CEILING OR WALL LIGHT HAVING INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL HEATER, FAN AND CONTROL

Abstract

A ceiling light or wall light having a connection to a typical lighting power circuit, having an integrated heating fan function, and an intelligent control for simple operation and functions for saving energy. In order to avoid a cumbersome variation of the heating possibilities (for example, the installation of a heater, placement of an additional heater, and modification of the control of an existing heater), a replacement of the usually already existing lighting takes over this functionality. The device includes a common housing, that contains at least one lighting element, at least one electrical heating element, at least one fan, and at least one programmable electronic controller, by which the lighting, the fan and the heater are controlled and/or regulated, together with and/or separate from each other. All rooms of a building which have lighting and are to be heated only for a limited period may be part of the area of application.

Claims

1. A device adapted for connection to a typical power circuit, the device comprising: a common housing (1, 6, 10, 11), at least one lighting element (16), at least one electrical heating element (4), at least one fan (5), and a programmable electronic controller (7) in the common housing, the programmable electronic controller (7) being configured to at least one of control or regulate lighting, the fan, and the at least one electrical heating element (4) together or separately from each other.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured for on-wall surface mounting.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured for in-wall flush mounting.

4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one temperature sensor.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one LED as the at least one lighting element (16).

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the programmable electronic controller is configured to receive inputs by repeated switching on and off of a light power circuit or a time-varying sequence of at least two switch-on processes of the light power circuit.

7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one optical display (7) that shows information for display.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one acoustic signal that signals information.

9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one intake opening (14) that has a minimum distance of 1 mm to a mounting surface, in order to prevent soiling of the mounting surface.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be at least one of controlled or regulated by at least one light barrier.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be at least one of controlled or regulated by at least one motion detector.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be at least one of controlled or regulated by at least one hygrometer.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be at least one of controlled or regulated by at least one microphone.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be at least one of controlled or regulated by at least one clock.

15. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one additional power connection that enables a heating function independent of the lighting.

16. The device according to claim 1, further comprising guide elements through which the air flow (13) is guided in a preferred direction at an air outlet (15).

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein a light color of the at least one lighting element is changeable.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein a color temperature of white light from the at least one lighting element is changeable.

19. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one additional power connection that enables the at least one electrical heating element (4) to be switched on only as a function of a second power circuit.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to change its own state by a program as a function of at least one internal input variable such that at least one of the controllable functions can be changed.

21. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device changes its own state by a program as a function of at least one external input variable such that at least one of the controllable functions is changed.

22. The device according to claim 1, wherein the programmable electronic controller (7) comprises at least one microcontroller.

23. The device according to claim 1, wherein the programmable electronic controller (7) comprises at least one clocked processor.

24. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one non-volatile memory.

25. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one firmware unit.

26. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of an internal battery or accumulator that enables at least one of a configuration, operation or function of an internal clock independent of an electric power grid.

27. The device according to claim 1, wherein the programmable electronic controller is configured to change a light intensity in at least 5 steps.

28. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one interface, button (7), or display (7).

29. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to be be configured by the user.

30. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has at least two different operating modes that are adapted to be selected by the user.

31. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to execute time-controlled program sequences.

32. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to execute event-controlled program sequences.

33. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes at least one function for saving energy.

34. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fan (5) includes a brushless DC motor.

35. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical heating element includes at least one electric resistance heater (4).

36. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a semiconductor component that switches the at least one electrical heating element (4).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0094] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings.

[0095] Shown are:

[0096] FIG. 1: device in its entirety,

[0097] FIG. 2: simplified section view through the device,

[0098] FIG. 3: device in the state of assembly or maintenance/servicing,

[0099] FIG. 4: simplified exploded-view drawing of the entire device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0100] FIG. 1 shows the device in its entirety, as it would be later mounted, for example, on a ceiling.

[0101] FIG. 2 shows a simplified section view through the device. While the fan is operating, the air flow (13) is guided with the help of the mounting enclosure (1) and the housing parts (6, 10, 12) from the air inlet (14) through the heater (4) and the fan (5) to the air outlet (15).

[0102] This guiding of the air flow (13) provides, in particular, that the air taken in does not flow directly along the mounting surface and causes soiling there.

[0103] FIG. 3 shows the device in the state of assembly or maintenance/servicing. The mounting enclosure (1) is used for mounting the device, e.g., on the ceiling. In addition, the threaded connection fasteners of the electronic connection are housed in the mounting enclosure and the two retaining cords (2) are attached to the mounting enclosure (1). The two retaining cords (2) enable convenient and safe handling during the assembly or maintenance/servicing of the device.

[0104] Also visible in FIG. 3 are the housing part A (6) with the projecting parts of the aluminum sheet plate (8) and the contact protection A (3) that is simultaneously used as a carrier for the heater and fan. Also to be seen is the display with the buttons, which are mounted on the controller circuit board (7) of the device. The upper part of the housing, that is, housing part A (6) and the mounting enclosure (1) are connected to each other by a positive-fit and/or non-positive fit locking connection, which is to be opened or closed by the installer.

[0105] The fan (5) shown in FIG. 4 and the heater (4) provide for the heating and transport of the air. The housing (1, 6, 10, 11, 12) is used for protecting the electronics from contact, soiling, moisture, and insects, and also for mounting the fan and the heater.

[0106] The aluminum sheet plate (8) is used for mounting the electronics (7, 9) and the LEDs (16) and also for cooling the electronics (7, 9) and the LEDs (16).

[0107] The diffuser (11) is part of the housing and sits approx. 20 mm away from the aluminum sheet plate (8). It contributes to sealing the housing and provides for a uniform scattering of the light.

[0108] The contact protection A (3) and the contact protection B (12) are used for protecting against contact with the heater (4) and the fan (5). Both parts also guide the air flow (13).

[0109] The supply of power for the LEDs (16) and the controller electronics (7) within the device is guaranteed by the power supply (9). The electronic controller (7) is based on a microcontroller that controls the heating function, the ventilation, the display, and the LEDs.

[0110] For configuring the various operating modes, a man-machine interface is used that is realized in this embodiment by a display and three buttons (7). The operating mode is selected in this embodiment by actuating the light switch once or multiple times.

[0111] In this embodiment, the display is realized by four so-called 7-segment displays that show, during operation, the current temperature or the time remaining for the heating function or other information, for example, in an alternating cycle.

[0112] For switching the heater, a semiconductor relay is preferably used. The ventilation (5) is realized with the help of a brushless DC motor with matching control system.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0113] 1. Mounting enclosure

[0114] 2. Retaining cord

[0115] 3. Contact protection A

[0116] 4. Heater

[0117] 5. Fan

[0118] 6. Housing part A

[0119] 7. Controller with display and buttons

[0120] 8. Aluminum sheet plate

[0121] 9. Installed power supply

[0122] 10. Housing part B

[0123] 11. Diffuser

[0124] 12. Contact protection B

[0125] 13. Air flow

[0126] 14. Air inlet

[0127] 15. Air outlet

[0128] 16. LED