LUMINAIRE AND COVER FOR THE LUMINAIRE

Abstract

 Luminaire (L) comprising a housing (H), a light source (12) and fixing means (3) of the housing (H) to a support external to the luminaire (L), the housing (H) comprising an opening (22) for the passage of light emitted by the light source (12) and a diffuser (23) arranged in the opening (22), the housing (H) being formed by a lower body (2) provided with the fixing means (3), a bottom (21) where the opening (22) is arranged and a second terminal (25) of connecting means (24) to an external source and by an upper body (1) which is a cover destined to be fixed to the lower body (2) at the top thereof; and the light source (12) is fixed to the upper body (1), the upper body (1) being provided with a first terminal (13) of connecting means (24) to an external source for supplying energy to the light source (12), the second terminal (25) being complementary to the first terminal (13). The invention also relates to a cover for the luminaire.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention falls in the field of outdoor lighting, in particular it relates to generally luminaires which are fixed to posts or wall arms. These luminaires are usually made of a housing or box for the lighting components and a post or arm.

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Known are in the art the luminaires comprising a housing, a light source within the housing and fixing means of the housing to a support external to the luminaire, the housing comprising an opening for the passage of light emitted by the light source and a diffuser arranged in the opening.

[0003] These luminaires are usually made of two parts which jointly form a housing for the lighting components, the bottom part having mainly a structural function, both for supporting the components and for attachment to the post or arm, and the top usually consists of a removable cover that allows carrying maintenance of the luminaire, operation generally performed in situ by an operator in height.

[0004] In some of these luminaires the housing is formed by a main body and a lid.

[0005] In a known solution, the main body comprises the fixing means of the housing to the support, the light source and the electronics, whereas the lid is just a cover hinged with the main body, such that when it comes to maintenance of the internal components, the user can open the cover and then clean, fix or replace the components.

[0006] In another known solution, the luminaire comprises a body with the only function of housing the electrical conductors that connect the luminaire to an external energy source and supporting a main body, which in turn is provided with all the lighting components, including the light source, the power adapter and the diffusor.

[0007] However, the inventors consider that these solutions are not optimum from the standpoint of maintaining or updating a luminaire to new sources of light, which leads to associated changes in other components such as heat dissipators, or power adapters.

[0008] In particular, in the first known case described, with the articulated cover, all the components have to be removed, especially for carrying out the above mentioned updates.

[0009] In the second case, things are simplified since it is sufficient to remove the complete main body which encloses all the lighting components.

[0010] However, in this case the solution is neither optimal, since it involves removing substantially the entire luminaire, i.e. removing a bulky and heavy part.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] For overcoming the state of the art limitations, the present invention proposes a luminaire comprising a housing, a light source within the housing and fixing means of the housing to a support external to the luminaire, the housing comprising an opening for the passage of light emitted by the light source and a diffuser arranged in the opening, wherein the housing is formed by a lower body and an upper body and comprises connecting means to an external source being provided with a first terminal and a second terminal, the second terminal complementary to the first terminal:

• the lower body comprises the fixing means, a bottom where the opening is arranged and the second terminal of the connecting means;
• the upper body is a cover destined to be fixed to the lower body at the top thereof; and
  the light source is fixed to the upper body, the upper body being provided with the first terminal of the connecting means for supplying energy to the light source.

[0012] These characteristics can overcome some limitations of the luminaries of the art. In particular, according to the present invention each of the upper and lower bodies have assigned functions and components having a different maintenance requirements.

[0013] The lower body, which need not be removed for maintenance, has the functions of housing the electrical conductors that connect the luminaire to an external energy source, and bearing the weight of all the light components and the fixing means to the external structure.

[0014] On the other hand, and which is the most advantageous effect of the present invention, the cover or upper body has two elements that can change over time more often than any other component.

[0015] As it is known, lighting technology changes very quickly, especially in order to increase the ratio of light output and total power, being the difference between both the heat dissipated, ie the losses.

[0016] This implies that not only must the light sources be replaced, but also the cover may be updated, since here are generally arranged elements such as the heat dissipator or the power adapters.

[0017] That is, with the invention the maintenance costs and times are reduced because the operator dismounts only those parts that usually really need to be revised or replaced for update.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the luminaire comprises a power adapter fixed to the upper body, which adapts the power of the external source to the tension required by the light source.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the luminaire comprises a heat dissipator in the upper body.

[0020] The heat dissipator and the power adapter are elements that will evolve along with the light sources, and that may even disappear, so that their inclusion in the cover is advantageous.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the heat dissipator is an integral part of the upper body. The heat dissipator will be generally made of protrusions emerging from the internal surface of the cover, cylindrical, or fin shaped.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the luminaire comprises locking means for fixing the upper body to the lower body.

[0023] The locking means are preferably formed by one or more lever-operated latches.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the upper body or the lower body comprises a coupling perimetrical rim and the lower body or the upper body respectively comprises a groove complementary to the perimetrical rim, the groove comprising a sealing gasket.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the connecting means to an external source comprise a fast connection terminal to the external source, the fast connection terminal being connected to the second terminal of the connecting means.

[0026] According to some embodiments, the first terminal and the second terminal of the connecting means establish a connection when the upper body is coupled to the lower body. Otherwise expressed, the coupling course between the upper and lower bodies involves a connection between the terminals.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the upper body comprises a fork with two legs, the lower body comprises a lateral wall which prolongs vertically the bottom, the lateral wall comprising integrally formed guides for insertion of the legs such that the lower body can support the upper body in an open configuration.

[0028] The invention also relates to a cover for a luminaire according to any of the preceding variants, which comprises a light source and a first terminal of a connecting means for supplying energy to the light source, the first terminal being destined to engage with a second terminal belonging to the lower body of the luminaire

[0029] Preferably, the cover comprises a power adapter.

[0030] Advantageously, the cover comprises a heat dissipator, placed between the light source and the internal surface of the upper body.

[0031] Finally, and more preferably, the heat dissipator is an integral part of the cover itself.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] To complete the description and in order to provide for a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. Said drawings form an integral part of the description and illustrate an embodiment of the invention, which should not be interpreted as restricting the scope of the invention, but just as an example of how the invention can be carried out. The drawings comprise the following figures:

Figure 1 is a schematic sectional diagram showing the main components of the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the internal surface of the cover or upper body according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the internal part of a lower body destined to form a luminaire with the upper body shown in Figure 2.

Figures 4 to 6 show an embodiment of the luminaire of the invention, where the fixing means to the external structure are formed by an arm, and wherein the bodies form a flat cylindrical housing.

Figures 7 and 8 show another embodiment of the luminaire, wherein the fixing means to an external structure are formed by two converging arms.

Figures 9 to 11 show an embodiment similar to the embodiment shown in figures 4 to 6, but here the contour is rectangular shaped, with the short sides rounded.

Figure 12 shows an embodiment similar to the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8, but with a housing like the Figures 9 to 11 embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF A WAY OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment, the invention relates to a luminaire L comprising a housing H, a light source 12 within the housing H and fixing means 3 of the housing H to a support P external to the luminaire L.

[0034] The housing H comprises an opening 22 for the passage of light emitted by the light source 12 and a diffuser 23 arranged in the opening 22.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the housing H is formed by a lower body 2 and an upper body 1. The housing H also comprises connecting means 24 to an external source, being provided with a first terminal 13 and a second terminal 25, the second terminal 25 complementary to the first terminal 13.

[0036] The lower body 2 comprises the fixing means 3, a bottom 21 where the opening 22 is arranged and the second terminal 25 of the connecting means 24. The fixing means can comprise an articulation 31, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0037] The upper body 1 is a cover destined to be fixed to the lower body 2 at the top thereof.

[0038] The light source 12 is fixed to the upper body 1, for example with cylindrical protrusions 16 that cooperates with screws or bolts.

[0039] The upper body 1 is provided with the first terminal 13 of the connecting means 24 for supplying energy to the light source 12.

[0040] The first terminal 13 and the second terminal 25, like those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, are designed such that an electrical connection is established when the upper body 1 is coupled to the lower body 2. These sort of connection is well-known by the skilled person, and fits especially well to the invention since no other actions apart from coupling the cover have to be carried out by the maintenance operator to ensure the electrical connection.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the luminaire comprises a power adapter 14 and a heat dissipator 15 fixed to the upper body 1. The power adapter 14 receives the electrical power from the connecting means 24, and adapts the power to the tension required by the light source 12.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 8, the luminaire comprises lever-operated latches 28 for fixing the upper body 1 to the lower body 2. The latches will be preferably placed in the lower body 2, since it is a robust component that does not need to be replaced. For that purpose, the outer contour of the upper body comprises recesses, such that when mounted, the housing has continuity.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the lower body 2 comprises a coupling perimetrical rim 8 and the upper body 1 comprises a groove 9 complementary to the perimetrical rim 8, the groove 9 comprising a sealing gasket 10. Therefore, when lever-operated latches 28 are in the coupled configuration, the rim will press the gasket and a tight sealing should be obtained.

[0044] Instead of the lever-operated latches 28, the means for fixing the cover or upper body 1 to the lower body 2 can be made of screws 19, as shown in FIG. 11. The fixing means should help to carry out correctly the tight fit between the groove 9 and the rim 8, such that the gasket forms a tight joint.

[0045] The connecting means 24 to an external source preferably comprise a fast connection terminal 26 to the external source, the fast connection terminal 26 being connected to the second terminal 25.

[0046] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the upper body 1 comprises a fork 17 with two legs 18, the lower body 2 comprises a lateral wall 27 which prolongs vertically the bottom 21, the lateral wall 27 comprising integrally formed guides 29 for insertion of the legs 18 such that the lower body 2 can support the upper body 1 in an open configuration.

[0047] Preferred materials for the upper body and the lower body are aluminium or aluminium alloys.

[0048] Finally, the coupling elements, such as the facing surfaces of the upper and lower bodies 1, 2, are provided with cooperating shapes that only allow one correct couple configuration, ie poka-yokes.

[0049] In this text, the term "comprises" and its derivations (such as "comprising", etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc.

[0050] The invention is obviously not limited to the specific embodiment(s) described herein, but also encompasses any variations that may be considered by any person skilled in the art (for example, as regards the choice of materials, dimensions, components, configuration, etc.), within the general scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. Luminaire (L) comprising a housing (H), a light source (12) within the housing (H) and fixing means (3) of the housing (H) to a support external to the luminaire (L), the housing (H) comprising an opening (22) for the passage of light emitted by the light source (12) and a diffuser (23) arranged in the opening (22), characterized in that the housing (H) is formed by a lower body (2) and an upper body (1) and comprises connecting means (24) to an external source, being provided with a first terminal (13) and a second terminal (25), the second terminal (25) complementary to a first terminal (13):

- the lower body (2) comprises the fixing means (3), a bottom (21) where the opening (22) is arranged and the second terminal (25) of the connecting means (24);

- the upper body (1) is a cover destined to be fixed to the lower body (2) at the top thereof; and the light source (12) is fixed to the upper body (1), the upper body (1) being provided with the first terminal (13) of the connecting means (24) for supplying energy to the light source (12).

2. Luminaire according to claim 1, which comprises a power adapter (14) fixed to the upper body (1).

3. Luminaire according to any of the previous claims, which comprises a heat dissipator (15) in the upper body (1).

4. Luminaire according to claim 3, wherein the heat dissipator (15) is an integral part of the upper body (1).

5. Luminaire according to any of the previous claims, which comprises locking means for fixing the upper body (1) to the lower body (2).

6. Luminaire according to claim 5, wherein the locking means is formed by one or more lever-operated latches (28).

7. Luminaire according to any of the previous claims, wherein the upper body (1) or the lower body (2) comprises a coupling perimetrical rim (8) and the lower body (2) or the upper body (1) respectively comprises a groove (9) complementary to the perimetrical rim (8), the groove (9) comprising a sealing gasket (10).

8. Luminaire according to any of the previous claims, wherein the connecting means (24) to an external source comprise a fast connection terminal (26) to the external source, the fast connection terminal (26) being connected to the second terminal (25).

9. Luminaire according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first terminal (13) and the second terminal (25) establish a connection when the upper body (1) is coupled to the lower body (2).

10. Luminaire according to any of the previous claims, wherein the upper body (1) comprises a fork (17) with two legs (18), the lower body (2) comprises a lateral wall (27) which prolongs vertically the bottom (21), the lateral wall (27) comprising integrally formed guides (29) for insertion of the legs (18) such that the lower body (2) can support the upper body (1) in an open configuration.

11. Cover (1) for a luminaire (L) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a light source (12) and a first terminal (13) for supplying energy to the light source (12), the first terminal being destined to engage with a second terminal (25) belonging to the lower body (2) of the luminaire (L).

12. Cover according to claim 11, which comprises a power adapter (14).

13. Cover according to claim 11 or claim 12, which comprises a heat dissipator (15).

14. Luminaire according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the heat dissipator (15) is an integral part of the cover itself (1).

Drawing