Luminaires

Abstract

An LED luminaire (10) comprising: a main body portion (12) adapted, in use, to house an LED light panel (24); a mount (14) for securing, in use, the luminaire (10) to a surface; a driver unit (62); and a hinge (16, 42, 44) adapted to hingedly connect the main body portion (12) to the mount (14), wherein the hinge (16, 42, 44) comprises a, hollow interior volume for accommodating the driver unit (62), and wherein the driver unit (62) comprises a water-resistant housing.

Claims

1. An LED luminaire comprising: an main body portion adapted, in use, to house an LED light panel; a mount for securing, in use, the luminaire to a surface; a driver unit; and a hinge adapted to hingedly connect the main body portion to the mount, wherein the hinge comprises a, hollow interior volume for accommodating the driver unit, and wherein the driver unit comprises a water-resistant housing.

2. The LED luminaire of claim 1, wherein the water-resistant housing comprises a waterproof housing.

3. The LED luminaire of claim 1, wherein the driver unit is IP-rated, and the LED light panel is IP-rated to between IP65 and IP68.

4. The LED luminaire of claim 1, wherein the LED light panel comprises a circuit board to which one or more LEDs are electrically affixed, a transparent or translucent lens portion, sealingly affixed to the circuit board, and overlying the LEDs.

5. The LED luminaire of claim 1, wherein the main body portion comprises a sealed, hollow interior portion adapted to accommodate the LED light panel and a transparent window covering the hollow interior portion behind which window the LED light panel is located.

6. The LED luminaire of claim 1, further comprising a thermal bridge means interposed between the LED light panel and the main body portion, the thermal bridge means comprising any one or more of the group comprising: a thermally conductive insert physically connecting the exterior of the LED light panel to the interior of the main body portion; one or more heat pipes; a forced-air cooling system; and a heat exchanger, wherein the main body portion also comprises heat sink elements in the form of ribs, grooves or protrusions for increasing the surface area of the exterior of the main body portion.

7. The LED luminaire of claim 1, wherein the LED light panel is operatively connected to the driver unit by cabling, and the LED luminaire further comprises a seal where the cabling enters of leaves the hollow interior volume of the hinge.

8. The LED luminaire of claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises a plurality of generally cylindrical tube portions, wherein a first cylindrical tube portion is formed integrally with the main body portion and a second cylindrical tube portion is formed integrally with the mount.

9. The LED luminaire of claim 8, wherein the hinge comprises a central, generally tubular portion integrally formed with the mount, and a pair of spaced-apart lateral generally tubular portions, which are integrally formed with the main body portion of the luminaire, wherein the width of the central tubular portion is substantially equal to the lateral spacing between the spaced-apart lateral tube portions.

10. The LED luminaire of claim 8, wherein the tube portions are sealingly connected to one another.

11. The LED luminaire of claim 9, wherein central tube portion is connected to the lateral tube portions via a pair of tubular bearings, wherein the bearings comprise a castellated end comprising a series of cut outs, which engage, in use, with complementarily-shaped axial ridges formed on an interior side wall of the central tubular portion.

12. The LED luminaire of claim 11, wherein the bearings additionally comprise a smooth, continuous end portion, which provides a sealing surface against which, in use, an interior side wall of the lateral tube portions seat, and the LED luminaire further comprises a dynamic seal interposed between the continuous end portions of the bearings and the interior side wall of the lateral tube portions.

13. The LED luminaire of claim 1 wherein the hinge comprises end caps and, wherein a semi-permanently connected end cap comprises an end plate, a part-tubular projection carrying a set of radially outwardly extending lugs adapted, in use, to engage with complementarily-shaped receiving grooves of one of the lateral tube portions of the hinge, and a seal.

14. The LED luminaire of claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises removable end caps and a removable end cap comprises an end plate assembly comprising a disc-shaped end plate whose peripheral edge is adapted to seat against a corresponding flange of the lateral tube, an 0-ring seal for sealing the end plate to the interior side wall of the lateral tube portion, and an axial locking screw.

15. The LED luminaire of claim 1, comprising a rotatable connection, suitable for connecting a mount to a luminaire, comprising a bayonet-type connector, the bayonet-type connector comprising at least two pairs of axially- and circumferentially-offset lugs adapted to engage, in use, behind a corresponding set of axially offset circumferential ribs, wherein circumferential ribs each comprise cut- outs configured to allow the respective pairs of lugs to pass therethrough, wherein the bayonet-type connection provides a first rotatable connecting position in which a first pair of lugs engage one of the circumferential ribs and a second rotatable connecting position in which two pairs of lugs engage their respective circumferential ribs.

16. The LED luminaire of claim 15, further comprising releasable locking means for locking the relative rotation of the mount and luminaire at a desired position, wherein the mount comprises a tubular stub and a corresponding bayonet portion that fit together one inside the other, and wherein the stub comprises two or more sets of axially offset lugs, a first set of which is relatively close to the end of the stub, and the other set of which is set back from the end of the stub by a certain distance.

17. The LED luminaire of claim 16, wherein each set of lugs comprises a pair of diametrically opposing lugs of substantially the same shape and size, the two sets of lugs being circumferentially offset by an offset angle.

18. The LED luminaire of claim 16, wherein the bayonet portion comprises a tubular boss comprising a set of radially projecting ribs wherein a first one of the radially projecting ribs comprises a circumferential rib that projects radially outwardly from the boss, and which has a pair of diametrically opposed cut-outs shaped to allow the lugs to pass therethrough, when correctly aligned, and further wherein a second one of the radially projecting ribs suitably comprises a second radially projecting rib, which comprises a circumferential rib that projects radially outwardly from the boss, and which has a second pair of diametrically opposed cut outs shaped to allow the lugs to pass therethrough, when correctly aligned.

19. The LED luminaire of claim 18, wherein each set of lugs comprises a pair of diametrically opposing lugs of substantially the same shape and size, the two sets of lugs being circumferentially offset by an offset angle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A preferred embodiment of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the front and below of a luminaire in accordance with the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the rear and above of the luminaire shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the front and above of the luminaire of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the main body portion in a tilted partially forward position;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the front and above of the luminaire of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 with the main body portion in a tilted partially rearward position;

(6) FIG. 5 is a first partial exploded view showing some of the components of the hinge assembly of the luminaire of FIGS. 1 to 4;

(7) FIG. 6 is a second partial exploded view showing some of the components of the hinge assembly of the luminaire of FIGS. 1 to 4;

(8) FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the luminaire of FIG. 2, showing some of the internal components thereof;

(9) FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are perspective views from different angles showing the releasable connection mount to the hinge of the luminaire of FIG. 1;

(10) FIG. 11 is a plan view from below of the central tubular portion shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10; and

(11) FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 are perspective views from different viewpoints of the bayonet portion of the mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) In FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, a luminaire 10 comprises a main body portion 1 2, a mount 1 4 and a hinge 1 6 interposed between the main body portion 12 and the mount 1 4. The main body portion 12 is able to pivot relative to the mount 14, about the axis 18 of the hinge 16, between first and second positions, as shown particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4.

(13) The main body portion 12 is manufactured from cast aluminium and is provided with a series of integrally formed cooling ribs 20 on a rear surface thereof, which ribs 20 increase the surface area of the main body portion 12 thereby facilitating passive convection of heat away from it, in use.

(14) As can been seen particularly in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the main body portion 12 comprises an integrally formed cavity 22 into which an LED light panel 24 is installed. The LED light panel comprises (although not shown in the drawings for simplicity), a PCB to which are electrically connected a number of surface-mount LEDs (an 83 array of 24 LEDs in the illustrated embodiment, although more or fewer LEDs may be provided), which each comprise an integrally formed lens (a primary optic) and which sit behind respective individual lens portions (secondary optics) of a transparent plastics (or glass) cover lens 26. The cover lens 26 seals against the PCB via a bead of adhesive or sealant, thus the LEDs are sealingly encased in the LED light panel between the cover lens 26 and the PCB. A power cable 28 sealingly extends from the LED light panel and passes through a side wall 30 of the cavity 22, via a sealing gland 32.

(15) The peripheral edge of the cavity 22 is provided with a part-circular rebate (not visible) into which seats an O-ring seal or gasket 34. A planar cover plate 36, manufactured from transparent plastics or glass, overlies the cavity 22 and its rear face seats against, and seals with the 0-ring seal or gasket 34 to form a watertight cavity within the main body portion 12 into which the LED light panel is received.

(16) A generally rectangular bezel 38 overlies the cover plate 36 and clamps it in situ via retaining grub screws (not shown) which engage with suitably arranged receiving holes 40 of the bezel 38 and the main body portion 12.

(17) The LED light panel's power cable 28 extends into the hollow interior of the hinge portion 16 of the luminaire, via a gasket plate (not shown for clarity).

(18) The hinge portion 16, as is best shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings, is made up of three main components: a central, generally tubular portion 42, which is integrally formed with the mount 14, and a pair of spaced-apart lateral generally tubular portions 44, which are integrally formed with the main body portion 12 of the luminaire 10. As can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6 in particular, the width 48 of the central tubular portion 42 is substantially the same as (in fact, slightly smaller than) the lateral spacing 50 between the spaced-apart lateral tube portions 44, such that when the respective components are brought together coaxially, the central tube portion 42 nests neatly between the lateral tube portions 44, for which see FIG. 2.

(19) The central tube portion 42 is connected to the lateral tube portions 44 via a pair of tubular plastics bearings 52. The bearings 52 have a castellated end 54 comprising a series of cut outs 56, which engage with complementarily-shaped ridges 58 formed on the interior side wall of the central portion 42. Thus, as the central portion 42 rotates relative to the lateral portions 44, the bearings 52 rotate in unison with the central portion 42. The bearings 52 additionally comprise a smooth, continuous end portion 60, which provides a contact surface against which the interior side walls of the lateral tube portions 44 seat. Optionally, a bead of layer of sealant or grease, for example, can be applied to the contact surface to form a seal between the bearings 52 and the lateral tube portions 44.

(20) Adhesive is used to sealingly affix the bearings 52 to the central tube portion 42, and a dynamic seal (not shown) is optionally interposed between the continuous end portions 60 of the bearings 52 and the interior side wall of the lateral tube portions 44 to form a seal therebetween. Thus, the hinge 16 provides a tubular cavity for accommodating a driver unit 62 (as shown in FIG. 7), whilst providing a relatively moveable connection between the mount 14 and the main body portion 12 of the luminaire. Further, a sealed arrangement is provided to inhibit and/or prevent the ingress of particulates (e.g. dust, dirt) and liquids (e.g. water) into the hollow interior of the hinge 16.

(21) The ends of the hinge 16 are sealingly closed off at their opposite ends by a semi-permanently connected end plate 64 and by a removable end plate assembly 66. The semi-permanently connected end plate 64 comprises a part-tubular projection 68 carrying a set of radially outwardly extending lugs 70 that engage with complementarily, L-shaped receiving grooves 72 of one of the lateral tube portions 44 of the hinge 16. The semi-permanently connected end plate 64 can be provided with a bead of sealant (not shown) and offered up to the end of the hinge 16, inserted and rotated bayonet-wise, to semi-permanently connect it thereto. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the end plate 64 lies flush with the end of the lateral tube portion 44, thus providing a neat finish.

(22) The removable end plate assembly 66 affixes to the other lateral tube portion 44 of the hinge 16 and comprises a disc-shaped end plate 74 whose peripheral edge 75 seats against a corresponding flange of the lateral tube. An 0-ring seal 76 is provided for sealing the end plate 74 to the interior side wall of the lateral tube portion 44. An axial locking screw 78 is provided as well, which sealingly extends through a cylindrical part 80 of the end plate assembly 66 to engage with a correspondingly positioned, threaded receiving aperture (not visible) of the driver unit 62. Thus, the removable end plate assembly 66 provides two functions: first, it sealingly closes-off the end of the tubular hinge 16 of the luminaire 10; and second, it locates and stabilises the driver unit 62 within the hollow interior of the hinge 16.

(23) The driver unit 62 comprises a waterproof housing, which is suitably IP-rated. The IP-rating of the driver unit 62 is suitably selected to meet the requirements and installation location of the luminaire, for example, submersible (IP6-8), splash-proof (IP6-4) etc.

(24) The mount 14 is shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings, and is made up of: the central tubular portion 42 of the hinge and an integrally formed, tubular stub 82, which extends radially outwardly from the tubular portion 42; and a bayonet-fitting flange portion 83 that detachably affixes to the stub 82. The stub 82 has an inner side wall 84, which is provided with two sets of axially offset lugs 86, 88, a first set 86 of which is relatively close to the end of the stub 82, and the other set 88 of which is set back from the end of the stub 82 by a distance 90. Each set of lugs 86, 88 comprises a pair of diametrically opposing lugs, which are all substantially the same shape and size, but the two sets of lugs 86, 88 are circumferentially offset by an angle 92, as can be seen in FIGS. 11 to 14 of the drawings.

(25) The bayonet-fitting flange portion 83 comprises an annular disc portion 94 having a series to through holes 96 therein through which mounting screws (not shown) for the luminaire 10 can extend to affix it to a surface (also not shown). Extending axially from the annular disc portion 94 is a tubular boss 96 which comprises a set of radially projecting ribs 98, 100, 102 having a configuration described below.

(26) A first radially projecting rib 98 comprises a circumferential rib that projects radially outwardly from the boss 96, and which has a pair of diametrically opposed cut-outs 104 shaped to allow the lugs 86, 88 to pass therethrough, when correctly aligned. Thus, the stub 82 can be offered up to the boss 96 and the first set of lugs 86 aligned with the cut-outs 104 before being pushed axially into engagement therewith. The first set of lugs 86 thus pass through the cut-outs 104, and the subsequent relative rotation of the stub 82 and boss 96 forms a temporary connection between the mount and the luminaire. However, the stub 82 and boss 96 are not pushed home at this stage and the luminaire 10 can be rotated relative to the mount 14 to facilitate installation. In other words, the luminaire 10 is loosely, and temporarily connected to the mount 14 by the first set of lugs 86 engaging behind the first radially projecting rib 98.

(27) The boss 96 additionally comprises a second radially projecting rib 100, which also comprises a circumferential rib that projects radially outwardly from the boss 96, and which has a second pair of diametrically opposed cut outs 106 shaped to allow the first set of lugs 86 to pass therethrough, when correctly aligned. The second set of cut-outs 106 are circumferentially offset by an angle 92 equal to the offset angle 92 of the lugs (as shown in FIG. 11).

(28) As such, the stub 82 can be moved to a second, installed position by aligning first set of lugs 86 aligned with the second set of cut-outs 106 before pushing the stub 82 axially into engagement therewith yet further. The first set of lugs 86 thus pass through the cut-outs 106, whilst the second set of lugs 88 pass through the first set of cut outs 104 and subsequent relative rotation of the stub 82 and boss 96 forms an installed connection between the mount and the luminaire. In the second position, the luminaire 10 can also be rotated relative to the mount 14 so that it can be rotated to a final position with the first set of lugs 86 engaging behind the second radially projecting rib 100, and the second set of lugs 88 engaging behind the first radially projecting rib 98.

(29) The installation can be locked by tightening a locking screw 108, which forms a releasable mechanical connection between the stub 82 and the boss 96.

(30) It will be noted that the boss 96 additionally comprises a set off axial ribs 102 that provide rotational end stops for the lugs 86, 88, thereby limiting the extent of rotation of the luminaire 10 relative to the mount 14; and a cable cut-out 110 to permit the (mains) cabling for the luminaire 10 to pass into the boss 96. The cable cut-out 110 extends axially below the lower edge of the stub 82, when in the second position, as can be seen in FIG. 2, in particular.

(31) A cable channel 112 is also provided, in the illustrated embodiment, to enable a cable (not shown) to pass from the interior of the mount 14 into a mounting surface (not shown) in a concealed manner.

(32) The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment, which is merely exemplary of the invention. For example, the shape and configuration of the various components thereof, the materials and methods of manufacture etc. could be changed without departing from the scope of the invention.