The present invention relates to a panel assembly comprising an LED flat panel for a ceiling or wall, and a connectable quick fit function pod.

A popular choice of light source is high performance LED flat panels, especially in large or commercial or business premises. These can be provided in various dimensions, a typical set of dimensions being 600mm by 600mm by 13mm, for use generally in ceilings. They provide low glare and even light distribution, as well as substantial average lifetime. In particular, they can be provided as 'flat panels', i.e. able to be incorporated into part of a ceiling panel system or arrangement generally formed of regular squares etc. As such, they can very easily shaped and recessed into a suitable position within the panel system or arrangement.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a panel assembly comprising an LED flat lighting panel having a back support panel, a front illuminating panel, and side panels thereinbetween, and having a plurality of LEDs therein to provide illumination through the front illuminating panel, and further comprising a function pod conjoined to the back support panel using an insert and twist arrangement, and an aperture in the back support panel to allow communication between the function pod to beyond the front illuminating panel.

In this way, a function pod can be provided with the LED flat lighting panel, and can provide a suitable function from the flat lighting panel.

As mentioned above, LED flat lighting panels are known in the art. The present invention is not limited by the nature, design, size or shape of the flat lighting panel. They can be square, rectangular or otherwise shaped. Typical 'size' dimensions for a flat lighting panel are 600mm by 300mm and 600mm by 600mm, in line with commonly used dimensions in ceiling square system or arrangement.

The LED flat lighting panel in the present invention also has a height or depth which is not limiting, but which is typically several millimetres so as to provide a 'flat panel' shape in relation to the dimensions of the back support panel and front illuminating panel.

Some of the dimensions of the back support panel, front illuminating panel and sides are related to the type, size and design of the LED to be housed therein. Typically, LEDs can provide power ratings of 10-100 watts, such as 35W or 45W. The arrangement and powering of the LEDs is not further described herein, and is known to the person skilled in the art. The present invention further comprises a function pod. The pod may have any suitable size, shape, design and dimensions. Preferably, the width of the function pod is substantially smaller relative to the 'size' dimensions of the back support panel. The function pod may be conjoined to the back support panel to form the lighting panel assembly using an insert and twist arrangement. This may involve any form of male-female interaction. Preferably, the conjoining achieves securing of the function pod to the back support panel. Optionally, the function pod is conjoined to the back support panel via the aperture in the back support panel.

Where the lighting panel assembly is in an expected non-contact location, such as in a ceiling, the conjoining of the function pod to the back support panel may not require locking or another form of conjoining which must be robust against any 'every day' contact.

Preferably, the 'insert and twist' arrangement for conjoining the function pod with the back support panel can be tightened and/or secured by friction only.

Optionally, the function pod comprises at least one tongue, and the aperture in the back support panel comprises at least one complementary cutaway.

Further optionally, the function pod comprises two or more, typically two, three or four, tongues extending from a lower part or base of the function pod, and there are a complimentary number of cutaways around the aperture in the back support panel to accept the tongue(s), followed by a twisting motion of the function pod relative to the back support panel to move the tongue(s) into a position on one side of the back support panel opposite to the remainder of the function pod on the other side of the back support panel.

The function pod may comprise one or more of the following: motion detection sensor;

light sensor;

acoustic detection sensor;

oral detection sensor.

In particular a motion detection sensor.

Such items generally contain an optical, microwave, and/or acoustic sensor. They include photocells, and light or other electromagnetic sensors and/or detectors. A passive detector only senses a signal emitted by the moving object itself. Changes in the optical, microwave, or acoustic field in the detector's proximity are interpreted by the detector. Such detectors are commonly used in smart lighting systems, where energy is conserved by only powering the lights for the duration of a timer, after which the person has presumably left the area, or in a burglar alarm when it detects the motion of a possible intruder, remote alarms or alerting devices, units or systems, including visual, aural and/or electronic alarms, such that detection of a signal by the function pod through the aperture can provide an alarm or alert signal to a remote monitor, user or device such as an alarm light, bell, telephone, computer etc. Optionally, the function pod includes a visible and/or non-visible light or other electromagnetic transmitter able to communicate outwardly from the function pod to cover an area beyond the front illuminating panel, i.e. in front of and extending to a distance outwardly, such as to an opposing wall or floor, etc. Optionally, the function pod includes one or more night lights and/or buzzers that are operable upon detection of a signal by one or more sensors in the function pod.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the function pod includes a motion detector able either able to sound an alarm, such as a buzzer also located with the function pod, or to alert a remote monitor, user or device, or both, should there be unintended motion within a detectable or otherwise defined range of the lighting panel. The unintended motion may be a burglar, or a patient in a hospital etc. whose motion is not expected or desired.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the function pod includes a photocell activatable once the main lighting from the LED lighting panel is Off. Motion within a detectable or otherwise defined range of the lighting panel activates 'low level lighting' such as 'night time lighting' also located with the function pod. This may be particularly suitable for hospitals, and could be controlled by a separate switch from a suitable location such as an office.

The communication of the function pod to beyond the front illuminating panel is provided through an aperture in the back support panel, optionally the same aperture used to conjoin the function pod with the flat lighting panel.

Any power required for the function pod can be maintained through a central power source or a self contained power source. Supplying power to the function pod can be provided in a manner known in the art, is not further discussed here.

Generally, the present invention does not include the function pod being an emergency lighting pod.

Optionally, the function pod is provided as a separate unit, to be fited to an LED flat lighting panel as described above. Thus, the function pod can be separable from the back support panel.

Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit comprising an LED flat lighting panel as defined herein having a back support panel and a front illuminating panel, and an function pod as defined herein, wherein the function pod is securable to the back support panel using an insert and twist arrangement, and the back support panel has an aperture to allow communication between the function pod to beyond the front illuminating panel. Optionally, the lighting panel assembly panel defined herein is a ceiling lighting panel.

As the function pod can be provided as a separate unit, it can also be retro-fitted to existing LED flat lighting panels, generally being the same or similar to as described herein. Optionally, the back support panel of existing LED flat lighting panels is adapted or changed to be conjoinable to the function pod.

Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an function pod adapted to conjoin with an LED flat lighting panel having a back support panel, the function pod comprising at least one tongue to match at least one complementary cutaway in the back support panel and conjoin to the back support panel via an insert and twist arrangement.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an lighting panel assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a planned view of the back support panel of the flat lighting panel of Figure 1 , and plan and side cross-section views of the base of the function pod; and

Figure 3 comprises two perspective views of the lighting panel assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention in use.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an lighting panel assembly comprising an LED flat lighting panel 2 having a back support panel 4, a front illuminating panel 6 (under the back support panel 4) and four sides 8 thereinbetween. Within the flat lighting panel 2 are a plurality of LEDs (not shown) able to provide illumination through the front illuminating panel 6 in a manner known in the art. A power supply (not shown) supplies power to the LEDs in a manner known in the art. The back support panel 4 also comprises four attachment fixings 14 for securing the flat lighting panel 2 to a suitable support structure, generally in a ceiling system or arrangement comprising a number of square panels with supporting cross pieces in a manner known in the art. Figure 2 shows an aperture 10 located in the centre of the back support panel 4, comprising a generally circular shape and having two cutaways 12.

Figures 1 and 2 show a function pod 20 being generally circular, and housing one or more sensors 18 in a manner known in the art. Power to or for the function pod is also not shown.

The base 21 of the function pod 20 shown in Figure 2 comprises two tongues 22 extending transversely from a depending hollow sleeve 24, and having a shape complementary to the cutaways 12.

For use, the installer of the flat lighting panel 2 can conjoin the function pod 20 in a manner shown in Figure 1 , by location of the base 21 of the function pod 20 onto the back support panel 4 such that the hollow sleeve 24 and tongues 22 extend through the aperture 10. Thereafter, the function pod 20 can be twisted a defined amount such that the tongues 22 are now located in line with the cutaways 12 and on an opposite side of the back support panel 4 compared with the remainder of the function pod 20.

Figure 3 shows an example of the use of the present invention. For ease of viewing and understanding, Fig 3 only shows the lighting panel assembly in the form of the back support panel 4 and conjoined function pod 20, located in the ceiling of a room or corridor. The LEDs in the flat lighting panel would normally hide the back support panel 4 and the function pod 20. In use, any motion within the range of the motion sensor 18 in the function pod 20 can be detected, and action taken, e.g. to sound an alarm, such as a buzzer possibly also located with the function pod or elsewhere, or to alert a remote monitor, or device, or both, such as a mobile telephone or computer. The unintended motion may be a burglar, or a patient in a hospital etc. whose motion is not expected or desired in the relevant room or corridor. The present invention provides a convenient way to locate a function pod in association with an LED flat lighting panel. The LED flat lighting panel conveniently hides the function pod, making its presence less obvious both aesthetically, and to burglars and the like. As the LED flat lighting panel already has a power requirement, no significant extra new power supply or leads etc. are required to also provide any required power to the function pod. Furthermore, the insert and twist arrangement provides easy and simple installation, repair, change, updating or maintenance of the equipment in the function pod.