Improvements in or relating to downlight lighting assemblies

Abstract

The lighting housing, particularly for a downlight 10, comprises a mesh first reflector 12 with a downward-facing first inner surface 14 and an opposing outer surface 16, and a second reflector 18 (op

Description

This invention relates to a lighting housing for a downlight, and to a downlight. 5 It is known to use a downlight to illuminate an area located under the downlight, for example on a lamp or installed in a ceiling of a room. It is often desired to create a certain "look" or "mood" within a room or space with lighting. This might be done with different lighting effects, such as different intensities, colours or directions of light, or a combination thereof. 10 According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a lighting housing for a downlight, the lighting housing comprising: a first reflective surface member including a mesh and having a first inner surface and an opposing outer surface, the first inner surface facing downwards so as 15 to, in use, reflect light that is directed towards the first inner surface in a downwards direction; a second reflective surface member, the second reflective surface member having a second inner surface that faces downwards and surrounds at least part of the outer surface of the first reflective surface member so as to, in use, reflect light that is 20 directed towards the second inner surface downwards and through the mesh of the first reflective surface member; a primary lamp support member configured to support a primary lamp in use, the primary lamp support member positioned adjacent to the first inner surface so that, in use, light emitted from a primary lamp being supported by the primary lamp support 25 member is directed towards the first inner surface of the first reflective surface member; and a secondary lamp support member configured to support a secondary lamp in use, the secondary lamp support member positioned adjacent to the second inner surface so that, in use, light emitted from a secondary lamp being supported by the 30 secondary lamp support member is directed towards the second inner surface of the second reflective surface member, wherein the primary and secondary lamp support members are formed as concentric rings, and wherein the primary and secondary lamp support members are positioned at or 35 towards the base of the respective first and second reflective surface members, the base being the end of the first and second reflective surface members where the light being reflected exits the lighting housing in use. The use of two reflective surfaces, with one being a mesh, and two lamp support 40 members, which in use support primary and secondary lamps, allows for the creation of two different lighting effects. The first lighting effect is created by the primary lamp, 09 01 25 in use, directing light to be reflected off the first inner surface of the first reflective surface member. This is achieved by the positioning of the primary lamp support member adjacent to the first reflective surface. The second lighting effect is created by the secondary lamp, in use, directing light to be reflected off the second inner 5 surface of the second reflective surface member and through the mesh of the first reflective surface member. This is achieved by the positioning of the secondary lamp support member adjacent to the secondary lamp support member. Therefore, the light is diffused through the mesh of the first reflective surface member so as to create a different lighting effect to the light that is not diffused (i.e. that is simply reflected off 10 the first inner surface of the first reflective surface member). For example, a softer light can be achieved by the secondary lamp due to the light being diffused through the mesh of the first reflective surface member. Different degrees of softness can be achieved by choosing different mesh types, e.g. sizing, spacing, shaping of mesh. Whereas, the light created by the primary lamp may be a more direct, intense lighting 15 effect due to there being no / less diffusion through a mesh. In the latter regard, it will be understood that a degree of diffusion may occur from the primary lamp due to some of the light being emitted from the primary lamp going through the mesh and reflecting off the second inner surface of the second reflective 20 surface member. The remainder of light is reflected off the first reflective surface, which is the surface area between the mesh and any areas that may not be meshed on the first reflective surface member. The degree of diffusion that occurs in relation to the primary lamp can be dictated by factors such as the mesh type (size, spacing, shaping of mesh), mesh positioning on the first reflective surface member, positioning 25 and / or size of the primary lamp support member as well as the primary lamps themselves. The primary and secondary lamp support members being formed as concentric rings is especially useful in embodiments wherein the first and second reflective surface 30 members are concentric domes because they can be arranged around the base of the domes. Moreover, the primary and secondary lamp support members being positioned at the base of the respective first and second reflective surface members helps to keep the 35 primary and secondary lamps supported thereon out of sight when the lighting housing is installed. It will be understood that the "base" of the first and second reflective surface members is typically the open end where the light exits. 09 01 25 It will be understood that the "downwards direction" is relative to the direction of light being emitted from the lighting housing, in use as a downlight, when installed. It is generally the direction anywhere underneath the lighting housing when installed. The light from the primary and secondary lamp, in use, is intended to both be directed 5 generally downwards and thus underneath the lighting housing so as to illuminate an area underneath the lighting housing. Preferably, the first and second reflective surface members are concentric domes. 10 The first and second reflective surface members being concentric domes means that the two surface members can sit neatly within one another to allow the second reflective surface member to surround at least part of the outer surface of the first reflective surface member. Moreover, the dome shape defines a curved first and second inner surface member which helps to reflect the light emitted from the primary 15 and secondary lamps, in use, to direct the light downwards. Optionally, the lighting housing includes a barrier member positioned on or between the primary and secondary lamp support members to create, in use, a barrier between 20 primary and secondary lamps being supported on the respective primary and secondary lamp support members. The inclusion of a barrier member helps to direct the light being emitted from the primary and secondary lamps in use to the correct one of the first and second inner 25 surface (i.e. it prevents leakage of light). In such embodiments, the first reflective surface member may be the barrier member. Such an arrangement makes use of a component already part of the assembly, i.e. the 30 first reflective surface member, to provide the barrier function, thus reducing the number of parts in the assembly. Further, the concentric rings of primary and secondary lamp support members may be 35 formed on an integrally formed support member. Such an arrangement reduces the number of components in the lighting assembly and eases manufacture. 09 01 25 In such embodiments, the integrally formed support member may include a groove for receiving the barrier member 5 The inclusion of a groove allows the barrier member to be received by the integrally formed support member so as to guide and help retain the barrier member in the correct position. It also helps to reduce or eliminate light leakage. The lighting housing may further include a translucent cover positioned over one of 10 both of the primary and secondary lamp support members to, in use, cover one or both of a primary and secondary lamps being supported on the respective primary and secondary lamp support members. The translucent cover provides protection to the primary and secondary lamps in use, 15 e.g. by helping to prevent the ingress of dust, dirt and water, which might otherwise damage the lamps. Preferably, the translucent cover includes a retention member configured to retain one or both of the first and second reflective surface members in position. 20 Such an arrangement makes use of a component in the lighting assembly to perform another function, i.e. retaining the first and / or second reflective surface member. This helps to prevent unwanted dislodging of the reflective surface members. The first reflective surface member may be majority or all mesh. This helps to create 25 the maximum diffusion of the light being emitted from the secondary lamp. The second reflective surface member may be solid. This helps to reflect the most light from the secondary lamp so create the desired diffused lighting effect. 30 According to a second embodiment of the invention there is provided a downlight for directing light downwards to illuminate an area located under the downlight, the assembly comprising: a lighting housing as described hereinabove; a primary lamp positioned on the primary lamp support member so that the 35 light emitted therefrom is directed towards the first inner surface of the first reflective surface member; and 09 01 25 a secondary lamp positioned on the secondary lamp support member so that light emitted therefrom is directed towards the second inner surface of the second reflective surface member. 5 The advantages associated with the first embodiment of the invention apply mutatis mutandis to the second embodiment of the invention. Preferably, the primary and secondary lamps are configured to be separately controlled. 10 The primary and secondary lamps being configured to be separately controlled means that maximum lighting effect can be achieved and altered by controlling the lamps separately. It will be understood the features required for the lamps to be separately controlled would be known to the person skilled in the art and are not the subject of this invention. 15 At least one of the primary and secondary lamps may be configured to be operated as a dimmer light. One or both of the primary and secondary lamps being operated as a dimmer light 20 allows for a softer lighting effect to be achieved, as well as a gradual change in the light intensity which can help to create a desired "mood lighting". Optionally, the primary and secondary lamps are configured to emit light with different lighting characteristics, preferably different coloured light. 25 Such an arrangement allows for a certain mood light or lighting effect to be achieved. One or both of the primary and secondary lamps may include a set of primary and / or secondary lamps, preferably wherein the set of primary and / or secondary lamps are 30 LEDs. It will be understood that, in embodiments wherein the primary and secondary lamp support members are formed as concentric rings, that the set of primary and secondary lamps would be arranged in a ring formation also (i.e. around the respective primary 35 and secondary lamp support members). Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 09 01 25 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a downlight according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the downlight of Figure 1; Figures 3a and 3b show sectional views of the primary and secondary lamp support members of a downlight according to a first embodiment of the invention; 5 Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the primary and secondary lamp support members of a downlight according to a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the direction of light emitted from the primary and secondary lamps. 10 Figures 1 and 2 show a downlight 10 according to the invention. These figures illustrate many conventional features of a downlight, some of which will be discussed briefly below. These figures also show some of the features of the invention but these will be described in more detail in relation to the embodiments shown in Figures 3a, 3b and 4. 15 Starting with Figures 1 and 2, the downlight 10 is intended to be installed in a ceiling and includes a light unit 1, which contains components of a lighting assembly, two spring clips 2 and a ceiling mount 3. The downlight 10 also includes several screws 4 or other attachment means to hold the components together. These features are 20 considered standard in a downlight 10 and the skilled person would understand their functionality. The downlight 10 may also be fire rated. There may be further standard features of the downlight 10 that are known to the skilled person but are not described in this application because they are not the subject of the invention. 25 The components discussed as part of the invention all sit behind the ceiling mount 3 so that the components are recessed in the ceiling when installedl2. Turning to Figure 2, the downlight 10 further includes a first reflective surface member 12 that has a first inner surface 14 and an opposing outer surface 16. The downlight 30 10 further includes a second reflective surface member 18 that has a second inner surface 20. The second reflective surface member 18 fully surrounds the outer surface 16 of the first reflective surface member 12. In this embodiment, the first and second reflective surface members 12, 18 are concentric domes in which the first reflective surface member 12 sits inside (although spaced from) the second reflective surface 35 member 18. 09 01 25 The first and second inner surfaces 14, 20 may include a surface finish that impacts on light reflection. For example, the surfaces may have a metallic finish, a textured finish or they may be a particular colour. 5 In other embodiments, the first and / or second reflective surface members 12, 18 may not be domed shaped. Moreover, the second reflective surface member 18 may only surround a portion of the first reflective surface member 12. For example, the second reflective surface member 18 may be domed but the first reflective surface member 12 may be another shape, e.g. curved (i.e. part of a dome shape), square, triangular 10 or even just a flat surface. In embodiments wherein the first and second reflective surface members 12, 18 are domed, they may not be concentric or have the same radius of curvature. The first reflective surface member 12 is entirely a mesh 21, and the second reflective 15 surface member 18 is entirely solid. It will be understood that the first inner surface 14 of the first reflective surface member 12 is the surface between the holes of the mesh 21. In other embodiments, the first reflective surface member 12 may be partly solid and include a mesh portion. For example, the mesh portion may be at and around the crown of the dome, whereas the sides may be solid. Moreover, the second 20 reflective surface member 18 may also be mesh or include a mesh portion. The downlight 10 also includes primary and secondary lamp support members 22, 24 upon which are located respective sets of primary and secondary lamps 26, 28. The positioning of the lamp support members 22, 24 relative to the first and second 25 reflective surface members 12, 18 will be explained in more detail below in relation to Figures 3a, 3b and 4. The primary and secondary lamp support members 22, 24 (and therefore, the primary and secondary lamps 26, 28) are positioned at the base end 31 of the first and second 30 reflective surface members 12, 18, i.e. at the base 31 of the concentric domes. Moreover, the primary and secondary lamp support members 22, 24 are formed as concentric rings 30 (shown in more detail in Figures 3a to 4). In this embodiment, the concentric rings are sized to match, or nearly match, the circumference of the base of 35 the respective domed first and second reflective surface members 12, 18. In this embodiment, a set of primary lamps 26 are secured onto the primary lamp support member 22, and a set of secondary lamps 28 are secured onto the secondary 09 01 25 lamp support member 28. Each set of lamps 26, 28 are spaced around the ring support member 22, 24. The lamps 26, 28 may be evenly spaced or unevenly spaced. In this embodiment, the primary and secondary lamps 26, 28 are primary and secondary LEDs (light emitting diodes), and this term is used interchangeably in this part of the 5 description. They may be referred to as "chips" in the industry. In this embodiment, there are more primary LEDs 26 than secondary LEDs 28, but this may not be the case. In other embodiments, the primary and / or secondary lamp support members 22, 24 may take a different form, such a straight strip or strips of support members. Moreover, 10 there may only be one primary lamp 26 and / or one secondary lamp 28. In this embodiment, the primary and secondary LEDs 26, 28 are configured to be controlled separately. For example, the primary LEDs 26 may be controlled via a dimmer switch to dim the light gradually from full intensity to low intensity ( and off), 15 while the secondary LEDs 28 may be controlled by on / off to be either fully on or fully off. This control could be the other way around. Alternatively, both primary and secondary LEDs 26, 28 may be controlled by a dimmer switch. The primary and secondary LEDs 26, 28 may be controlled by a user via the same or separate switches, or remotely by operatively connecting the LEDs to a control via WiFi or Bluetooth™, 20 e.g. via a smart phone or tablet. It will be understood that the skilled person would know how to configured the LEDs in the appropriate manner to achieve such control. The primary and secondary LEDs 26, 28 may emit light with different lighting characteristics, for example different coloured light or different light intensities. 25 Turning to Figures 3a and 3b, a first embodiment arrangement of the primary and secondary lamp support members 22, 24, and thus primary and secondary LEDs 26, 28, is shown. 30 The concentric rings 30 of the primary and secondary lamp support members 22, 24 are formed on an integrally formed support member 32. In other words, the two sets of primary and secondary LEDs 26, 28 are secured onto a single ring support member 32 in a concentric manner relative to one another, thus forming an inner circle of LEDs (i.e. the set of primary LEDs 26) and an outer circle of LEDs (i.e. the set of secondary 35 LEDs 28) on the support member 32. As shown in Figure 3b, the downlight 10 further includes a translucent cover 34 that is positioned over both of the sets of primary and secondary LEDs 26, 28. It will be 09 01 25 understood that the cover 34 has an adequate level of transparency to allow light emitted from the primary and secondary LEDs 26, 28 to pass through it. The characteristics of the cover 34 may be chosen to produce a light effect (e.g. colour of the cover, level of opaqueness, surface texture and / or material). 5 The translucent cover 34 includes a retention member 36 that is configured to retain the first reflective surface member 12. As can be seen in Figure 3b, the retention member 36 is an upstanding groove 38 that extends upwardly from the body of the translucent cover 34 which receives the base of the first reflective surface member 12. 10 The cover 34 further includes downwardly extending outer legs 40 which locate at either outer side of the integrally formed support member 32. In other embodiments, the translucent cover 34 may further include a second 15 upstanding groove that receives the second reflective surface member 18. In further embodiments, the downlight 10 may further include a barrier member (not shown in Figures 3a, 3b) that is positioned on the integrally formed support member 32 to create a barrier between the primary and secondary rings of LEDs 26, 28. The 20 barrier member may abut the surface of the integrally formed support member 32 to create the barrier. Moreover, the cover 34 may create the barrier member via, for example, a downwardly extending leg which abuts the surface of the integrally formed support member 32. Furthermore, the downwardly extending outer legs 40 together with the barrier member may create two channels which house the rings of primary 25 and secondary LEDs 26, 28. In other embodiments, the barrier member is formed separately to the cover 34. In some embodiments, the integrally formed support member 32 may include a groove formed on the surface of the support member 32 to receive the barrier member. 30 Turning to Figure 4, it shows a similar downlight 10 but with a different arrangement of primary and secondary lamp support members 22, 24. The same reference numerals have been used for the same features of the downlight 10 as described in relation to Figures 1 to 3b for ease. Note that the first reflective surface member 12 is shown as solid but this is for simplicity (it would be meshed, as described above). 35 Moreover, the sets of primary and secondary LEDs are not shown in this figure for simplicity. 09 01 25 In this embodiment, the primary and secondary lamp support members 22, 24 are formed as separate members in the form of concentric rings 30. As can be seen, the separate primary and secondary lamp support members 22, 24 are fully separated by the first reflective surface member 12 at the base end 31, which acts as a barrier 5 member 42. Therefore, the primary and secondary lamp support members 22, 24 are fully (or may be partly) separated by the first reflective surface member 12. As shown in Figure 5, in use, in either embodiment of the downlight 10, light emitted Lp from the set of primary LEDs is directed towards the first inner surface 14 of the 10 first reflective surface member 12. Most of the light is reflected off the first inner surface 14 to create a reflected light Lr. Some (typically a small portion) of the light Le will escape through the mesh of the first reflective surface member 12 and be reflected by the second inner surface 20 of the second reflective surface member 18 back through the mesh so as to create a diffused light Ldl. 15 Meanwhile, the light emitted Ls from the set of secondary LEDs 28 is directed towards the second inner surface 20 of the second reflective surface member 18. The light Ls is reflected off the second inner surface 20 and travels through the mesh of the first reflective surface member 12, which creates diffused light Ld2. 20 All the reflected light (diffused and not diffused) Lr, Ldl, Ld2 will be directed in a downwards direction, i.e. underneath the downlight 10. In one exemplary use of the downlight 10, the primary LEDs 26 emit a white light and 25 are treated as the "main" light source (i.e. the light that is used to illuminate a room). The secondary LEDs 28 emit a warm or yellow-tinged light which, when diffused through the mesh, create a warm orangey glow. When the primary LEDs 26 are dimmed to low or off, the secondary LEDs 28 stay on, come on or increase / decrease in intensity to create an orangey glow from the downlight 10. 09 01 25

Claims

5 1. A lighting housing for a downlight, the lighting housing comprising:a first reflective surface member including a mesh and having a first inner surface and an opposing outer surface, the first inner surface facing downwards so as to, in use, reflect light that is directed towards the first inner surface in a downwards direction;10 a second reflective surface member, the second reflective surface memberhaving a second inner surface that faces downwards and surrounds at least part of the outer surface of the first reflective surface member so as to, in use, reflect light that is directed towards the second inner surface downwards and through the mesh of the first reflective surface member;15 a primary lamp support member configured to support a primary lamp in use,the primary lamp support member positioned adjacent to the first inner surface so that, in use, light emitted from a primary lamp being supported by the primary lamp support member is directed towards the first inner surface of the first reflective surface member; and20 a secondary lamp support member configured to support a secondary lamp inuse, the secondary lamp support member positioned adjacent to the second inner surface and between the outer surface of the first reflective surface member and the second inner surface so that, in use, light emitted from a secondary lamp being supported by the secondary lamp support member is directed towards the second inner25 surface of the second reflective surface member,wherein the primary and secondary lamp support members are formed as concentric rings, andwherein the primary and secondary lamp support members are positioned at or towards the base of the respective first and second reflective surface members, the30 base being the end of the first and second reflective surface members where the light being reflected exits the lighting housing in use.

2. A lighting housing according to Claim 1 wherein the first and second reflective surface members are concentric domes.

353. A lighting housing according to any preceding claim including a barrier member positioned on or between the primary and secondary lamp support members to create, in use, a barrier between primary and secondary lamps being supported on the respective primary and secondary lamp support members.09 01 254. A lighting housing according to Claim 3 wherein the first reflective surface member is the barrier member.

55. A lighting housing according to any preceding claim wherein the concentric rings of primary and secondary lamp support members are formed on an integrally formed support member.10 6. A lighting housing according to Claim 5 when dependent on Claim 3 or Claim 4,wherein the integrally formed support member includes a groove for receiving the barrier member.

7. A lighting housing according to any preceding claim further including a 15 translucent cover positioned over one of both of the primary and secondary lamp support members to, in use, cover one or both of a primary and secondary lamps being supported on the respective primary and secondary lamp support members.

8. A lighting housing according to Claim 7 wherein the translucent cover includes 20 a retention member configured to retain one or both of the first and second reflective surface members in position.

9. A lighting housing according to any preceding claim wherein the first reflective surface member is majority or all mesh.2510. A lighting housing according to any preceding claim wherein the second reflective surface member is solid.

11. A downlight for directing light downwards to illuminate an area located under 30 the downlight, the assembly comprising:a lighting housing according to any preceding claim;a primary lamp positioned on the primary lamp support member so that the light emitted therefrom is directed towards the first inner surface of the first reflective surface member; and35 a secondary lamp positioned on the secondary lamp support member so thatlight emitted therefrom is directed towards the second inner surface of the second reflective surface member.

12. A downlight according to Claim 11 wherein the primary and secondary lamps are configured to be separately controlled.

13. A downlight according to Claim 12 wherein at least one of the primary and 5 secondary lamps are configured to be operated as a dimmer light.

14. A downlight according to any one of Claims 11 to Claim 13 wherein the primary and secondary lamps are configured to emit light with different lighting characteristics.10 15. A downlight according to any one of Claims 11 to 14 wherein one or both of theprimary and secondary lamps includes a set of primary and / or secondary lamps.09 01 25

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