection cable or current line runs from the second light board 52 to the third light board 53, a third connection cable or current line runs from the control module 6 to the second third board 53, and a fourth connection cable or current line runs from the control module 6 the fourth light board 54.

Referring to Fig. 8D, a schematic side view of a twelfth embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with the panel element 2, four light sources or light boards 51, 52, 53, 54 and only one control module 6 is shown. Again, the first light source 51, the second light source 52, the third light source 53 and the fourth light source 54 are attached to the bottom side of the panel element 2. All four light boards 51, 52, 53 and 54 are located directly adjacent to each other, thus forming a contiguous light board block 51-52-53-54 of four light boards 51, 52, 53, 54. In addition, four connection cables or current lines, each shown as a dashed line, are provided in the ceiling panel 1. In particular, a first connection cable or current line runs from the control module 6 to the first light board 51, a second connection cable or current line runs from the first light board 51 to the second light board 52, a third connection cable or current line runs from the second light board 52 to the third light board 53, and a fourth connection cable or current line runs from the third light board 53 to the fourth light board

54.

Referring to Fig. 9A, a schematic side view of a thirteenth embodiment having a first light board 55 and a second light board 56 to be attached to the ceiling panel 1 are shown. The first light board 55 is electrically connected to the grid via a mains cable 11. The first light board 55 is electrically connected to the second light board 56 by a pluggable cable 12.

Referring to Fig. 9B, a schematic side view of a fourteenth embodiment having a first light board 55 and a second light board 56 to be attached to the ceiling panel 1 are shown. Again, the first light board 55 is electrically connected to the grid via a mains cable 11. The first light board 55 is now electrically connected to the second light board 56 by a connection box 4.

Referring to Fig. 9C, a schematic side view of a fifteenth embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with the panel element 2 is shown for comparison with the previous two

embodiments shown in Figs. 9A and 9B. This fifteenth embodiment is identical to the ninth embodiment shown in Fig. 8A.

Referring to Fig. 10, a schematic side view of a sixteenth embodiment having a light board 57 attached to the ceiling panel 1 and connected to the grid via a mains cable 11 is shown. The light board 57 has two diametrically oppositely located through-holes in the periphery thereof and is attached to the ceiling panel 1 by a first screw 81 extending through the first one of the two through-holes all the way into the ceiling panel 1 and by a second screw 82 extending through the second one of the two through-holes all the way into the ceiling panel 1. Also shown is an enlarged detail of the first screw 81 and its immediate vicinity.

Referring to Fig. 11, a schematic side view of a seventeenth embodiment having a light board 57 attached to the ceiling panel 1 and connected to the grid via a mains cable 11 is shown. The light board 57 has a hook element 83 in its periphery and a through-hole diametrically oppositely located from its hook element 83 for receiving a screw 82. The hook element 83 extends through a hook receiving hole at the bottom of the ceiling panel 1 and the screw 82 extends through the through-hole of the light board 57 the way into the ceiling panel 1. Also shown is an enlarged detail of the hook element 83 and its immediate vicinity.

Referring to Fig. 12, a schematic side view of an eighteenth embodiment having a light board 57 attached to a ferromagnetic ceiling panel 1 and connected to the grid via a mains cable 11 is shown. The light board 57 has two diametrically oppositely located magnets 84, 85 attached to the periphery thereof and is attached to the ferromagnetic, preferably steel ceiling panel 1 by the first magnet 84 and by the second magnet 85. Also shown is an enlarged detail of the first magnet 84 and its immediate vicinity. Referring to Fig. 13, a schematic side view of an eighteenth embodiment having a light board 57 attached to the ceiling panel 1 and connected to the grid via a mains cable 11 is shown. The light board 57 has two diametrically oppositely located clip elements 86, 87 attached to the periphery thereof and is attached to the ceiling panel 1 by the first clip element 86 engaging a first hole in the ceiling panel 1 and by the second clip element 87 engaging a second hole in the ceiling panel 1. Also shown is an enlarged detail of the first clip element 86 and its immediate vicinity.

Referring to Fig. 14, a schematic side view of a twentieth embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with a thermal insulation layer 9 is shown. The control module 6 is located directly on the upper side of the thermal insulation layer 9. Light boards and connecting cables are not shown.

Referring to Fig. 15, a schematic side view of a twenty-first embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with a thermal insulation layer 9 and several tubes 3 is shown. The ceiling panel 1 has a support element 10. The control module 6 is attached to the support element 10, preferably a support plate, extending above the thermal insulation layer 9 in a periphery thereof. Light boards and connecting cables are not shown.

Referring to Fig. 16, a schematic side view of a twenty-second embodiment of the radiant ceiling panel 1 with the panel element 2 is shown. The ceiling panel 1 has a support element 13. The control module 6 is supported by the support element 13. The support element 13 has a support portion 13a, 13b, 13e and an engaging portion 13c, 13d. The support portion 13a, 13b, 13e supports the control module 6. The engaging portion 13c, 13d defines a first formation. In addition, the ceiling panel 1 has a stabilization element 14, such a ceiling panel stiffening rod, having an engaging portion 14a, 14b, 14c which defines a second formation complementary to the first formation. The first formation of the engaging portion of the support element 13 engages the complementary second formation of the stabilization element 14. Reference numerals

1 radiant ceiling panel or ceiling panel

2 panel element

3 tube

4 connection box

5 light source or light board

51 first light source or first light board

52 second light source or second light board

53 third light source or third light board

54 fourth light source or fourth light board

55 light board

56 light board

57 light board

6 control module or driver

7 feed-through or hole

8 connection cable or current line

9 thermal insulation layer

11 mains cable

12 pluggable cable

10 support element, support plate

13 support element, support plate

13a first support plate portion

13b second support plate portion

13c third support plate portion

13d fourth support plate portion

13e fifth support plate portion

14 stabilization element

14a first stabilization element portion 14b second stabilization element portion 14c third stabilization element portion

81 screw

82 screw

83 hook element

84 first magnet

85 second magnet

86 first clip element

87 second clip element

Claims

1. A radiant ceiling panel (1) for emitting and absorbing heat radiation for controlling the air temperature and radiation intensity of a room, wherein the radiant ceiling panel (1) comprises a panel element (2) and tubes (3) in thermal contact with the panel element (2), wherein a heat transfer fluid such as water or oil can be made to flow through the tubes (3), characterized in that the radiant ceiling panel (1) comprises a light source (5).

2. The radiant ceiling panel (1) as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said light source (5) is a light emitting diode (LED) and/or a fluorescent lamp.

3. The radiant ceiling panel (1) as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said light source (5) is connected to a control module (6) or driver for controlling said light source (5).

4. The radiant ceiling panel (1) as defined in any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said light source (5) and said control module (6) or driver are positioned at different locations.

5. The radiant ceiling panel (1) as defined in any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said light source (5) is located at the bottom side of the radiant ceiling panel (1) and said control module (6) or driver is located at the upper side of the radiant ceiling panel (1).

6. The radiant ceiling panel (1) as defined in any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said light source (5) comprises at least one of an LED light board, an LED strip, an LED tape or an LED ribbon.

7. The radiant ceiling panel (1) as defined in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said LED light board comprises a lens.

8. The radiant ceiling panel (1) as defined in any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said light source (5) is located in a recess in the radiant ceiling panel (1).

9. The radiant ceiling panel (1) as defined in any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that a current line (8) connecting said control module (6) or driver to said light source (5) passes from the upper side of said radiant ceiling panel (1) to the bottom side of said radiant ceiling panel (1).

10. The radiant ceiling panel (1) as defined in claim 9, characterized by a feed-through (7) from the upper side to the lower side of said radiant ceiling panel (1).

11. The radiant ceiling panel (1) as defined in any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said light source (5) is located between adjacent tube locating grooves of said radiant ceiling panel (1).

12. The radiant ceiling panel (1) as defined in any one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that said control module (6) or driver is located at an edge portion of the radiant ceiling panel (1).

13. The radiant ceiling panel (1) as defined in any one of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that said control module (6) or driver is located above an open slit/slot portion of the radiant ceiling panel (1).

14. The radiant ceiling panel (1) as defined in any one of claims 5 to 13, characterized in that said ceiling panel (1) comprises a support element (10; 13) extending above the upper side of the ceiling panel (1) and supporting said control module (6).