Systems of parabolic reflectors and base of a luminaire with fluorescent lamps

The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp holder with a parabolic reflector system. These types of lighting fixtures are available in two versions: for recessed mounting in soffits and exposed ceilings, and for flat mounting in fixed ceilings. These different models of luminaires are identified by the type and number of the fluorescent lamp placed in them.

Recessed lighting fixtures with parabolic light louvres that are available on the market consist of a metal base on which all the necessary electrical equipment is placed, and a grid of parabolic reflectors - either diffusing or catoptric - that focus and focus the light: this grid is located in a metal the base of the housing. The reflecting grid consisting of parabolic light louvres is made of separate elements of different shapes which are connected to each other and thus form a uniform cellular grid. These parabolic louvres that develop into luminaires and are now available on the international market are 90% constructed from thin aluminum sheet, with one surface reflecting either catoptric or diffusing.

In all the known models of fluorescent lamp fixtures for soffits that can be found today, the base with the attached electrical equipment is made of a steel sheet, which is given its final desired shape by appropriate cuts and shaping. The shape of the metal base of the lighting fixture for soffits is a box about 10 cm deep when opened on its upper side; the shape of this box, viewed from above, is either a square or rectangular parallelogram with dimensions from min. 10 x 60 cm to max. 62 x 160 cm. The formation of a metal sheet in a box of these dimensions, and especially the design of the four sidewalls, is achieved by a number of different shaping phases. This process entails considerable production costs for the metal base with the electrical fixture attached and consequently increases the end cost of the parabolic light fixture for the soffits. One of the shaping phases used by most manufacturers that are particularly time-consuming and costly to build the base is welding or riveting the base sidewalls at the four sides of a square or rectangular box to obtain rigidity and bonding of the box components. In addition, the mere use of a steel sheet to build the base causes quite a heavy weight in the final product. Another result is unnecessary weight on the roof lining. It is also difficult to handle the product during the manufacturing process and it is difficult for electricians to install.

The grid of parabolic reflectors of a fixed ceiling fluorescent lighting fixture and soffit is a grid of elements of various shapes which are mainly constructed of a thin aluminum sheet that has at least one catoptric or diffusing surface. First of all, it consists of a square or rectangular frame that is made up of four linear elements linked together at the corners. The basic parabolic elements to reflect and focus the light are proportional to the number of lamps of the luminaire and are attached on opposite sides in the inner part of the frame. On the other two sides of the frame and perpendicular to the parabolic main elements, parabolic or non-parabolic transverse ribs are provided, thus creating the possibility of forming a reflective mesh. Apart from reflecting and focusing light, this grid also obscures the view of the fluorescent lamp in front of the observer who sees the lighting fixture from a certain angle. The measure of the angle at which a fluorescent lamp is not visible depends on the type of luminaire and is a distinctive feature that distinguishes parabolic luminaires of fluorescent lamps for exposed ceilings and soffits from any other and is also classified into other categories.

In all known parabolic luminaires of fluorescent lamps for exposed ceilings and soffits, in order to change lamps or starters, the light raster made of the transverse ribs described above must first be removed. The structure of such a luminaire is shown in Fig. 4 showing a cross section of a parabolic light fixture perpendicular to the axis of the fluorescent lamp according to a randomly selected prior art example. In order to remove the mesh of the reflectors (louvres) without being blocked by the fluorescent lamps 4, the transverse ribs of the mesh have holes 10 along their entire length. This means that they are placed exactly under the fluorescent lamps to avoid obstruction by the installed lamps when removing the reflective mesh. It should be noted that the terms "above" and "under" fluorescent lamps refer to the lamp positioned and facing away from it when mounted on the ceiling. Because there is no parabolic reflective surface 9 below

When fluorescent lamps are used, the part of the light that is diffused after exiting from the lower part of the lamps is directed towards the flat surface of the metal fixture and does not form an even beam, so it is not reflected and properly focused towards the floor. This would not be the case if uniform parabolic reflectors were below the fluorescent lamps. There are sections of the metal base that are not covered with a mesh of reflectors, and these sections act as a reflective surface; since they are visible to the observer, manufacturers have to paint the entire steel base white with the electrical fittings attached. This results in higher production costs for the luminaire in question.

The described invention aims to eliminate the above drawbacks.

According to the invention, a fluorescent lamp holder with a parabolic reflector system, the reflector surface being catoptric or diffusing, is characterized in that the reflector system, made of thin plastic foil with at least one reflecting surface, consists of two separate parts, the parabolic main elements being the focusing and directing light forms the first part, which is located under the fluorescent lamps, and the second part is formed by a cross grid, located above the parabolic main elements and above the fluorescent lamps.

Thanks to the use of a detachable reflective mesh, instead of a uniform one, the efficiency of the parabolic luminaire of fluorescent lamps for the fixed ceiling and soffit is increased.

The invention allows the parabolic principal elements to concentrate and focus the light to be completely independent. In this way, the parabolic main elements forming the first part are placed below the fluorescent lamps and have an ideal parabolic shape (curve) to maximize the light output. These parabolic main elements do not require holes below the lamps. If you need to replace lamps or starters, it is enough to remove only the upper part of the mesh. In the lower section, which is independent, the parabolic main elements remain in place without hindering the removal or insertion of fluorescent lamps or luminaire starters.

The components of this detachable reflective mesh are made by thermomechanically forming a thin plastic foil with at least one reflective catoptric or diffusing surface. This foil is 50% lighter than the thinnest aluminum foil that has been used so far in light reflecting meshes of this type of lighting fixture.

When considering a thin plastic film with at least one reflective surface, the characteristic is the result of combining a very thin membrane (about 0.015 mm) with a surface with high reflectivity on a thicker coating about 0.10-0.40 mm thick, such as PET, propylene, newsprint, PVC and others.

The plastic material eliminates the risk of the installer being injured by sharp edges, which is the case with aluminum foils. Moreover, the flexibility increases resistance to failure due to mechanical stresses during installation.

Another advantage is that, due to its very low weight, the reflective mesh does not present any danger should it accidentally fall from the ceiling.

Finally, the elimination of the openings in the section of the parabolic main members of the detachable mesh that are positioned directly below the fluorescent lamp allows the use of an unpainted galvanized steel sheet as this steel sheet is entirely covered with parabolic reflecting surfaces.

The most important benefit of the present invention is the increase in the luminous efficiency of luminaires for fixed ceilings and soffits. As described above, this is achieved with a detachable reflective grating which allows the independence of the parabolic main elements that reflect and direct the light. In this way, the upper part of the detachable mesh mainly acts as a discreet cover of the fluorescent lamps from the view of an observer who accidentally sees the lighting fixture at a certain angle. When changing lamps or starters, it is only necessary to remove the top part of the separate reflective mesh. During this process, therefore, it is not required to remove the parabolic main focusing and focusing elements.

Thus, parabolic main elements are permanently positioned below the fluorescent lamps and with their perfectly parabolic shape (curve) encompass the entire lower part of the lamp without the need to leave any openings along the lower part of the luminaires, as is the case with competing fluorescent lamp luminaires, where these openings allow the removal of a connected reflector grids, avoiding the obstacle posed by the installed fluorescent lamps. The fact that there are no openings in the body of the parabolic main elements, but on the contrary there is a continuous reflecting surface under the fluorescent lamps, leads to a saving of light so that the light from the luminaire is focused and focused in approximately the desired direction.

PL 199 166 B1

An innovation regarding the main base of the fluorescent lamp fixture for the roof lining, with the electrical gear attached, is that it has been divided into two more complicated side sides of the base, using plastic parts. These two plastic sides are assembled to the main body with a simple snap, not by welding or riveting to the main steel base body. Consequently, the main body of the metal base is modular on only two of the four sides of the square or rectangular base of the lamp.

The fact that the main steel base body is not modular from the outset on its two of the four sides allows simple molding to mechanically strengthen the base with three longitudinal ribs situated on the bottom wall extending from one free end to the other. Therefore, these reinforcements make it possible to reduce the thickness of the steel sheet from which the base is made from 0.6 mm, as in the case of other manufacturers, to 0.4 mm. The flexibility of the plastic material from which the two base walls are made facilitates their simple and solid snapping onto the main metal base. On the other hand, the snapping-in of two metal pieces could cause some difficulties.

In addition, the plastic side walls of the base have a specially shaped recess and projections that allow the mesh of parabolic reflectors to be kept in a straight line without the use of other additional elements.

The reduction of the thickness of the steel sheet used in the construction of the main body of the base with the electrical equipment attached, as well as the use of plastic raw material for two of the four side walls, reduces the overall weight of the base of the luminaire considerably. This means a weight reduction of 20% to 35% compared to the bases of other known types of similar soffit luminaires. Thus, the overall weight reduction of the luminaire due to the weight reduction of the base and the reflective mesh is 25% to 40% compared to competing luminaires on the market. The positive effect is lower load on the soffit with additional weight and easier handling of the lighting fixture during the production and installation process.

The use of a galvanized steel sheet overshadows the additional cost of painting the base of the light fixture and is more corrosion resistant than plain black steel sheet.

The independent plastic side walls of the base are assembled very simply - by snapping onto the main body of the steel base without the need for time-consuming welding or riveting, which would have to be the case if all four side walls were made of metal. The plastic sidewalls are shaped to keep the parabolic reflectors of the luminaire in a straight line without the need for any other means.

In addition, it is possible to strengthen the base with special ribs located at the bottom of the section - thanks to the use of two additional plastic side walls - it is possible to reduce the thickness of the steel sheet by 40%, which consequently reduces the cost of building the base (less material, lower cost). Reducing the thickness of the sheets of which the main body of the base is made with attached electrical equipment, the use of two plastic side walls of the base and the use of a thin plastic foil with at least one reflecting surface in the structure of the reflector grid results in a significant reduction in the weight of the final product, i.e. a lighting fixture with a parabolic system reflectors. This leads to easier handling of the luminaire during the production process, as well as its installation by the installer. Moreover, deterioration of the quality of the soffit in which such light fixtures are placed can be avoided.

The invention is explained below in the embodiments shown in the drawing, in which fig. 1 shows a general view of a fluorescent lamp holder according to the invention broken down into different parts, fig. 2 - general view of the base with electrical equipment attached, fig. 3 cross-sectional view of a lighting fixture according to the invention, fig. 3 4 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary lighting fixture according to the prior art, fig. 5 - a particular form of the plastic side walls to support the parabolic main elements of the detachable reflector mesh; and Fig. 6 - a particular form of the plastic side walls to support the upper section of the detachable reflector mesh.

The luminaire of fluorescent lamps with a parabolic reflector system according to the invention has a base 1 with attached electrical equipment and a separated grid of reflectors with a first lower part formed by parabolic main elements 2 and an upper second part formed by a cross grid 3 for focusing and focusing the emitted light through fluorescent lamps 4. The base 1 with fixed electrical equipment consists of a steel sheet main body 5 and two plastic side walls 6, which are mounted on the steel sheet main body 5, in a simple manner by means of a latch.

By using the plastic side walls 6 of the support base 1, the steel sheet main body 5 of the base is initially free on both sides 8 without two of its four side walls preformed. It is therefore possible, by suitably shaping the underside of the main body 5 of the base 1, to obtain a rib 7 extending from one free end to the other. This mechanical support for the underside of the main body 5 allows a 40% reduction in the thickness of the steel sheet used. Moreover, the fact that the two side walls 6 of the body 1 are made of a plastic raw material, as well as the reduction of the sheet thickness, also reduces the weight of the body 1 by 20% to 35% compared to analogous competitor fittings.

According to the present invention, the grid of 2, 3 parabolic reflectors is divided into two parts. The lower first part consists of parabolic main elements 2 reflecting and directing the light, which are supported by two plastic side walls 6 of the base 1 by means of special recesses and protrusions 11 in such a position that they are constantly at the back of the fluorescent lamps 4. The upper second part is a cross-shaped mesh 3, the components of which have different shapes, and the reflective surface is the same as the parabolic main elements 2. The cross-mesh 3 not only supports the parabolic main elements 2 in directing the light, but also contributes to a beautiful image with multiple levels of reflections which at the same time hide the fluorescent lamp 4 from the view of the observer who sees the lighting fixture at a certain angle. The upper second part, i.e. the cross mesh 3 of the detachable reflector mesh, is kept in a straight line by means of specially shaped side walls 6 by means of the corresponding recesses 12.

The division of the reflector mesh into two parts allows the removal of the upper part, i.e. the cross mesh 3, regardless of the permanently attached parabolic main elements 2. If it is necessary to replace lamps or starters in the luminaire, only the cross mesh 3 of the separate mesh (2, 3) of the reflectors is removed which has no effect on the parabolic main elements 2.

Therefore, the main parabolic main elements 2 do not require the known openings 10 along the entire length, which in other parabolic luminaires of fluorescent lamps for exposed ceilings and soffits are used to bypass the obstacle of the fluorescent lamps 4 when the connected mesh of the reflectors 9 has to be removed to remove or replace a broken fluorescent lamp or starter. Thus, the main parabolic main elements 2 according to the invention are uniform under the lamps, without holes, and have a perfectly parabolic shape, which considerably increases the performance value of this light fixture by obtaining the correct light direction.

The two parts of the separate mesh (2, 3) of the reflectors of the fixture according to the invention constitute a set of elements of various shapes which are made by thermomechanical shaping of a thin plastic foil with at least one reflecting surface. The low specific gravity of the thin plastic foil compared to aluminum foil leads to a reduction of the total weight of the separate mesh (2, 3) of the reflectors by 50%. The low weight combined with the good quality of the plastic material eliminates the risk of the installer being injured by sharp edges, while the flexibility increases durability by resisting damage from mechanical stresses during installation. For the same reasons mentioned above, the net presents no risk of an accident in the event of an accidental fall.