GB2344642A - Lamp assembly comprising a module which is attachable to a housing - Google Patents

Abstract

A lamp assembly comprising a housing 12 having end walls 8 and a module 10 having a lamp holder 14 for electrical connection to a lamp 22 received in the housing 12 and control circuitry wherein the module 10 is removably mountable to the housing 12 such that the lamp 22 received in the housing 12 is connected to the holder 14. There may be apertures 26 in the end wall 8 of the housing 12 through which the lamp 22 is connected to the holder 14. Preferably the module 10 is an elongated pod with a plurality of lamp holders 14.

Description

LampAssemblv The present invention relates to a lamp assembly and module, and in particular to an assembly and module for use with a fluorescent lamp.

A fluorescent lamp assembly is known in which a housing retains a lamp reflector and lamp holders within a housing cavity. The assembly also includes circuitry, including a ballast to drive the lamp which is also mounted within the housing.

A lamp assembly such as this is now commonplace in ceiling mounted lighting installations. Typically the circuitry to control the lamp, including a ballast, is mounted in the interior of the housing cavity and retained there with screws. Wiring between the circuitry and the lamp holders is then connected, and wiring is also provided to connect the circuitry to a power source. A reflector is also fitted to the interior of the housing, and finally a lamp is fitted and connected to the lamp holders to complete the assembly.

We have appreciated problems with such existing lamp assemblies. in particular, we have appreciated that fixing the circuitry to control the lamp on the interior of the housing reduces the space available for the reflector and places a constraint on the size and shape or the reflectors. We have also appreciated that it is undesirable to have wiring running within the lamp housing cavity as this is difficult to install and replace, and can also generate unwanted electromagnetic interference in use. We have also appreciated that there is a problem with replacing control circuitry components in the acknowledged known lamp assembly because the whole assembly must be dismantled to replace any control circuitry component.

In a broad aspect, the invention provides a module which includes a lamp holder and control circuitry for operating a lamp, and which is mountable to a lamp housing.

In particular, the invention provides a lamp assembly comprising a housing having at least end walls for reception of a lamp, and a module comprising a lamp holder for electrical connection to a lamp received in the housing and control circuitry connected to the lamp holder for electrical connection to mains power to control the lamp, wherein the module is removably mountable to the housing in an arrangement whereby a lamp received in the housing is connectable to the lamp holder of the module.

The invention provides the advantage that the circuitry and any associated connecting wires do not interfere with the interior space of the lamp housing, and so do not place a constraint on the reflector design. In addition, -simple to replace a lamp holder or any component of the control circuitry by removing the module.

In an embodiment, a wall of the housing has an aperture posait oued so as to correspond to the position of the lamp holder cn the module whereby a lamp received in the cavity may be connected to the lamp holder through the aperture.

This has the advantage of allowing the module to be mounted tc an outside wall cf the housing whilst connecting to a lamp, such as a fluorescent lamp, within the housing.

In the embodiment, the lam ? holder may protrude from a flat face of the module and is arranged to protrude through the aperture for connection to a lamp, or the lamp holder does not protrude from a flat face of the module and is arranged to receive a lamp protruding through the aperture. In either case, the lamp is connected to the lamp holder through the aperture.

In the embodiment, the module comprises an elongate pod with a plurality of lamp holders mounted on a flat face thereof. The control circuitry includes a ballast and other components for controlling a fluorescent lamp.

An advantage of an embodiment is that the module includes a mounting so arranged that lamp holders may be interchangeably supported thereon to allow different styles of lamp holder to be fitted. This allows a lamp assembly to be reconfigured for use by detaching the module, replacing the lamp holders and using alternative lamps.

The invention also provides a module for mounting to a housing having a lamp received therein and for connection to the lamp to provide electrical power thereto, comprising a lamp holder, control circuitry connected to the lamp holder and means for removably attaching the module to the housing, the lamp holder being so arranged that a lamp received in the housing is connectable'to the lamp holder of the module.

The module itself is thus interchangeable and allows differing modules to be fitted to a housing, or for the module itself to be reconfigured by replacing the lamp hoiders or circuitry.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way Oc example only, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the component parts of a first assembly embodying the invention ; Figure 2 is a side cross sectional view of a first assembly embodying the invention ; Figure 3 is an end cross sectional view of a first assembly embodying the invention; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the component parts cf a second assembly embodying the invention.

The embodiment of the invention shown in figure 1 comprises a housing 12 shown here as a rectangular housing g such as a sheet metal box with side walls 6 and end walls 8 defining an enclosed volume 20. The housing receives and retains two fluorescent lamps 22 which are retained by clips 36 to a rear wall 4 of the housing (figure 3).

Although shown with end walls 8, side walls 6 and a rear wall 20, the housing could comprise end walls 8 only with a lamp received in the housing being supported by the end walls.

A module 10, shown as an elongate pod, houses control circuitry appropria. to control a fluorescent lamp. The control circuitry comprises circuit elements required to drive a fluorescent lamp, including a lamp ballast and ir. tercor. necting wires. The moduie includes one or more lamp holders 14 which are detachably mounted thereto on a flat face 16. The housing shown in figure 1 is arranged with the rear wall 4 at the bottom, though as shown in figures 2 and 3 this wall will be uppermost in use.

The completed assembly is shown in figures 2 and 3. Ir. the housing 12 reflectors 32 are mounted about lamps 22, and louvres 30 are mounted perpendicular to the lamps at intervals. The flat face 16 cf the module 10 is attached to the outer face of one end wall 8 with the lamp holders 14 aligned with apertures 26 in the end wall. The lamp holders are thereby accessible through the apertures from the inner side 18 of the end wall 8. The whole assembly is arranged in a cutout of a ceiling 34.

The embodiment described has the advantage that the pod is interchangeable so that an alternative pod could be attached to the housing containing alternative control circuitry appropriate applications such as high frequency, emergency back up, dimming facilities or to accommodate lamps of different ratings. The control circuitry is preferably a ballast integrated PCB which is wired within the pod to the lamp holders.

Two alternative lamp holder arrangements are envisaged.

The lamp holders themselves could protrude through the holes 26 in the end wall 18 of the housing, thereby allowing connection to the lamps. As an alternative, the lamp holders may not protrude through the apertures, and the lamps themselves could pass through the apertures so that the end caps 24 fit into the lamp holders 14. In either case, the lamps connect to the lamp holders through the apertures.

The arrangement is particularly suited to high efficiency tr-phosphor single ended lamps. When used with a single ended lamp, the need for any additional wiring within the housing is eliminated. If used with a double ended lamp, a pod could be mounted to the housing at both ends, with a pre-wired connecting cable between them. This has the advantages previously described with respect to the single ended embodiment shown, and is within the scope of the invention.

The pod is shielded, either by using a metal casing, or another additional shield, to er. sure that there is a low electromagnetic disturbance created by the control circuitry. The pod is mounted with a flat face 16 flush with an end wall 18 of the housing using fixing screws, clips or other appropriate fixings.

A second embodiment is shown in figure 4, with component parts given the same numbering as before. In this embodiment, the housing comprises end walls only, and supports a reflector 32 in the gap between the walls. The module 10 comprises the same component parts as before, and is shown with a single lamp holder 14 mounted on the flat face 16. Accordingly, a single aperture 22 only is required.

In summary, the pod described embodying the invention has the following advantages. The need for fixing internal wiring is removed in both the single ended and double ended lamp variations. This allows the pod or pods o be removable and simplifies the installation process and maintenance. Different control circuitry may be used with a single housing by replacing the pod. This allows circuitry appropriate to high frequency, emergency, dimming and different lamp rating control to be used.

The EMC characteristics cf the assembly are improved, because long prefixed wiring is not needed which can act as an aerial. The pod could be wired to a standard loo ? in, loop oout mains termination or could be pre-wired with any spec'f-ed plug and socket connection system. The positioning of the pod o-an end wa l, rather than a rear wall eliminate conflict with the lamp reflectors or louvres allowing for improved thermal management and photometric design characteristics.

Claims (20)

1. Claims: 1. A lamp assembly comprising a housing having at least end walls for reception of a lamp, and a module comprising a lamp holder for electrical connection to a lamp received in the housing and control circuitry connected to the lamp holder for electrical connection to mains power to control the lamp, wherein the module is removably mountable to the housing in an arrangement whereby a lamp received in the housing is connectable to the lamp holder of the module.
2. 2. A lamp assembly according to claim i, wherein an end wall of the housing has an aperture positioned so as to correspond to the position of the lamp holder on the module whereby a lamp received in the cavity may be connected to the lamp holder through the aperture.
3. 3. A lamp assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lamp holder protrudes from a flat face of the module and is arranged to protrude through the aperture for connection to a lamp.
4. 4. A lamp assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lamp holder does not-protrude from a flat face of the module and is arranged to receive a lamp protruding through the aperture.
5. 5. A lamp assembly according any preceding claim, wherein the module comprises and elongate pod with a plurality of lamp holders mounted on a flat face thereof.
6. 6. A lamp assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the control circuitry includes a ballast and other components for controlling a fluorescent lamp.
7. 7. A lamp assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the module includes a mounting so arranged that lamp holders may be interchangeably supported thereon to aliow different styles of lamp holder to be fitted.
8. 8. A lamp assembly accordin to claim 7, wherein the mounting comprises a flat wall of the module onto which the plurality of lamp holders are interchangeably supported.
9. 9. A lamp assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the module includes electromagnetic shielding.
10. 10. A lamp assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the module is an elongate metal pod in which the control circuitry and lamp holder are received.
11. 11. A lamp assembly according to any claim, wherein the module is removably mountable to the housing.
12. 12. A lamp assembly comprising a housing having at least end walls for reception of a lamp, a module removably attached to the housing and retaining a lamp holder and control circuitry connected to the lamp holder for electrical connection to mains power to control a lamp, and a lamp arranged within the housing and connected to the lamp holder wherein the module is mountable to the housing in an arrangement whereby the lamp received-n the housing is connectable to the lamp holder of the module.
13. 13 A lamp assembly according to claim 12, wherein the lamp is a fluorescent lamp, and the control circuitry includes a ballast.
14. 14. A lamp assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the module has a flat wall on which the lamp holder is mounted, and wherein the flat wall is attached to an end wall of the housing.
15. 15. A module according to any preceding claim for mounting to a housing containing a lamp for confection to the lamp to provide electrical power thereto.
16. 16. A module for mounting to a housing having a lamp received therein and for connection to the lamp to provide electrical power thereto, comprising a lamp holder, control circuitry connected to the lamp holder and means for removably attaching the module to the housing, the lamp holder being so arranged that a lamp received in the housing is connectable to the lamp holder of the module.
17. 17. A module for mounting to a housing according to claim 16, comprising a plurality of interchangeably mounted lamp holders.
18. 18. A module for mounting to a housing according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the means for removably attaching the module to the housing comprises a flat face and one or more fixings, wherein the lamp holder is mounted on the flat face.
19. 19. A lamp assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.
20. 20. A module substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.