Lighting device

Abstract

To provide a lighting device that can check a battery when a light source is off.SOLUTION: A lighting device 10 includes a light source 12, a battery 32, a lighting unit 38, a second light source 13, and an inspection unit 42. The lighting unit 38 lights up the light source 12 using power from the battery 32. The second light source 13 is different from the light source 12. The inspection unit 42 lights up the second light source 13 using power from the battery 32 and inspects the battery 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a lighting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, disaster prevention lighting devices such as emergency lights and guide lights are equipped with batteries to power the light source during a power outage, and battery inspections are carried out to check for battery deterioration, abnormalities, etc. In battery inspections, the light source is turned on using battery power for a specified inspection period, the battery voltage is checked, and battery deterioration or abnormalities are determined.

[0003] The light source turns on during the battery inspection operation, which is fine when there is no one around the lighting device, but if there is someone around the lighting device, there is a risk that the person will feel uncomfortable with the light source that turns on in an emergency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-29966 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device that allows battery inspection to be performed with the light source turned off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The lighting device of the embodiment includes a light source, a battery, a lighting unit, a second light source, and an inspection unit. The lighting unit lights the light source using power from the battery. The second light source is different from the light source. The inspection unit lights the second light source using power from the battery and inspects the battery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the embodiment, it is expected that the battery can be inspected with the light source turned off. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a lighting device showing a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the lighting device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the lighting device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lighting device showing a second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lighting device according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0010] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a lighting device 10. The lighting device 10 is an example of an emergency light that is turned off when power is supplied and turned on in the event of a power outage. The lighting device 10 is a recessed fixture that is installed in a recessed hole in the ceiling, which is the installation surface.

[0011] The lighting device 10 includes a housing 11, a light source 12 which is a first light source arranged on the underside of the housing 11, a second light source 13 for inspection, a power supply unit and a battery housed within the housing 11, and a terminal block 14 arranged on the upper side of the housing 11.

[0012] The housing 11 includes a cylindrical main body 17 that is open on the bottom side, and a decorative frame 18 that is detachably attached to the bottom side of the main body 17. A plurality of mounting springs 19 are attached to the main body 17 for installation on a ceiling.

[0013] A window 20 in which the light source 12 is disposed is provided in the center of the decorative frame 18. A second window 21 in which the second light source 13 is disposed, an inspection window 22, and a communication window 23 are provided around the periphery of the decorative frame 18. An inspection switch 24 and a monitor lamp 25 are disposed in the inspection window 22, and a transceiver 26 that transmits and receives optical signals using, for example, infrared light as a medium is disposed in the communication window 23.

[0014] The light source 12 has a lens 27 which is a first lens, and emits light through the lens 27 with a predetermined light distribution.

[0015] The second light source 13 has a second lens 28, and emits light with a predetermined light distribution through the second lens 28. The light distribution by the second lens 28 is preferably wider than the light distribution by the lens 27.

[0016] The terminal block 14 is connected to a power line laid above the ceiling, and supplies power supplied through the power line to a power supply unit inside the housing 11.

[0017] Next, a block diagram of the lighting device 10 is shown in FIG.

[0018] The lighting device 10 includes a housing 11, and a power supply unit 31, a light source 12, a second light source 13, and a battery 32 to be inspected, which are arranged in the housing 11.

[0019] The power supply unit 31 operates on external power, which is AC power from a commercial AC power supply E, when external power is supplied, and also operates on power from the battery 32 when the external power fails.

[0020] The light source 12 is a light emitting element such as an LED or an organic EL, and emits white visible light. The light source 12 is combined with a lens 27 and is placed in the window hole 20 of the decorative frame .

[0021] The second light source 13 for inspection uses a light-emitting element such as an LED or organic EL. The second light source 13 is combined with a second lens 28 and placed in the second window hole 21 of the decorative frame 18. The wavelength of the light of the second light source 13 is different from the wavelength of the light of the light source 12, and is, for example, a wavelength of light in the infrared region or light in the yellow or blue region other than white. Light in the infrared region is not visible, while light in the yellow or blue region is clearly distinguishable from the white visible light of the light source 12.

[0022] The second light source 13 for inspection may be a load with the same power consumption as the light source 12, or may be a load with higher power consumption than the light source 12 to shorten the inspection time, or may be a load with lower power consumption than the light source 12 to reduce the luminous flux even if the inspection time is longer.

[0023] The battery 32 is a rechargeable secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or a lithium-ion battery.

[0024] The power supply unit 31 also includes a power supply section 33 that turns on the light source 12 or the second light source 13 and charges and discharges the battery 32, an operation section 34 such as an inspection switch 24, a display section 35 such as a monitor lamp 25, a communication section 36 that communicates with the outside via the transmission / reception section 26, and a control section 37 that controls the power supply unit 31.

[0025] The power supply unit 33 includes a lighting unit 38 that lights the light source 12 or the second light source 13, and a charging unit 39 that charges the battery 32. The lighting unit 38 keeps the light source 12 off when external power is applied, and during a power outage, supplies lighting power converted from the power of the battery 32 to the light source 12 to light it, and also supplies lighting power converted from the power of the battery 32 to the second light source 13 to light it when the battery 32 is inspected. The charging unit 39 charges the battery 32 with external power.

[0026] The operating section 34 is provided with an inspection switch 24 for manually issuing an inspection command, and is disposed in the inspection window hole 22 of the decorative frame 18 so as to be operable from the outside.

[0027] The display unit 35 is equipped with a plurality of monitor lamps 25, each consisting of, for example, LEDs, which are positioned in the inspection window 22 of the decorative frame 18 and are visible from the outside. The monitor lamps 25 light up to indicate the charging state of the battery 32, and also indicate the inspection result of the battery 32 by lighting up in various colors or by lighting patterns such as off, continuous lighting, and flashing.

[0028] The communication unit 36 ​​includes a transceiver 26 that transmits and receives optical signals using infrared light as a medium to an external terminal 40. The external terminal 40 is a remote control or the like that transmits and receives optical signals using an optical medium such as infrared light, and includes an operation unit and a display unit. The external terminal 40 is capable of bidirectional communication with the communication unit 36, and can issue commands to start an inspection, receive inspection results, and display the status of the battery 32 on the screen of the display unit. The communication unit 36 ​​may also include a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with other lighting devices 10, external terminals 40, etc.

[0029] The control unit 37 has the functions of a timekeeping unit 41, an inspection unit 42 that inspects the battery 32, and a storage unit 43 that stores various information.

[0030] The timekeeping unit 41 has a clock function that provides time information including the date and time (date and time), and a timer function that counts elapsed time information.

[0031] The inspection unit 42 performs an inspection operation on the battery 32 based on a set inspection schedule or a manual inspection instruction from the external terminal 40 or the operation unit 34. In the inspection operation, the power of the battery 32 is discharged to the second light source 13 for a predetermined inspection time, and the voltage of the battery 32 is detected and monitored to see if it falls below a predetermined voltage threshold within the predetermined inspection time, thereby determining whether the battery 32 is normal or has deteriorated or is abnormal.

[0032] For example, a non-volatile memory that retains stored contents even when power is cut off may be used as the storage unit 43. The storage unit 43 stores the set inspection schedule information.

[0033] Next, FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of the lighting device 10.

[0034] To output terminals 50 of the lighting unit 38 of the power supply unit 33, both ends of the light source 12, which is an actual load, and both ends of a second light source 13 for inspection are connected.

[0035] An actual load circuit 53 is formed between a battery power output section 51 of a power conversion circuit such as a boost circuit that boosts the power of a battery 32 and a ground section 52, and is connected to a light source 12 as an actual load, a first switch SW1, and a parallel circuit of a resistor R1 for detecting a current value and a feedback circuit FB1.

[0036] A pseudo-load circuit 54 is formed between the battery power output section 51 and the ground section 52, and is connected to a second light source 13 for inspection, a second switch SW2, and a parallel circuit of a resistor R2 for detecting the current value and a feedback circuit FB2.

[0037] The switches SW1 and SW2 are, for example, transistors, and are controlled by a microcomputer 55 of the control unit 37. During a power outage, the microcomputer 55 forms an actual load circuit 53 by turning on the first switch SW1 and controlling the on-duty of the first switch SW1 so that the current flowing through the light source 12, detected by the first feedback circuit FB1, is a predetermined value. During inspection, the microcomputer 55 forms a dummy load circuit 54 by turning on the second switch SW2 and controlling the on-duty of the second switch SW2 so that the current flowing through the second light source 13, detected by the second feedback circuit FB2, is a predetermined value.

[0038] Next, the operation of the lighting device 10 will be described.

[0039] When external power is supplied to the lighting device 10, the power supply unit 31 operates using the external power, and the charging unit 39 charges the battery 32. At this time, the lighting unit 38 does not operate, and the light source 12 is in an off state.

[0040] In addition, during a power outage when the supply of external power to the lighting device 10 is stopped, the power supply unit 31 operates using power from the battery 32, and the lighting unit 38 converts the power from the battery 32 into lighting power and supplies it to the light source 12, thereby lighting the light source 12.

[0041] Furthermore, the inspection unit 42 of the lighting device 10 performs an inspection operation for the battery 32 based on a set inspection schedule or a manual inspection instruction from the external terminal 40 or the inspection switch 24 of the operation unit 34 .

[0042] In the inspection operation of the battery 32, a pseudo load circuit 54 is formed, and the lighting unit 38 converts the power from the battery 32 into lighting power and supplies it to the second light source 13, thereby lighting the second light source 13 and performing the inspection operation of the battery 32 while the light source 12 is not lit.

[0043] When the wavelength of the light from second light source 13 is in the infrared region, it is not visible that second light source 13 is on, and people around lighting device 10 do not feel uncomfortable.

[0044] When the wavelength of the light of second light source 13 is in the yellow or blue region, even if second light source 13 is visually recognized as being lit, it is unlikely to cause discomfort to people around lighting device 10 because light source 12, which is turned on in an emergency, is in an off state and the wavelength of the light of second light source 13 is different from the wavelength of the white light of light source 12. Moreover, the light distribution by second lens 28 that controls the light of second light source 13 is wider than the light distribution of light source 12 and the light of second light source 13 is diffused, so when second light source 13 is seen, it appears to be glowing weakly, the lighting of second light source 13 is not noticeable, and it is unlikely to cause discomfort to people.

[0045] The inspection unit 42 detects the voltage of the battery 32 and monitors whether it falls below a predetermined voltage threshold within a predetermined inspection time, and determines whether the battery 32 is normal or has an abnormality due to deterioration or the like. The inspection result can be displayed on the monitor lamp 25, or the inspection information can be sent to the external terminal 40 and checked there.

[0046] In this way, the lighting device 10 uses a second light source 13 separate from the light source 12, and during inspection, the second light source 13 is turned on using power from the battery 32 to inspect the battery 32, so that the battery 32 can be inspected with the light source 12 turned off, and the battery 32 can be inspected in a place or at a time when there are people around the lighting device 10 without causing them any discomfort.

[0047] Since the wavelength of the light from second light source 13 is different from the wavelength of the light from light source 12, the light from second light source 13 can be made invisible or can be distinguished from the light from light source 12.

[0048] Since the light distribution of the second light source 13 is wider than that of the light source 12, the lighting of the second light source 13 is not conspicuous and is less likely to give people a sense of incongruity.

[0049] Next, FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment.

[0050] The decorative frame 18 does not have a second window hole 21, and the second light source 13 is covered by the decorative frame 18 and is not exposed to the outside (below the ceiling surface).

[0051] Therefore, even if the second light source 13 is turned on when inspecting the battery 32, the light from the second light source 13 is blocked by the decorative frame 18 and the inside of the main body 17 and does not go outside (below the ceiling surface), so that inspection of the battery 32 can be carried out with the light source 12 turned off.

[0052] Next, a third embodiment is shown in FIG.

[0053] Second light source 13 is arranged to emit light in a direction different from the downward direction in which light source 12 emits light. For example, second light source 13 is arranged on the upper surface side of main body 17 so as to emit light upward. Alternatively, second light source 13 may be arranged on the side surface of main body 17 so as to emit light laterally.

[0054] In this way, the second light source 13 emits light in a direction different from the direction in which the light source 12 emits light, making it easier to distinguish it from the light source 12 that is turned on in an emergency and less likely to give people a sense of incongruity.

[0055] The second light source 13 is disposed in the main body 17 embedded in a recessed hole in the ceiling surface, and is therefore disposed above the ceiling. Therefore, even if the second light source 13 is turned on when inspecting the battery 32, no light is emitted downward from the ceiling surface, and the battery 32 can be inspected with the light source 12 turned off.

[0056] The lighting device 10 is not limited to emergency lighting, but can also be applied to other lighting devices for disaster prevention, such as emergency lights that are equipped with batteries for use in the event of a power outage and require battery inspection.

[0057] 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]

[0058] 10. Lighting equipment 11. Housing 12 light source 13 Second Light Source 18 Decorative Frame 32 Batteries 38 Lighting section 42 Inspection Department

Claims

1. a light source; Batteries and; a lighting unit that lights up the light source using power from the battery; a second light source different from the light source; an inspection unit that turns on the second light source using power from the battery and inspects the battery; A lighting device comprising:

2. The light of the second light source has a different wavelength than the light of the first light source.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1.

3. The second light source emits light in a wider light distribution than the first light source.

3. The lighting device according to claim 2.

4. a housing having a decorative frame through which the light source is exposed; The second light source is covered by the decorative frame.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1.

5. The second light source emits light in a direction different from the direction in which the light source emits light.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1.

Images