Patent Application
20250050128
The invention relates to a device for radiating ultraviolet (UV) and/or infrared (IR) radiation to a human body, in particular for use in a humid room, such as a bathroom. The invention further relates to a housing intended for use in such a device.
In the short history of artificial bronzing one of the greatest changes we could notice was the proportional increase in sun showers, as for example disclosed in WO2004/004830, to the detriment of sun beds. A sun shower is installed in upright position in a humid room, such as a bathroom, and has brought many advantages, like more controlling tanning times, a saving of space and time, and an improved hygiene during tanning. However, the known sun shower is still rather bulky and not suitable to be encased in a wall of a humid room, as a result of which the known sun shower still takes up quite some space.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved sun shower device which can be installed in a space saving manner.
It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide an improved sun shower device with an improved cooling circuit.
One of these objects can be achieved by providing a device according to the preamble, comprising: a housing, preferably an upright housing, comprising a circumferential wall and a rear wall connected to said circumferential wall, wherein said upright housing defines an accommodating space, at least one radiation unit accommodated within said accommodating space, wherein each radiation unit comprises at least one radiation source for radiating UV and/or IR radiation, and at least one reflector, an inner radiation transmitting wall, covering the at least one radiation unit, and an outer radiation transmitting wall, covering said inner radiation transmitting wall, and connected to the housing, in particular to the circumferential wall of the housing to close, in particular seal, the accommodating space at least partially, wherein the inner radiation transmitting wall and outer radiation transmitting wall are spaced apart, and preferably are oriented mutually parallel, and a cooling circuit for cooling the one or more radiation units and/or the inner radiation transmitting wall and/or outer radiation transmitting wall, which cooling circuit comprises: at least one cooling channel inlet at the bottom part of the housing, at least one cooling channel outlet at the bottom part of the housing, a cooling channel connecting to both the at least one channel inlet and the at least one channel outlet, at least one fan, preferably accommodated in the accommodating space of the housing, arranged to force cooling air sucked by said fan into the at least one cooling channel inlet to flow through the cooling channel and to be removed via the cooling channel outlet meanwhile cooling the at least one radiation unit and/or the inner radiation transmitting wall and/or outer radiation transmitting wall, wherein the at least one cooling channel inlet and the at least one cooling channel outlet are aligned in width direction of the housing. The lateral alignment of the housing is also referred to as a side by side orientation of the at least one channel inlet and the at least one channel outlet, in width direction of the housing, and hence as seen from the left to the right (or vice versa) seen from a front view of the device. By applying this sideward orientation of the inlet(s) and outlet(s), merely a compact section, and preferably a front section, of the bottom part of the housing can be provided with the inlet(s) and outlet(s), which allows a remaining section of the bottom part of the housing and its section located above this remaining section to be encased in a wall of a (humid) room. In this manner, the installation depth of the device can be increased significantly and an optional protruding part of the device can be kept to a minimum, while preserving a reliable and sufficient cooling of the device, in particular of the radiation source(s) during operation. Preferably, the cooling channel comprises a front cooling channel, connecting to said channel inlet and extending from said channel inlet to the space enclosed by the inner radiation transmitting wall and outer radiation transmitting wall, a rear cooling channel, connected both to the front cooling channel, preferably through an interconnection part at the top side of the device, and to the channel outlet, which rear channel includes a space enclosed by the at least one radiation unit and the rear wall of the housing.
In respect of the present invention, the front is understood to be the side of the device comprising the radiation transmitting wall. This side will face towards a user and allow a user to be radiated by the UV and/or IR light. The back is understood as the side of the device facing away from the radiation transmitting wall, typically the side that is built into a wall during installation of the device. The depth of the device extends thus in a direction from front to back (or back to front). Hence, the rear wall of the housing may form part of the back of the device. The height may be understood in this application as the direction of the longitudinal axis of the device or the upright housing as such. The width direction, hence, is orthogonal to both the height and the depth of the device. This may as such be defined as left to right. The at least one cooling channel inlet and the at least one cooling channel outlet which are aligned in width direction of the housing preferably extend in a direction which is orthogonal to the depth direction. As such allowing the housing of the device to be accommodated deeper in a recess in a wall for installation. If, for example, the inlet and outlet are arranged in the depth direction, such as the inlet arranged in front of the outlet, a large portion of the device protrudes with respect to the wall. This is not aesthetically pleasing to a user, and in addition, when built into a shower for example, a lot of the shower is occupied which reduces the useable size of the shower significantly. This may be resolved by arranging the inlet and outlet side by side, according to the present invention.
The fan, preferably a radial fan, is preferably positioned within the accommodating space of the housing, and may be positioned near to a channel inlet and/or channel outlet. Preferably, at least one fan, and more preferably each fan, is mounted within the housing by using one or more vibration damping mounting elements, such as rubber plugs, which will be in favour of the noise production of the device as such. Preferably, the fan is positioned near the channel inlet, as this creates positive air pressure within the housing, which reduces “dead spots” in the housing and prevents dust and/or moisture from coming in through the seams of the housing during operation of the fan. Preferably, said at least one fan forces the air through the cooling channel, instead of sucking the air through the cooling channel. This allows to generate a slight overpressure within the cooling channels with the air, which may contribute to reducing dead spots in the cooling channel. As such, forcing air through the cooling channel enhances the cooling properties of the device. Moreover, the overpressure that is generated by forcing air through the cooling channel may optionally be utilized to open and/or close at least one flap according to the invention, if applied.
Preferably, the device comprises at least one controller to control the one or more radiation sources and/or one or more fans. Preferably, the controller is programmed to adjust the fan speed during operation of the device. More preferably, the device comprises at least temperature sensor which is connected to the controller, and wherein the controller is programmed to adjust the fan speed dependent on the detected temperature. For example, in case the initial temperature in the housing is below a critical value, the fan speed is adjusted to 75% of the regular fan speed. In case of higher initial temperatures, the fan speed may be increased to higher levels. Moreover, the temperature sensor may be used to turn of the device in case of a temperature exceeding a predetermined value. It is also conceivable that the controller is programmed to adjust the fan speed dependent on how long the device is turned on, or how long the device was turned on prior to a current usage. In accordance with said time, a pulse width modulation signal may be adapted. After use of the device, wherein the radiation source(s) is/are switched off by the controller, a certain fan speed may be maintained for a predefined period of time and/or until the temperature within the housing drops below a predefined value.
Preferably, the cooling circuit comprises at least one protective valve to close the channel inlet and/or the channel outlet when the fan is off, and/or to open the channel inlet and the channel outlet when the fan is on. Preferably, each channel inlet and each channel outlet is provided with its own protective valve. Closing the channel inlet or outlet by a valve is typically driven by gravitational forces, and is intended to prevent water to splash into the housing via the channel inlet and channel outlet. In particular when the device is not in use, but is nonetheless in a moist environment, such as a shower, this may prevent moisture from entering into the housing. Preferably, each channel inlet is provided with at least one protective valve and each channel outlet is provided with at least one protective valve. Preferably, at least one valve comprises a flap which is hingeably mounted by the housing, and which is forced, when the fan is off and due to gravitational forces, towards a position wherein the flap substantially closes the channel inlet and/or channel outlet. As indicated above, the at least one cooling channel inlet and the at least one cooling channel outlet are located in line, in particular side by side, in width direction of the housing. This specific orientation leads to a relatively efficient arrangement of channel inlet(s) and channel outlet(s), which allows the device to be encased in a wall of a humid room in a more pronounced manner, which allows the protruding part of the housing which is positioned in front of said wall to be as small as possible, which is favourable from a practical and aesthetical point of view. This latter can in particular be realized in case the at least one cooling channel inlet and the at least one cooling channel outlet are located in a front section of the bottom part of the housing. Preferably, the depth of said front section is preferably approximately 2 cm or less. This may also define the depth of the protruding part of the housing which protrudes with respect to the wall of a humid room. It may be favourable that the width of the front section of the housing is larger than the width of a rear section of the housing. This not only facilitates installation of the housing in a wall, but also allows a relatively wide design of the channel inlet(s) and channel outlet(s) which allows reduction of the required depth of these inlet(s) and outlet(s) to convey sufficient cooling air through the device, which is in favour of the mounting depth of the housing in said wall. Preferably, the device, in particular the cooling circuit, comprises a plurality of cooling channel outlets which mutually enclose at least one cooling channel inlet. Preferably, the channel inlet width is at least five times the channel inlet depth. Preferably, the channel outlet width is less than three times the channel outlet depth. Preferably, the channel inlet depth is identical to the channel outlet depth. This facilitates to realize a pressure build-up within the housing by means of the at least one fan. Preferably, an air separating element is applied which is accommodated within the housing, in particular a bottom segment of the housing in order to separate sucked up fresh air from already heated air to be released. It is imaginable that the air separating element makes integral part of the housing. The air separating element may also be configured as support structure for e.g. one or more fans, a securing element (see below), and/or one or more of the aforementioned valves.
In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a modular housing composed of intercouplable housing segments. This feature provides flexibility in design and dimensioning of the housing, which facilitates to tailor the design, in particular the dimensioning, of the housing, and hence of the device as such, to the specific circumstances, such as the design of the (humid) room where the device will be applied and/or the desires of the end-consumer to go for a larger (longer) or smaller (shorter) device.
The coupling profiles are used to mutually connect adjacent housing segment, preferably in a watertight manner, to prevent (shower) water and moisture to enter into the housing. Realizing a substantially watertight seal, preferably with a minimum IPX-rating of IPX-5 (the waterproof connection can resist a sustained, low-pressure water jet spray), as defined in international standard IEC 60529, between the housing segments is preferred due to the electronic equipment housed in the accommodating space of the housing. Typically the circumferential wall segment and the rear wall segment of a housing segment are integrally connected out of one piece of material. In this case each housing segment constitutes a shell segment for composing a shell constituted by the housing. Preferably, the housing segment is at least partially made of a (co) polymeric material, preferably a thermoplastic (co) polymeric material. Preferably, the (co) polymeric material is enriched with at least one flame retardant to reduce the flammability of the housing, which is in favour of the safety of the device. Preferably, a relatively temperature resistant (co) polymeric material or blend of (co) polymeric materials is used. To this end, it is preferred that the Vicat softening temperature of the housing is at least 80° C., preferably at least 90° C., and more preferably at least 100° C. as measured according to B120 method as defined in ISO306.
The housing is preferably an upright housing, which means that the housing has a substantially vertical longitudinal axis. Since the device is commonly encased in a humid room, in particular in or adjacent to a shower space, the human body can be irradiated from top to bottom while standing in said shower space. This vertical orientation of the housing implies that the housing at least comprises a bottom housing segment and a top housing segment. Although different bottom housing segments with mutually different dimensions can be used, and the same applies to the top housing segment, which would result in housings with different dimensions, it is typically preferred that a single, uniform type of bottom housing segment is used and that a single, uniform type of top housing segment is used. Each of the bottom housing segment and the top housing segment preferably comprises a circumferential wall segment which is composed of two opposing, typically vertical, walls and one lateral, typically horizontal, wall connecting to said opposing, typically vertical, walls. Applying a uniformly shaped and dimensioned bottom housing segment and top housing segment is preferrable from an economic and logistic point of view. Hence, the flexibility in the size of the housing is preferably realized by using one or more intermediate housing segments. Different housing segments may have different dimensions. However, it is typically preferred from an economic and logistic point of view to use one uniform type of intermediate housing segments. Dependent on the desired size of the housing from zero to a plurality of intermediate housing segments can be selected, wherein after selecting the housing segments to compose the housing with said desired size, one or more matching radiation units and at least one matching radiation transmitting wall can be selected for constructing the device according to the invention. Hence, preferably the housing comprises one top housing segment, one bottom housing segment, and at least one intermediate housing segment situated in between with said top housing segment and said bottom housing segment. Typically, the circumferential wall of each intermediate housing segment preferably comprises of (solely) two opposing, typically vertical, walls.
Preferably, the height of the upright housing typically exceeds the width of the upright housing. The upright housing and/or the at least one accommodating space enclosed by said upright housing is/are preferably elongated and extend(s) preferably in substantially vertical direction and/or and extends in a direction which is substantially parallel to the direction in which at least one elongated radiation unit extends. Preferably, a plurality, and preferably all, of said housing segments are positioned on top of each other to form said upright housing. Preferably, a plurality, and preferably all, of said housing segments together enclose and/or define a single accommodating space for accommodating at least one radiation unit. The single or shared or collective accommodating space is a relatively large space which spans over a plurality of intercoupled housing segments. Preferably, at least one radiation unit, in particular at least one lamp, is enclosed by a plurality of housing segments. Hence, preferably, at least one radiation unit, in particular at least one lamp, is accommodated in said accommodating space spanning over and defined by a plurality of housing segments. The same applies to one or more reflectors applied in the device, wherein at least one reflector is preferably also enclosed by a plurality of housing segments. Preferably, said radiation transmitting wall engages and/or covers a plurality of housing segments. Said radiation transmitting wall is preferably made out of a single piece (single component).
In coupled condition of housing segments, the circumferential wall segments of said housing segments overlap partially, and the rear wall segments of said housing segments overlap partially. Overlapping parts of adjacent, intercoupled housing segments contribute to realize a substantially waterproof connection between the housing segments. Preferably, the partial overlap is such that the circumferential wall segment and the rear wall segment of an higher located housing segment partially encloses the circumferential wall segment and the rear wall segment of an adjacent, lower located housing segment. Such an orientation improves the water barrier properties of the coupling between housing segments. Furthermore, it is typically advantageous in case adjacent housing segments are configured to mutually engage under bias in coupled condition of said housing segments. Such a bias (tension) contributes to close the seam in between said housing segments, which is not only in favour of the waterproofness of the housing, but also firmly secures the housing segments with respect to each other, which as such leads to a firm, robust, and durable construction of the housing as such.
It is imaginable that at least one coupling profile is present at at least one coupling edge defined by both the circumferential wall segment and the rear wall segment. This coupling edge may be formed by the upper edge and/or lower edge of a housing segment. Hence, this implies that it is preferred that the housing segments are mutually coupled or connected at facing (coupling) edges of said housing segments. Coupling profiles which are configured to co-act with each other typically have a complementary shape with respect to each other. This means that typically a first coupling profile of a first housing segment will be coupled to a second coupling profile of a second housing segment. Typically, the design of the first coupling profile and the design of the second coupling profile are different, although it may be conceivable that both coupling profiles are identical in practice. Preferably, the coupling profiles of the housing comprises a first coupling profile and a complementary second coupling profile, wherein said first coupling profile comprises at least one locking element and wherein said second coupling profile comprises at least one complementary counterlocking element, wherein, in coupled condition of adjacent housing segments, said at least one locking element and said at least one counterlocking element are configured to mutually lock said housing segments, preferably in particular both in horizontal and in vertical direction. Hence, the locking elements and counter locking elements prevent unlocking of the housing segments, and preferably secure a tight connection between the housing segments, which is substantially free of any play. This latter will typically improve that water barrier properties of the housing as such. Preferably, both the circumferential wall segment and the rear wall segment of each housing segment are provided with at least one locking element and/or at least one counterlocking element. More preferably, the first coupling profile comprises locking elements and no counterlocking elements, while the second coupling profile comprises counterlocking element and no locking elements. Preferably, the locking elements are formed by locking recesses, whereas the counterlocking elements are formed by locking protrusions configured to be accommodated within said locking recesses. Alternative locking elements and counterlocking elements as well as providing a coupling profile both with one or more locking elements and with one or more counterlocking elements are also conceivable. Preferably, at least one coupling profile is configured to be partially enclosed by an adjacent coupling profile. In this manner, at least one coupling profile or even both intercoupled coupling profiles could be hidden from the outside of the housing. This not only improves the water barrier properties of the housing, but also protects the coupling profiles against damage.
Preferably, each upwardly directed coupling profile is at least partially a male coupling profile, and wherein each downwardly directed coupling profile is at least partially a female coupling profile configured to accommodate at least a part of said coupling profile. This orientation and design of coupling profiles improves the water barrier properties of the housing segments. Preferably, each pair of intercoupled coupling profiles define a seam, wherein said seam has a non-linear cross-section. This non-linear cross-section leads to a non-linear path acting as labyrinth for water to enter the housing via the seam, which renders it more difficult for water to enter the housing. The non-linear cross-section preferably defines a step-like pattern or block-like pattern including discontinuities, such as right angles, to improve the water barrier properties. Preferably, an outer section of the seam, adjacent to the surrounding atmosphere, is located lower than at least a part of a central section or inner section of said seam, located more towards the accommodating space of the housing. This elevation of the seam, as seen from the outer section towards the inner section, makes it more difficult for water to penetrate the seam and to enter the housing.
Preferably, the coupling profiles of adjacent housing segments are configured to realize a snap connection (click connection). Such a snap connection, for example realized by co-action of the aforementioned locking elements and counterlocking elements, typically contributes to realize a rigid and reliable connection between the housing segments, which is in favour of the water barrier properties of the housing.
Optionally, at least one coupling profile of at least one housing segment may be provided with a sealing material, such as a rubber strip, to further improve the waterproof properties of the coupling of adjacent housing segments.
In a preferred embodiment, opposing inner surfaces of the circumferential wall of the housing are provided with support elements for supporting at least one wall, preferably an outer wall. Preferably, each housing segment is provided with at least two support elements located at opposing and facing inner surfaces of the circumferential wall segment of said housing segment. This secures that each housing segment will contribute to the support of the wall. Each of these support elements may, for example, be is formed by a protruding pin which protrudes with respect to the inner surface of the circumferential wall. These pins are typically configured to co-act with slots present in a support frame (or support rail(s)), directly or indirectly, attached to the radiation transmitting wall. These slots are preferably non-linear. Preferably, each slot comprises an upwardly inclined inlet section and upright end section connecting to said inclined inlet section, wherein, preferably, an angle enclosed by a central axis of the inclined inlet section and a vertical axis is situated between 15 and 75 degrees, more preferably between 45 and 65 degrees. Here, the lowest level of the slot is typically defined by an access opening of the inlet section. Preferably the maximum width of the inlet section exceeds the maximum width of the end section. This allows the inlet section to act as guiding section to guide an aforementioned pin towards the end section. Preferably the width of the end section substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of a corresponding pin. The distance between adjacent support elements, in particular pins, is preferably constant to facilitate installation of the (outer) radiation transmitting wall. The support frame and/or support rail(s) is, either directly or indirectly, attached to a radiation transmitting wall (or plate) of the radiation transmitting wall. The support frame is preferably at least partially made of a polymer and/or a metal. Preferably, the support frame leaves the at least one radiation unit substantially uncovered. Preferably, the radiation transmitting wall extends beyond the support frame and/or support rail(s) and therefore covers the support frame and/or support rail(s). Preferably, radiation transmitting wall is formed by a glass plate, wherein said support frame is attached to a rear side of said cover plate. Said cover plate typically defines a front surface of the device which is exposed to the humid room and to the user. It is imaginable and even favourable in case at least one radiation transmitting wall has a transparent center section and a less transparent or untransparent edge section. This allows the support frame and/or support rail(s), and optionally other mechanical components to be hidden from the outside.
Preferably, the device comprises an inner radiation transmitting wall, covering the at least one radiation unit, and an outer radiation transmitting wall, covering said inner radiation transmitting wall, and connected to the circumferential wall of the housing to close, in particular seal, the accommodating space at least partially, wherein the inner radiation transmitting wall and outer radiation transmitting wall are spaced apart, and preferably are oriented mutually parallel. Typically, the radiation sources will develop a significant amount of heat during operation. By applying two radiation transmitting walls which are spaced apart and mutually typically enclose a front cooling channel (see also below), the temperature of the outer radiation transmitting wall, which is exposed to the user, can be kept limited, which prevent burns. Preferably, both the inner radiation transmitting wall and outer radiation transmitting wall are at least partially made of glass, in particular quartz glass and/or tempered glass. Glass is highly transmissive and prevents absorption of considerable amounts of radiation initially intended to be transmitted to the user. Preferably, the outer radiation transmitting wall comprises at least one sealing element to seal a circumferential space between the outer radiation transmitting wall and the housing. As mentioned above, the outer radiation transmitting wall is preferably provided with a support frame which is configured to co-act with the support elements of the housing for mounting the outer radiation transmitting wall. Typically, the inner radiation transmitting wall is attached to the one or more radiation units and/or to the housing.
Preferably, a bottom housing segment of the housing and/or bottom part of the housing comprises and/or accommodates at least one securing element for locking in place the radiation transmitting wall when connected to the housing, in particular to the circumferential wall of the housing, more in particular to the support elements of the circumferential wall of the housing. Preferably, the securing element is movably mounted onto a stationary support structure, more preferably such that the securing element is configured to slide over a restricted distance in vertical direction between an unlocked state and a locked state. Preferably, the securing element is movably mounted, in particular slidably mounted, onto the stationary support structure such that the support structure secures the securing element which prevents accidental release of the securing element with respect to the support structure. Preferably the securing element is a, preferably elongated, securing element which comprises a visual indicator which is visible for a user in the unlocked state, which is preferably the lowest position of the securing element, and which is invisible for a user in the locked state, which is preferably a higher position, more preferably the highest position, of the securing element. Typically, the radiation transmitting wall at least partially covers the securing element, wherein, preferably, the wall entirely covers the securing element in locked state (as seen from a front view of the device), and partially covers the securing element in an unlocked state, wherein the visual indicator will be left uncovered by the wall and hence visible for a user. In this manner, the user is given a visual warning when the securing element is positioned in an unlocked state, and hence the wall is mounted to the housing in an unlocked manner. To this end, the visual indicator may e.g. comprise a text such as “OPEN” and/or show a red coloured surface. The securing element preferably comprises at least one spring which, in locked condition, locks the radiation transmitting wall in place with respect to the housing, and wherein said radiation transmitting wall can be unlocked with respect to the housing by manually pressing said spring into an unlocking state. After unlocking the securing element can be slid towards the unlocked state, preferably by using gravitational forces. Preferably, the spring is accessible via a (small) opening present in the bottom part of the bottom housing segment and/or in a bottom part of the securing element. The securing element is preferably made of one piece of material, preferably polymer material. A middle section of the securing element may be provided with guiding means for guiding a tool, such as screw driver or other pin, to manually operate the spring, in particular to manually move the spring from a locked state to an unlocked state, in order to unlock the securing element which results in unlocking the wall with respect to the housing.
In a preferred embodiment of the device, the device comprises a plurality of radiation units. The reflector(s) of said radiation units are preferably shared reflector(s), which means that each reflector may serve as reflector for a plurality of radiation sources. Preferably, the assembly of radiation units comprises a plurality of UV radiation sources and a plurality of IR radiation sources. Preferably, the radiation sources are oriented substantially aligned. Preferably, each IR radiation source faces at each terminal end at least one UV radiation source. Typically, each radiation source is mounted to at least one reflector by using mounting elements which are attached to said at least one reflector and which co-act with end sections of a radiation source.
In a preferred embodiment, each radiation unit comprises a rear reflector for mounting at least one radiation source by means of at least one mounting element, and at least one front reflector positioned in front of said rear reflector and connected to said rear reflector, wherein each radiation source is positioned in front of said front reflector, and wherein at least one front reflector preferably comprises at least one through-hole for allowing said at least one mounting element to pass said front reflector. Typically, the one or more IR radiation sources are mounted to the front reflector by means of mounting elements, and the one or more UV radiation sources are mounted on the rear reflector by means of (other) mounting elements. The mounting elements of the IR radiation sources could e.g. be formed by steel elements. The IR radiation source is typically a IR lamp with a preferred power of at least 900 W. The IR radiation source is also known as heat lamp. The mounting elements of the UV radiation sources could e.g. be formed ceramic elements each supported by a metal foot. The UV radiation source is typically a low-pressure or high-pressure gas discharge lamp, such as a high-pressure bulb with a typical power of 400 W. Typically these lamps are filled with mercury. The UV radiation source is also known as tanning lamp. The primary function of the front reflector is to reflect radiation towards the user. Typically this front reflector is at least partially made of a highly reflective material and/or a highly diffusive material, such as aluminum. This leads to a relatively high radiation output with a homogeneous and smooth radiation pattern. The front reflector is preferably curved. The rear reflector has a primary function to shield the housing from radiation, which could deteriorate and degrade the housing material, and hence the lifetime and reliability of the device as such. The rear reflector is typically made of galvanized steel, which is capable of absorbing of significant amount of heat (which reduces heat absorption by the housing and the wall), although other materials are also imaginable. The front reflector and the rear reflector preferably mutually enclose an air space which serves as thermal insulation space, which prevents the housing to be heated significantly. The rear reflector and the housing preferably also enclose an air space which serves as additional thermal insulation space. Typically, the rear reflector is mounted at its opposing lateral edges to the housing. The front reflector may entirely be supported by the rear reflector. Preferably, the front reflector and the rear reflector are mutually fixed. Preferably, the assembly of the rear reflector and front reflector is mounted hingeably within the housing. To this end, the reflector assembly is provided with a stationary reflector mounting frame or mounting strip which is fixedly attached to the housing, and wherein the reflector assembly is hingeably connected to said stationary mounting frame of mounting strip. Typically, this mounting frame or mounting strip is made of metal. This embodiment allows said assembly to be hinged between an operational state and a service state. In the operational state the device is operational is ready to radiate a user. In the service state, the device is not operational, and the (outer) wall will have to be removed in order to hinge the said reflector assembly to the service state. In the service state, a maintenance person will have access to a (service) space behind the reflector assembly, which (service) space is typically equipped with electronics, such as the main controller, the power supply, and other electronic components. Preferably, the reflector assembly is initially, before first maintenance, secured and fixed in the operational state, typically by means of one or more breakable connections between the reflector assembly and the stationary mounting frame or mounting strip. These one or more breakable connections serve(s) as tamper evident closure. Upon first maintenance the breakable connection(s) will be broken after which the reflector assembly can be hinged.
Preferably, the outer surface of the housing is a substantially smooth surface. A smooth surface will typically facilitate installation of the device and may improve the water barrier properties of the device, in particular in case the coupling profiles are hidden from the outside of the device. Preferably, the outer surface of the housing is matt.
The device may comprise an outer watertight casing (outer container) configured to enclose the housing at least partially, wherein said casing is preferably configured to be encased in a wall of a humid room. This casing will further improve the waterproof properties of the device and provides additional protection against moisture that may be present behind the device. Typically, this casing is made out of a single piece of polymeric material. The casing may e.g. be formed by thermoforming and/or vacuum moulding.
The device according to the invention can be mounted onto a wall, in particular a wall of a humid room, in a corner defined by two of said walls, or the device can be partially encased by said wall.
The invention further relates to a housing for use in a device according to the invention, wherein the housing comprises a circumferential wall and a rear wall connected to said circumferential wall, wherein said housing defines an accommodating space, and wherein a bottom part of the housing is provided with at least one cooling channel inlet at the bottom part of the housing, and at least one cooling channel outlet at the bottom part of the housing, wherein the at least one cooling channel inlet and the at least one cooling channel outlet are aligned in width direction of the housing.
The present invention will hereinafter be further elucidated based on the following non-limitative drawings, wherein:
In a coupled condition of the two housing segments (2, 2a, 2b) the two locking recesses (11) provided in a part of the side wall (7) of the housing, together with the locking protrusions provided in a part of the side wall (7) of an adjacent housing segment (2, 2a, 2b) are configured for restricting a movement of two coupled housing segments that is situated in the plane of the side wall (7). Similarly, the locking protrusion (12) provided in the bottom surface, together with the locking recess of an adjacent housing segment (2, 2a, 2b) are configured for restricting a movement of two coupled housing segments (2, 2a, 2b) that is situated in the plane of the bottom surface. Complementary to the locking recesses (11, 13) and the locking protrusions (10, 12), two adjacent housing segments (2, 2a, 2b) are further mutually locked through two edge locking elements (8) provided on an end portion of a part of the rim of a housing segment (2, 2a, 2b), said two edge locking elements (8) are configured for releasably lockingly co-acting with two edge locking slots (9) which are situated on an end portion of a part of the rim of an adjacent housing segment (2, 2a, 2b). Said edge locking elements (8) and edge locking slots (9) at least partially prevent the two locked housing segments (2, 2a, 2b) to move in a direction parallel to the rim. Further to the aforementioned, two co-acting guide elements (18, 19) are provided, one on each of the first or second coupling edge (5, 6). In coupled condition of two adjacent housing segments (2, 2a, 2b) said co-acting guide elements (18, 19) abut against one another, whereas during the coupling, the two co-acting guide elements (18, 19) may be used to slide over one another, such as to facilitate a proper coupling. All of the mentioned elements that are used four coupling two adjacent housing segments (2, 2a, 2b) may be beneficial to the waterproofing of the housing. To this end, at least one of the locking recesses (11, 13) or locking protrusions (10, 12) may further be provided with a sealing member. Such a sealing member may for example be a rubber ring, which is fitted in or around the at least one of the locking recesses (11, 13) or locking protrusions (10, 12) such as to further prevent water from flowing therethrough. Preferably, at least one housing segment (2, 2a, 2b) is provided with a support element (20), which is configured for guiding a (part of a) frame.
Lastly,
The above-described inventive concepts are illustrated by several illustrative embodiments. It is conceivable that individual inventive concepts may be applied without, in so doing, also applying other details of the described example. It is not necessary to elaborate on examples of all conceivable combinations of the above-described inventive concepts, as a person skilled in the art will understand numerous inventive concepts can be (re) combined in order to arrive at a specific application.
By “complementary” coupling profiles is meant that these coupling profiles can cooperate with each other. However, to this end, the complementary coupling profiles do not necessarily have to have complementary forms. By locking in “vertical direction” is meant locking in a direction parallel to or coinciding with a plane defined by the device. By locking in “horizontal direction” is meant locking in a direction perpendicular to said plane defined by the device.
It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the working examples shown and described herein, but that numerous variants are possible within the scope of the attached claims that will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.
The verb “comprise” and conjugations thereof used in this patent publication are understood to mean not only “comprise”, but are also understood to mean the phrases “contain”, “substantially consist of”, “formed by” and conjugations thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030284 | Dec 2021 | NL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NL2022/050743 | 12/21/2022 | WO |
