Patent Application
20110192470
This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)-(d) or 35 U.S.C. §365(b) of Australia application number 2007901637, filed 28 Mar. 2007.
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to electrical safety and more particularly relates to a device which improves ventilation around light fittings, ancillary equipment and wiring, particularly those mounted in confined spaces which emanate heat.
2. Discussion of Related Art
There are in existence a wide variety of light fittings used in domestic and industrial applications most of which consume power which generates heat in the production of light. Light fittings which produce heat can be dangerous, creating a potential fire hazard if heat is unable to escape from the high heat zone about heat generating parts of a light fitting.
Light fittings are commonly mounted in ceiling cladding so that the light emitting part projects in the direction of a room space to be lit and the electrical connection assembly projects into the ceiling space. Halogen lights emit high levels of heat from both the light bulb and associated ancillary equipment like the transformer. The transformer is usually mounted in a ceiling space adjacent the light fitting. In use, the transformer and light fitting become quite hot in a ceiling space which itself can be hot enough to reach up to and beyond 60 degrees centigrade. Since considerable heat is generated by the transformer, it is important that it is located in an area that allows adequate heat dissipation by ventilation. Ceiling spaces usually accommodate some form of insulation. This may take the form of separate elements generically known as batts or sprayed insulation. In both cases light fittings are usually covered trapping heat and creating a potential fire hazard. Currently no satisfactory device exists which ensures that there remains an adequate ventilation space between the insulation and heat emitting parts of a light fitting such as a the halogen light, the• transformer, ancillary equipment and electrical wiring to minimise or eliminate fire risk.
Downlight halogen lights which give even, gentle, low shadow lighting within a room when mounted into the ceiling, are becoming increasingly popular for lighting living areas, kitchens and bathrooms. One advantage of halogen down lights is that they are more efficient than more traditional incandescent bulbs (i.e. conventional bulbs), using only half the energy to produce the same light output and last twice as long. Generally, halogens are lights which generate a lot of heat so they can only be used in light fittings designed to cope with the higher temperatures. There are two main types of halogen lights available which include those using low voltage and which require a transformer to lower the voltage of the standard household and commercial electricity supply to levels required by these lights. Typically, the transformers used with low voltage lighting convert the voltage of the electricity supply from 240 volts to 12 volts.
A transformer has to be fitted either with the light fitting itself or remotely. The advantages of the lower power are that the safer voltage enables manufacturers to produce interesting and slim designs without the need to protect against danger from higher voltages. Transformers can be either electronic or ‘wire wound’. The newer electronic transformers are more energy efficient and smaller but more expensive than the conventional wire wound type. The low voltage light fixtures and transformer units generate thermal heat. If this thermal heat builds up in and around the transformer unit, it can cause the transformer unit temperature to rise above a predetermined safety level, and as a consequence the transformer unit will shut down resulting in the halogen light turning off. Insulation material (for heat, noise etc insulation) used in roof ceilings (and other areas like between floors and walls) compound the build up of thermal heat in and around the transformer unit, the low voltage light fitting, ancillary equipment and electrical wiring. This increases potential fire risks and the likelihood of the temperature of the transformer unit rising above the predetermined safety level and thus turning off. Currently, there is no practical solution in the market place to alleviate this build up of thermal heat in and around the transformer unit, the low voltage light fixtures, ancillary equipment and electrical wiring due to the insulation materials.
There is a long felt want in the industry to provide a convenient solution to the significant problem of heat build up in ceiling spaces from light fittings, transformer units, ancillary equipment and electrical wiring—particularly heat build up caused by the capacity of insulation to trap heat near the fittings and to reduce or eliminate the fire risk and/or damage to light fittings, ancillary equipment and wiring. Furthermore, it is important to maintain an uninterrupted coverage of insulation material (i.e. no holes or gaps in the insulation material), as studies have found that if 5% of a ceiling area is not covered by insulation material, it can result in a loss of up to 50% of the potential insulation benefits. Finally, noise standards can be maintain in regards to noise insulation materials since no gaps are created between the noise insulation materials.
The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the prior art problem of unwanted heat build up near light fittings in a ceiling space.
In accordance with this objective the present invention provides a device which improves ventilation around light fittings, ancillary equipment and wiring (we will refer to these together below as the light fitting) particularly those mounted in a confined space which emanate heat. The invention also provides a safety device and assembly for retaining a ventilation space around a light fitting mounted to a structure and particularly in ceilings to allow heat dissipation from such fittings. The device and assembly in all its forms to be described below provides separation of insulating material from contact with components of a light fitting, particularly those components emitting heat. In accordance with a method aspect, the invention further comprises a method for separating insulation from light fitting using a spacing assembly which includes a device which maintains a void between insulation and the components of a light fitting.
Although the invention will be described primarily with reference to its application to light fittings and particularly light fittings it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention has applications in other areas in which a void space must be maintained around heating emitting fittings.
In its broadest form the present invention comprises: a device which enables a ventilation space to be maintained between an insulating material and an electrical appliance retained by a structure, the device comprising a body having at least one spacer extending therefrom, each terminating in a free end: wherein, when the device is placed between a layer of insulation material and the appliance the ventilation space is formed which allows dissipation of heat generated by the appliance.
Preferably the device comprising a spine from which extends said at least one spacer; wherein, the spine provides a bearing surface which engages either a surface of the insulation or a surface of the structure depending upon the orientation of the device. Each spacer has a first end which engages the spine and a second end which terminates in a bearing surface. The spine forms an annular collar from which depend a plurality of evenly spaced spacers. The spacers comprise legs each terminating in a foot which includes the bearing surface. The legs are ideally spaced apart at 120 degree spacing therebetween. The collar includes a frangible bridge to enable displacement of the collar so that the circumference of the collar can be reduced. The frangible bridge may comprise perforations in the collar which enable the collar to be cut allowing opposing ends of the circumference to be drawn together or to overlap so as to reduce the diametric size of the collar to enable it to be fitted through a ceiling opening. Reduction of the circumferential length of the collar allows insertion of the device through a variety of openings in a ceiling which are smaller than a maximum outside diameter of the collar. The spacer legs and collar are integrally connected wherein the feet each include engaging teeth on their bearing surface. The structure in which the light fitting is placed is according to one embodiment a ceiling such that the part of the light extends into a ceiling space and a light emitting part extends inside a room space. The device supports an insulating element thereby keeping the insulating element separated from the appliance to enable dissipation of heat generated by the appliance. The appliance is preferably a light fitting or power supply cable. According to a preferred embodiment the device is manufactured from a plastics or suitable insulting material and in the case of a plastics material preferably formed in a mould. The device may be used in two orientations. In the first the collar is uppermost and in the second the device is inverted so that the collar engages the ceiling material and the feet of the spaced part legs form insulation support to keep that insulation spaced away from the appliance. The collar provides a support base allowing elevation of the feet above the collar when the device sits in an inverted position. The collar may include a flange which locates the device in an opening in which a light fitting is be inserted. The device may also be detachably attached to a light fitting.
In another broad form the invention comprises: a device for providing a space between an insulating material and a light fitting supported by a structure, the device comprising a body having at least one strut extending therefrom and terminating in a free end: wherein when the device is placed adjacent a light fitting (or attached to or incorporated on the light fitting) the separation space so formed isolates said insulating material from said light fitting.
Preferably the device is free standing and is placed above the light fitting in a ceiling space. However, it could also be attached to or incorporate on the light fitting. The structure in which the light fitting is placed is preferably a ceiling cladding such that the part of the light extends into the ceiling space and part—i.e. the light emitting part extends into a room space. The separation space created by the device receives and supports an insulating element thereby keeping the insulating element separated from the light fitting to enable dissipation of heat generated by the light fitting.
In another broad form the present invention comprises: an assembly for providing a space between an insulating material and a light fitting supported by a structure, the assembly comprising a body having at least one strut extending therefrom and terminating in a free end, the at least one strut extending from said body and forming a space frame which is placed over a light fitting to maintain separation between an insulating material and the light fitting, wherein the separation space so formed isolates said insulating material from said light fitting and allows ventilation thereabout.
According to one embodiment, there is provided a spacing device comprising a generally circular collar including a flange which locates the device in an opening in which a light fitting may be inserted. Extending from the collar are a plurality of legs which are spaced about the collar defining a space internal of the legs. The spacing device may be used by engaging the collar with the ceiling and allowing the legs to extend upwards. In another embodiment the collar may be inverted so that the legs are placed on a ceiling surface and the collar provides a support for insulation, keeping the insulation separate from the light fitting. In another embodiment, two of said devices may be connected to increase the size of the void space.
In a further embodiment, the device is formed by a plurality of legs which terminate at one end in a free end foot and at an opposite end each leg terminates in and is integral with a platform. This spacing device may be used alone or a second like device may be piggy backed into the first device. Each leg preferably terminates in a foot which acts either as a ground engaging foot or collectively with feet from the other legs as a support for an insulation batt.
In another embodiment an assembly is formed from two of the devices such that one is feet down and the other joined to the first of the two is feet up so that one is essentially a mirror image of the other.
In one embodiment, a plurality of the devices may be integrated to provide an assembly allowing homeowners to fit the devices under insulation.
It is one objective of the present invention to reduce the risk of fire and overheating of light fittings in ceilings. It is another objective of the invention to provide a removable device or assembly of integrated devices which is easily fitted (from either under the ceiling via the light hole or above the ceiling) adjacent or over light fittings to create a ventilation void. A further objective is to maintain an uninterrupted coverage of insulation material (i.e. no holes or gaps in the insulation material) whilst creating the ventilation void.
Finally, with one of the embodiments, where the spacing device has the engaging the collar with the ceiling and allowing the legs to extend upwards, the collar also protects the ceiling hole cut out area (of multiple sizes) from potential damage when halogen downlights are removed and allows for the easy rotation for re-aiming of gimble halogen downlights. The size of the collar on one embodiment can be changed via a perforated joint on the collar in order for it to fit in a range of different ceiling hole cut out sizes. A detachable collar on the underside of the ceiling will help hold the inverted device firmly in position within the ceiling hole.
According to a method aspect the present invention comprises: a method of protecting a heat emitting appliance in a wall or ceiling space using a device which enables a ventilation space to be maintained between an insulating material and the appliance; the device comprising a body having at least one spacer extending therefrom, each terminating in a free end; the method comprising the steps of: a) taking the device and placing it through an opening in a ceiling of a structure so that the device locates on a surface of the ceiling in a roof space; b) placing the device between a layer of insulation material and the appliance to form a ventilation space which allows dissipation of heat generated by the appliance; c) placing a plurality of like devices between the insulation and the appliance to create a ventilation space at the locations of each device.
The invention will now be described in more detail according to a preferred but non limiting embodiment and with reference to the accompanying illustrations wherein:
a shows with corresponding numbering a cross sectional view of the separating device of
b shows an abbreviated enlarged view of the device of
This invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing”, “involving”, and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
Extending from collar 15 are four legs 16, 17, 18 and 19 each terminating in respective free end feet 23, 24, 25 and 26. Preferably, the legs are splayed and device 14 is disposed so that opposing feet on devices 30 mutually engage. Device 30 comprises collar 31 and downwardly depending therefrom legs 32, 33, 34 and 35 terminating in respective feet 36, 37, 38 and 39. Thus foot 23 of device 14 engages with opposing foot 36 of device 30 and likewise foot 24 with opposing foot 37, foot 25 with foot 38 and foot 26 with foot 39. Each said feet inter engage via interfitting of corresponding male and female profile parts.
In use a halogen light transformer may be fitted remotely from a light fixture; or fitted within the light fixture itself. The majority of low voltage halogen down lights installed in ceilings are recessed halogens (i.e. lights sitting flat and flush with the ceiling) and have the transformer fitted remotely from the actual light fixture itself.
Where there are insulation materials in the ceiling, Australian Standards require clearance of at least 25 mm must be maintained between the halogen downlight fixture and the other ancillary equipment like a transformer and the insulation materials—see: AS/NSZ 3000:2000 (for electrical contractors) and AS 3999:1992 (for insulation installers). Similar requirements apply in other jurisdictions around the world. This 25 mm clearance between the insulation material and the halogen down light and ancillary equipment like the transformer is to allow free air flow in order to minimise the chances of operation failure by the transformer, the luminare overlamping, reduces or eliminates the fire risk and/or damage to light fittings, ancillary equipment and wiring.
By the nature of their operation, transformer units emit thermal heat during the process of converting one voltage to another. This combined with the fact that transformer units are usually encased in non-conducting material often results in build up of heat in the unit housing the transformer unit. The transformer unit is designed to allow the build up of this internal heat within the transformer unit (the “internal heat”) to dissipate from within the transformer unit via vents.
In the event that the internal heat cannot be dissipated from a transformer unit and a predetermined heat level within the transformer unit is reached, then a safety mechanism will switch the transformer off until the temperature of the transformer unit is reduced below the predetermined safety level (the “Internal Heat Shut Down”). This Internal Heat Shut Down of the transformer unit results in the problem of low voltage halogen down light turning off at random times. This is a safety feature built into the design of low voltage lighting transformers to protect the transformer against damage and, in more extreme cases, the potential of starting a fire. Thus the existing solution to the overheating of the transformer unit is to allow the internal heat to dissipate from within the transformer unit through the use of vents.
When recessed halogen down lights with remote transformers are installed, the transformer unit is placed on the base of the ceiling. As indicated previously, it is usually recommended that the transformer unit is placed a safe distance from the actual light fixture, in order to minimise the exposure of the transformer unit to the heat given off from the actual halogen down light. Furthermore, it is also recommended there is a safe height clearance between the light fixture and/or the transformer to anything above. Typically, the base of ceilings contain vast quantities of heat and noise insulation materials. These insulation materials surround the light fixture, ancillary equipment like the transformer unit and electrical wiring. The purpose of the insulation materials in the ceiling is to provide a continuous thermal barrier to minimise heat flow lost through the ceiling. Additionally, other insulation materials act as noise insulators. The Australian Standards require a 25 mm clearance between the insulation material and halogen down lights and ancillary equipment like the transformers to allow free air flow.
External heat typically builds up in the ceiling from the following sources: i) general thermal heat in the roof from the solar energy of the sun, particularly that which remains under the insulation materials; ii) hot air rising from the house into the ceiling, which is trapped under the insulation materials; iii) heat dissipated from the lights in the ceiling, which is trapped under the insulation materials; and iv) the internal heat which is dissipated by transformer units, which is trapped under the insulation material.
The insulation materials have the impact of magnifying the thermal heat generated as a result of the external heat. As with the internal heat shut down, if the build up of external heat around the transformer unit that cannot be dissipated away, that can result in the temperature of the transformer unit rising above the predetermined safety heat level causing the transformer unit to turn off (known as the “External Heat Shut Down”). As a consequence of the transformer unit turning off, the low voltage halogen light will also turn off. Furthermore, not only does this external heat impact on the proper operation of the transformer, but additionally the luminare overlamp, there are fire risks and damage can occur to the light fittings, ancillary equipment and electrical wiring.
According to one embodiment, the legs of ventilation device 100 allow displacement and distortion enabling the capacity to adjust to tight openings. Thus the legs may be squeezed together so they can be easily inserted into the ceiling—through the hole in the ceiling in which a light fixture is placed. This is advantageous since physical access into the ceiling is thereby not required to in order to install ventilation device 100.
As shown in
The feet of the device 120 grip into the insulation material 121 and remain stably upright. Additionally, other like devices 125 and 126 can be used under the insulation material to allow heat to dissipate from in and around the light fixture 127 as shown in
The ventilation devices allow for the external heat to be dissipated away from the areas in and around the transformer unit and the light fixture to other areas in the ceiling, without impacting on the effectiveness of the insulation materials, the heat thereby generated spread out over a larger surface area, thus allowing the areas in and around the transformer unit and light fixture not to over heat.
The present invention provides a simple, innovative and economical means of allowing low voltage recessed lighting, transformer units, other ancillary equipment and wiring within ceilings containing insulation material to dissipate sources of heat effectively, thereby minimising the chances of operation failure by the transformer, the luminare overlamping, the fire risk and/or damage to light fittings, ancillary equipment and electrical wiring. An uninterrupted coverage of insulation material (i.e. no holes or gaps in the insulation material) is maintained when using the invention, allowing for thermal and/or noise protection to be preserved. The invention also has the flexibility to be installed from below or above the ceiling. Furthermore, the invention in one form can protect ceiling hole cut out area (of multiple sizes) from potential damage when halogen down lights are removed and allows for the easy rotation for re-aiming of gimble halogen down lights. The size of the invention can be adjusted, via a perforated joint, to fit multiple ceiling hole cut out sizes when inverted.
Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007901637 | Mar 2007 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2008/000447 | 3/28/2008 | WO | 00 | 4/28/2011 |
