OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an outdoor luminaire, which provides advantages
and innovative features inherent to its particular configuration, which will be described
in detail below and which represent a major novelty in the current state of the art.
[0002] The object of the present invention focuses specifically on a luminaire of the type
used as outdoor lighting, usually on public roads, whose structural configuration
is specifically engineered and designed to promote an enhanced insulation between
the optical compartment and the gear compartment, so as to provide proper water drainage,
avoiding accumulations thereof on said structure that could damage it, as well as
better dissipation of heat from the luminaire itself in its working condition.
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The scope of the present invention falls within the field of industry engaged in
the manufacturing of luminaires and lighting components or accessories, specially
outdoor luminaires for public roads.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Different types and models of outdoor luminaires for public roads or other open spaces
are known comprising a support mast and a casing in which one or more light sources
and associated operating circuitry are located.
[0005] Another well known fact is that lamps for outdoor luminaires are usually high power
and generate a lot of heat that the luminaire itself has to dissipate as best possible,
such as is the case of LED type lamps, since the heat is produced inversely to the
light radiation they emit and this is generally solved by including heat sink fins
or baffles at the top of the luminaire.
[0006] Furthermore, another problem of outdoor luminaires, depending on the design thereof,
is the accumulation of water on the luminaire, either due to rain or because of condensed
moisture forming in any possible hollows on the luminaire themselves, such as on heat
sink baffles or fins.
[0007] In any case, such accumulation requires the use of more resistant materials and always
eventually leads to corrosion problems, rust and dirt, adversely affecting the performance
and life of the luminaire itself.
[0008] The aim of the present invention is therefore the development of a new luminaire
whose structural configuration is specifically designed to solve such drawbacks by
creating channels that provide better insulation between the various parts of the
luminaire as well as heat dissipation and, at the same time, proper drainage.
[0009] It should be noted, moreover, that the present state of the art has not disclosed
any other luminaire presenting similar technical, structural and constitutive characteristics
as those presented by the luminaire advocated herein, as claimed.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Thus, the luminaire of the invention is configured as a remarkable novelty within
its scope, and it successfully reaches the above objectives, the characterizing details
that distinguish it being conveniently collected in the final claims accompanying
the specification.
[0011] In particular, the invention proposes an outdoor luminaire whose structural configuration
is distinguished by being specifically designed to promote enhanced insulation between
the optical compartment and the gear compartment, whereby the heat caused by the lamps
of the optical group does not affect the circuitry as well improving heat dissipation.
[0012] Furthermore, this structural configuration is also designed to ensure a perfect drainage
of water, which due to rain or condensation may be deposited on the luminaire between
the cooling fins of the upper part, making sure it runs between them dripping out
of the structure and avoiding any water accumulation or flooding on it, as well as
enabling part of the dirt and dust accumulating on the luminaire to be disposed of
through the drain, thus improving the heat dissipation performance of the luminaire
itself.
[0013] For this purpose and more specifically, the luminaire of the invention, is configured
based on a casing that is structured from a main body having two clearly distinct
and separate areas, one of which, occupying the part near the mast supporting point,
creates a gear compartment, thus taking a receptacle-shaped configuration, while the
other area, occupying the opposite part or furthest end of said body from said mast
supporting point, determines the optical compartment. In a preferred embodiment, the
main body may consist of a single piece.
[0014] Furthermore, the described main body is fitted with an upper lid that is hinged to
the main body and adjusts by sealing over the receptacle of the area which determines
the gear compartment, and a lower lid which, provided with the relevant shield /diffuser
screen, covers the underside of the optical compartment.
[0015] Also, and in an especially characterizing manner, said main body is designed so that
there is an intermediate aeration channel between the gear compartment and the optical
compartment allowing the flow of air between the upper part and the lower part of
the main body, thereby promoting ventilation and the dissipation of heat caused by
the light assembly and preventing said heat from damaging the gear compartment. In
a preferred embodiment, the channel covers practically the entire width of said body,
except for the sides where the two areas of the main body are joined and in which
connection between the optical compartment and the gear compartment is made possible.
[0016] In addition, the upper part of the area of the main body incorporating the optical
group has a series of grooves, whose walls are parallel partitions that define the
fins for heat dissipation through the top of the luminaire, wherein a specific characteristic
of said grooves is a base opening onto said ventilation channel, so that any water
that may fall on the grooves, instead of accumulating, will run towards the ventilation
channel and through it to the ground and, therefore it will not accumulate on the
top of the luminaire, and the mud formed by water and dust trapped on the luminaire
will not accumulate, while also achieving the cleaning of such channels when it rains.
[0017] Finally, according to another prominent characteristic of the invention, it is provided
that the handle of the upper lid covering the gear compartment, which, as already
said, closes by a hinged joint, presents a gripping recess to reach in and to open
the lid by disengaging a clip element that retains it, a recess that also advantageously
creates an additional ventilation channel which allows the passage of air and water
from the top to the bottom of the luminaire, thereby and in addition to achieving
greater heat dissipation, moisture accumulations on the luminaire are avoided.
[0018] The described outdoor luminaire therefore consists of an innovative structure with
hitherto unknown structural and constitutive characteristics for the intended purposes,
reasons which linked to its practical use, give it sufficient basis for the privilege
of exclusivity applied for.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] To complement the description being made and for a better understanding of the characteristics
of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification as an
integral part thereof, which for the purpose of illustration and without limiting
the scope of the invention, show the following:
- Figure 1.
- Shows a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the outdoor luminaire object of the
invention, representing its overall external configuration from said upper part;
- Figure 2.
- Shows a perspective view of the example luminaire according to the invention, shown
in the preceding figure, represented, in this case, with the top lid and the bottom
lid separated from the main body that forms the casing of the luminaire, so that the
main parts comprised can be seen.
- Figure 3.
- Shows a sectional view of the luminaire, according to section A-A of Figure 1;
- Figure 4.
- Shows an enlarged view of detail B of the luminaire indicated in Figure 3, showing
the aeration channel arrangement and the arrangement of the additional aeration channel
available in the example luminaire of the invention, both marked by arrows with dashed
lines that show the respective water outlet paths.
- Figure 5.
- Again shows a sectional view of the luminaire, in a perspective view according to
the same longitudinal section as indicated in Figure 1, but with the top lid ajar;
and
- Figure 6.
- Shows an enlarged view of detail C shown in figure 5 and clearly showing the configuration
of the central area of the main body of the casing of the luminaire of the invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0020] In view of the mentioned figures, and according to the numbering used, the drawings
show a preferred embodiment, but not limited thereto, of the outdoor luminaire of
the invention, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail
below.
[0021] Thus, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, the luminaire (1) in question basically comprises
a casing structured on a main body (2) having a first area (2a), on one side of the
same, with a receptacle (3) open at the top, for the housing of the circuitry (not
shown), and another area or second area (2b), on the opposite side, for the housing
of the optical group (4), in this particular example formed by LEDs, which are placed
coupled to a lamp holder plate (5) which is fixed to the bottom of the second area
(2b) of the body of the casing, an area which also presents at the top a series of
parallel fins (6) to act as heat sinks.
[0022] On the receptacle (3) a top lid (7) is coupled which closes with a clip (8) and the
lid is hinged to the main body (2) being attached thereto by hinge axis (9) arranged
in the outermost part of the main body (2) over the area (2a), allowing easy opening
and closing thereof and therefore easy access to said circuitry. Logically also, the
closure of this top lid (7) at the edge of the receptacle (3) has at least one joint
seal (10) to seal the inside and to prevent the entrance of air, water or dust that
could damage the electrical components of the luminaire.
[0023] In parallel, a lower lid (11) which, provided with a transparent protective and /
or diffusion screen (12) is contemplated, covers the lamp holder plate (5) on the
underside, being bolted to the lower part of the second area (2b) of the main body
(2) that accommodates said plate, for which corresponding holes (13) are provided.
[0024] Considering Figures 3-6 , it is noted that between the first area (2a) of the receptacle
(3) for the circuitry and the second area (2b) for the location of the optical group
(4) there is a ventilation channel (14), intermediate in this example, represented
in its route for the evacuation of the possible water by an arrow with dashed lines
referenced as (14), which allows the passage of air or water between the top and the
bottom of the main body (2), even with the top lid (7) and the lower lid (11) closed.
[0025] As a result, the casing achieves to comprise the two parts (2a, 2b) separately, one
for circuitry and one for the optical group (4), separated from each other by at least
one ventilation channel (14) which allows the passage of air and water therethrough.
[0026] Also as shown in Figure 6, the ventilation channel (14) substantially covers the
whole width of the main body (2), except for the sides where respective walls (15)
are provided connecting the two areas (2a, 2b) and under which the connection between
the second area (2b), where the optical group is located, and the first area (2a),
where the circuitry is located.
[0027] In particular, the ventilation channel (14) is defined by the existence of a transversal
groove (21) provided in the lower part of the main body (2) between both areas (2a
and 2b), and on the ventilation channel (14) the indent (11 a) of the end of the lower
lid (11) is fitted.
[0028] Furthermore, the fins (6) of the top of the area (2b), where the optical group (4)
is housed, create grooves whose base (6a), preferably slightly tilted, opens onto
an outlet (6b) in communication with the ventilation channel (14) so that water falling
into said grooves, can run towards the channel (14) for removal from the luminaire
(1) itself.
[0029] Finally , the top lid (7) has a handle defined by an access recess (16) to reach
in and unlock the clip (8) which, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, is coupled in this
recess (16), on closing the lid the clip (8) clips onto a tab (17) provided for this
purpose on the main body (2) in order to open said top lid (7), having foreseen that
in the recess (16) there is an additional second ventilation channel (18), also shown
in Figure 4 by an arrow with dashed lines, which also allows the passage of air and
water therethrough.
[0030] Specifically , the second ventilation channel (18) is determined by the recess (16)
of the handle of said top lid (7), the base wall (19) of the same recess (16) constituting
the bottom adjustment of the upper lid (7) with a first partition (24) of the receptacle
(3) all opening onto a slit-shaped outlet (22) opened on a second partition (23).
The second partition (23) separates the areas (2a, 2b), and onto which the free end
of the upper lid (7) also fits.
[0031] The slit (22) ends up directing the water to the transversal groove (21) provided
in the lower part of the main body (2) between the areas (2a and 2b).
[0032] Accordingly, in addition to ensuring the passage of air and water through the second
ventilation channel (18), from the top to the bottom of the luminaire (1), it also
ensures the impossibility of water or moisture penetration inside the receptacle (3)
for the circuitry.
[0033] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as its
implementation, it is not considered necessary to further extend the explanation for
one skilled in the art to understand its scope and the resulting benefits, while it
is noted that, within its essence, it may be implemented in other embodiments that
differ in detail from that supplied as an example , and which will also be covered
by the protection provided that its fundamental principle is not altered, changed
or modified.
1. Outdoor luminaire, characterized in that it comprises a casing which comprises two areas, a first area (2a) and a second area
(2b), separated from each other by at least one ventilation channel (14) which allows
the passage of air and water therethrough.
2. Outdoor luminaire, according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing is structured from a main body (2) that comprises a first area (2a), for
housing the circuitry, and a second area (2b), on the opposite side, for housing the
optical group (4).
3. Outdoor luminaire, according to claim 2, characterized in that the main body (2) consists of a single piece.
4. Outdoor luminaire, according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ventilation channel (14) covers practically the entire width of the main body
(2), except for the sides where respective walls (15) are provided, joining the first
area (2a) and the second area (2b).
5. Outdoor luminaire, according to claim 4, characterized in that the ventilation channel (14) is defined by the existence of a transversal groove
(21) provided on the lower part of the main body (2) between the first area (2a) and
the second area (2b).
6. Outdoor luminaire, according to claim 5, characterized in that the luminaire (1) comprises a lower lid (11) fitted to the second area (2b) of the
main body (2) and which at one end has an indent (11 a) that adjusts to the ventilation
channel (14) when the lower lid (11) is in place.
7. Outdoor luminaire, according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second area (2b) has a series of parallel fins (6) to act as heat sinks.
8. Outdoor luminaire, according to claim 7, characterized in that the fins (6) create grooves whose base (6a) opens onto an outlet (6b) in communication
with the ventilation channel (14).
9. Outdoor luminaire, according to claim 8, characterized in that the base (6a) of the grooves that define the fins (6) is tilted.
10. Outdoor luminaire, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first area (2a) comprises a receptacle (3) and an top lid (7) which fits onto
the receptacle (3) itself.
11. Outdoor luminaire, according to claim 10, characterized in that the top lid (7) is hinged to the main body (2) being attached thereto by a hinge
axis (9) disposed at the most distal part of the main body (2) over the area (2a).
12. Outdoor luminaire, according to claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the top lid (7) has a handle formed by a recess (16) in which a clip (8) is housed
and the clip (8) clips onto a tab (17) provided for this purpose on the main body
(2) for the locking of the top lid (7) itself to the main body (2).
13. Outdoor luminaire, according to claim 12, characterized in that the luminaire (1) comprises a second ventilation channel (18) defined by the recess
(16) of the handle of the top lid (7) through a base wall (19) of the same recess
(16) resting on a first partition (24) of the receptacle (3) which in turn ends in
a slit-shaped outlet (22) on a second partition (23) which separates the areas (2a
and 2b).
14. Outdoor luminaire, according to claim 13, characterized in that the slit-shaped outlet (22) ends up directing the water to the transversal groove
(21) provided in the lower part of the main body (2) between the areas (2a and 2b).