ENCLOSURE WALL EQUIPPED WITH A CABLE PASSAGEWAY AND A POLLUTANT PENETRATION CAPACITY COMPLIANT WITH IP43 STANDARD

Abstract

The present invention relates to a boundary wall of an inner enclosure (I) intended to isolate at least one electrical equipment (20) from an external environment (E), this wall comprising: - a panel (14) in which a through opening is formed along a longitudinal direction; and - a cable tray (26) which jointly delimits with the panel a cable routing conduit between the external environment and the inner enclosure to connect said at least one electrical equipment to an external element, this conduit extending from the opening of the panel (14) forming an inlet opening to an outlet opening into the inner enclosure;characterized in that the conduit defines a serpentine cable path comprising: - a bend in the longitudinal extension of the opening which forms a stop surface configured to prevent the intrusion of foreign bodies into the inner enclosure (I) by entering the opening from the external environment (E); and - a ramp to ensure liquid retention in the conduit by gravity. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 3;

Description

Title of the invention: ENCLOSURE WALL EQUIPPED WITH A CABLE PASSAGEWAY WITH POLLUTANT PENETRATION CAPACITY CONFORMING TO IP43 STANDARD TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of routing cable(s) passing through an enclosure in which an electrical component is housed, for example for its power supply.

[0002] It relates more particularly to an enclosure wall which is provided with an opening for the passage of cable(s) and which is configured to limit the penetration of pollutants from this opening according to the criteria of the international standard IP43 for sealing.

[0003] The invention is applicable to any type of enclosure in which an electrical device requires comparable or lesser protection against exposure to foreign bodies, for example a housing for an emergency lighting device. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0004] In general, electrical equipment is subject to a protection rating, called the IP rating, which determines the level of protection to be respected against the introduction of solid foreign bodies, such as dust, and liquid bodies, mainly water in the form of rain.

[0005] This IP rating is more or less severe depending on the use and the intended environment of the electrical device in question.

[0006] For example, in the field of emergency lighting, regulations require that directional lighting be installed in strategic locations within a commercial or industrial establishment to guide anyone to the outside during an evacuation. In particular, it is required to install a light above each emergency exit door.

[0007] Such an emergency exit lighting system typically takes the form of a housing that incorporates electrical equipment, including at least one light fixture. Legislation requires that this type of lighting system have an IP43 rating for the protection of the electrical equipment it contains, namely protection against both solid objects larger than 1 mm and water sprayed at an angle of less than 60° from the vertical. The housing must be designed to achieve a level of watertightness that meets the standard.

[0008] The power supply for the electrical equipment of the lighting device Emergency power can be provided by a battery integrated into the enclosure or by an external power source. If powered by an external source, an opening must be made in the enclosure's boundary wall to allow one or more cables to pass through and reach the electrical equipment. However, such an opening directly obstructs compliance with the IP43 standard and must therefore be sealed once the wiring is installed.

[0009] One solution adopted by manufacturers consists of providing a rubber element which is custom-made and integrated into the housing so as to fill the existing space between the contour of the opening and the wiring which passes through it, in the manner of an eyelet.

[0010] However, using such a custom-made component generates additional production and integration costs.

[0011] The invention aims to provide an alternative solution that ensures compliance with the IP43 standard and overcomes at least partially the disadvantages identified above. Description of the invention

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a boundary wall for an inner enclosure intended to isolate at least one electrical device from an external environment, this wall comprising: - a panel in which a through opening is formed along a longitudinal direction; and - a cable tray which together with the panel delimits a cable routing conduit between the external environment and the internal enclosure to connect said electrical equipment to an external element, this conduit extending from the opening of the panel forming an inlet opening to an outlet opening into the internal enclosure; characterized in that the conduit defines a serpentine cable path comprising: - a bend in the longitudinal extension of the opening which forms a stop surface configured to prevent the intrusion of foreign bodies into the inner enclosure by entering the opening along the longitudinal direction; and - a ramp to ensure liquid retention in the conduit by gravity.

[0013] The invention also relates to a wall thus defined, in which the gutter comprises a first part in the form of a gutter with a U-shaped cross-section profile whose ends are flush with the panel, this first part of the gutter extending orthogonally to the longitudinal direction and in the longitudinal extension of the opening to define the bend of the path.

[0014] The invention also relates to a wall thus defined, in which the chute includes a second part which extends the first part of the chute in its alignment, this second part jointly delimiting with the panel the outlet opening in a plane orthogonal to the direction of extension of the chute to define the ramp of the path.

[0015] The invention also relates to a wall thus defined, in which the second part of the chute includes a deflector along the ramp to deflect a foreign body against the panel.

[0016] The invention also relates to a wall thus defined, in which the panel has a groove along the ramp which is shaped to promote the deflector's folding of the foreign body.

[0017] The invention also relates to a wall thus defined, in which the panel and the gutter are of a single piece.

[0018] The invention also relates to a wall thus defined, in which the gutter is attached to the panel.

[0019] The invention also relates to a housing for isolating at least one electrical equipment from an external environment, comprising a wall as defined.

[0020] The invention also relates to an emergency exit lighting device comprising a housing defined as follows, this lighting device comprising electrical equipment connected to an external element by a cable passing through the housing, this housing comprising two parallel panels, of which: - a front panel supporting a pictogram sign to indicate a direction, and - a back panel in which the opening is formed, this back panel delimiting the conduit through which the cable extends. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] - [Fig. 1] illustrates a background panel of a lighting device according to an ex view exterior, this panel being provided with an opening according to the invention;

[0023] - [Fig.2] illustrates a front panel of the light block housing according to an ex view exterior;

[0024] - [Fig.3] illustrates the back panel following a view from inside the case, a gutter being arranged on the back panel to jointly delimit a cable passage conduit in accordance with the invention;

[0025] - [Fig.4] is a detail view of the chute of [Fig.3];

[0026] - [Fig.5a] is a sectional view on plane PI of [Fig.3];

[0027] - [Fig.5b] is a sectional view on plane P2 of [Fig.3];

[0028] - [Fig.5c] is a sectional view on plane P3 of [Fig.3];

[0029] - [Fig.6] is a schematic representation of the outline of the cable passage conduit defined by the background panel and gutter;

[0030] - [Fig.7] illustrates the insertion of a cable along the conduit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] With reference to figures 1 to 3, an emergency exit lighting device 10 comprises a housing 12 which delimits an inner enclosure I in which electrical equipment is housed, including at least one luminaire, advantageously of the LED type.

[0032] In the example of the figures, the housing 12 is in the form of a parallelepiped formed of two panels 14 and 16 substantially parallel, of which a bottom panel 14 and a front panel 16, which are nested one inside the other.

[0033] Once the housing 12 is assembled, the respective so-called inner surfaces of the back and front panels 14, 16 extend opposite each other to jointly delimit the inner enclosure I of the housing 12.

[0034] The front panel 16 has in the central region a window at the level of which is placed a sign 18. In the example of [Fig.2], this sign 18 displays a static pictogram which represents a silhouette of a person running through a door as well as a directional arrow to indicate the direction to take.

[0035] The electrical equipment, identified by 20 in [Fig. 3], is supported by the back panel 14, flush with its inner surface. It is advantageously positioned at the corners of the housing 12. Among this electrical equipment, the luminaire(s) are oriented towards this sign 18 so as to backlight it.

[0036] The emergency exit lighting device 10 is designed to be fixed to a wall or partition so that the sign 18 is visible from the outside. In this regard, the background panel 14 may include a fixing element for attaching the lighting device 1, for example by means of a wall mounting plate or by direct screwing.

[0037] In the following, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations will be adopted without limitation according to the reference V, L, T indicated in the figures, considering the casing arranged vertically in a building, namely with the back wall 14 and front wall 16 oriented vertically.

[0038] In the context of the invention, at least one of the electrical equipment 20 requires a wired connection with an element external to the output light device of backup 10. By way of non-limiting example, an external power supply to the device 10 may be required, for example to ensure the operation of the luminaire(s).

[0039] In this regard, an opening is formed in the housing 12 to allow cable passage. In the example shown in the figures, an opening 22 is formed in the central region of the base panel 14. This opening 22 is formed through the base panel 14, along the longitudinal direction L, which is normal to the plane of this panel. The size of this opening 22 is defined, in particular, according to the number and diameter of cables required.

[0040] This opening 22, although essential for routing the cable(s), constitutes a means of intrusion of pollutants into the housing 12. As is understood, it exposes the electrical equipment to dust or water spray, which is contrary to the sealing criteria established according to the IP43 standard for this type of device.

[0041] The idea behind the invention lies in finding a substitute for adding a rubber element to seal the residual spaces between the opening 22 and the wiring passing through it. In this respect, the major feature of the invention lies in the formation of a conduit 24 whose particular morphology ensures passive retention of pollutants outside the inner enclosure I.

[0042] With reference to figures 4 to 6, the conduit 24 is jointly delimited by the bottom panel 14 and a channel 26. This channel will be described according to its intended location, namely when it is fitted to the bottom panel 14.

[0043] The chute 26 extends globally in the transverse direction, being bounded by a first and a second end partition 27, 28. Between the transverse end partitions 27, 28, the chute 26 is formed in two successive parts, of which a first part 30 is in the form of a gutter with a U-shaped cross-section profile and a second part 32 is in the form of an L-shaped cross-section profile. The first part 30 of the chute is connected to the first partition 27, the second part is connected to the second partition 28, and the first and second parts of the chute are connected together between the transverse end partitions 27, 28.

[0044] As can be seen in detail in Figures 5a, 5b and 6, the first part 30 comprises three sides, two upper and lower sides 30al and 30a2 respectively, extending orthogonally to the vertical direction V, and an intermediate side 30b which connects the upper and lower sides 30al and 30a2 by extending orthogonally to the longitudinal direction. As can be understood, the upper and lower sides 30al and 30a2 correspond to the legs of the U and the longitudinal side 30b corresponds to the central sector of the U.

[0045] In particular, the first part 30 of the chute is configured: - so as to extend in the longitudinal continuation of the opening 22, as illustrated on [Fig.5a] from a section along a plane identified by PI on [Fig.4]; and - so that the upper and lower sides 30al, 30a2 are arranged on either side of the opening 22 in the vertical direction.

[0046] With this arrangement, the opening 22 corresponds to an inlet of the conduit 24. Since the first part 30 of the chute extends transversely while the opening 22 extends longitudinally, it is understood that the conduit 24 forms a bend which imposes a path, denoted C, comprising a bend component VI, to advance along it from the opening 22. The bend VI is defined as a longitudinal-transverse orientation transition.

[0047] In practice, any foreign body unexpectedly entering the opening 22 along the longitudinal direction will thus hit the intermediate side 30b of the first part 30 of the chute, preventing it from directly accessing the internal enclosure I.

[0048] As regards the second part 32 of the chute, it comprises two sides, of which: - a lower flank 32a, oriented normal to the vertical direction, which extends the lower flank 30a2 of the first part 30 of the chute; and - a lateral flank 32b, oriented normal to the longitudinal direction, which extends the intermediate flank 30a2 of the first part 30 of the chute, as seen in detail on [Fig.5c].

[0049] The fact that this second part 32 of the chute is devoid of a side in the extension of the upper side 30a 1 of the first part 30 of the chute thus leads to the formation, together with the second end partition 28, of an outlet of the conduit 24, noted 34.

[0050] Since this outlet mouth 34 extends in a plane normal to the vertical direction V, the conduit 24 imposes a path C comprising a second bend component V2 to open into the inner enclosure I. The bend V2 is defined as a transverse-vertical orientation transition in the form of an ascending ramp.

[0051] From a functional point of view, assuming that a quantity of water enters the conduit 24 through the opening 22, the effect of gravity prevents it from reaching the outlet mouth 34. This upward ramp thus makes it possible to avoid an intrusion of liquid into the inner enclosure I from the conduit 24.

[0052] In view of the foregoing, bends VI and V2 give the path C a serpentine character between the inlet and outlet openings 22, 34. In principle, such bends constitute singular pressure losses in the conduit 24, which limits the progression of pollutant towards the inner enclosure I. Furthermore, an intrusion direct entry of solid or liquid pollutant into the inner enclosure I is prevented because the inlets 22, 34 are offset from each other.

[0053] According to another feature of the invention, it is intended to provide additional protection in the event of a solid object entering the conduit 24. In this regard, it is advantageously provided that a deflector 36 is formed which diverts any solid object that might enter the inner enclosure I through the outlet opening 34 away from the electrical equipment 20. This deflector 36 is in the form of an arched wall extending between the lateral side 32b of the second part 32 of the conduit and the second partition 28, in a rounded manner at their interface. It allows a solid object to be deflected towards the inner surface of the bottom panel 14, at the level of a so-called quarantine zone S, vertically above and free of electrical equipment 20, as illustrated in [Fig. 3].With this arrangement, it is understood that in the critical case where a solid pollutant manages to enter the inner enclosure I, the electrical equipment 20 is not directly exposed.

[0054] In addition to the deflector 36, the inner surface of the bottom panel 14 is formed with a groove 38 opposite the lateral side 32b of the second part 32 of the chute. The deflector 36 is contiguous with this groove 38 so as to guide a solid body against it. As can be seen in detail in [Fig. 5c], the groove 38 is formed at an angle with the vertical direction V to create a slope that softens the angle defined between the inner surface of the bottom panel 14 and the lower side 32a of the second part 32 of the chute. This arrangement facilitates the deflector 36 folding a solid body against the inner surface of the bottom panel 14.

[0055] The chute 26 is preferably formed in one piece with the bottom panel 14, for example by molding, so as to eliminate an assembly step.

[0056] It should be noted that the cable tray 26 can also be assembled onto the base panel 14 without departing from the scope of the invention, for example by gluing, snap-fitting, or screwing. In the latter case, the cable tray 26 may include mounting tabs with holes that align with corresponding holes formed in the base panel 14 for screw insertion. Assembling the cable tray 26 is a straightforward step since it occurs before positioning the cable(s), unlike adding a rubber element, which is installed after the cabling is in place to fill any remaining gaps.

[0057] Also, mass production of the cable tray 26 is permitted, which is not the case for a custom-made component, by definition. In practice, this cable tray 26 can be sized according to a maximum number and diameter of cables, allowing it to be fitted to panels with several ranges of lighting devices 10. Manufacturing costs are thus reduced compared to development and the formation of a custom-made component for a given application.

[0058] Routing a T-cable through the conduit 24, as illustrated in [Fig.7], is carried out before the assembly of the back and front panels 14, 16. This involves inserting one end of the cable into the opening 22 and pushing the cable until this end protrudes at the outlet opening 34. It is recommended to use a tool to guide the cable end along the conduit 24, otherwise the operation is not easy given the serpentine nature of this conduit.

[0059] The invention has been described as relating to the association of a base panel 14 of a housing 12 of a light device 10 having an opening 22, and a cable channel 26 arranged in the extension of the opening 22 to define a cable routing conduit 24.

[0060] It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the arrangement described on the basis of the accompanying figures. In practice, the opening 22 can be formed at any location on a housing 12, which may comprise a plurality of panels. As understood, the morphology of the cable tray 26 can be modified as needed depending on the position of the opening 22 and the general orientation of the housing 12, particularly with respect to the vertical direction, provided that the conduit 24 defines a serpentine cable path comprising: - an elbow in the extension of the opening 22 which forms a stop surface configured to prevent the intrusion of foreign bodies into the inner enclosure I by entering the opening from the external environment E; and - a ramp to ensure liquid retention in the conduit by gravity.

[0061] Similarly, the deflector 36 and the groove 38 can have different structures depending on the orientation of the housing 12 in space and the position of the opening 22, since these elements ensure the flapping of a foreign body against the panel 14 at the outlet mouth 34. The positioning of the electrical equipment 20 can be modified as needed so as not to be in the quarantine zone S.

[0062] Finally, the invention has been described as relating to a boundary wall for a housing 12 of a lighting device, enabling it to meet the IP43 standard to which this type of device is subject. It should be noted that this wall, formed by the combination of the panel 14 and the cable tray 26, is not limited to this particular application. In practice, it can be used to delimit any indoor enclosure that must comply with the IP43 protection rating or a lower rating.

Claims

Demands

1. Delimiting wall of an inner enclosure (I) intended to isolate at least one electrical equipment (20) from an external environment (E), this wall comprising: - a panel (14) in which a through opening (22) is formed along a longitudinal direction; and - a cable tray (26) which jointly delimits with the panel (14) a cable routing conduit between the external environment (E) and the inner enclosure (I) for connecting said at least one electrical equipment (20) to an external element, this conduit extending from the opening of the panel (14) forming an inlet opening to an outlet opening (34) leading into the inner enclosure (i);characterized in that the conduit defines a serpentine cable path (C) comprising: - a bend in the longitudinal extension of the opening (22) which forms a stop surface configured to prevent the intrusion of foreign bodies into the inner enclosure (I) by entering the opening from the external environment (E); and - a ramp to ensure liquid retention in the conduit (24) by gravity.

2. Wall according to claim 1, wherein the gutter (26) comprises a first part (30) in the form of a gutter with a U-shaped cross-section profile whose ends are flush with the panel (14), this first part of the gutter (30) extending orthogonally to the longitudinal direction and in the longitudinal continuation of the opening (22) to define the bend in the path.

3. Wall according to claim 2, wherein the chute (26) comprises a second part (32) which extends the first part of the chute (30) in its alignment, this second part (32) jointly delimiting with the panel (14) the outlet opening (34) in a plane orthogonal to the extension direction of the chute (26) to define the ramp of the path.

4. Wall according to claim 3, wherein the second part (32) of the chute has a deflector (36) along the ramp to deflect a foreign body against the panel (14).

5. Wall according to claim 4, wherein the panel (14) comprises

6.

7.

8.

9. a groove (38) along the ramp which is shaped to promote the deflecting of the foreign body by the deflector (36). Wall according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel (14) and the gutter (26) are of a single piece. Wall according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gutter (26) is attached to the panel (14). Housing (12) for isolating at least one electrical equipment (20) from an external environment (E), comprising a wall according to any one of the preceding claims. Emergency exit lighting device comprising a housing (12) according to claim 8, this lighting device comprising electrical equipment (20) connected to an external element by a cable (T) passing through the housing (12), this housing comprising two parallel panels (14; 16), of which: - a front panel (16) supporting a sign (18) with a pictogram to indicate a direction, and - a bottom panel (14) in which the opening (22) is formed, this bottom panel (14) delimiting the conduit (24) through which the cable (T) extends.

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