Illuminating device

Abstract

To provide an illuminating device that improves radio communication quality.SOLUTION: An illuminating device 10 comprises an appliance body 11, a light source unit 12, and a radio unit 15. The appliance body 11 is made of metal, and comprises an opening part. The light source unit 12 comprises a metallic chassis 30, and a light source board attached to the chassis 30, and is arranged in the opening part of the appliance body 11. The radio unit 15 is arranged between the appliance body 11 and the chassis 30, and performs radio communication by radio waves. The chassis 30 comprises a first slit 51 long in a first direction A, and a second slit 52 long in a second direction B intersecting with the first direction A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a lighting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, lighting devices equipped with wireless units are known. In such lighting devices, when the wireless unit is surrounded by a metal fixture body and a metal chassis of the light source unit, the propagation of radio waves transmitted and received by the wireless unit is likely to be degraded. Therefore, it is desired to improve the propagation of radio waves transmitted and received by the wireless unit and to improve the quality of wireless communication. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-55053 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device that improves wireless communication quality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The lighting device of the embodiment includes a fixture body, a light source unit, and a wireless unit. The fixture body is made of metal and has an opening. The light source unit has a metal chassis and a light source board attached to the chassis, and is disposed in the opening of the fixture body. The wireless unit is disposed between the fixture body and the chassis, and performs wireless communication by radio waves. The chassis has a first slit that is long in a first direction, and a second slit that is long in a second direction that intersects with the first direction. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the embodiment, improvement in wireless communication quality can be expected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lighting device according to a first embodiment, seen from below. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting device as viewed from above. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the lighting device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the fixture body of the lighting device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the lighting device with the translucent cover removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged bottom view of the lighting device with the light-transmitting cover removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the lighting device with a light-transmitting cover and a light source board removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the fixture body of the lighting device showing the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the lighting device with the translucent cover removed. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the lighting device with a light-transmitting cover and a light source board removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0009] 1 to 3, the lighting device 10 is a recessed lighting device that is recessed into a recessed hole formed in a ceiling surface. The lighting device 10 has a wireless communication function for communicating with external devices and other lighting devices 10, and is compatible with a lighting system that controls the dimming of the lighting devices 10 individually or in preset groups when multiple lighting devices 10 are installed on the ceiling surface of a facility such as an office or store.

[0010] The lighting device 10 includes a fixture body 11 that is recessed into the ceiling surface, and a light source unit 12 that is detachably attached to the underside of the fixture body 11. The lighting device 10 further includes a terminal block 13, a power supply unit 14, and a wireless unit 15 that are each disposed within the fixture body 11.

[0011] 1 to 4, the fixture body 11 is made of metal and is formed in a rectangular box shape with an opening on the bottom side. The fixture body 11 has a back portion 20 which is a top plate, a pair of first side portions 21 which are one of the opposing side plates, and a pair of second side portions 22 which are the other of the opposing side plates. A rectangular opening 23 is formed on the bottom surface which is the front side of the fixture body 11, and the light source unit 12 is detachably disposed and attached in this opening 23.

[0012] In the central region of the rear portion 20, there are formed a plurality of mounting holes 24 for mounting to hanging bolts hanging from a ceiling structure above the ceiling surface, and wiring holes 25 for drawing power lines and the like into the fixture body 11. On the lower surface side, which is the inner surface side of the rear portion 20, a terminal block 13 is attached in its central region, and a power supply unit 14 and a wireless unit 15 are attached in its peripheral region.

[0013] A flange portion 26 bent into a substantially L-shape protrudes from the lower end peripheral portion of the side surface portions 21, 22. When the fixture body 11 is installed, the flange portion 26 abuts against the ceiling surface around the embedding hole.

[0014] Spring receiving metal fittings 27 for mounting the light source unit 12 are attached to the inner sides of the pair of first side surface portions 21, respectively.

[0015] In the fixture body 11, the side including the first side portion 21 on which the spring receiving metal fitting 27 is arranged is called the first side 11a, and the side including the second side portion 22 on which the spring receiving metal fitting 27 is not arranged is called the second side 11b.

[0016] 1 to 3 and 5 show the light source unit 12. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the lighting device 10 with a translucent cover removed. The light source unit 12 includes a chassis 30, a light source substrate 31 which is a light source, a frame 32, and a translucent cover 33, and is integrated into a unit.

[0017] The chassis 30 is made of metal and is formed in a rectangular box shape with an open bottom side. The chassis 30 has a rectangular board mounting portion 35 and a reflective surface portion 36 provided so as to widen and incline downward from the periphery of the board mounting portion 35. The chassis 30 also functions as a reflector that reflects light from the light source board 31 downward, which is a predetermined irradiation direction.

[0018] In this embodiment, for example, four light source substrates 31 are used. The light source substrate 31 has a rectangular substrate 38, which is a substrate body, and a plurality of light emitting elements 39 mounted on a mounting surface, which is the front side of the substrate 38. A wiring pattern is formed on the mounting surface of the substrate 38, and a plurality of light emitting elements 39 are mounted on the wiring pattern. For example, a surface-mounted LED is used as the light emitting element 39, but other elements such as an organic EL may also be used. The four light source substrates 31 are arranged diagonally on the lower surface side of the substrate mounting portion 35 of the chassis 30, and are attached so that the rear side of the substrate 38 is in contact with the chassis 30 with a plurality of screws. A gap is provided between the four light source substrates 31, and a gap is also provided between the mutually opposing corners of the four light source substrates 31 corresponding to the center of the substrate mounting portion 35 of the chassis 30.

[0019] The frame 32 is made of metal and is formed into a rectangular frame shape with an opening in the center. The frame 32 is attached to the periphery of the reflective surface portion 36 of the chassis 30. When the lighting device 10 is installed, the frame 32 covers the flange portion 26 of the fixture body 11 and abuts against the ceiling surface.

[0020] Mounting members 41 are attached to a pair of opposing sides of the frame 32. Mounting springs 42 are attached to the mounting members 41, and are attached to the spring receiving metal fittings 27 of the fixture body 11. The mounting springs 42 have a middle portion wound in a coil shape, both ends protrude long, and the coiled portions are attached to the mounting members 41. Both ends of the mounting springs 42 have a spring force in a direction to open from each other, and by hooking both ends of the mounting spring 42 on the spring receiving metal fittings 27 while narrowing them against this spring force, the spring force of both ends of the mounting spring 42 trying to widen causes the light source unit 12 to be pulled up and attached to the fixture body 11.

[0021] In the light source unit 12, the side on which the mounting spring 42 is arranged is referred to as a first side 12a, and the side on which the mounting spring 42 is not arranged is referred to as a second side 12b.

[0022] The light-transmitting cover 33 is formed in a rectangular plate shape from resin or glass having light-transmitting and diffusing properties. The light-transmitting cover 33 is attached onto the frame body 32 and closes the opening in the center of the frame body 32.

[0023] 1 and 4, the terminal block 13 is attached in the central region on the underside of the rear portion 20 of the fixture body 11, in the vicinity of the wiring hole 25. A power line drawn into the fixture body 11 from the wiring hole 25 is connected to the terminal block 13. The terminal block 13 is electrically connected to a power input portion of the power supply unit 14 by internal wiring, and sends external power supplied by the power line to the power supply unit 14.

[0024] The power supply unit 14 is attached to a peripheral area on the lower side of the rear portion 20 of the fixture body 11, at a position along one of the pair of second side portions 22 on which the spring receiving metal fitting 27 is not disposed. The power supply unit 14 converts external power such as AC power from a commercial AC power source into a predetermined lighting power, which is DC power that lights the light-emitting element 39, and outputs it to the light source board 31. The power supply unit 14 is connected to the wireless unit 15 via a communication cable so as to be able to communicate with it. The power supply unit 14 receives signals from the wireless unit 15, stores settings, and controls turning the light on and off and dimming.

[0025] 1, 3 and 4 show the wireless unit 15. The wireless unit 15 transmits and receives wireless signals using radio waves as a medium. The wireless unit 15 has a case 45, and a communication circuit 46 and an antenna 47 arranged inside the case 45. The case 45 is made of, for example, resin, and allows wireless signals to pass through. The communication circuit 46 transmits and receives wireless signals, and communicates with the power supply unit 14 through a communication cable. The antenna 47 is connected to the communication circuit 46 and outputs and inputs wireless signals. The antenna 47 is arranged on one end side of the case 45 along that end.

[0026] The wireless unit 15 is attached by screwing or the like in the vicinity of one corner where the first side portion 21 and the second side portion 22 intersect in the peripheral region on the lower surface side of the rear portion 20 of the device body 11. The wireless unit 15 is disposed facing the rear portion 20 and the first side portion 21 such that the longitudinal direction of the antenna 47 is along the rear portion 20 and the first side portion 21 (first side 11a).

[0027] The wireless unit 15 performs wireless communication, for example, using a communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The wireless unit 15 transmits and receives wireless signals using radio waves as a medium between, for example, a terminal capable of wireless communication, such as a remote control, a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer, and an external device, such as another lighting device 10. The provision of the wireless unit 15 enables control such as group control or scene control, in which light is adjusted according to a scene for each group made up of a plurality of lighting devices 10. The wireless unit 15 may perform wireless communication using another communication method, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0028] 1, the rear part 20 of the device body 11 and one of the pair of first side parts 21 on which the spring receiving metal fitting 27 is arranged are provided with a rear slit 49 and a side slit 50, which are wireless signal passing holes through which wireless signals pass, at positions facing the antenna 47 of the wireless unit 15. These slits 49, 50 are formed long along the first side 11a of the device body 11, that is, long along the longitudinal direction of the antenna 47 of the wireless unit 15. The side slit 50 is provided at the same height as the antenna 47 of the wireless unit 15 from the rear part 20.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2, 5 to 7 (Figure 5 is a bottom view with the translucent cover 33 removed, Figure 6 is an enlarged bottom view of the lighting device 10 with the translucent cover 33 removed, and Figure 7 is a bottom view of the lighting device 10 with the translucent cover 33 and light source board 31 removed), the board mounting portion 35 of the chassis 30 of the light source unit 12 is provided with a first slit 51 and a second slit 52, which are wireless signal passing holes through which wireless signals pass.

[0030] The first slit 51 is elongated in a first direction A along the first side 12a of the light source unit 12, and the second slit 52 is elongated in a second direction B along the second side 12b of the light source unit 12. The first direction A and the second direction B are perpendicular to each other (intersect). Therefore, an imaginary line extending in the longitudinal direction of the first slit 51 and an imaginary line extending in the longitudinal direction of the second slit 52 intersect at a right angle.

[0031] Note that the first slits 51 and the second slits 52 do not have to be perpendicular to each other as long as they are provided in different directions, and the second slits 52 may be inclined (for example, 45 degrees) with respect to the first slits 51.

[0032] The first slit 51 and the second slit 52 are provided at positions facing the wireless unit 15 arranged on the fixture body 11 in a state in which the light source unit 12 is attached to the fixture body 11 by a pair of attachment springs 42. In other words, the first slit 51 and the second slit 52 are provided in the peripheral region of the light source attachment portion 35, near the corner where the first side 12a and the second side 12b of the light source unit 12 intersect.

[0033] The pair of mounting springs 42 enable the light source unit 12 to be mounted in any orientation differing by 180 degrees horizontally relative to the fixture body 11. Therefore, the first slit 51 and the second slit 52 are provided symmetrically near two diagonally opposing corners of the light source mounting portion 35 so that the first slit 51 and the second slit 52 are positioned opposite the wireless unit 15 arranged on the fixture body 11 regardless of the orientation in which the light source unit 12 is mounted.

[0034] The slits 51 and 52 are provided with a length and width suitable for the passage of radio waves transmitted and received by the wireless unit 15 .

[0035] The length of the slits 51, 52 is set to, for example, 1 / 2 the wavelength (or an integer multiple thereof) of the radio waves transmitted and received by the radio unit 15. For example, when the radio wave frequency is 2.4 GHz, the wavelength is 125 mm, so the length is set to 1 / 2 the wavelength, that is, 62.5 mm.

[0036] The width of the slits 51, 52 is preferably set to, for example, 1 / 100 wavelength (1.25 mm) of the radio wave transmitted and received by the wireless unit 15, but is set to 3 mm for manufacturing reasons. As shown in Fig. 6, by arranging the light source board 31 on the board mounting portion 35 in which the slits 51, 52 are provided, the light source board 31 covers half of the short-side width of the slits 51, 52, making the apparent width of the slits 51, 52 1.5 mm. By narrowing the apparent width of the slits 51, 52 to 1.5 mm, the dimensions become approximately 1 / 100 wavelength (1.25 mm) of the radio wave transmitted and received by the wireless unit 15, making it possible to function as a slot antenna and suppressing a decrease in radio wave intensity when the radio wave passes through.

[0037] The length and width of the slits 49, 50 provided in the device body 11 may be set to 1 / 2 the wavelength (or an integral multiple thereof) of the radio waves transmitted and received by the wireless unit 15, and 1 / 100 the wavelength of the radio waves.

[0038] When viewed from the direction of the opening 23 of the device body 11, at least a part of the wireless unit 15 (preferably the antenna 47) is disposed within an area 54 surrounded by the first slit 51 and the second slit 52 of the chassis 30. The area 54 is a quadrangular area having the first slit 51 and the second slit 52 as its sides.

[0039] When viewed from the direction of the opening 23 of the device body 11, the wireless unit 15 is positioned within the region 54 at a position opposite the first slit 51, and the antenna 47 is positioned opposite the first slit 51 so that the longitudinal direction of the antenna 47 is aligned with the first slit 51.

[0040] To install the lighting device 10 on a ceiling surface, the fixture body 11 is inserted into an embedding hole in the ceiling surface and the fixture body 11 is attached to a hanging bolt. A power line that has been previously drawn into the fixture body 11 is connected to the terminal block 13.

[0041] The mounting spring 42 of the light source unit 12 is hooked onto the spring receiving metal fitting 27 of the fixture body 11 to temporarily hang the light source unit 12, and the wiring drawn from the light source board 31 of the light source unit 12 and the wiring drawn from the power supply unit 14 are connected with a connector.

[0042] By pushing up the light source unit 12, the spring force of the mounting spring 42 pulls up the light source unit 12 and mounts it on the fixture body 11, completing the installation.

[0043] In addition, by supplying external power to the power supply unit 14, the power supply unit 14 converts the external power into a predetermined lighting power and supplies it to the light source board 31, and the light emitting element 39 of the light source board 31 lights up. The light of the light emitting element 39 passes through the translucent cover 33 and is emitted into an illumination space such as a room.

[0044] The heat generated by the light emitting element 39 when it is turned on is transferred to the metallic chassis 30 and dissipated.

[0045] Furthermore, when multiple lighting devices 10 are to be controlled collectively, a wireless signal is transmitted from the terminal. The transmitted wireless signal is received by an antenna 47 of a wireless unit 15 provided in the fixture body 11 and processed by a communication circuit 46. The signal received by the wireless unit 15 is transmitted to the power supply unit 14, and the power supply unit 14 controls the dimming of the light source unit 12 in response to the signal from the wireless unit 15. The wireless unit 15 also transmits a wireless signal to transfer the received signal to other lighting devices 10.

[0046] The wireless unit 15 that communicates wirelessly is surrounded by the metal fixture body 11 and the metal chassis 30 of the light source unit 12, which can easily hinder wireless communication; however, wireless communication is possible through slits 49, 50 in the fixture body 11 and slits 51, 52 in the chassis 30.

[0047] Radio waves transmitted and received by the wireless unit 15 pass through the slits 49, 50 in the fixture body 11, and wireless communication is carried out between the wireless unit 15 and an external device through the ceiling.

[0048] Since the antenna 47 of the wireless unit 15 faces the slits 49, 50 provided on the back portion 20 and the first side portion 21 of the device body 11, respectively, the radio waves transmitted and received by the wireless unit 15 are easily propagated in different directions, the radio wave strength is increased, and the wireless communication quality is improved.

[0049] Furthermore, as the radio waves transmitted and received by the wireless unit 15 pass through the slits 51, 52 in the chassis 30 of the light source unit 12, wireless communication is performed between the wireless unit 15 and external equipment from inside the room through the translucent cover 33 made of resin or glass.

[0050] Since the first slit 51 and the second slit 52 are arranged perpendicular to each other, radio signals transmitted from different directions pass through the first slit 51 and the second slit 52, making it easy for the radio unit 15 to capture the radio signals, and also makes it easy for the radio signals transmitted from the radio unit 15 to propagate in different directions by passing through the first slit 51 and the second slit 52. Therefore, the first slit 51 and the second slit 52 make it easy for radio waves transmitted and received by the radio unit 15 to propagate, increasing the radio wave intensity and improving the quality of wireless communication.

[0051] Since the wireless unit 15 is positioned within the area 54 surrounded by the first slit 51 and the second slit 52 of the light source unit 12 when viewed from the direction of the opening 23 of the fixture body 11, the radio waves transmitted and received by the wireless unit 15 can easily pass through the first slit 51 and the second slit 52, increasing the radio wave strength and improving the wireless communication quality.

[0052] Next, a second embodiment is shown in FIG. 8 to FIG.

[0053] The lighting device 10 is a large type having a larger dimension as viewed from the bottom side of the fixture body 11 than the lighting device 10 of the first embodiment.

[0054] 8, the wireless unit 15 is disposed on the underside of the rear portion 20 of the appliance body 11 at a position facing the center in a direction along the first side portion 21 (first side 11a) on which the spring receiving metal fitting 27 is disposed. A rear slit 49 and a side slit 50 (not shown) are provided on the rear portion 20 and the first side portion 21 facing the antenna 47 of the wireless unit 15, respectively.

[0055] 9 and 10, the first slit 51 of the light source unit 12 is provided in the peripheral region of the light source attachment portion 35, near the center in the first direction A along the first side 12a of the light source unit 12. The second slit 52 is provided in the peripheral region of the light source attachment portion 35, near the corner where the first side 12a and the second side 12b of the light source unit 12 intersect, as in the first embodiment.

[0056] When viewed from the direction of the opening 23 of the device body 11, the wireless unit 15 is partially disposed within an area 54 surrounded by the first slit 51 and the second slit 52 of the chassis 30, or is disposed adjacent to the area 54. When viewed from the direction of the opening 23 of the device body 11, the wireless unit 15 is disposed such that the longitudinal direction of the antenna 47 is aligned with the first slit 51.

[0057] In this manner, even in the large-sized lighting device 10, the first slit 51 and the second slit 52 provided on the chassis 30 of the light source unit 12 are provided perpendicularly, so that wireless signals transmitted from different directions pass through the first slit 51 and the second slit 52, making it easy for the wireless unit 15 to capture the wireless signals, and wireless signals transmitted from the wireless unit 15 easily propagate in different directions by passing through the first slit 51 and the second slit 52. Therefore, the first slit 51 and the second slit 52 make it easy for the radio waves transmitted and received by the wireless unit 15 to propagate, increasing the radio wave intensity and improving the wireless communication quality.

[0058] The power supply unit 14 and the wireless unit 15 may be disposed in the light source unit 12 .

[0059] Furthermore, the lighting device 10 is not limited to a recessed lighting device, and may be a direct-attached lighting device that is directly attached to a ceiling surface.

[0060] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10. Lighting Equipment 11. Equipment body 12 Light source unit 15 Wireless unit 23 Opening 30 Chassis 31 Light source board 51 First Slit 52 Second Slit 54 areas A First Direction B. Second direction

Claims

1. A metal device body having an opening; a light source unit having a metal chassis and a light source board attached to the chassis and disposed in the opening of the fixture body; a wireless unit disposed between the device body and the chassis for wireless communication by radio waves; Equipped with The chassis has a first slit that is long in a first direction and a second slit that is long in a second direction that intersects with the first direction. A lighting device characterized by:

2. At least a portion of the wireless unit is disposed within a region surrounded by the first slit and the second slit of the chassis when viewed from a direction of the opening of the device body.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1 .

Images