Converting device and illuminating device

Abstract

To provide a converting device in which a case can be downsized, and an illuminating device.SOLUTION: A converting device 16 comprises a case 30, a radio communication unit 34, and a converting part 33. The case 30 comprises a first surface 41, and a second surface 42 on the side opposite to the first surface 41. The radio communication unit 34 is arranged on the first surface 41 of the case 30. The converting part 33 is arranged on the second surface 42 of the case 30, and connected to the radio communication unit 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to a conversion device and an illumination device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, lighting devices use a converter that converts power to turn on a light source. When this lighting device receives a control signal via wireless communication to control the lighting, the converter is equipped with a wireless communication unit.

[0003] A converter equipped with a wireless communication unit has a large housing because the wireless communication unit and the power supply circuit that converts power are housed together in the housing. A large housing can affect installation workability, so a small housing is desirable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-99917 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a conversion device and a lighting device that can have a compact housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The conversion device of the embodiment includes a housing, a wireless communication unit, and a conversion section. The housing has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The wireless communication unit is disposed on the first surface of the housing. The conversion section is disposed on the second surface of the housing and connected to the wireless communication unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the embodiment, it is expected to provide a conversion device whose housing can be made compact. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a lighting device having a conversion unit according to a first embodiment in use; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 10(a) to 10(c) are side views showing the steps of installing the converter unit on the ceiling. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conversion section showing a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0010] For example, in an office or facility, multiple lighting devices are installed and form a wireless radio network that enables wireless communication between them. The network may be, for example, a mesh network, which enables wireless communication between lighting devices within a direct communication range, and enables communication between lighting devices located farther away from the direct communication range by relaying signals between the lighting devices. Examples of mesh networks include a Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE) mesh network. Lighting devices receive control signals transmitted from an operating terminal such as a tablet, a wall control unit (remote control switch), a brightness sensor, a motion sensor, a scheduler, and the like connected to the network, and then perform lighting control, including turning the lights on, dimming, and turning them off.

[0011] Fig. 1 shows a lighting device 10. The lighting device 10 is a downlight that is recessed into a recessed hole 12 provided in a ceiling board 11. The ceiling board 11 is installed on the indoor side, for example, at a distance of 149 mm or more from a ceiling structure 13 of a building. The recessed hole 12 is formed in a circular shape with a diameter of, for example, 100 mm.

[0012] The lighting device 10 comprises a lamp body 15, a converter 16, and a cable 17 connecting the lamp body 15 and the converter 16. The lighting device 10 is configured as a separate power supply type in which the converter 16 is separated from the lamp body 15 and is installed on the ceiling board 11 while the lamp body 15 is installed in the recessed hole 12. The converter 16 in the first embodiment is a power supply device that supplies lighting power to the lamp body 15.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the lighting body 15 comprises a cylindrical decorative frame 20, a main body frame 21 arranged on the top of the decorative frame 20, a light source 22 inserted into the decorative frame 20 and removably attached to the main body frame 21, and a plurality of mounting springs 23 attached around the decorative frame 20.

[0014] A cable holding plate 24 that holds one end of the cable 17 is attached to the upper surface of the main body frame 21. One end of the cable 17 is detachably connected to the light source 22 via a connector.

[0015] The light source 22 is cylindrical, with a light source unit 25 disposed on the lower side, and a heat dissipation unit 26 disposed on the light source unit 25. The light source unit 25 includes a light-emitting module (not shown) equipped with a light-emitting element such as an LED or organic EL, and a translucent cover 27 that covers the light-emitting module, with the light-emitting module thermally connected to the underside of the heat dissipation unit 26. The heat dissipation unit 26 is detachably attached to the main body frame 21 by being inserted into the main body frame 21 and rotated. A light source connector is disposed on the heat dissipation unit 26, to which one end of the cable 17 is connected. Note that the light source 22 does not need to be replaceable with respect to the lamp body 15, and may be integral with the lamp body 15.

[0016] A plurality of mounting springs 23 are attached to the periphery of the decorative frame 20, and when the light body 15 is inserted into the embedding hole 12 of the ceiling board 11, the ceiling board 11 is sandwiched between the mounting springs 23 and an edge 20a projecting from the periphery of the lower end of the decorative frame 20, and the light body 15 is attached to the ceiling board 11.

[0017] 1 to 6 show the converter 16. The converter 16 is a power supply device that supplies lighting power to the light source 22 of the lamp body 15. The converter 16 includes a housing 30, a power terminal block 31, a converter 33, and a wireless communication unit 34.

[0018] The housing 30 is formed long and made of, for example, a metal plate. The housing 30 has a rectangular top surface 37, side surfaces 38 bent downward from both short sides of the top surface 37, legs 39 protruding downward from the lower ends of both longitudinal sides of the side surfaces 38, and bent portions 40 bent outward from the lower portions of each of the legs 39. The housing 30 is open at both longitudinal ends and on the bottom side. The housing 30 is installed in an installation position in which the bent portions 40 of each leg 39 rest on the upper surface of the ceiling board 11.

[0019] The housing 30 has a height difference in the installed position. Since the legs 39 protrude downward from the lower portions of both longitudinal ends of the side surface 38 of the housing 30, the intermediate regions of the side surface 38, excluding the positions of the legs 39, are small-height width portions 30a, which have a small height width, and the both longitudinal end regions of the side surface 38 and the positions of the legs 39 are large-height width portions 30b, which have a large height width.

[0020] In the housing 30, the upper surface side of the upper surface portion 37 is defined as a first surface 41 and the lower surface side is defined as a second surface 42. The wireless communication unit 34 is fixed to the first surface 41, and the power terminal block 31 and the conversion unit 33 are fixed to the second surface 42.

[0021] Furthermore, the power supply terminal block 31 is connected to a power line that is wired on the ceiling board 11 and supplies AC power, which is external power from a commercial AC power source. The power supply terminal block 31 is fixed with screws 44 to a second surface 42 that is at one longitudinal end of the housing 30 and is also the underside of the top surface 37. The height dimension of the power supply terminal block 31 is smaller than the height dimension of the side surface 38, and the power supply terminal block 31 is disposed in an area that is hidden by the side surface 38 in a side view of the housing 30. An electric wire insertion hole 45 into which a power wire is inserted and connected is provided on an end surface of the power supply terminal block 31 facing the one longitudinal end of the housing 30. A connection wire drawn from the conversion unit 33 is electrically connected to the power supply terminal block 31, and AC power supplied via the power wire is input from the power supply terminal block 31 to the conversion unit 33.

[0022] The conversion unit 33 is a power conversion unit that converts AC power input from the power terminal block 31 into lighting power, which is a predetermined DC power that lights the light source 22. The conversion unit 33 is fixed to a second surface 42 of the top surface 37 of the housing 30, closer to the other end of the housing 30 than the power terminal block 31. The conversion unit 33 includes a case 48 and a circuit unit (not shown) housed in the case 48.

[0023] The case 48 is formed long and made of a metal plate. The case 48 has a rectangular bottom plate 49, side plate portions 50 bent upward from both short sides of the bottom plate 49, and end plate portions 51 bent upward from both longitudinal ends of the bottom plate 49, and is open on the top side. The dimension between the outer surfaces of the side plate portions 50 on both sides of the case 48 is smaller than the dimension between the inner surfaces of the side surface portions 38 on both sides of the housing 30, so that the case 48 can be attached to the second surface 42, which is the underside of the top surface portion 37, through the space between the side surface portions 38 on both sides of the housing 30.

[0024] The case 48 has a plurality of hook portions 52 provided on one end plate portion 51 that are hooked onto a plurality of receiving portions 53 provided on the top surface portion 37 of the housing 30, and an attachment piece 54 provided on the other end plate portion 51 is attached to the top surface portion 37 with screws 55, and the top opening of the case 48 is closed by the top surface portion 37.

[0025] The cable 17 is pulled out from an insertion hole provided in one end plate portion 51 of the case 48, and a connection wire connected to the power terminal block 31 is pulled out from an insertion hole 56 provided in the other end plate portion 51.

[0026] The circuit section includes an AC-DC converter that converts input AC power into predetermined DC power, a DC-DC converter that converts the converted DC power into lighting power that is predetermined DC power that lights the light source 22, and a control section that controls the AC-DC converter and the DC-DC converter. The control section inputs a control signal received by the wireless communication unit 34, and controls the lighting power supplied to the light source 22 so as to dim the light source 22 in accordance with the control signal.

[0027] The converter 33 is fixed along the longitudinal direction of the housing 30 to a second surface 42, which is the underside of the top surface 37, between the side surfaces 38 on both sides of the housing 30. The converter 33 is disposed on the second surface 42 of the housing 30 in a region of a small height width area 30a, which has a small height dimension in the installed position. The lower side of the converter 33 is disposed in a position that protrudes downward from the side surfaces 38 of the housing 30, but is disposed above the lower ends of the legs 39. This conforms to the regulation that requires a gap of 10 mm or more between the circuitry within the converter 33 attached to the housing 30 and the ceiling panel 11 on which the lower ends of the legs 39 rest. The one end of the converter 33 facing the power terminal block 31 is disposed with a predetermined gap between it and the legs 39 at one end of the housing 30. The other end of the converter 33 is disposed between the leg 39 on the other end of the housing 30 and the leg 39 with a gap smaller than the gap at one end of the converter 33 .

[0028] The wireless communication unit 34 transmits and receives wireless signals using radio waves as a medium. The wireless communication unit 34 includes a case 60, a communication circuit 61, an antenna 62, and a connection portion 63.

[0029] The case 60 is made of, for example, resin and allows wireless signals to pass through. The case 60 is shaped like a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and its bottom surface is fixed in contact with the first surface 41 of the housing 30. When viewed from the top surface opposite the bottom surface, the case 60 has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. A mounting piece 64 to be attached to the housing 30 protrudes from a side surface of a first end portion 60a on one of the longitudinal sides of the periphery of the case 60, and a connection port 65 through which the connection portion 63 faces is provided. A plurality of screws 66 passing through the mounting piece 64 are screwed into the top surface portion 37 of the housing 30, thereby fixing the case 60 to the first surface 41 of the housing 30.

[0030] The case 60 (wireless communication unit 34) is arranged with its short side facing the longitudinal direction of the housing 30 and its long side facing a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the housing 30, in an area of ​​the small height and width portion 30a within the first surface 41 of the housing 30, where the height dimension in the installed position of the housing 30 is small.

[0031] The dimension of the case 60 in the short direction is smaller than the dimension of the first surface 41 of the housing 30 in the longitudinal direction, and the case 60 is disposed in the central region in the longitudinal direction of the first surface 41 of the housing 30. In this embodiment, the case 60 is disposed at a position closer to the end where the power terminal block 31 is disposed than the center in the longitudinal direction of the first surface 41 of the housing 30, but it may also be disposed in the center in the longitudinal direction of the first surface 41 of the housing 30.

[0032] The longitudinal dimension of the case 60 is smaller than the lateral dimension of the first surface 41 of the housing 30, and the case 60 is disposed inward from both lateral sides of the top surface 37 of the housing 30. The case 60 is disposed at a position closer to one lateral side of the first surface 41 of the housing 30 so that the distance between a first longitudinal end 60a of the case 60 and one lateral side of the first surface 41 of the housing 30 is wider than the distance between a second longitudinal end 60b of the case 60 opposite the first longitudinal end 60a and the other lateral side of the first surface 41 of the housing 30.

[0033] In an area where there is a wide gap between the first longitudinal end 60a of the case 60 and one of the short sides of the top surface 37 of the housing 30, a wiring hole 67 is provided in the top surface 37 of the housing 30. The wiring hole 67 is provided at a position overlapping with the conversion unit 33 when viewed from the first surface 41 of the top surface 37 of the housing 30, that is, it is connected to the inside of the conversion unit 33. The wiring hole 67 is disposed at a position facing the connection portion 63 of the wireless communication unit 34.

[0034] The communication circuit 61 includes a substrate 68 and communication circuit components (not shown) mounted on the substrate 68. The substrate 68 is disposed inside the case 60 with its surface parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the case 60. The communication circuit 61 communicates using a communication method used in the above-mentioned network, for example, a communication method compatible with a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) mesh network.

[0035] The antenna 62 is disposed on the second end 60b side on the substrate 68 of the communication circuit 61, and is connected to the communication circuit 61 to transmit and receive wireless signals.

[0036] The connection unit 63 is mounted on the first end 60a side on the substrate 68 of the communication circuit 61, and is disposed in the connection port 65 of the case 60. Wiring from the circuit unit of the conversion unit 33, which is drawn to the outside through the wiring hole 67, is connected to the connection unit 63 via a connector. The conversion unit 33 supplies control power through the wiring to operate the communication circuit 61, and the conversion unit 33 inputs a control signal received by the communication circuit 61 through the wiring.

[0037] Also, a cover 70 is attached to the first surface 41 of the housing 30, covering the first end 60a side of the wireless communication unit 34 and the wiring hole 67 of the housing 30. The cover 70 is formed from a metal plate and has a top cover portion 71, side cover portions 72 bent downward from three sides of the top cover portion 71, a hook piece 73 bent outward in a substantially L-shape from one lower end of the opposing side cover portion 72, and an attachment piece 74 bent outward from the other lower end of the opposing side cover portion 72, and an opening 75 in which the wireless communication unit 34 is disposed is formed between the remaining side of the top cover portion 71 and the opposing side surface and bar portion 72.

[0038] The hook piece 73 is inserted into a hook hole 76 provided on the upper surface 37 of the housing 30 and hooked onto the underside of the upper surface 37, and the mounting piece 74 is placed on the upper surface side of the upper surface 37 of the housing 30 and fixed to the housing 30 with a screw 77.

[0039] The second end 60b of the wireless communication unit 34 protrudes to the outside from the opening 75 of the cover 70. In other words, the antenna 62 disposed on the second end 60b side of the wireless communication unit 34 is disposed at a position protruding to the outside from the cover 70, and good wireless communication can be ensured through the antenna 62.

[0040] Next, the installation of the lighting device 10 will be described. Figure 7 shows the installation procedure of the conversion device 16.

[0041] After pulling the power cord downward from the recessed hole 12 in the ceiling panel 11 and connecting it to the power terminal block 31 of the converter 16, the pulled-out power cord is pushed back into the recessed hole 12, and one end of the housing 30 of the converter 16 is inserted upward into the recessed hole 12, as shown in Figure 7(a). At this time, because the width between the tips of the bent portions 40 of the legs 39 on one end is the widest, it is easier to insert the cord by passing this portion near the center of the circular recessed hole 12.

[0042] As shown in Figure 7(b), once the large height / width portion 30b (leg portion 39) on one end of the housing 30 passes above the embedding hole 12, the small height / width portion 30a of the housing 30 enters the embedding hole 12, so the position of the housing 30 is adjusted so that the conversion unit 33 and wireless communication unit 34 arranged in the housing 30 can be inserted into the embedding hole 12, and the conversion unit 33 and wireless communication unit 34 together with the housing 30 are inserted into the embedding hole 12.

[0043] When the wireless communication unit 34 is inserted into the embedding hole 12, the wireless communication unit 34 is covered with the cover 70, so that the wireless communication unit 34 is prevented from hitting the ceiling board 11 and being subjected to a load.

[0044] When inserting the wireless communication unit 34 into the embedding hole 12, the short side of the wireless communication unit 34 is fixed facing the longitudinal direction of the housing 30, so the distance that the wireless communication unit 34 passes through the embedding hole 12 is shortened, making it easier for the wireless communication unit 34 to pass above the embedding hole 12.

[0045] As shown in Figure 7(c), once the wireless communication unit 34 has passed above the embedding hole 12, the insertion is continued while tilting the housing 30 so that it is in a horizontal position so that one end of the housing 30 does not hit the ceiling structure 13, and the housing 30 is inserted into the embedding hole 12 while adjusting the large height and width part 30b (leg part 39) on the other end side so that it passes near the center of the embedding hole 12.

[0046] Once the large height and width portion 30b (leg 39) on the other end of the housing 30 has passed above the embedding hole 12, as shown in Figure 1, the leg 39 of the housing 30 is placed on the upper surface of the ceiling board 11, and the conversion device 16 is installed in a horizontal position on the ceiling board 11.

[0047] After the converter 16 is installed, the light body 15 connected to the converter 16 by the cable 17 is embedded in the recessed hole 12. With each mounting spring 23 pressed along the side of the decorative frame 20 and elastically deformed, the tip end of the cable holding plate 24 is inserted into the recessed hole 12, and then the light body 15 is inserted into the recessed hole 12. By releasing the pressure on the mounting springs 23, each mounting spring 23 elastically expands sideways and abuts against the upper surface of the ceiling board 11, lifting up the light body 15, sandwiching the ceiling board 11 between the mounting springs 23 and the edge 20a of the decorative frame 20, and attaching the light body 15 to the ceiling board 11.

[0048] In the conversion device 16 of the first embodiment, the wireless communication unit 34 is arranged on the first surface 41 of the housing 30, and the conversion section 33 is arranged on the second surface opposite the first surface 41. Therefore, the housing 30 can be made smaller than when the conversion section 33 and the wireless communication unit 34 are housed together within the housing 30, thereby improving workability when performing tasks such as inserting the housing 30 into the embedding hole 12 in the ceiling panel 11.

[0049] The housing 30 has a height difference in the height dimension when installed, and the conversion unit 33 and wireless communication unit 34 are arranged in the small height / width area 30a, which has a small height / width dimension, which prevents the conversion device 16 from becoming too large and improves workability when performing tasks such as inserting it into the embedding hole 12 in the ceiling panel 11.

[0050] Since a wiring hole 67 is provided in the housing 30, even if the wireless communication unit 34 is placed on the first surface 41 of the housing 30 and the conversion unit 33 is placed on the second surface opposite the first surface 41, the conversion unit 33 and the wireless communication unit 34 can be electrically connected by wiring that passes through the wiring hole 67.

[0051] The wiring hole 67 is located at a position that overlaps with the conversion unit 33 when viewed from the first surface 41 of the housing 30, so that the wiring from the conversion unit 33 can be pulled out from the wiring hole 67 and connected to the wireless communication unit 34, making it easy to route the wiring.

[0052] The cover 70 covers the wireless communication unit 34 and the wiring hole 67 of the housing 30, thereby protecting the wireless communication unit 34 and preventing dust from adhering to the connection part 63 of the wireless communication unit 34 or entering the conversion part 33 through the wiring hole 67.

[0053] Next, a second embodiment of the conversion device 16 is shown in FIG.

[0054] For example, in an existing lighting device or other lighting device that controls lighting by inputting a wired dimming signal, the converter 16 enables wireless lighting control. The converter 16 is, for example, a PWM signal unit that receives a wireless signal, converts it into a dimming signal, and transmits the dimming signal via a wire to the power supply device to be controlled.

[0055] The conversion device 16 includes a housing 30, a power terminal block 31, a signal terminal block 32, a conversion section 33, a wireless communication unit 34, and a cover 70. The housing 30, the power terminal block 31, the wireless communication unit 34, and the cover 70 are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0056] The signal terminal block 32 is fixed by screws 80 alongside the power terminal block 31 to the second surface 42, which is at one longitudinal end of the housing 30 and is the underside of the top surface 37. Note that the signal terminal block 32 is not limited to being fixed by screws 80; for example, the signal terminal block 32 may have a protrusion that is caught in a hole in the housing 30 for retention. An end face of the signal terminal block 32 facing the one longitudinal end of the housing 30 is provided with a wire insertion hole 81 into which a signal line connecting to the power supply device to be controlled is inserted. A signal output line drawn from the conversion unit 33 is electrically connected to the signal terminal block 32. Note that the signal terminal block 32 may also be located at the other end of the housing 30, opposite the power terminal block 31.

[0057] The conversion unit 33 includes a case 48 and a circuit unit (not shown) housed in the case 48. The case 48 is configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The circuit unit inputs a control signal received by the wireless communication unit 34, converts it into a PWM signal that is a dimming signal, and outputs it.

[0058] The conversion device 16 of the second embodiment also provides the same effects as the conversion device 16 of the first embodiment.

[0059] Furthermore, it is possible to wirelessly control lighting devices that control lighting by inputting a dimming signal via a wire, such as existing lighting devices.

[0060] The conversion device is not limited to downlights, but can also be applied to other types of lighting devices such as base lights.

[0061] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10. Lighting equipment 16 Conversion Device 30 Case 33 Conversion unit 34 Wireless Communication Unit 41 Page 1 42 Side 2 62 Antenna 63 Connection 70 Cover

Claims

1. a housing having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a wireless communication unit disposed on the first surface of the housing; a conversion unit disposed on the second surface of the housing and connected to the wireless communication unit; A conversion device comprising:

2. The housing has a height difference in a height direction when in an installed position, and the wireless communication unit and the conversion unit are disposed in a portion where the height direction is small.

2. The conversion device according to claim 1.

3. The housing has a wiring hole through which a wiring that connects the wireless communication unit and the conversion unit is inserted.

2. The conversion device according to claim 1.

4. The wiring hole of the housing is disposed at a position overlapping with the conversion unit when viewed from the first surface of the housing.

4. The conversion device according to claim 3.

5. the wireless communication unit has an antenna at one end and a connection portion to which the wiring is connected at the other end; A cover is provided to cover at least the connection portion of the wireless communication unit and the wiring hole of the housing.

4. The conversion device according to claim 3.

6. The conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is provided. A lighting device characterized by:

Images