LUMINAIRE FOR EMERGENCY LIGHTING IN TUNNELS

Abstract

 A luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), providing at least 2 lux from a height H of 1.80 m along a length L of 25 m and a width A of 1 m. It comprises: a casing (1), having a longitudinal opening (2), a first end and a second end; lighting means, connectable to the mains, with a LEDs body (8) housed in the casing (1) for illuminating the floor (30); a cover (13) for covering the opening (2) and protecting the LEDs body (8); an autonomous powering device for supplying power to the LEDs body (8) in the event of power failure and comprising: a battery (20) connectable to the mains, and a charger for charging the battery (20) through the mains, wherein the lighting means have spotlights (16) at the ends of the casing (1), configured and positioned so as to illuminate the floor (30) obliquely in front and behind.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention can be included in the technical field of lighting devices. Specifically, the object of the invention is a luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels, particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, in railway tunnels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Tunnels, particularly in roads and railways, incorporate evacuation galleries to allow the persons occupying the tunnel to abandon said tunnel in safe conditions in case of emergency.

[0003] There are different solutions that describe lighting means for illuminating evacuation galleries. Luminaires connected to the mains are normally used, which also include batteries that can be charged through the mains and that, once charged, can feed the luminaires alternatively to the mains in the event of power failures for a minimum amount of time and under conditions regulated by law.

[0004] The applicant is also the applicant of Spanish patent application P201430121, wherein an example of such luminaires is described.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention describes a luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels, particularly suitable for railway tunnels, although it may be applicable to road tunnels or other types of tunnels.

[0006] The luminaire in accordance with the present invention comprises the following components:

• a casing, elongated in a longitudinal direction and open in said longitudinal direction, said longitudinal direction defining in the casing a first end and a second end opposite to the first end;
• lighting means, connectable to the mains for illuminating the tunnel and which in turn comprise a LEDs body having a plurality of LEDs, the LEDs body being housed in the interior of the casing and oriented so as to illuminate the tunnel floor;

• a cover, mounted on the casing, to protect the LEDs body and close the casing longitudinally; and
• an autonomous powering device intended for supplying power to the LEDs body in the event of a power failure, wherein the powering device comprises:
  • a battery, connectable to the mains; and
  • a charger for charging the battery through the mains.

[0007] The lighting means additionally include a spotlight on each of the first end and the second end, configured and positioned so as to illuminate the floor obliquely in a longitudinal direction.

[0008] By means of the described configuration, which will be explained in greater detail in the description of the preferred embodiment, the luminaire of the invention makes it possible to illuminate an evacuation gallery with an intensity of at least 2 lux from a height of 1.80 m, along a length of 25 m in the direction of the gallery and a width of 1 m.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In order to complement the description being made and with the object of helping to better understand the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by a set of drawings where, in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a luminaire in accordance with the present invention, wherein the cover has not been represented.

Figure 2 shows a detailed view of one end of the luminaire.

Figures 3 and 4 show respective upper and lower views of the luminaire casing represented in figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5 shows a detailed view of one of the caps of the luminaire.

Figure 6 shows a detailed view of the LEDs body.

Figure 7 shows a detailed view of a support that supports the battery.

Figure 8 shows a diagram of the luminaire assembled in a gallery of an emergency tunnel in a railway.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Following is a detailed description, with the help of the aforementioned attached figures 1 to 8, of a preferred embodiment of the luminaire for emergency lighting in evacuation galleries of tunnels (28) (see figure 8), object of the present invention.

[0011] In accordance with figures 1 and 2, the luminaire comprises an elongated casing (1) in a longitudinal direction and open in said longitudinal direction, by means of an opening (2), wherein the longitudinal direction defines in the casing (1) a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. Preferably, the casing (1) is an extruded aluminium profile, as represented in the attached figures. The longitudinal direction is envisaged to be the direction of the evacuation gallery of the tunnel (28) (see figure 8).

[0012] Figure 4 shows that the casing (1) comprises connections (19), preferably two connections (19), for being fixed to any of a gable end and the roof (29) of a tunnel (28), with the longitudinal direction of the casing (1) in the direction of the tunnel (28). As can be observed in figure 8, the luminaire is fixed to the roof (29) of the tunnel (28). In particular, by way of example, it is envisaged that the casing (1) is fixed to the gable end or to the roof (29) of the tunnel (28) by means of a metallic support (not shown) previously disposed in the tunnel (28). Preferably, each connection (19) incorporates two connection slots (3) defining a cross, located on a rear side (27) of the casing (1), opposite to the opening (2), preferably near the first end and the second end.

[0013] The profile of the casing (1) (see figure 2) is preferably U-shaped, with a base (4) in the manner of a core and two wings (5) that extend from the sides of the base (4). Each of the wings (5), preferably, is in turn formed by a plurality of walls (6, 7) disposed consecutively. In the embodiment shown in the figures, each of the wings (5) comprises: a first wall (6) extending from the base (4) forming an obtuse angle and a second wall (7) extending from the first base (6) perpendicular to the base (4).

[0014] Lighting means are also incorporated to the luminaire, as shown in figures 1, 2, 5 and 6. The lighting means comprise in turn a LEDs body (8), fixed to the casing (1), wherein the LEDs body (8) includes a plurality of primary LEDs (9) intended for illuminating the floor (30) of the tunnel (28) perpendicularly. According to the embodiment shown, a respective flap (11) extends from each of the second walls (7) towards the interior of the casing (1). Metal bushings (12) are disposed at the free end of the flaps (11) (see figure 3), which project towards the openings (2) moving away from the base (4). The bushings (12) are threaded internally to screw the LEDs body (8). An example in which four bushings (12) are disposed is shown in the figures. Likewise, in the embodiment represented, 36 primary SMD5050 LEDs (9) are disposed, with colour temperature comprised between 5650-6300 K, which jointly consume 7W. The luminaire of the invention is configured to operate preferably at voltage conditions of 110 ~ 270 VAC 50/60 Hz.

[0015] The luminaire additionally incorporates a cover (13) mounted on the casing (1) (see figure 2) to cover the opening (2), thereby closing said casing (1) longitudinally between the first end and the second end, and to protect the LEDs body (8) from the entrance of water and dust. Preferably, the cover (13) is manufactured from halogen-free, self-extinguishable polycarbonate. The cover (13) is mounted in corresponding cover slots (14) (see figure 2), defined longitudinally at the free ends of the second walls (7).

[0016] Figures 2 and 4 show that the casing (1) incorporates projecting portions (15) that project from the profil, towards the interior and/or exterior of the casing (1) in order to generate greater mechanical resistance and/or to facilitate heat dissipation.

[0017] Likewise, the luminaire of the invention stands out (see figures 1, 5 and 8) in that the lighting means additionally incorporate a respective spotlight (16) located in each of the first end and the second end of the casing (1), said spotlights (16) being configured and positioned so as to illuminate the floor (30) obliquely in a longitudinal direction, constituting additional lighting to the lighting provided by the primary LEDs (9) of the LEDs body (8).

[0018] Preferably, as can be observed in figures 1 and 5, the luminaire additionally incorporates removable caps (17) destined for covering the first end and the second end of the casing (1). The caps (17) are preferably manufactured from polycarbonate. In accordance with the embodiment represented in the figures, the caps (17) internally have a cap groove (not shown) in correspondence with the shape of the casing (1) profile for fitting the corresponding cap (17) to the casing (1) profile.

[0019] Furthermore, preferably, each of the spotlights (16) is housed inside its corresponding cap (17), as shown in figures 1 and 5. In the embodiment represented in the figures, in order to illuminate the floor (30) obliquely, in front and behind in a longitudinal direction, the spotlights (16) will preferably be oriented at an angle α comprised between 20° and 60°. An angle α between 35° and 40°, in particular, 38°, is considered more preferable.

[0020] Likewise, each spotlight (16) may contain one or various secondary LEDs (10). In the example shown, each spotlight (16) incorporates seven secondary LEDs (10) that jointly consume 7 W.

[0021] The luminaire of the invention additionally incorporates an autonomous powering device for supplying power to the LEDs body (8) in the event of a power failure, wherein the powering device comprises (see figures 1 and 7): a battery (20), connectable to the mains, and a charger (not shown) for charging the battery (20) through the mains. The battery (20) is preferably a lithium phosphate iron LiFePO4 battery (20), more preferably a DC 24V battery with an autonomy of no less than 90 minutes for an approximate total consumption of 22 W, providing a luminosity of 1286 Im. The battery (20) comprises at least one cell, preferably a plurality of cells, such that the battery (20) contains sufficient charge for the desired purposes, for example 3 A.h.

[0022] Additionally, the operation of the luminaire is controlled by a control device. The control device comprises a LED control panel for controlling the power supply and operation of the LEDs (9, 10) and the alternation between the power supplied to the LEDs (9, 10) through the mains and from the battery (20). Preferably, the LED control panel is configured to be able to support different input AC voltage values, for example, 115, 127, 220, 230 and 240 V, at an input frequency of 50-60 Hz and with an input current of up to 1A. The incorporation of a LED control panel with the aforementioned characteristics enables the luminaire to function without need to make modifications, in a manner adapted to the conditions of voltage, intensity, luminosity, frequency, etc. stipulated in different countries, which endows the luminaire with great versatility.

[0023] The control device additionally comprises a general control panel which is in charge of receiving electric current from the battery (20) and supplying power to LEDs body (8) and spotlights (16), particularly the primary LEDs (9) and the secondary LEDs (10), for switching, preferably in less than 1 second, the power supply thereof between mains and battery (20) when the mains power supply is fortuitously interrupted.

[0024] The control device also incorporates a battery control panel, destined for controlling the battery (20) operation and charging conditions. Preferably, the battery control panel incorporates monitoring means and a time meter for monitoring the voltage and current intensity of each of the cells that compose the battery (20) to avoid over-charges, over-discharges and short circuits. In particular, the monitoring means monitor each of the cells of the battery (20) to verify that the voltage falls within the established margins, thereby avoiding over-charges and over-discharges of the battery (20); likewise, the battery control panel additionally incorporates monitoring means for verifying that the battery intensity (20) does not exceed a preset limit for a predetermined period of time, which would be interpreted as a short circuit. By using a battery control panel thus configured, the battery (20) is given a useful life of over 1,000 cycles.

[0025] Preferably, the control device additionally comprises a flat support (21) (see figures 2 and 7) that supports the battery control panel, the LED control panel and the general control panel. Likewise, preferably, the battery (20) and charger are fixed to one end of the support (21). Preferably, in the interior of the casing (1), in particular, on the lower part of the first walls (6) nearest the base (4), respective rails (22) are defined to removably house the support (21) (see figure 2).

[0026] The luminaire may additionally comprise a manual switch (not shown) which makes it possible to selectively connect and disconnect the power supply of the LEDs (9, 10) when the luminaire is connected to the mains. When the luminaire is not connected to the mains, but rather to the battery (20), the manual switch is not operational and the LEDs (9, 10) remain lit.

[0027] Furthermore, as can be observed in figure 6, the luminaire will preferably additionally comprise, preferably disposed on the LEDs (8) body, indicators (23, 24), for example two indicators (23, 24), one red and one green that may preferably be LEDs, to indicate the charge status. For example, when the luminaire is connected to the mains, if the red indicator (23) is lit and the green indicator (24) is not lit, the battery (20) is charging from the mains; likewise, if the red indicator (23) is not lit and the green indicator (24) is lit, the battery (20) is fully charged.

[0028] The caps (17) and the cover (13) are connected to the casing (1) through respective cap seals and cover seals that guarantee a degree of protection of no less than IP66 and IK10. The cap seals incorporate, by way of example, as can be observed in figure 4, cap gaskets (18) made of spongy material housed inside the aforementioned cap slots (see figure 5). Likewise, the cover seals incorporate cover seals (not shown) made of spongy material housed inside the cover slots (14). Furthermore, for greater fixation, the caps (17) preferably comprise a series of first drill holes (25) (see figure 5) for being screwed to the casing (1), in correspondence with second drill holes (26) (see figure 2) disposed on the profile of the casing (1).

[0029] By means of the previously described configuration, a luminaire is provided that, as can be observed in figure 8, makes it possible to illuminate an evacuation gallery from a height H of 1.80 m along a length L of 25 m in the direction of the gallery and a width A of 1 m, with an intensity of at least 2 lux.

[0030] The described configuration is adapted to various national and international standards, which allows the luminaire of the invention to be used in different countries. For example, the described luminaire is compliant with standards UNE EN 55015, EN 50308, EN 60598-1, EN 60598-2-1, EN 61000-3-2, EN 61547, EN 6100-4-2 and EN 1837, and with the EC Community certification requirements indicated in Directive 2004/108/EC.

Claims

1. A luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), which comprises:

- a casing (1), elongated in a longitudinal direction and endowed with a longitudinal opening (2), said longitudinal direction defining in the casing (1) a first end in the casing (1) and a second end opposite to the first end;

- lighting means, connectable to the mains, for illuminating the tunnel (28) and which comprise a LEDs body (8) having a plurality of primary LEDs (9), wherein the LEDs body (8) is housed in the interior of the casing (1) and oriented to illuminate the floor (30) of the tunnel (28);

- a cover (13), mounted on the casing (1), to cover the opening (2), therefore closing said casing (1) longitudinally between the first end and the second end; and to protect the LEDs body (8); and

- an autonomous powering device destined for supplying power to the LEDs body (8) in the event of power failure, wherein the powering device comprises:

- a battery (20), connectable to the mains; and

- a charger for charging the battery (20) through the mains;

characterised in that the lighting means additionally incorporate a spotlight (16) at each of the first end and the second end of the casing (1), configured and positioned such as to illuminate the floor (30) obliquely in a longitudinal direction.

2. The luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), according to claim 1, characterised in that it additionally incorporates removable caps (17), destined for sealing the first end and the second end of the casing (1), wherein the caps (17) internally have a cap slot in correspondence with the shape of the casing (1) profile to fit the cap (17) in the casing profile.

3. The luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), according to claim 1, characterised in that it additionally incorporates removable caps (17), destined for closing the first end and the second end of the casing (1), wherein each of the spotlights (16) is housed inside its corresponding cap (17).

4. The luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), according to claim 3, characterised in that the spotlights (16) are oriented so as to illuminate the floor (30) in accordance with an angle α comprised between 20° and 60°.

5. The luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), according to claim 4, characterised in that the angle α is comprised between 35° and 40°.

6. The luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4 and 5, characterised in that each spotlight (16) contains one or more secondary LEDs (10).

7. The luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), according to claim 1, characterised in that the casing (1) is an extruded U-shaped aluminium profile having a base (4) in the manner of a core and two wings (5) that extend from the sides of the base (4), wherein each of the wings (5) is in turn formed by a plurality of walls (6, 7) disposed consecutively, wherein the walls (6, 7) comprise: a first wall (6) that extends from the base (4) forming an obtuse angle and a second wall (7) that extends from the first wall (6) perpendicular to the base (4).

8. The luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), according to claim 7, characterised in that each of the second walls (7) extends from a respective flap (11) towards the interior of the casing (1); likewise, bushings (12) are disposed at the free end of the flaps (11) that project towards the opening (2) moving away from the base (4), wherein the bushings (12) are internally threaded so as to screw the LEDs body (8).

9. The luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), according to claim 1, characterised in that the battery (20) is a lithium phosphate iron LiFePO4 battery (20).

10. The luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), according to claim 1, characterised in that it additionally comprises a control device for controlling the operation of the luminaire, wherein the control device comprises:

- a LED control panel for controlling the power supply and operation of the LEDs (9, 10) and the alternation of supplying power to the LEDs (8, 9) through the mains and from the battery (20);

- a general control panel that receives electric current from the battery (20) and supplies power to the LEDs body (8) and to the spotlights (16) for switching the power supply from said LEDs body (8) and spotlights (16) between power supply from the mains and power supply from the battery (20), when the power supply from the mains is accidentally interrupted; and

- a battery control panel, destined for controlling the operating and charging conditions of the battery (20).

11. The luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), according to claim 10, characterised in that the battery control panel incorporates:

- monitoring means for checking that the battery (20) supplies a voltage that falls within established margins;

- a time meter for monitoring the voltage and current intensity supplied by the battery (20); and

- verification means for checking that the current intensity supplied by the battery (20) does not exceed a preset limit for a predetermined time.

12. The luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), according to any one of claims 10 and 11, characterised in that the control device additionally comprises a flat support (21) that supports the battery control panel, the LED control panel and the general control panel; likewise, the battery (20) and the charger are fixed to one end of the support (21).

13. The luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), according to claim 12, characterised in that respective rails (22) for removably housing the support (22) are defined in the interior of the casing (1).

14. The luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), according to claim 1, characterised in that the luminaire additionally comprises a manual switch that makes it possible to selectively connect and disconnect the power supply of the LEDs (9, 10) when the luminaire is connected to the mains.

15. The luminaire for emergency lighting in tunnels (28), according to claim 1, characterised in that it additionally comprises indicators (23, 24) for indicating the battery charge status.

Drawing