Lighting apparatus and lighting system

Abstract

To relax constraints on installation locations.SOLUTION: A lighting apparatus A1 includes: a light source part 10 that emits illumination light; a fixture main body that holds light source part 10; a lighting circuit part 12 that lights the light source part 10; a storage part 13; and a communication part 14. The storage part 13 stores information related to at least one of the light source part 10, the device main body, and the lighting circuit part 12. The communication part 14 transmits a communication signal including information. The communication part 14 transmits a communication signal using a power line P1 for supplying power to the lighting circuit part 12 as a communication medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to lighting fixtures and lighting systems, and more particularly to lighting fixtures having a communication function and lighting systems having such lighting fixtures.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional example, a lighting fixture management system (lighting system) described in Patent Document 1 is exemplified. The lighting fixture management system described in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter referred to as the conventional example) includes a lighting fixture, an IC tag attached to the lighting fixture, and a reader terminal. The IC tag stores manufacturing information of components of the lighting fixture. The manufacturing information stored in the IC tag can be read by the reader terminal. Further, the conventional example further includes a server that receives the manufacturing information read from the IC tag from the reader terminal and stores it in a database.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, the above conventional example has a limitation that the lighting fixture with the IC tag attached thereto and the reader terminal must be installed within a communicable range.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a lighting fixture and a lighting system that can relax the constraints regarding the installation location.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A lighting fixture according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a light source unit that irradiates illumination light, a fixture body that holds the light source unit, a lighting circuit unit that lights the light source unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit. The storage unit stores information regarding at least one of the light source unit, the fixture body, and the lighting circuit unit. The communication unit transmits a communication signal including the information. The communication unit transmits the communication signal using a power line for supplying power to the lighting circuit unit as a communication medium.

[0007] A lighting system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the lighting fixture and an external device electrically connected to the lighting fixture via a power line. The communication unit receives a communication signal using the power line as a communication medium, and transmits the communication signal including the information in response to a command included in the received communication signal. The external device receives the communication signal transmitted from the communication unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] The lighting fixture and the lighting system of the present disclosure have an effect of relaxing restrictions regarding the installation location.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, a lighting fixture and a lighting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, each of the drawings described in the following embodiments is a schematic diagram, and the respective ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the respective components do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios. Note that the configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made according to the design and the like as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0011] (1) Overview As shown in FIG. 1, a lighting fixture A1 according to an embodiment includes a light source unit 10 that irradiates illumination light, a fixture body 11 (see FIG. 3) that holds the light source unit 10, a lighting circuit unit 12 that lights the light source unit 10, a storage unit 13, and a communication unit 14.

[0012] The lighting fixture A1 according to the embodiment is, for example, a so-called high-ceiling fixture installed on the ceiling of a factory or a gymnasium (see FIG. 3).

[0013] The storage unit 13 stores information regarding at least one of the light source unit 10, the fixture body 11, and the lighting circuit unit 12. The storage unit 13 is, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory. The information stored in the storage unit 13 preferably includes, for example, a product number, a nominal value (unit: lumen) of the luminous flux of the light source unit 10, the manufacturing year, and electrical rating values (such as output voltage and output current rating values) of the lighting circuit unit 12.

[0014] The communication unit 14 transmits a communication signal including the information stored in the storage unit 13. The communication unit 14 transmits the communication signal using the power line P1 for supplying power to the lighting circuit unit 12 as a communication medium. That is, the communication unit 14 corresponds to a modem (slave unit of a PLC adapter) for power line communication.

[0015] In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the lighting system S1 according to the embodiment includes one or more lighting fixtures A1 and an external device B1 electrically connected to the lighting fixture A1 via a power line P1. The external device B1 receives a communication signal transmitted from the communication unit 14. That is, the external device B1 has the function of the master unit of the PLC adapter.

[0016] Thus, since the lighting fixture A1 according to the embodiment transmits a communication signal using the power line P1 as a communication medium, there is no need to install a reader terminal within a range where it can communicate with an IC tag as in the conventional example, and there is an advantage that restrictions on the installation location (the installation location of the lighting fixture A1 according to the embodiment) can be relaxed.

[0017] In addition, since the lighting system S1 according to the embodiment has an external device B1 that can communicate with the communication unit 14 of the lighting fixture A1 via the power line P1, there is an advantage that restrictions on the installation location (the installation locations of the lighting fixture A1 and the external device B1 according to the embodiment) can be relaxed.

[0018] (2) Details (2-1) Lighting fixture (2-1-1) Circuit configuration The lighting fixture A1 according to the embodiment (hereinafter abbreviated as the lighting fixture A1) includes a light source unit 10 that irradiates lighting light, a fixture body 11 that holds the light source unit 10, a lighting circuit unit 12 that lights the light source unit 10, a storage unit 13, and a communication unit 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0019] The light source unit 10 has a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) as described later. The lighting circuit unit 12 is configured to convert the AC power supplied from the external power system 5 into DC power. The lighting circuit unit 12 supplies the converted DC power (DC current) to the light source unit 10 to turn on the light source unit 10. Note that the lighting circuit unit 12 can adjust (dimmer control) the amount of light emitted from the light source unit 10 by increasing or decreasing the DC current supplied to the light source unit 10. Further, when the light source unit 10 has a plurality of types of LEDs with different light colors, the lighting circuit unit 12 can supply a DC current to each LED of each light color individually and adjust (color control) the light color of the light emitted from the light source unit 10 by increasing or decreasing the DC current individually.

[0020] The storage unit 13 has an electrically rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory. However, the storage unit 13 may have a storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0021] The storage unit 13 stores information related to at least one of the light source unit 10, the appliance body 11, and the lighting circuit unit 12. The information stored in the storage unit 13 preferably includes, for example, the product number of the lighting fixture A1, the nominal value of the luminous flux of the light source unit 10 (unit: lumen), the manufacturing year of the lighting fixture A1, the electrical rating values of the lighting circuit unit 12 (such as the rated values of the output voltage and output current), the material, weight, dimensions, etc. of the appliance body 11. Further, as described later, the storage unit 13 may store the cumulative lighting time of the light source unit 10, information related to the location where the appliance body 11 is installed, the cumulative value of the electrical variable in at least one of the input or output of the lighting circuit unit 12, and the like.

[0022] The communication unit 14 transmits communication signals using the power line P1, which supplies power to the lighting circuit unit 12, as a communication medium. Also, the communication unit 14 can receive communication signals transmitted from the external device B1 of the lighting system S1 using the power line P1 as a communication medium. The communication unit 14 has, for example, a PLC modem LSI (Large Scale Integration). The PLC modem LSI has an analog front-end circuit, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an MCU (Micro Control Unit), and the like. The MCU reads information (data) from the storage unit 13 and writes information (data) to the storage unit 13. The DSP generates a transmission frame for PLC including the data read by the MCU, and acquires data from the received frame received from the analog front-end circuit and passes it to the MCU. The analog front-end circuit superimposes a high-frequency analog signal (communication signal) obtained by modulating a carrier wave with the transmission frame on the 50 Hz or 60 Hz sinusoidal AC flowing through the power line P1. Also, the analog front-end circuit demodulates the received frame from the high-frequency communication signal superimposed on the sinusoidal AC flowing through the power line P1, and passes the demodulated received frame to the DSP. However, the communication unit 14 is not limited to the above configuration.

[0023] (2-1-2) Structure The lighting fixture A1 is a lighting fixture for so-called high-ceiling lighting (also called a high-ceiling fixture). A high-ceiling fixture is a lighting fixture attached to a ceiling board or a beam in a building with a ceiling height higher than the ceiling height (2.4 m to 2.6 m) of a house or an office building, such as a factory, a gymnasium, and a warehouse, for example, with a ceiling height of about 3 m or more, to illuminate the floor surface. However, the lighting fixture A1 is not limited to a high-ceiling fixture, and may be a lighting fixture installed on the ceiling of a common area of an apartment building or a room in an office building.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the lighting fixture A1 includes a light source unit 10, a fixture body 11 that holds the light source unit 10, and an arm 3 that supports the fixture body 11.

[0025] The light source unit 10 includes an LED unit and a panel 100. The LED unit includes a plurality of LEDs and a substrate on which these plurality of LEDs are mounted. Each of the plurality of LEDs is a packaged white LED for lighting, and is mounted side by side vertically and horizontally on the lower surface of a rectangular substrate.

[0026] The panel 100 is formed in a rectangular tray shape from a synthetic resin material having translucency such as polycarbonate resin. The panel 100 is screwed to the lower surface of the appliance body 11 so as to cover the LED unit from below. The panel 100 is configured to protect the LED unit and transmit the illumination light emitted from the LED unit.

[0027] The appliance body 11 includes a base 110, a pair of first support plates 111, a pair of second support plates 112, a plurality of heat dissipation plates 113, and a mounting base 114.

[0028] The base 110 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape from a metal plate such as an aluminum plate. The light source unit 10 (LED unit and panel 100) is screwed to the lower surface of the base 110.

[0029] Each of the pair of first support plates 111 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape from a metal plate such as an aluminum plate. One end portion (lower end portion) in the longitudinal direction of each of the pair of first support plates 111 is bent at a substantially right angle. The lower end portion of each of the pair of first support plates 111 is screwed to the central portion in the short side direction at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base 110. That is, each of the pair of first support plates 111 stands upright upward from the center in the short side direction at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base 110.

[0030] Each of the pair of second support plates 112 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape by a metal plate such as an aluminum plate. Also, one end portion (lower end portion) in the longitudinal direction of each of the pair of second support plates 112 is bent at approximately a right angle. The lower end portions of each of the pair of second support plates 112 are screwed to the central portions in the longitudinal direction at both ends in the short direction of the base 110. That is, each of the pair of second support plates 112 stands upright upward from the center in the longitudinal direction at both ends in the short direction of the base 110.

[0031] Each of the plurality of heat dissipation plates 113 is formed in a U shape by an aluminum plate. The plurality of heat dissipation plates 113 are respectively arranged and attached on the upper surface of the base 110. That is, the heat generated by the LED unit is conducted from the base 110 to the plurality of heat dissipation plates 113 and dissipated from the plurality of heat dissipation plates 113 into the atmosphere.

[0032] The mounting base 114 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape by a metal plate. At the center in the longitudinal direction at both ends in the short direction of the mounting base 114, the upper end portions of the pair of second support plates 112 are screwed one by one. Also, the central portions in the short direction at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the mounting base 114 are screwed one by one to the pair of first support plates 111. A gap is provided between the lower surface of the mounting base 114 and the upper end of each of the plurality of heat dissipation plates 113.

[0033] The power supply cover 15 is screwed to the upper surface of the mounting base 114. The power supply cover 15 is formed in a rectangular box shape with an open lower surface by a metal plate material such as a zinc steel plate. That is, the lower surface of the power supply cover 15 is closed by the mounting base 114. A circuit board on which the lighting circuit portion 12, the storage portion 13, and the communication portion 14 are mounted is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the power supply cover 15.

[0034] Here, a terminal cover 16 is detachably attached to the side surface of the power supply cover 15. The terminal cover 16 covers a terminal block attached to the side surface of the power supply cover 15. A notch 160 for inserting a power line P1 is provided on the side surface of the terminal cover 16. Then, the power line P1 inserted through the notch 160 is electrically connected to the terminal block and is also electrically connected to the lighting circuit unit 12 and the communication unit 14 via the terminal block.

[0035] The arm 3 has a fixing portion 30 formed in a long plate shape and a pair of protruding portions 31 protruding from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the fixing portion 30. The tip of each of the pair of protruding portions 31 is screwed to the upper end portion of the pair of first support plates 111. The fixing portion 30 has a circular first mounting hole 301 and a second mounting hole 302 formed as a rounded hole.

[0036] The fixing portion 30 of the arm 3 is fixed to the ceiling board or the stud by two bolts respectively inserted through the first mounting hole 301 and the second mounting hole 302. Then, the lighting fixture A1 is attached to the ceiling of the building via the arm 3.

[0037] (2-2) Lighting system As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting system S1 according to the embodiment (hereinafter abbreviated as the lighting system S1) includes a plurality of lighting fixtures A1 and an external device B1 electrically connected to the lighting fixtures A1 via a power line P1. The lighting system S1 further includes a server C1 capable of communicating with the external device B1 through a network NW1 such as the Internet. Although only two lighting fixtures A1 are shown in FIG. 1, the lighting system S1 may have three or more lighting fixtures A1.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the external device B1 includes a control unit 22, a PLC adapter 21, a display unit 20, and the like. The PLC adapter 21 has the same PLC modem LSI as the communication unit 14 of the lighting fixture A1. The control unit 22 includes a microcontroller and a network communication circuit that communicates with the server C1 through the network NW1. The network communication circuit is configured to perform wired communication using, for example, a metal wire or an optical fiber as a communication medium, or wireless communication using radio waves as a communication medium.

[0039] The display unit 20 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and a drive circuit that drives the display device under the control of the control unit 22.

[0040] The external device B1 is installed in the same building where a plurality of lighting fixtures A1 are installed. However, when performing power line carrier communication, the external device B1 and the plurality of lighting fixtures A1 are preferably electrically connected to the same power line P1. The same power line P1 is composed of, for example, one voltage line and a neutral line or a pair of voltage lines of a single-phase three-wire circuit.

[0041] The server C1 is composed of, for example, a computer system. The server C1 may be installed in the same building where the lighting system S1 is installed, or may be installed at a location away from the building where the lighting system S1 is installed. That is, as long as the server C1 and the external device B1 can communicate through the network NW1, the location of the server C1 is not particularly limited.

[0042] (2-3) Procedure for collecting information of lighting fixtures The external device B1 can collect the information stored in the storage unit 13 of each lighting fixture A1 (hereinafter abbreviated as information) by the following procedure. 1) The PLC adapter 21 of the external device B1 transmits a communication signal requesting transmission of information to each lighting fixture A1. 2) The communication unit 14 of each lighting fixture A1 receives the communication signal. 3) The communication unit 14 of each lighting fixture A1 reads information from the storage unit 13 according to the requests included in the received communication signals. 4) The communication unit 14 of each lighting fixture A1 transmits a communication signal including the information read from the storage unit 13 to the external device B1. 5) The PLC adapter 21 of the external device B1 receives the communication signal, acquires the information included in the received communication signal, and passes it to the control unit 22. 6) The control unit 22 of the external device B1 stores the information received from the PLC adapter 21 in a storage device such as a memory.

[0043] Through the above procedure, the control unit 22 of the external device B1 can acquire the information of each lighting fixture A1 from a plurality of lighting fixtures A1.

[0044] (3) Modifications of the Embodiment Next, some modifications of the lighting fixture according to the embodiment will be described. However, the basic configuration of the lighting fixtures in the modifications described below is common to the basic configuration of the lighting fixture A1 according to the embodiment. Therefore, for the configurations that are common to and substantially common to the basic configuration of the lighting fixture A1 according to the embodiment, the same reference numerals are given, and the illustration and description are appropriately omitted. In the following description, the "substantially common configuration" means a configuration in which the shape, size, etc. are somewhat different but the functions are common. Also, the modifications described below may be combined.

[0045] (3-1) Modification 1 As shown in FIG. 4, the lighting fixture A2 of Modification 1 includes a long light source unit A20 and a long fixture body A21 to which the light source unit A20 is detachably attached.

[0046] The light source unit A20 includes a long LED module, a long light-transmitting cover A200 that covers the LED module, a support member that supports the LED module and the light-transmitting cover A200, a lighting circuit unit 12, a storage unit 13, a communication unit 14, etc. The lighting circuit unit 12, the storage unit 13, and the communication unit 14 are also supported by the support member.

[0047] The appliance body A21 is formed in a long rectangular trapezoidal shape by a metal plate. The appliance body A21 is provided with a recess on its smaller bottom surface (the lower bottom surface). The appliance body A21 is attached to the ceiling such that its larger bottom surface (the upper bottom surface) faces the ceiling surface.

[0048] The light source unit A20 is mounted on the appliance body A21 so as to partially accommodate within the recess of the appliance body A21.

[0049] The power line P1 is drawn into the recess through a power supply hole provided on the upper bottom surface of the appliance body A21. Then, the power line P1 drawn into the recess is electrically connected to the lighting circuit section 12 and the communication section 14 of the light source unit A20 via a terminal block provided on the appliance body A21.

[0050] (3-2) Modification 2 The lighting fixture A3 of Modification 2 is a lighting fixture called a so-called downlight, which includes a lamp unit A30 and a power supply unit A31, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0051] The lamp unit A30 has a light source section 10, an appliance body 11 that holds the light source section 10, a frame body 17 that surrounds the light source section 10, and three mounting springs 18 that attach the appliance body 11 and the frame body 17 to the ceiling material. The lamp unit A30 is installed on the ceiling such that the appliance body 11 and the three mounting springs 18 are inserted into embedding holes provided in the ceiling board, and the frame body 17 and the three mounting springs 18 sandwich the ceiling board.

[0052] The power supply unit A31 includes a lighting circuit unit 12, a memory unit 13, a communication unit 14, and a case 19. The case 19 is formed in a rectangular tube shape by a metal plate. The case 19 houses the lighting circuit unit 12, the memory unit 13, and the communication unit 14 inside. A power line P1 is drawn into the case 19 from one end in the longitudinal direction of the case 19. The power line P1 is electrically connected to the lighting circuit unit 12 and the communication unit 14 inside the case 19. An output power cable 190 is drawn out from the other end in the longitudinal direction of the case 19. The power cable 190 is inserted into the lighting fixture A30. The lighting circuit unit 12 supplies DC power to the light source unit 10 via the power cable 190. Note that the power supply unit A31 is inserted into an embedding hole and installed in the ceiling space.

[0053] (3-3) Modification Example 3 The lighting fixture of Modification Example 3 is characterized in that information regarding the environment of the location where the lighting fixture is installed is stored in the memory unit 13. The information regarding the environment is, for example, environmental factors that are likely to affect the deterioration of the circuit components constituting the lighting circuit unit 12, the memory unit 13, and the communication unit 14, specifically, the ambient temperature and / or humidity of the installation location of the lighting fixture.

[0054] The lighting fixture of Modification Example 3 writes and stores in the memory unit 13 the detected value of the ambient temperature detected by a temperature sensor and / or the detected value of the humidity detected by a humidity sensor.

[0055] As described above, since the lighting fixture of Modification Example 3 stores information regarding the environment of the location where the lighting fixture is installed in the memory unit 13, the information regarding the environment can assist in determining, for example, whether the circuit components constituting the lighting circuit unit 12 have reached the end of their service life.

[0056] (3-4) Modification Example 4 The lighting fixture of Modification Example 4 is characterized in that the communication unit 14 receives a communication signal transmitted via the power line P1 from an external device B1 or another controller, and controls the light source unit 10 in the lighting circuit unit 12 according to the command included in the received communication signal.

[0057] The commands included in the communication signal received by the communication unit 14 include, for example, a command to switch the light source unit 10 from lighting to extinguishing or from extinguishing to lighting, or a command to dim the light source unit 10, a command to change the color of the light source unit 10, and the like.

[0058] As described above, the lighting fixture of Modification 4 can remotely control the state of the light source unit 10 without using a dedicated signal line by causing the lighting circuit unit 12 to control the light source unit 10 in response to a command from the external device B1 or another controller.

[0059] (4) Advantages of the Embodiment For example, there may be a case where a plurality (from several tens to several hundreds) of lighting fixtures A1 (including the lighting fixtures A2 and A3 of Modifications 1 and 2. The same shall apply hereinafter) are installed in one building. In this case, it takes a great deal of man-hours to visually read information such as the product number, manufacturing year, and electrical rating of these multiple lighting fixtures A1 from the nameplates provided on each lighting fixture A1. Therefore, by providing the lighting fixture A1 with the storage unit 13 that stores information such as the product number, manufacturing year, and electrical rating as described above, and the communication unit 14 that transmits the information stored in the storage unit 13, the man-hours required to collect those information can be significantly reduced.

[0060] In addition, since the lighting fixture A1 and the lighting system S1 transmit and receive information by a communication signal using the power line P1 as a communication medium, there is no need to install a reader terminal within a range capable of communicating with the IC tag as in the conventional example, and there is an advantage that the restrictions on the installation locations (the installation locations of the lighting fixture A1 and the external device B1) can be relaxed. Moreover, since the lighting fixture A1 and the lighting system S1 use the power line P1 for supplying power to the lighting circuit unit 12 of each lighting fixture A1 as a communication medium for the communication signal, there is no need to newly lay a communication line for transmitting the communication signal in the building. As a result, the lighting fixture A1 and the lighting system S1 have an advantage that the costs associated with laying the communication line (the cost of laying work and maintenance cost) are not required as compared with the case of laying a dedicated communication line.

[0061] Here, the information stored in the storage unit 13 preferably includes at least one of the product number, manufacturing year, manufacturer, and electrical rating of the lighting fixture A1. These pieces of information often coincide with the information printed on the nameplate. Therefore, by storing the above information in the storage unit 13, the lighting fixture A1 can save the trouble of visually checking the nameplate.

[0062] Note that the information stored in the storage unit 13 may include information regarding the location where the appliance body 11 is installed. For example, assume that a plurality of lighting fixtures A1 are installed side by side vertically and horizontally on the ceiling of a gymnasium. Then, numbers are assigned in order from 1 to each row and column, and the coordinates of the point where the horizontal column number X and the vertical column number Y intersect are represented by (X, Y), and this coordinate may be used as information regarding the installation location of the appliance body 11. Furthermore, the information regarding the installation location preferably includes the communication address assigned to the communication unit 14 of each lighting fixture A1, and it is preferable to link the coordinate and the address.

[0063] Thus, by storing the information regarding the location where the lighting fixture A1 and the lighting system S1 are installed in the storage unit 13, more detailed information such as which lighting fixture A1 with what product number is installed at which location (coordinate) can be collected, for example.

[0064] Among the information stored in the memory unit 13, the information regarding the light source unit 10 may include the cumulative lighting time of the light source unit 10. The cumulative lighting time of the light source unit 10 is the cumulative value of the time during which the light source unit 10 is lit by the direct current supplied from the lighting circuit unit 12 after the lighting fixture A1 is installed. The cumulative lighting time of the light source unit 10 is measured by a microcontroller included in the lighting circuit unit 12. The microcontroller measures the time during which the lighting circuit unit 12 is operating to supply a direct current to the light source unit 10 and stores it in the memory. Here, generally, the lifespan of an LED for lighting is said to be tens of thousands of hours (for example, 40,000 hours). Therefore, by including the cumulative lighting time of the light source unit 10 in the information stored in the memory unit 13, the lighting fixture A1 and the lighting system S1 can assist in determining whether the light source unit 10 has reached the end of its lifespan. Alternatively, the control unit 22 of the external device B1 may determine whether the light source unit 10 has reached the end of its lifespan and cause the display unit 20 to display the determination result.

[0065] Thus, by storing the cumulative lighting time of the light source unit 10 in the memory unit 13, the lighting fixture A1 and the lighting system S1 can assist in determining whether the light source unit 10 has reached the end of its lifespan.

[0066] Furthermore, among the information stored in the memory unit 13, the information regarding the lighting circuit unit 12 may include the cumulative value of the electrical variable at at least one of the input or output of the lighting circuit unit 12. The cumulative value of the electrical variable at the input of the lighting circuit unit 12 includes, for example, the cumulative value of the input current input to the lighting circuit unit 12 via the power line P1. Also, the cumulative value of the electrical variable at the output of the lighting circuit unit 12 includes, for example, the cumulative value of the direct current output from the lighting circuit unit 12 to the light source unit 10. Note that the cumulative value of the electrical variable at at least one of the input or output of the lighting circuit unit 12 may affect the deterioration of the circuit components constituting the lighting circuit unit 12.

[0067] Thus, since the lighting fixture A1 and the lighting system S1 store the cumulative value of the electrical variable at at least one of the input or output of the lighting circuit unit 12 in the storage unit 13, it can assist in determining whether the lighting circuit unit 12 has reached the end of its life.

[0068] By the way, when the communication units 14 of a plurality of lighting fixtures A1 randomly transmit communication signals, the time (period) for acquiring information from the plurality of lighting fixtures A1 becomes long. Therefore, it is desirable that the communication unit 14 of the lighting fixture A1 receives the communication signal transmitted from the external device B1 using the power line P1 as a communication medium, and transmits a communication signal including the information read from the storage unit 13 in accordance with the command included in the received communication signal. If the communication unit 14 of each lighting fixture A1 transmits a communication signal including information in accordance with a command from the external device B1, the time (period) for the external device B1 to acquire the information of each lighting fixture A1 can be shortened.

[0069] Also, the external device B1 of the lighting system S1 includes a display unit 20 that displays the information included in the communication signal received by the PLC adapter 21 (see FIG. 2). The control unit 22 of the external device B1 receives the information included in the communication signal from the PLC adapter 21, and converts the received information into data in the form of characters, symbols, graphs, or a combination thereof. Then, the control unit 22 controls the drive circuit of the display unit 20 in accordance with the converted data, and causes the display device of the display unit 20 to display information (characters, symbols, graphs, or a combination thereof). Also, it is preferable that the control unit 22 transmits the information received from the PLC adapter 21 or the data converted for display on the display unit 20 to the server C1 via the network NW1.

[0070] Thus, since the lighting system S1 includes the display unit 20 that displays the information included in the received communication signal in the external device B1, it can visually inform the information stored in the storage unit 13 of the lighting fixture A1.

[0071] Incidentally, the control unit 22 of the external device B1 stores in the memory the fixture information regarding a plurality of lighting fixtures A1 included in the lighting system S1. Note that the fixture information is the unique address assigned to the communication unit 14 of each lighting fixture A1.

[0072] When the control unit 22 receives a communication signal transmitted from a plurality of lighting fixtures A1 by the PLC adapter 21, it acquires the address of the transmission source included in the communication signal from the PLC adapter 21. Further, the control unit 22 causes the display unit 20 to display the collation result of collating the address of the transmission source acquired from the PLC adapter 21 with the address of each lighting fixture A1 stored in the memory. Thus, the lighting system S1 can assist in determining the presence or absence of the lighting fixture A1 that has not transmitted a communication signal (for example, the presence or absence of a failed lighting fixture A1) by causing the display unit 20 to display the collation result. Note that the fixture information is not limited to the address assigned to the communication unit 14. For example, the control unit 22 may store, as fixture information, the number of lighting fixtures A1 electrically connected to the PLC adapter 21 via the power line P1. Alternatively, the control unit 22 may store the total power consumption value of the lighting fixtures A1 electrically connected to the PLC adapter 21 via the power line P1.

[0073] (5) Summary The lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a light source unit (10) that irradiates illumination light, a fixture body (11) that holds the light source unit (10), a lighting circuit unit (12) that lights the light source unit (10), a storage unit (13), and a communication unit (14). The storage unit (13) stores information regarding at least one of the light source unit (10), the fixture body (11), and the lighting circuit unit (12). The communication unit (14) transmits a communication signal including information. The communication unit (14) transmits the communication signal using the power line (P1) for supplying power to the lighting circuit unit (12) as a communication medium.

[0074] The lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the first aspect uses the power line (P1) as a communication medium for communication signals. Therefore, it is not necessary to install a reader terminal within a range capable of communicating with an IC tag as in the conventional example, and the restrictions regarding the installation location (the installation location of the lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3)) can be relaxed.

[0075] The lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the second aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by a combination with the first aspect. In the lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the second aspect, the information preferably includes at least any one of the product number, manufacturing year, manufacturer, and electrical rating.

[0076] The lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the second aspect can save the labor of visually checking the nameplate by storing the above information in the storage unit (13).

[0077] The lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the third aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by a combination with the first or second aspect. In the lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the third aspect, the information preferably includes information regarding the location where the fixture body (11) is installed.

[0078] The lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the third aspect can collect more detailed information, for example, which product number of fixture body (11) is installed at which location.

[0079] The lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by a combination with any one of the first to third aspects. In the lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the fourth aspect, the information regarding the light source unit (10) preferably includes the cumulative lighting time of the light source unit (10).

[0080] The lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the fourth aspect can help determine whether the light source unit (10) has reached the end of its life by storing the cumulative lighting time of the light source unit (10) in the storage unit (13).

[0081] The lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by a combination with any of the first to fourth aspects. In the lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the fifth aspect, the information regarding the lighting circuit section (12) preferably includes the cumulative value of the electrical variable at at least one of the input or output of the lighting circuit section (12).

[0082] The lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the fifth aspect can assist in determining whether the lighting circuit section (12) has reached the end of its life by storing the cumulative value of the electrical variable at at least one of the input or output of the lighting circuit section (12) in the storage section (13).

[0083] The lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by a combination with any of the first to fifth aspects. In the lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the sixth aspect, it is preferable that the communication section (14) receives a communication signal using the power line (P1) as a communication medium and transmits a communication signal including information in response to a command included in the received communication signal.

[0084] The lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the sixth aspect can improve the convenience of the device (external device B1) that receives the communication signal as compared with the case of transmitting the communication signal at an arbitrary timing.

[0085] The lighting system (S1) according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure includes the lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) according to the sixth aspect and an external device (B1) electrically connected to the lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) via the power line (P1). The external device (B1) receives the communication signal transmitted from the communication section (14).

[0086] Since the lighting system (S1) according to the seventh aspect uses the power line (P1) as a communication medium for communication signals, there is no need to install a reader terminal within the range where it can communicate with an IC tag as in the conventional example, and the restrictions regarding the installation location (the installation locations of the lighting fixture (A1; A2; A3) and the external device (B1)) can be relaxed.

[0087] The lighting system (S1) according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by combination with the seventh aspect. In the lighting system (S1) according to the eighth aspect, it is preferable that the external device (B1) transmits a communication signal including a command to the communication unit (14) of the lighting fixtures (A1; A2; A3).

[0088] The lighting system (S1) according to the eighth aspect can shorten the time (period) for the external device (B1) to acquire information of the lighting fixture (A1).

[0089] The lighting system (S1) according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by combination with the seventh or eighth aspect. In the lighting system (S1) according to the ninth aspect, it is preferable that the external device (B1) includes a display unit (20) that displays information included in the received communication signal.

[0090] The lighting system (S1) according to the ninth aspect can visually inform the information stored in the storage unit (13) of the lighting fixtures (A1; A2; A3).

[0091] The lighting system (S1) according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure can be realized by combination with the ninth aspect. In the lighting system (S1) according to the tenth aspect, it is preferable that the external device (B1) stores fixture information regarding the lighting fixtures (A1; A2; A3) electrically connected via the power line (P1). The external device (B1) preferably displays, on the display unit (20), the collation result between the fixture information regarding the lighting fixtures (A1; A2; A3) that have received the communication signal and the stored fixture information.

[0092] The lighting system (S1) according to the tenth aspect can assist in determining the presence or absence of the lighting fixtures (A1; A2; A3) that have not transmitted the communication signal by displaying the collation result on the display unit (20).

Explanation of Signs

[0093] A1; A2; A3 Lighting fixtures B1 External device S1 Lighting System 10 Light Source Unit 11 Appliance Body 12 Lighting Circuit Unit 13 Memory Unit 14 Communication Unit 20 Display Unit

Claims

1. A light source unit that irradiates illumination light, An appliance body that holds the light source unit, A lighting circuit unit that lights the light source unit, A storage unit that stores information regarding at least one of the light source unit, the appliance body, and the lighting circuit unit, A communication unit that transmits a communication signal including the information, Comprising, The communication unit transmits the communication signal using a power line for supplying power to the lighting circuit unit as a communication medium. A lighting fixture.

2. The information includes at least one of a product number, a manufacturing year, a manufacturer, and electrical rating values. The lighting fixture according to Claim 1.

3. The information includes information regarding the location where the appliance body is installed. The lighting fixture according to Claim 1.

4. The information regarding the light source unit includes the cumulative lighting time of the light source unit. The lighting fixture according to Claim 1.

5. The information regarding the lighting circuit unit includes the cumulative value of an electrical variable at least in one of the input or output of the lighting circuit unit. The lighting fixture according to Claim 1.

6. The communication unit receives the communication signal using the power line as a communication medium and transmits the communication signal including the information in response to a command included in the received communication signal. The lighting fixture according to any one of Claims 1 - 5.

7. The lighting fixture according to Claim 6, Having, The external device receives the communication signal transmitted from the communication unit. A lighting system.

8. The external device transmits the communication signal including the command to the communication unit of the lighting fixture. The lighting system according to Claim 7.

9. The external device includes a display unit that displays the information included in the received communication signal. The lighting system according to Claim 7.

10. The external device stores appliance information regarding the lighting fixture electrically connected via the power line, and displays on the display unit the collation result between the appliance information regarding the lighting fixture that has received the communication signal and the stored appliance information. The lighting system according to Claim 9. ​

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