CA2346432A1 - Room light with room air filtration - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an indoor lamp (10) having an integrated air filter system. Said lamp comprises a carrier element (12) configured in the form of a housing and an air suction system (14) fixed to said carrier element. Said air suction system contains a center channel (54) for ambient air (A) that is blown through and which extends vertically through the lamp (10) in addition to at least one exchangeable filter (47, 72) and a removable lamp shade (26).
The air filter system is provided with a double-walled admission opening which is arranged in the lower part of the system and which comprises a gap (62).
Said gap forms the peripheral, horizontal part of a suction slot (76) which leads to the center channel (54).

Description

WO 00/22351 (as amended) Room Light with Room Air Filtration The invention concerns a room light with integral air room filtration device according to the preamble of claim 1.
US,A 2790510, starting from the state of the art with air filters and lighting elements arranged separately in a room, describes a lamp with integral air filter. Here a filter element also comprising an electric motor, a fan driven by this and individual lights, is screwed to a lamp base. The polluted air is drawn in over a large area through a filter at the top, the cleaned air is expelled into the room at the bottom.
Following the said basic principle, according to NL,A
8800812 a filtration unit is integrated into a suspended room light. Below the filtration unit within the replaceable lamp shade is suspended an individual light with an inner 2U lamp shade which has air passage openings. The polluted air is thus drawn in by way of the fan over the entire cross-section of the outer lamp shade, enters the filtration unit by way of a prefilter and leaves this by way of an active charcoal filter at the top where it is blown out.
DE, U 9104400 discloses the cleaning of polluted room air in combination with a fluorescent tube with an airtight lamp shade. The polluted room air is drawn in at the front by way of a full-surface dust and/or grease filter, and emerges at the other end by way of an active charcoal filter over a large surface.
According to DE, C1 4405739, Schako Metallwarenfabrik Schad KG, the extraction air is drawn into a horizontal inlet duct 17. This inlet duct has a deflector plate 10 facing downwards which has a perforation 12 (Fig. 1). The extraction air is therefore also drawn in from below. The continued flow is not however deflected upwards but through an outlet connector 24 also running horizontally out at the bottom.
WO,A 95/14884, Smith Industries Public Limited Company, describes a combination room light and room air filtration as in principle already previously published numerous times.
It consists of a lamp unit and filter unit. According to Fig. 2, two substantially semi-circular air intake openings 56 are provided. According to Fig. 4 the air is supplied at the side at 56'. As however this lamp is recessed into the ceiling, the air drawn in flows along the ceiling.
Although room lights with integral room air filtration have been known for more than forty years, today room ventilation for air cleaning or air change, in particular in gastronomy businesses, is achieved largely separately, directly into the open with fans or with extraction ducts, usually fitted below the ceiling. In the private sector a solution is found by opening windows. Both measures are pointless from an ecological viewpoint. Also, undesirable draughts can occur which can cause health problems.
The invention is based on the task of creating a room light with integral room air filtration device of the type described initially which can be used more efficiently and physically in a more targeted manner.
The task is solved according to the invention according to the characteristics of claim 1. Special and further embodiments are the subject of dependent claims.
The present invention optimally combines the properties of a so-called room lung, known in itself, and a light source.
The combination of room lighting and room air filtration allows absorption of the room air pollution such as tobacco smoke, food odours, other unpleasant odours and vapours where they occur most, namely immediately above the table of - 3 '-a room, i . a . a table in a pub, at the bar counter or above the dining table at home.
Easily replaceable grease and active charcoal filters largely neutralise greasy vapours and nicotine. The filtered air is returned to the room. Passive smoking is thus greatly reduced. Textiles, in particular curtains, and furnishing objects in general are exposed to less room pollution.
There are no restrictions on the structure of the lights, essentially the structure of a simple or decorative lamp shade, in terms of design, materials used and their colours.
With the same base or carrier element any model of easily replaceable shade, including ones developed especially for this purpose, can be used as preferred.
The central duct through the room light is substantially formed by a fan housing with a lower pa=t of the carrier element attached downstream and a inlet flow housing attached upstream on the fan housing, where the two inlet flow plates constituting this housing form the bottom part of the axially symmetrical central duct. Both inlet flow plates also have a peripheral horizontal outer flange at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the central duct, where these flanges are screwed together with a slight gap of preferably 0.1 - 5 mm, in particular 0.5 - 2 mm. The two inlet flow plates form an intermediate chamber communicating with the central duct and known as the inlet slot in view of its function. This slot usually extends horizontally up to the area of the central duct but on the inside of the horizontal peripheral intermediate chamber can be designed rising in a truncated cone shape. Suitably, the intake slot is designed expanded at least in the area opening into the central duct.
An insert plate arranged according to the invention between the two inlet flow plates with through radial flow ducts - 3a -improves the cleaning effect of the room light and serves as a spacer.
The efficiency of the room light can be further increased with regard to room air filtration if a specially designed fan with greater suction force is fitted. In particular, an electric motor driven pipe fan with impeller is suitable. An impeller formed in the known manner has standing blades and a central flow opening.
A further preferred embodiment of the invention allows the room air to emerge not at the top but at the side through suitable openings with the upper fare of the central duct closed.

The advantages of the present invention can be summarised as fol lows - By forming a peripheral horizontal inlet slot for contaminated air, the air improvement can be achieved in a targeted manner by drawing in an air layer.
Together with the preferred side air outlet openings, above a table for example this gives a circulation movement which increases the air quality.
- By drawing in the used room air horizontally, in the area of the room light a horizontal air curtain is formed with corresponding retention effect. The cleaned air blown out horizontally is distributed better in the room.
- By fitting a pipe fan with impeller instead of a conventional fan, the suction power is multiplied and hence the air improvement further increased.
The invention is described in more detail using the embodiments shown in the drawings which are the subject of dependent claims. These show:
Fig. 1 an axial section through a room light with several individual lamp elements, - Fig. 2 a cross-section I-I according to Fig. 1, - Fig. 3 a cross-section II-II according to Fig. 1, - Fig. 4 an axial section through a room light with a single lamp element, - Fig. 5 a radial section through an insert plate in an intake slot, and - Fig. 6 an axial section in the area of adjustable intake openings.
An electric room light 10 with integral room air filtration as shown in Fig. 1 is essentially formed in three parts, it consists of a carrier element 12, an air intake system 14 and a inlet flow housing 16.
A substantially cylindrical housing 18 of the carrier element 12 with a screw-on lid 20, which has a coaxial sleeve 22 for holding an electrical supply cable 24, acts as a carrier for the entire room light 10 including the easily replaceable lamp shade 26.
The housing 18 and lid 20 form a chamber 28 which is closed at the bottom by an insert 30. Arranged in this chamber 28 are firstly the electrical connections, distributor and terminals, not shown, for individual lamp elements 32 and secondly the air intake system 14. Furthermore, in this chamber 28 is arranged a fully adjustable controller 34 with an on/off switch operable from the outside by means of rotary knob 36, and a condenser 38.
Connectec? to the closed chamber 28 is a peripheral supply duct 40 for the light and fan cable.
Finally, the carrier element 12 comprises, pushed over the housing 18, a cover 42 which in the lower area has over at least part of the periphery outlet openings 44 formed in the present case as slots. The housing 18 is at least partly open in this area. Details are given in Fig 3. In the area of the outlet openings 44 for the cleaned gas, the insert 30 is formed aerodynamically, in the present case conical.
The cylindrical cover 42 is pushed on from above and lies on the lid all round with an upper peripheral flange 46 at right angles, suitably to form a seal. By lifting the cover 42 with a simple action, access is obtained to the active charcoal filter 47 lying on a peripheral inner web 48 of the housing 18, which guarantees its simple replacement.
Below the cover 42 when in place, i.e. in normal position, on the cylindrical housing 18 of the carrier element 12 is arranged an annular outer web 49, angled at the top, which serves as a support for the replaceable lamp shade 26. For cleaning or replacement, lamp shades 26 designed specifically for this can easily be pushed over the entire cylindrical housing 18 of the carrier element 12 or over the cover 42 after removal of the on/off rotary knob 46. At the lower end of the carrier element 12, the actual air intake system 14 is attached permanently or releasably in the known manner, evidently air-tight. This air intake system 14 substantially consists of a pipe fan 50 with an impeller 52 fitted in the flow optimised housing. The pipe fan 50 is an essential component of a central duct 54, with longitudinal axis L-L, which also comprises the lower part of the carrier element 12, and the flow housing 16 described in more detail below. In the central duct 54 is a flow-optimised separating plate 56.
The pipe fan 50 is operated and controlled by the fully adjustable controller 34 with the associated condenser 38 in the closed chamber 28.
An upper inlet flow plate 58 attached tightly below the pipe fan 50, is designed as a plate or truncated cone for optimum air intake or air flow (Figs 3, 4). A peripheral horizontal outer flange 59 of the inlet flow plate 58 also serves as a support for the lamp shade 26. A lower inlet flow plate 60 with an outer flange 61 is structured accordingly, and connected with the upper inlet flow plate 58 by means of bolts 78 so that in the peripheral flange-shaped area 59, 61 a horizontal double-walled slot is created with an intermediate space 62 of approximately 1 mm, which communicates with the central duct 54. This small intermediate space 62 creates a greater suction effect which can be amplified further if constrictions, not shown here, with suction-increasing effect are fitted (Fig 5). It is also clear from the designs that the upper inlet flow plate 58 firmly mounted on the housing of the pipe fan 50, also serves as a carrier for the lower flow plate 60.

As shown in Fig 1, installed in recesses 64 of the lower flow housing 60 are lighting element holders 66 with individual lamp elements 32 screwed in, for example bulbs, fluorescent tubes or low voltage lights.
. The opening for the central duct 54, with peripheral edge 68 projecting downwards at right angles from the lower flow plate 60, is closed with the screw-on lid 70. The flat plate-like variant according to Fig. 1 is preferred for multi-source lamp elements i.e. with several individual lamp elements 32. Here the lighting element holders 66 are arranged and installed all around, preferably regularly, according to number, in truncated conical recesses 64 of the lower inlet flow plate 60.
In relation to the longitudinal axis L-L, removal of the round flat lid 70, which screws on from below, allows access to the inserted grease filter 72 for replacement or cleaning. Also, in the case of dense vapours and/or smoke, rotation of the lid 22 increases or reduces the number of intake openings 74. The lid 70 serves as a closure for the said access opening.
The room air flowing into the intermediate space 19 and an inlet slot 76 connected to this on the inside, and also to the extraction openings 74 when the lid 70 is positioned accordingly, is indicated with undulating arrows and marked A.
It is clear that the room light 10 according to Fig. 1 can be designed according to a variant not shown as standing lamps instead of suspended. The carrier element 12 then becomes the support element, the flow housing 16 is arranged at the top. Although the documents are mainly aimed at a suspended room light 10, the fully equivalent standing room light is also covered by the scope of protection. In the -standing light the air is drawn in at around the same height as in the suspended room light.
The cross-section through the upper part of the carrier element 12 shown in Fig 2, shows in particular the arrangement of the condenser 38, the fully adjustable controller 34 and its externally operated rotary knob 36. It is also clear that with the rotary knob 36 removed, no projecting part is formed, which is advantageous when replacing the lamp shade 26 (Fig 1).
The cross-section through the lower part of the carrier element 12 according to Fig. 3 shows the area with outlet openings 44 in the cover 42. On the left is indicated an active charcoal filter 47 which in the working phase lies on inner webs 48 and is replaceable when the cover 42 is raised or removed. The cover 42 is guided by the peripheral supply duct 40 and housing part 18 of the carrier element 12.
The embodiment in Fig. 4 essentially corresponds to that in Fig. 1. The room light 10 comprises only an individual lamp element 32 on the longitudinal axis L-L. The inlet flow housing 16 with the upper and lower inlet flow plates 58, 60 is formed as a truncated cone apart from the area of the peripheral intermediate space 62. The intake slot 76 running between the two housings expands continuously, finally greatly, in the direction of the central duct 54.
According to Fig. 1 the central opening in the lower inlet flow plate 60, formed by the angled edge 68, is closed with the screw-on lid 70. According to Fig. 1, the intake openings 74 for the used room air can be opened, closed or adjusted in cross-section with this lid 70.
Fig. 5 shows a section through a disc-like insert plate 80 which can be inserted between the upper and lower inlet flow plates 58, 60 according to Fig. 1. The circular periphery 81 corresponds to the outer dimensions of the inlet flow plates ' CA 02346432 2001-04-05 _ g _ 58, 60. The inner limit 79 corresponds at least to the central duct 54 (Fig. 1). In the embodiment according to Fig. l, the insert plate 80 ends where the intake slot 76 widens out.
The four large bores 82 in the insert plate 80 correspond to the recesses 64 guided through these according to Fig. 1;
the six small bores 84 hold bolts 78 according to Fig. 1.
The design of the flow channels 86 with inlet openings 87 arranged substantially in star pattern, but guided about the large bores 82, is of essential significance. The room air as indicated by A is drawn horizontally.through these flow channels 86 and passed to the central duct 54 ( Fig. 1 ) . The structure of flow ducts 86 allaws more efficient and physically targeted use of the room air filtration of the room light.
The flow ducts 86 are formed as grooves which co-operate with the upper and/or lower inlet flow plate 58, 60 (Fig. 1) or as ducts depending on material and production process of the plate. In principle the insert plate 80 can be made of any suitable material, for example a compact or foamed plastic but also a metal or foamed metal.
Evidently, the insert plate 80 can also assume a form other than a disc depending on the geometry of the intake slot 76 (Fig. 1, 4). Also the insert plate 80 can extend radially over only a part, in particular over the outer area in the intermediate space 62 (Fig. 1, 4).
Fig. 6 shows the central duct 54 in detail, closed with the lid 70. On the lower inlet flow plate 60 is indicated an insert plate 80 according to Fig. 5. In the direction of the longitudinal axis L-L, the lower inlet flow plate 60 forms the cylindrical edge 68. In this edge 68 are formed extraction openings 74 for the room air A. The outside of the edge 68 has an inner thread in which engages a corresponding outer thread of the lid 70.
The arrow 90 indicates that depending on the screw-in depth of the lid 70, more or fewer extraction openings 74 can be exposed or closed. Thus the extraction quantity of room air A is adjustable.

Claims (9)

1. Room light (10) with integral room air filtration device which has a housing-like carrier element (1), attached to this an air intake system with a horizontal peripheral intake slot (76) in the lower part of the room light (10), a central duct (54) penetrating this vertically for room air (A) blown by an integral fan with a fan housing (50) and at least one replaceable filter (47, 72), characterised in that the room air filtration device has - a double-walled inlet flow housing (16) arranged in the lower area with an intermediate chamber (62) which forms the peripheral horizontal part of the intake slot (76) leading to the central duct (54), where in the intermediate chamber (62) is arranged an insert plate (80) with flow ducts (86), and - side outlet openings (44) in the upper part of the room light (10).

2. Room light (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the peripheral horizontal intermediate chamber (62) is formed by the outer flanges, screwed together with a gap, of an upper and a lower inlet flow plate (58, 60), where the upper inlet flow plate (58) is attached to the fan housing (50).

3. Room light (10) according to claim 2, characterised in that the intake slot (76) is formed horizontal up to the area of the central duct (54), or rising in truncated cone shape on the inside of the intermediate chamber (62).

4. Room light according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the cross-section of the intake slot (76) expands, at least in the area opening into the central duct (54).

5. Room light (10) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that an edge (68) projecting vertically downwards and forming the central opening in the lower inlet flow plate (60), in co-operation with a positionable lid (70), forms adjustable intake openings (74) for the polluted room air (A).

6. Room light according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the fan is formed as an electric motor driven pipe fan (50) with impeller.

7. Room light (10) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that upstream of the fan is fitted a metal grease filter (72), and downstream an active charcoal filter (47) in the central duct (54).

8. Room light (10) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the carrier element (12) is covered with a cover (42) which lies all round on a lid (20), and in the area lying below a closed chamber (28) of the carrier element (12) has outlet openings (44), approximately all round, for the cleaned room air.

9. Room light (10) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that in the closed chamber (28) of the carrier element (12) is fitted a regulator (34) fully adjustable from the outside for the fan, with a rotary knob (36) and a condenser (38).