Luminaire

Abstract

To improve radio communication sensitivity.SOLUTION: A luminaire 1 comprises a light source unit 2, a battery unit 3, a circuit unit 4, a radio communication unit, an appliance body 10, and a cover 11. The light source unit 2 comprises a light source (LED module 20). The battery unit 3 comprises a storage battery. The circuit unit 4 comprises a lighting circuit for lighting the light source by charged power charged in the storage battery. The radio communication unit performs radio communication using a radio wave as a medium. The appliance body 10 holds the light source unit 2, the circuit unit 4, and the radio communication unit, and detachably holds the battery unit 3. The cover 11 is detachably attached to the appliance body 10 so as to cover the battery unit 3, the circuit unit 4, and the radio communication unit. The cover 11 comprises a radio wave passage hole A1 through which the radio wave passes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to lighting fixtures. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to lighting fixtures including a battery unit and a wireless communication unit.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an induction lamp device. In this induction lamp device, the light source is powered from a commercial power supply through a lighting circuit and lit during normal use, and is powered from a battery and lit during an emergency. Further, the induction lamp device has a function of determining the life of the battery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In some cases, it may be desirable to implement a wireless communication function for wireless communication with the outside with respect to the induction lamp device (lighting fixture) disclosed in Patent Document 1. However, when implementing a wireless communication function in a lighting fixture, improvement regarding the sensitivity of wireless communication may be desired.

[0005] In view of the above reasons, the present disclosure is made, and an object thereof is to provide a lighting fixture capable of improving the sensitivity of wireless communication.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The lighting fixture according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a light source unit, a battery unit, a circuit unit, a wireless communication unit, an appliance body, and a cover. The light source unit has a light source. The battery unit has a storage battery. The circuit unit has a lighting circuit that lights the light source with charging power charged in the storage battery. The wireless communication unit performs wireless communication using radio waves as a medium. The appliance body holds the light source unit, the circuit unit, and the wireless communication unit, and removably holds the battery unit. The cover is removably attached to the appliance body so as to cover the battery unit, the circuit unit, and the wireless communication unit. The cover has a radio wave through-hole through which the radio waves pass.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, there is an advantage that the sensitivity of wireless communication can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the lighting fixture according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings referred to in the following embodiments and the like are schematic drawings, and the sizes and thicknesses of the components in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions, nor do the ratios of the sizes and the ratios of the thicknesses between the components necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0010] (Embodiment) (1) Overview First, the overview of the lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment is an emergency light, which is a type of battery - built - in emergency lighting fixture. The emergency light is an emergency lighting fixture for general lighting to illuminate the evacuation route in the event of a power outage due to a disaster such as a fire. In this embodiment, as an example, the lighting fixture 1 is a ceiling - embedded type emergency light.

[0012] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, in the lighting fixture 1 shown in FIG. 1, the arrangement direction in which the fixture body 10 and the cover 11 are arranged in parallel is called the vertical direction, the side where the cover 11 is arranged with respect to the fixture body 10 is called "downward", and the opposite side may be called "upward". Also, in the lighting fixture 1 shown in FIG. 1, the direction in which the pair of supports 12 extend away from each other with respect to the fixture body 10 may be called the horizontal direction. However, such a definition of direction is not intended to limit the direction of use of the lighting fixture 1 and its components.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment includes a light source unit 2, a battery unit 3, a circuit unit 4, a wireless communication unit 5, a fixture body 10, and a cover 11. The light source unit 2 has an LED module 20 (light source). The battery unit 3 has a storage battery 30 (see FIG. 2). The circuit unit 4 has a lighting circuit 402 (see FIG. 2) that lights the LED module 20 (light source: see FIG. 3) with the charging power charged in the storage battery 30. The wireless communication unit 5 performs wireless communication using radio waves as a medium. The fixture body 10 holds the light source unit 2, the circuit unit 4, and the wireless communication unit 5, and removably holds the battery unit 3. The cover 11 is removably attached to the fixture body 10 so as to cover the battery unit 3, the circuit unit 4, and the wireless communication unit 5. The cover 11 has a radio wave transmission hole A1 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) through which radio waves pass.

[0014] In the lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment, the cover 11 has a radio wave transmission hole A1 through which radio waves (for wireless communication) pass. Thereby, wireless communication via the radio wave transmission hole A1 becomes easier, and the sensitivity of wireless communication can be improved.

[0015] (2) Details Next, each component of the lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment includes a light source unit 2, a battery unit 3, a circuit unit 4, a wireless communication unit 5, a fixture body 10, and a cover 11. Further, the lighting fixture 1 further includes a pair of supports 12 (see FIG. 1) and a pair of mounting springs. The lighting fixture 1 is attached to the ceiling by a pair of supports 12.

[0017] (2.1) Light source unit The light source unit 2 has an LED module 20, a heat dissipation member, a lens block 22, and a holding member.

[0018] The LED module 20 is a so-called white LED (Light Emitting Diode) for lighting. In this embodiment, the LED module 20 corresponds to the light source. That is, the light source unit 2 has a light source (LED module 20).

[0019] The lens block 22 is made of, for example, glass. The lens block 22 has a generally frustum-shaped lens portion 220 and an annular outer flange portion that protrudes outward from the periphery of the lens portion 220. The lens portion 220 controls the light distribution of the illumination light emitted from the LED module 20. The heat dissipation member is formed of a material with high heat dissipation performance (for example, a plate material such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy). The heat dissipation member is a member for dissipating the heat generated by the LED module 20. The holding member is formed in a plate shape from a synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate resin, holds the LED module 20 and the lens block 22, and is attached to the heat dissipation member.

[0020] (2.2) Battery unit The battery unit 3 has a plurality of storage batteries 30 (only one is shown in FIG. 2) and a case 31 (see FIG. 1) that houses the plurality of storage batteries 30. Each of the plurality of storage batteries 30 is, for example, a cylindrical nickel-metal hydride battery (see FIG. 3). Each storage battery 30 may be a rectangular prism-shaped nickel-metal hydride storage battery, or a cylindrical or rectangular prism-shaped lithium-ion storage battery, etc. Also, the number of storage batteries 30 may be any number that can satisfy the standard value of the lighting time required for the emergency light.

[0021] The case 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape with U-shaped bottom surfaces on both the upper and lower sides. The plurality of storage batteries 30 are housed in the case 31 with their axial directions being the vertical direction and arranged in a row along the radial direction. The case 31 is provided with a connector portion. The connector portion is configured to electrically connect the plurality of storage batteries 30 that are electrically connected in series within the case 31 to the lighting device 40 (see FIG. 2) of the circuit unit 4 described later.

[0022] (2.3) Circuit unit The circuit unit 4 includes a lighting device 40 (see FIG. 2), a housing 41 (see FIG. 1), and a terminal block case.

[0023] The housing 41 is formed in a box shape from a synthetic resin material. The housing 41 houses the lighting device 40. Further, the housing 41 further houses two operation members 43 (see FIG. 1) for respectively pressing two push-button switches 406A and 406B (see FIG. 2) described later. The terminal block case is formed in a box shape from a synthetic resin material and is attached to the housing 41 so as to cover the terminal block attached to the outer surface of the housing 41. The terminal block is electrically connected to the lighting device 40, and a power cable drawn from a lead-in hole provided on the top surface of the appliance main body 10 is detachably connected thereto. That is, the lighting device 40 is electrically connected to the power cable via the terminal block.

[0024] The lighting device 40 can be realized by, for example, a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. That is, when one or more processors execute a program recorded in one or more memories of the computer system, it functions as a control circuit 404 (see FIG. 2) described later. The program is here pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, but may be provided through an electric communication line such as the Internet, or may be provided recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the lighting device 40 includes a DC power supply circuit 400, a charging circuit 401, a lighting circuit 402, a power failure detection circuit 403, a control circuit 404, a monitor lamp 405, two push-button switches 406, and a receiving unit 407.

[0026] The DC power supply circuit 400 is composed of, for example, a self-excited switching power supply circuit such as a ringing choke converter. The DC power supply circuit 400 converts an AC voltage supplied from an external power supply (for example, a commercial power system) 6 into a DC voltage lower than the effective value of the AC voltage.

[0027] The charging circuit 401 operates when powered by an external power source 6 and is configured to pass a charging current from the DC power supply circuit 400 to the battery unit 3.

[0028] The lighting circuit 402 is configured to constant-currentize the DC current supplied from the battery unit 3 and supply it to the light source unit 2. That is, the circuit unit 4 has a lighting circuit 402 that lights the light source (LED module 20) with the charging power charged in the storage battery 30.

[0029] The power failure detection circuit 403 is configured to detect a power failure of the external power source 6 from the output voltage of the DC power supply circuit 400 and notify the control circuit 404.

[0030] The monitor lamp 405 is composed of, for example, a light-emitting diode that emits green light and emits light by the charging current supplied from the charging circuit 401 to the battery unit 3. That is, by making the monitor lamp 405 emit light, it is notified that the storage battery 30 is being charged by the charging circuit 401.

[0031] The receiving unit 407 is configured to receive an infrared signal using infrared rays as a communication medium, demodulate a transmission frame from the received infrared signal, and pass it to the control circuit 404. This infrared signal is transmitted from a wireless transmitter (a dedicated remote controller) operated by an operator who performs regular inspection work. Note that the regular inspection is carried out at regular intervals defined by laws and regulations, and is aimed at forcibly operating the lighting circuit 402 to confirm that the light source unit 2 maintains the lighting state for a specified period or longer.

[0032] When the power failure detection circuit 403 does not detect a power failure, the control circuit 404 is configured to operate the charging circuit 401 and stop the lighting circuit 402. Also, when the power failure detection circuit 403 detects a power failure, the control circuit 404 is configured to stop the charging circuit 401 and operate the lighting circuit 402. Further, when one of the push-button switches 406B is pressed or when a transmission frame is received from the receiving unit 407, the control circuit 404 is configured to stop the charging circuit 401 and operate the lighting circuit 402 to perform an inspection operation. Also, when the other push-button switch 406A is pressed, the control circuit 404 is configured to stop the charging circuit 401 and operate the lighting circuit 402 for several seconds, and then stop the lighting circuit 402 and operate the charging circuit 401. Each of the two push-button switches 406A and 406B is pressed by the corresponding operation member 43 among the two operation members 43 (see FIG. 1). In FIG. 3, illustration of the two operation members 43 is omitted.

[0033] (2.4) Wireless communication unit As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless communication unit 5 includes an antenna 51, a wireless communication circuit 52, and a housing 50.

[0034] The antenna 51 is, for example, a so-called meander line antenna formed of a conductor (copper foil) having a meander structure formed on the surface of an insulating substrate. However, the antenna 51 is not limited to a meander line antenna and may be, for example, a half-wavelength dipole, a quarter-wavelength dipole antenna, an inverted F antenna, or a microstrip antenna.

[0035] The wireless communication circuit 52 receives a wireless signal received by the antenna 51, for example, a wireless signal using radio waves in the 920 MHz band as a medium. The frequency band is not limited to the 920 MHz band and may be, for example, the 2.4 GHz band.

[0036] Further, the wireless communication circuit 52 acquires a control command from the wireless signal and transmits the control command to the control circuit 404 of the lighting device 40. Further, the wireless communication circuit 52 transmits, as a wireless signal, a message (for example, the result of inspection) received from the control circuit 404 from the antenna 51. Here, the control commands acquired by the wireless communication circuit 52 include, for example, a command for instructing the control circuit 404 to start an inspection operation and a command for instructing the control circuit 404 to transmit the result of inspection. That is, the wireless communication unit 5 performs wireless communication using radio waves as a medium. Further, the wireless communication circuit 52 transmits and receives wireless signals via the antenna 51.

[0037] The housing 50 houses the antenna 51 and the wireless communication circuit 52. The housing 50 is formed in a box shape, for example, from a synthetic resin material. The wireless communication unit 5 is arranged adjacent to the circuit unit 4, for example.

[0038] (2.5) Appliance main body The appliance main body 10 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open bottom surface. More specifically, the appliance main body 10 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape having 12 flat walls. A plurality of flange pieces protruding outward are formed at the lower end edges of each of the 12 walls of the appliance main body 10. The appliance main body 10 is formed in a size capable of housing the light source unit 2, the battery unit 3, the circuit unit 4, and the wireless communication unit 5 inside. The appliance main body 10 is configured to hold the light source unit 2, the circuit unit 4, and the wireless communication unit 5 housed inside, and to hold the battery unit 3 detachably. Note that "the wireless communication unit 5 is held by the appliance main body 10" includes not only the case where the wireless communication unit 5 is directly held by the appliance main body 10 but also the case where the wireless communication unit 5 is indirectly held by the appliance main body 10 via other components.

[0039] Supports 12 are respectively attached to the left and right side walls of the appliance body 10 (see Fig. 1). The pair of supports 12 is preferably formed in the shape of a long leaf spring. Each of the pair of supports 12 is fixed to the wall of the appliance body 10 at one end in the longitudinal direction, and the other end in the longitudinal direction is configured to be bendable in a direction approaching the top surface of the appliance body 10 (upward). That is, the appliance body 10 is supported by the ceiling material by sandwiching the ceiling material between the pair of supports 12 inserted into the embedding holes formed in the ceiling surface and a plurality of flange pieces provided on the lower end surface of the appliance body 10.

[0040] (2.6) Cover The cover 11 is made of, for example, metal. The cover 11 is light-impermeable. The cover 11 may have a light shielding rate of 90% or more (for example, 100%). The cover 11 may be formed of a flame-retardant synthetic resin. The cover 11 is formed in a disc shape larger than the outer diameter of the appliance body 10 (the outer diameter of the leading edges of the plurality of flange pieces). The cover 11 is circular in plan view. However, the cover 11 is not limited to being circular in plan view and may be a planar polygon (for example, a square).

[0041] A circular window hole 110 is provided at the center of the cover 11 (see Fig. 1). The window hole 110 penetrates the cover 11 in its thickness direction. The lens portion 220 of the light source unit 2 is inserted into the window hole 110. The cover 11 is detachably attached to the appliance body 10 and is configured to close the opening on the lower surface of the appliance body 10 when attached to the appliance body 10. More specifically, the cover 11 is detachably attached to the appliance body 10 so as to cover the battery unit 3, the circuit unit 4, and the wireless communication unit 5 held by the appliance body 10.

[0042] In addition, in the vicinity of the window hole 110 on the bottom surface of the cover 11, four holes (first hole 111, second hole 112, third hole 113, fourth hole 114) are provided so as to be arranged in two vertical and horizontal rows. The first hole 111 and the second hole 112 are provided at positions corresponding to the two operating members 43. The third hole 113 is provided at a position corresponding to the monitor lamp 405. The fourth hole 114 is provided at a position corresponding to the receiving unit 407.

[0043] A pair of mounting springs are attached to the upper surface of the cover 11. The pair of mounting springs are removably inserted into a pair of insertion grooves provided on the inner peripheral surface of the appliance main body 10. That is, the cover 11 is held by the appliance main body 10 in a state of closing the lower surface of the appliance main body 10 when the pair of mounting springs are respectively inserted into the pair of insertion grooves.

[0044] Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cover 11 further has a radio wave transmission hole A1 through which radio waves for wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit 5 pass. The radio wave transmission hole A1 penetrates the cover 11 in its thickness direction.

[0045] Note that the cover 11 has a flange portion 116 (a portion between the outer peripheral edge 11A and the boundary edge 11B of the cover 11 in FIG. 3) that protrudes outwardly larger than the outer diameter of the appliance main body 10. That is, the upper surface of the flange portion 116 does not face the internal space of the appliance main body 10. Therefore, the radio wave transmission hole A1 is disposed in the surface region inside the flange portion 116 on the surface 11C (see FIG. 1) of the cover 11 so as to face the internal space of the appliance main body 10.

[0046] The radio wave transmission through-hole A1 is formed in a slit shape in a plan view of the cover 11 (the surface 11C) (see FIG. 3 showing a front view of the cover 11). That is, the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 is formed in a slit shape when viewed from one side (downward) in the arrangement direction (vertical direction) in which the appliance main body 10 and the cover 11 are arranged. The opening of the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 has an elongated shape. As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 is formed in an arc shape in a plan view of the cover 11. Specifically, the inner edge E1 and the outer edge E2 of the opening of the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 have a shape along concentric circular arcs. In other words, the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 is formed in a curved shape in a plan view of the cover 11.

[0047] In the example of FIG. 3, the entire radio wave transmission through-hole A1 from the first end A11 (left end) to the second end A12 (right end) in the longitudinal direction is formed in an arc shape. However, this is not the limit, and only a part of the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 in the longitudinal direction may be in an arc shape. For example, the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 may have a mixture of a portion formed in an arc shape and a portion formed in a linear shape. As an example, the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 may be formed in an arc shape near the first end A11 and the second end A12 in the longitudinal direction, and the intermediate portion connecting the portion near the first end A11 and the portion near the second end A12 may be formed in a linear shape. Also, the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 may be in a gently curved shape, a V-shaped or W-shaped in a plan view of the cover 11.

[0048] Also, the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 may be formed in an elliptical arc shape in addition to an arc shape. In short, at least a part of the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 may be formed in an arc shape or an elliptical arc shape in a plan view of the cover 11.

[0049] In addition, the radio wave through-hole A1 is arranged so as to surround at least a part (here, a part) of the window hole 110 of the cover 11 in a plan view of the cover 11. The window hole 110 is a hole for guiding the light from the LED module 20 (light source) to the outside. Specifically, the window hole 110 is arranged so as to be located at the center (two-dimensional center of gravity G1: see Fig. 3) in the plan view of the cover 11. And, the lens portion 220 of the light source unit 2 is inserted into the window hole 110, and the light from the LED module 20 (light source) is guided to the outside from the window hole 110 through the lens portion 220. That is, the optical axis of the LED module 20 (light source) substantially coincides with the center (center of gravity G1) in the plan view of the cover 11. In the example of Fig. 3, the radio wave through-hole A1 is arranged so as to surround, with the inner edge E1, approximately half of the opening peripheral edge of the circular window hole 110.

[0050] Particularly in this embodiment, as an example, the radio wave through-hole A1 is formed in an arc shape along a circle centered on the LED module 20 (light source) in the plan view of the cover 11. Specifically, the inner edge E1 and the outer edge E2 of the opening of the radio wave through-hole A1 are formed in an arc shape along a circle centered on, for example, the point through which the optical axis of the LED module 20 (light source) passes. However, this is not the only case, and the radio wave through-hole A1 may be formed in an arc shape along a circle centered on a point deviated from the optical axis of the LED module 20 (light source) in the plan view of the cover 11, for example. Also, the inner edge E1 and the outer edge E2 of the opening of the radio wave through-hole A1 may be formed in an arc shape along circles centered on different points, respectively, and in this case, the radio wave through-hole A1 may be formed in a crescent shape.

[0051] Incidentally, the length dimension of the radio wave through-hole A1 (the dimension from the first end A11 to the second end A12) is preferably not less than one-fourth of the wavelength of the radio wave used in the wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit 5 and not more than two-thirds of the wavelength of the radio wave. Among these, the length dimension of the radio wave through-hole A1 is most preferably about one-half of the wavelength of the radio wave. For example, in the case of a radio wave in the frequency band of 920 MHz, the length dimension of the radio wave through-hole A1 is preferably about 16.5 cm. The width dimension of the radio wave through-hole A1 (the dimension from the inner edge E1 to the outer edge E2) is not particularly limited, but considering the possibility that foreign substances such as dust enter the inside from the cover 11 through the radio wave through-hole A1, it is preferably as small as possible, for example, preferably about several mm to several tens of mm.

[0052] In the present embodiment, in the front view of the cover 11 (see FIG. 3), the radio wave through-hole A1 and the wireless communication unit 5 (the projection area thereof) are arranged so as to partially overlap each other. However, this is not the only case, and the radio wave through-hole A1 and the wireless communication unit 5 (the projection area thereof) may be arranged so as not to overlap each other at all. However, the radio wave through-hole A1 and the wireless communication unit 5 are preferably arranged close to each other.

[0053] (3) Assembly procedure of the lighting fixture Next, the assembly procedure of the lighting fixture 1 will be described. Hereinafter, it will be described on the assumption that a pair of supports 12 are attached to the fixture main body 10 in advance and a pair of mounting springs are attached to the cover 11 in advance.

[0054] First, an operator who performs the assembly work houses the circuit unit 4 in the fixture main body 10 and caulks and fixes the housing 41 of the circuit unit 4 to the top surface of the fixture main body 10. Thereby, the circuit unit 4 is arranged in the space on the right side in the fixture main body 10.

[0055] Next, the operator houses the wireless communication unit 5 in the fixture main body 10. The wireless communication unit 5 is arranged in the fixture main body 10 in the vicinity of the circuit unit 4. The wireless communication unit 5 is electrically connected to the control circuit 404 of the circuit unit 4 via, for example, a lead wire.

[0056] Then, the operator attaches the light source unit 2 to the housing 41 of the circuit unit 4. Further, the operator screws the heat dissipation member to the wall of the appliance main body 10 to thermally and mechanically couple the appliance main body 10 and the heat dissipation member.

[0057] Subsequently, the operator accommodates the battery unit 3 in the left - hand space inside the appliance main body 10. When the battery unit 3 is accommodated in the appliance main body 10, the connector portion of the battery unit 3 and the receiving - side connector of the circuit unit 4 are electrically and mechanically connected.

[0058] Finally, the operator inserts a pair of mounting springs into a pair of insertion grooves provided on the inner peripheral surface of the appliance main body 10 to hold the cover 11 on the appliance main body 10 so as to close the lower surface of the appliance main body 10 (see FIG. 1). In this way, the assembly of the lighting fixture 1 is completed.

[0059] (4) Inspection operation Next, the inspection operation of the lighting fixture 1 will be described. For the emergency lamp, it is desirable to perform the switching to the emergency lighting once every six months and confirm (inspect) the lighting time (the time of emergency lighting). And as a result of the inspection, if the emergency lighting does not turn on, or if it turns off before the rated time (30 minutes or 60 minutes) of the emergency lighting defined by laws and regulations has elapsed, it is necessary to take appropriate measures, such as replacing the new battery 30. Hereinafter, the case where the inspection operation is performed by the wireless communication unit 5 receiving a wireless signal from an external device will be described as an example.

[0060] When the wireless communication unit 5 receives a wireless signal from an external device, the control circuit 404 controls the lighting circuit 402 according to the wireless signal and inspects the storage battery 30. The wireless signal includes an inspection start command for starting the inspection operation. In the inspection operation, the control circuit 404 controls the lighting circuit 402 to pass a current through the LED module 20. Thereby, the control circuit 404 inspects whether there is an abnormality (capacity reduction) in the storage battery 30. The control circuit 404 causes the wireless communication unit 5 to transmit the inspection result of the storage battery 30 to the external device by a wireless signal. The external device is, for example, an operator's smartphone, tablet terminal, or PC. Further, the external device may be an edge server provided in the facility where the lighting fixture 1 is installed, or a cloud server on the network.

[0061] That is, the circuit unit 4 further includes a control circuit 404 that controls the lighting circuit 402 according to the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 5. And the control circuit 404 inspects the storage battery 30 according to the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 5, and causes the wireless communication unit 5 to transmit the inspection result of the storage battery 30 by a wireless signal.

[0062] The control circuit 404 can also transmit information other than the inspection result of the storage battery 30 to the external device by a wireless signal from the wireless communication unit 5. The control circuit 404 may have a function of determining the deterioration of the storage battery 30 based on, for example, the battery voltage of the storage battery 30. Alternatively, the control circuit 404 may have a function of managing, for example, the cumulative usage time of the storage battery 30. When the control circuit 404 determines that the replacement time of the storage battery 30 is approaching based on the deterioration determination result or the cumulative usage time, it may transmit a wireless signal including the determination result from the wireless communication unit 5 to the external device. Also, the control circuit 404 manages the inspection time of the lighting fixture 1, and when the next inspection time is approaching, it may transmit a wireless signal including that fact from the wireless communication unit 5 to the external device. Also, the external device may be a repeater, and the repeater may relay a plurality of wireless signals transmitted from a plurality of lighting fixtures 1 and transmit them to an operator's smartphone, tablet terminal, or PC.

[0063] The above inspection operation may be carried out by an operator performing the inspection operation pressing the push button switch 406B, or alternatively, by the operator operating a dedicated remote controller to transmit an infrared signal including an inspection start command to the receiving unit 407. Alternatively, the above inspection operation may be automatically carried out by the control circuit 404 at a predetermined time interval.

[0064] (5) Effects In the lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment, the cover 11 has a radio wave transmission hole A1 through which (radio communication) radio waves pass. Thereby, radio communication via the radio wave transmission hole A1 is facilitated, and the sensitivity of radio communication can be improved.

[0065] Further, since the radio wave transmission hole A1 is formed in a slit shape, it is possible to improve the sensitivity of radio communication while suppressing a decrease in the strength of the cover 11 due to the provision of the radio wave transmission hole A1. Also, entry of foreign matters such as dust into the lighting fixture 1 from the radio wave transmission hole A1 can be suppressed.

[0066] In particular, the cover 11 of the emergency light (lighting fixture 1) can be made of metal or formed of a flame-retardant synthetic resin material so as to be less affected by a fire or the like. In that case, the metal or flame-retardant resin cover 11 can be a factor that does not allow or attenuates radio waves for radio communication. In this regard, in the lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment, radio communication via the radio wave transmission hole A1 of the cover 11 is facilitated.

[0067] Also, when the lighting fixture 1 not only receives a radio signal instructing the start of an inspection operation from the outside by radio communication, but also transmits a radio signal including various information such as the replacement time and inspection time of the storage battery 30 to an external device, higher radio communication performance may be required. Also in this regard, the provision of the radio wave transmission hole A1 makes it difficult for the transmitted radio signal to be attenuated, and a lighting fixture 1 having higher radio communication performance can be provided.

[0068] In addition, since the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 is formed in an arc shape in the plan view of the cover 11, it becomes easier to increase the length of the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 within the limited surface area of the surface 11C of the cover 11, and the sensitivity of wireless communication can be further improved. In particular, the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 is formed in an arc shape along a circle centered on the LED module 20 (light source) in the plan view of the cover 11. Therefore, the affinity regarding the design of the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 with respect to the light source is increased, and while improving the appearance, the sensitivity of wireless communication can be improved.

[0069] (6) Variation The above-described embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment can be variously modified according to the design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Hereinafter, variations of the above-described embodiment will be listed. The variations described below can be applied in appropriate combination with the above-described embodiment, and can also be applied in appropriate combination among the variations.

[0070] In the following description, for each variation, the same reference numerals are given to the components similar to those of the lighting fixture 1 of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted.

[0071] (6.1) Variation 1 In the above-described embodiment, the radio wave transmission through-hole A1 of the cover 11 is formed in an arc shape. In contrast, the cover 11 of the lighting fixture 1 according to Variation 1 has a radio wave transmission through-hole A2 formed in a straight line shape in the plan view of the cover 11 as shown in FIG. 4. The radio wave transmission through-hole A2 is also configured as a hole through which radio waves for wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit 5 pass.

[0072] The radio wave transmission through-hole A2 penetrates the cover 11 in its thickness direction. The radio wave transmission through-hole A2 is formed in a slit shape in the plan view of the cover 11 (see FIG. 4 showing the front view of the cover 11). That is, the opening of the radio wave transmission through-hole A2 has an elongated shape. As shown in FIG. 4, in Variation 1, the radio wave transmission through-hole A2 is formed in a straight line shape in the plan view of the cover 11. Specifically, the inner edge E1 and the outer edge E2 of the opening of the radio wave transmission through-hole A2 are in a straight line parallel to each other.

[0073] In the example of FIG. 4, the entire radio wave through-hole A2 is linearly formed from the first end A21 (left end) to the second end A22 (right end) in the longitudinal direction. However, this is not the limit, and only a part of the radio wave through-hole A1 in the longitudinal direction may be linear. For example, the radio wave through-hole A2 may have a mixed shape of an arcuate portion and a linear portion. In short, at least a part of the radio wave through-hole A2 may be linearly formed in a plan view of the cover 11.

[0074] In the first modification as well, in a front view of the cover 11 (see FIG. 4), the radio wave through-hole A2 and the wireless communication unit 5 (the projected area thereof) are arranged so as to partially overlap each other. However, this is not the limit, and the radio wave through-hole A2 and the wireless communication unit 5 (the projected area thereof) may be arranged so as not to overlap each other at all. However, it is preferable that the radio wave through-hole A2 and the wireless communication unit 5 are arranged close to each other.

[0075] Note that, for other configurations, they are the same as those of the lighting fixture 1 according to the above-described embodiment.

[0076] In the first modification as well, the cover 11 has a radio wave through-hole A2 through which radio waves (for wireless communication) pass. Thereby, wireless communication via the radio wave through-hole A2 becomes easier, and the sensitivity of wireless communication can be improved.

[0077] (6.2) Second Modification In the above-described embodiment, the radio wave through-hole A1 of the cover 11 is provided in a state visible to the human eye. On the other hand, the lighting fixture 1 according to the second modification further includes a non-metallic closing portion B1 that closes the radio wave through-hole A1, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0078] If the blocking portion B1 is made of a non-metallic material, its material is not particularly limited, but it is preferably a member with a thin wall thickness. Here, as an example, the blocking portion B1 is the sealing member S1. The sealing member S1 is formed of, for example, a paper material, a film material, or a vinyl chloride material. The sealing member S1 is adhered from below the cover 11. As another example of the blocking portion B1, it may be configured as a sheet-like silicone rubber member and provided so as to block the radio wave transmission hole A1 from above the cover 11.

[0079] The sealing member S1 has an area larger than the opening area of the radio wave transmission hole A1 so as to block the radio wave transmission hole A1 without a gap. In the example of FIG. 5, the sealing member S1 has a shape similar to the opening shape of the radio wave transmission hole A1 (here, an arc shape) in the front view of the cover 11, but a non-similar shape (for example, a rectangular shape) may also be used.

[0080] The blocking portion B1 preferably has light impermeability. The blocking portion B1 may have a light shielding rate of 90% or more (for example, 100%). In this case, it is possible to suppress light from leaking from the LED module 20 (light source) through the radio wave transmission hole A1 and the blocking portion B1.

[0081] Incidentally, for example, the name of the manufacturer (characters) of the lighting fixture 1 is attached to the surface of the sealing member S1 (shown as "XXXXXX" for convenience in FIG. 5). Although not shown in FIG. 5, the product number, manufacturing date, contact information (phone number, etc.) of the manufacturer of the lighting fixture 1 may be further attached to the surface of the sealing member S1. In addition, a mark indicating that the lighting fixture 1 is a wireless communication-compatible device, a JIL conformity mark based on the self-assessment system of the Japan Lighting Industry Association, and a certification mark as compliance with the technical standards based on the Fire Service Act may be attached to the surface of the sealing member S1.

[0082] In other words, at least one of characters, numbers, symbols, and marks may be attached to the surface of the blocking portion B1. By using the blocking portion B1 (sealing member S1) to which at least one of characters, numbers, symbols, and marks is attached to block the radio wave transmission hole A1, it is possible to suppress the sense of incongruity caused by the presence of the radio wave transmission hole A1 and the blocking portion B1. In particular, since the blocking portion B1 presents various types of information regarding the lighting fixture 1, it becomes less likely to give a sense of incongruity.

[0083] Note that in a front view of the cover 11, it is not essential that the entire opening area of the radio wave transmission hole A1 is completely blocked by the blocking portion B1. Only a part of the opening area of the radio wave transmission hole A1 (for example, about half of the entire opening area) may be blocked by the blocking portion B1, and the rest may not be blocked. Also, a plurality of blocking portions B1 may be provided. For example, the radio wave transmission hole A1 may be blocked by a plurality of sealing members S1 (blocking portions B1).

[0084] As described above, the lighting fixture 1 according to the second modification includes the blocking portion B1, so that while suppressing the entry of foreign matters such as dust from the radio wave transmission hole A1, it is possible to improve the sensitivity of wireless communication. In particular, since the blocking portion B1 is the sealing member S1, the blocking portion B1 can be realized with a simple configuration, and the influence on radio waves by the blocking portion B1 can be suppressed.

[0085] (6.3) Second Modification In the above-described embodiment, the lighting fixture 1 is a ceiling-embedded emergency light that is embedded in the ceiling. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the lighting fixture 1A according to the second modification is a surface-mounted emergency light that is directly attached to the ceiling. Hereinafter, the lighting fixture 1A according to the second modification will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 6, the lighting fixture 1A according to Modification 3 includes a disk-shaped fixture body 14 and a hollow conical trapezoidal cover 15 with an open upper (top) side. The fixture body 14 is screwed and directly attached to the ceiling. The cover 15 is made of, for example, metal. The cover 15 is light-impermeable. The cover 15 may have a light shielding rate of 90% or more (e.g., 100%). The cover 15 may be formed of a flame-retardant synthetic resin. A circular window hole 150 is provided at the center of the bottom surface 151 of the cover 15. In the assembled state of the lighting fixture 1A, the lens portion 220 of the light source unit 2 is inserted through the window hole 150.

[0087] Also, in the lighting fixture 1A according to Modification 3, four holes (first hole 111D, second hole 112D, third hole 113D, fourth hole 114D) are provided near the window hole 150 in the cover 15 so as to be arranged in two vertical and horizontal rows. The first hole 111D corresponds to the above-described first hole 111, and the second hole 112D corresponds to the above-described second hole 112. Also, the third hole 113D corresponds to the above-described third hole 113, and the fourth hole 114D corresponds to the above-described fourth hole 114.

[0088] Here, the cover 15 has a radio wave transmission hole A1 on its bottom surface 151 (see Fig. 6). The radio wave transmission hole A1 is formed in a slit shape when viewed from one side (downward) in the plan view of the cover 15 (bottom surface 151), that is, in the arrangement direction (vertical direction) in which the fixture body 14 and the cover 15 are arranged. The radio wave transmission hole A1 is arranged so as to surround a part of the window hole 150 in the plan view of the cover 15 (bottom surface 151). The radio wave transmission hole A1 is formed in an arc shape along a circle centered on the LED module 20 (light source) in the plan view of the cover 15 (bottom surface 151). Also, in the front view of the cover 15, the radio wave transmission hole A1 and the wireless communication unit 5 (its projection area: not shown in Fig. 6) are arranged so as to partially overlap each other.

[0089] Also in the lighting fixture 1A according to Modification 3, wireless communication via the radio wave transmission hole A1 becomes easier, and the sensitivity of wireless communication can be improved.

[0090] (6.4) Other Modification Examples The following are other modification examples.

[0091] In the above-described embodiment, the lighting fixture 1 is a dedicated emergency lighting fixture that only performs emergency lighting, but it may also be a combined type emergency lighting fixture with built-in battery that performs both normal lighting and emergency lighting. Alternatively, the lighting fixture 1 may be a type of emergency lighting fixture having two or more light sources, and an incorporated type emergency lighting fixture in which one or more light sources are lit by an emergency power source and the other light sources are lit by a normal power source.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, the lighting fixture 1 is an emergency lamp, but the lighting fixture is not limited to an emergency lamp, and may be, for example, an emergency lighting fixture other than an emergency lamp such as an induction lamp, or a lighting fixture for general lighting such as a so-called downlight. Further, the lighting fixture may be a staircase passage induction lamp installed on the road surface of a staircase or on a wall facing a dance floor.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the control circuit 404 lights the LED module 20 with the charging power charged in the storage battery 30 during the inspection operation. However, for example, the above charging power may be consumed by a dummy load. The dummy load includes, for example, at least one of a resistor and a diode. Further, the dummy load may be a light source different from the LED module 20. In this case, it is preferable that the other light source is covered with a case or the like so that the light emitted from the other light source does not leak to the outside.

[0094] The wireless communication unit 5 may be detachable from the instrument body 10 or may be fixed to the instrument body 10.

[0095] (Aspect) The following aspects are disclosed in this specification.

[0096] The lighting fixtures (1, 1A) according to the first aspect include a light source unit (2), a battery unit (3), a circuit unit (4), a wireless communication unit (5), a fixture body (10, 14), and a cover (11, 15). The light source unit (2) has a light source (LED module 20). The battery unit (3) has a storage battery (30). The circuit unit (4) has a lighting circuit (402) that lights the light source (LED module 20) with the charging power charged in the storage battery (30). The wireless communication unit (5) performs wireless communication using radio waves as a medium. The fixture body (10, 14) holds the light source unit (2), the circuit unit (4), and the wireless communication unit (5), and detachably holds the battery unit (3). The cover (11, 15) is detachably attached to the fixture body (10, 14) so as to cover the battery unit (3), the circuit unit (4), and the wireless communication unit (5). The cover (11, 15) has radio wave transmission holes (A1, A2) through which radio waves pass.

[0097] According to the above aspect, wireless communication via the radio wave transmission holes (A1, A2) becomes easier, and the sensitivity of wireless communication can be improved.

[0098] Regarding the lighting fixtures (1, 1A) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the radio wave transmission holes (A1, A2) are formed in a slit shape in a plan view of the cover (11, 15).

[0099] According to the above aspect, it is possible to improve the sensitivity of wireless communication while suppressing a decrease in the strength of the cover (11, 15) due to the provision of the radio wave transmission holes (A1, A2).

[0100] Regarding the lighting fixtures (1, 1A) according to the third aspect, in the second aspect, at least a part of the radio wave transmission holes (A1, A2) is formed in a straight line shape in a plan view of the cover (11, 15).

[0101] According to the above aspect, the sensitivity of wireless communication can be further improved.

[0102] Regarding the lighting fixture (1, 1A) according to the fourth aspect, in the second aspect, at least a part of the radio wave transmission holes (A1, A2) is formed in an arc shape or an elliptical arc shape in a plan view of the cover (11, 15).

[0103] According to the above aspect, within the limited surface area of the surface (11C) of the cover (11, 15), it becomes easier to increase the length of the radio wave transmission holes (A1, A2), and the sensitivity of wireless communication can be further improved.

[0104] Regarding the lighting fixture (1, 1A) according to the fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the radio wave transmission holes (A1, A2) are formed in an arc shape along a circle centered on the light source (LED module 20) in a plan view of the cover (11, 15).

[0105] According to the above aspect, the affinity regarding the design of the radio wave transmission holes (A1, A2) with respect to the light source (LED module 20) is enhanced, and while improving the appearance, the sensitivity of wireless communication can be improved.

[0106] The lighting fixture (1, 1A) according to the sixth aspect further includes a non-metallic closing portion (B1) that closes the radio wave transmission holes (A1, A2) in any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0107] According to the above aspect, while suppressing the entry of foreign matters such as dust from the radio wave transmission holes (A1, A2), the sensitivity of wireless communication can be improved.

[0108] Regarding the lighting fixture (1, 1A) according to the seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the closing portion (B1) is a sealing member (S1).

[0109] According to the above aspect, the closing portion (B1) can be realized with a simple configuration, and the influence on radio waves by the closing portion (B1) can be suppressed.

[0110] Regarding the lighting fixture (1, 1A) according to the eighth aspect, in the sixth or seventh aspect, the closing portion (B1) has light impermeability.

[0111] According to the above aspect, it is possible to suppress light from the light source (LED module 20) from leaking out through the radio wave transmission holes (A1, A2) and the blocking portion (B1).

[0112] Regarding the lighting fixture (1, 1A) according to the ninth aspect, in any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, at least one of letters, numbers, symbols, and marks is attached to the surface of the blocking portion (B1).

[0113] According to the above aspect, it is possible to suppress a sense of incongruity caused by the presence of the radio wave transmission holes (A1, A2) and the blocking portion (B1).

[0114] The configurations according to the second to ninth aspects are not essential configurations of the lighting fixture (1, 1A) according to the first aspect and can be appropriately omitted.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0115] 1, 1A Lighting fixture 10, 14 Appliance body 11, 15 Cover 2 Light source unit 20 LED module (light source) 3 Battery unit 30 Storage battery 4 Circuit unit 402 Lighting circuit 5 Wireless communication unit A1, A2 Radio wave transmission holes B1 Blocking portion S1 Sealing member

Claims

1. A light source unit having a light source, A battery unit having a storage battery, A circuit unit having a lighting circuit for lighting the light source with the charging power charged in the storage battery, A wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication using radio waves as a medium, An instrument body that holds the light source unit, the circuit unit, and the wireless communication unit, and removably holds the battery unit, A cover that is removably attached to the instrument body so as to cover the battery unit, the circuit unit, and the wireless communication unit, Comprising, The cover has a radio wave transmission hole through which the radio wave passes, A lighting fixture.

2. The radio wave transmission hole is formed in a slit shape in a plan view of the cover, The lighting fixture according to claim 1.

3. At least a part of the radio wave transmission hole is formed in a straight line shape in a plan view of the cover, The lighting fixture according to claim 2.

4. At least a part of the radio wave transmission hole is formed in an arc shape or an elliptical arc shape in a plan view of the cover, The lighting fixture according to claim 2.

5. The radio wave transmission hole is formed in an arc shape along a circle centered on the light source in a plan view of the cover, The lighting fixture according to claim 4.

6. Further comprising a non-metallic closing portion that closes the radio wave transmission hole, The lighting fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The closing portion is a sealing member, The lighting fixture according to claim 6.

8. The closing portion has light impermeability, The lighting fixture according to claim 6.

9. At least one of characters, numbers, symbols, and marks is attached to the surface of the closing portion, The lighting fixture according to claim 6.

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