Battery pack, lighting device, and conversion harness

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery pack that can be used in both lighting devices that support simulated loads and lighting devices that do not support simulated loads, while still incorporating a simulated load. [Solution] The battery pack 11 comprises a battery 21, a simulated load 22, a first terminal 25 electrically connected to the battery 21, a second terminal 26 electrically connected to the simulated load 22, and a connector 23 having the first terminal 25 and the second terminal 26.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a battery pack, a lighting device, and a conversion harness.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in lighting devices for disaster prevention such as emergency lights and induction lights, a battery for lighting a light source during a power outage is provided, and battery inspection is carried out to check the state of deterioration or abnormality of this battery. In the battery inspection, the light source is lit for a predetermined inspection time by the power of the battery, the voltage of the battery is checked, and the deterioration or abnormality of the battery is judged.

[0003] In this lighting device, there is a method of performing inspection by using a power supply device having a battery and a pseudo load such as a resistor for inspecting this battery, and supplying the power of the battery to the pseudo load. However, in the case of a power supply device having such a pseudo load, it can be used only when connected to a corresponding lighting device and cannot be used for a non-corresponding lighting device, and it is difficult to share.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack, a lighting device, and a conversion harness that can be shared by a lighting device compatible with a pseudo load and a lighting device incompatible with a pseudo load while having a pseudo load.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The battery pack of the embodiment comprises a battery, a dummy load, a first terminal electrically connected to the battery, a second terminal electrically connected to the dummy load, and a connector having the first terminal and the second terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the battery pack of this embodiment, it is expected that it can be used in conjunction with both lighting devices that support a simulated load and lighting devices that do not support a simulated load, while still providing a simulated load. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the connection state between a battery pack and a first lighting device, illustrating one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the connection between the battery pack and the second lighting device. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the connection between the battery pack and the first lighting device via a conversion harness. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the connection between the battery pack and the second lighting device via a conversion harness. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The lighting device 10 of this embodiment is applicable to disaster prevention lighting devices 10, such as guide lights that illuminate to indicate evacuation routes, or emergency lights that illuminate during power outages.

[0011] The lighting device 10 includes a first lighting device 10a that supports a simulated load as shown in Figure 1, and a second lighting device 10b that does not support a simulated load as shown in Figure 2, and can be used by connecting a common battery pack 11. The lighting device 10 (first lighting device 10a, second lighting device 10b) is equipped with a light source 12, a power supply unit 13, and a battery pack 11.

[0012] The battery pack 11 includes a battery case 20, a plurality of batteries 21 and a simulated load 22 housed within the battery case 20, and a connector 23 provided on the outside of the battery case 20.

[0013] The battery 21 is a rechargeable secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery, nickel-cadmium battery, or lithium-ion battery. The battery 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a positive terminal on one end face and a negative terminal on the other end face. Multiple batteries 21 are connected in series by an electrode plate 24, and the positive and negative terminals at both ends of the series-connected battery group 21 are electrically connected to the first terminal 25 of the connector 23.

[0014] The simulated load 22, for example, uses a resistor and consumes power by converting the power from the battery 21 supplied through the power supply unit 13 into heat. The simulated load 22 may also be a light-emitting element such as an LED, similar to the light source 12. Furthermore, the simulated load 22 may have a load value (power consumption) that is the same as the actual load, the light source 12, or it may have a load value that consumes more power than the actual load, the light source 12, in order to shorten the inspection time.

[0015] The connector 23 has a first terminal 25 electrically connected to the battery 21 and a second terminal 26 electrically connected to the simulated load 22, both arranged in parallel.

[0016] Furthermore, the light source 12 is used to illuminate the guidance panel in the case of an exit sign, and is used for emergency lighting during a power outage in the case of an emergency light. The light source 12 is a semiconductor light-emitting element such as an LED, but other types of light sources such as lamps may also be used.

[0017] Furthermore, as power supply units 13, the first lighting device 10a shown in Figure 1 is equipped with a first power supply unit 13a that supports a simulated load, and the second lighting device 10b shown in Figure 2 is equipped with a second power supply unit 13b that does not support a simulated load.

[0018] The first power supply unit 13a for pseudo-load provided in the first lighting device 10a shown in FIG. 1 has a light source connection part 30 to which the light source 12 is electrically connected, and a first connector receiving part 31a which is a connector receiving part 31 to which the connector 23 of the battery pack 11 is detachably connected. Further, the first power supply unit 13a has a power supply circuit 32, a load switching circuit 33, and a control unit 34.

[0019] In the first connector receiving part 31a, a first receiving terminal 35 electrically connected to the first terminal 25 of the connector 23 and a second receiving terminal 36 electrically connected to the second terminal 26 of the connector 23 are arranged in parallel. The first receiving terminal 35 is electrically connected to the power supply circuit 32, and the second receiving terminal 36 is electrically connected to the load switching circuit 33.

[0020] The power supply circuit 32 has a charging circuit part for charging the battery 21 with external power, and a lighting circuit part for outputting lighting power for lighting the light source 12. When external power is supplied, in the case of an induction lamp, the lighting circuit part converts the external power into a predetermined lighting power, supplies it to the light source 12, and lights it. Also, in the case of an emergency lamp, the lighting circuit part keeps the light source 12 in the off state. On the other hand, when there is a power outage of external power, in both the case of an induction lamp and an emergency lamp, the power of the battery 21 is converted into a predetermined lighting power, supplied to the light source 12, and lights it.

[0021] The load switching circuit 33 inputs lighting power from the power supply circuit 32 and outputs it to the light source connection part 30 or the second receiving terminal 36 of the first connector receiving part 31a. The load switching circuit 33 switches between a real load circuit 37 for supplying the lighting power output by the power supply circuit 32 to the light source 12 and a pseudo-load circuit 38 for supplying the lighting power output by the power supply circuit 32 to the pseudo-load 22. The load switching circuit 33 is switched to the real load circuit 37 except when the battery 21 is being inspected, and is switched to the pseudo-load circuit 38 only when the battery 21 is being inspected.

[0022] The control unit 34 controls the power supply circuit 32 and the load switching circuit 33. During inspection, the control unit 34 switches the load switching circuit 33 to form a dummy load circuit 38, and has the function of an inspection unit that supplies the power of the battery 21 to the dummy load 22 by the first power supply unit 13a to inspect the battery 21. In the function of the inspection unit, based on the set inspection schedule or a manual inspection instruction by operating a remote control from outside or an inspection switch of the first lighting device 10a, the inspection operation of the battery 21 is executed. In the inspection operation, the power of the battery 21 is supplied to the dummy load 22 for a predetermined inspection time to discharge it, the voltage of the battery 21 is detected, and it is monitored whether the voltage falls below a predetermined voltage threshold within the predetermined inspection time, and it is determined whether the battery 21 is normal or there is no abnormality due to deterioration or the like.

[0023] On the other hand, the dummy load non - compatible second power supply unit 13b provided in the second lighting device 10b shown in FIG. 2 has a light source connection portion 30 to which the light source 12 is electrically connected, and a second connector receiving portion 31b to which the connector 23 of the battery pack 11 is detachably connected. Further, the second power supply unit 13b has a power supply circuit 32 and a control unit 34 that controls this power supply circuit 32, but does not have a load switching circuit 33.

[0024] The second connector receiving portion 31b has the same structure as the first connector receiving portion 31a, and the connector 23 of the battery pack 11 is detachably connected thereto. A first receiving terminal 35 electrically connected to the first terminal 25 of the connector 23 is disposed in the second connector receiving portion 31b, but the second receiving terminal 36 electrically connected to the second terminal 26 of the connector 23 may or may not be disposed. The first receiving terminal 35 is electrically connected to the power supply circuit 32, and even when the second receiving terminal 36 is provided, the second receiving terminal 36 is not electrically connected within the second power supply unit 13b.

[0025] [[ID=LL]] Next, the operation of the lighting device 10 will be described.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the battery pack 11 is common to both the first lighting device 10a, which supports a simulated load as shown in Figure 1, and the second lighting device 10b, which does not support a simulated load as shown in Figure 2, and can be used regardless of which one it is connected to.

[0027] In the first lighting device 10a shown in Figure 1, the first receiving terminal 35 and the second receiving terminal 36 of the first connector receiving part 31a are electrically connected to the first terminal 25 and the second terminal 26 of the connector 23 of the battery pack 11. As a result, the power supply circuit 32 and the battery 21 are electrically connected, and the simulated load circuit 38 and the simulated load 22 are electrically connected. In other words, when the connector 23 is connected to the first connector receiving part 31a, the first terminal 25 and the second terminal 26 are electrically connected to the first lighting device 10a.

[0028] In the first lighting device 10a, when external power is supplied, the first power supply unit 13a operates using the external power, and the charging circuit section of the power supply circuit 32 charges the battery 21. If the first lighting device 10a is an emergency exit sign, the lighting circuit section of the power supply circuit 32 converts the external power into lighting power and supplies it to the light source 12, causing the light source 12 to light up. If it is an emergency light, the lighting circuit section of the power supply circuit 32 does not operate, and the light source 12 remains off.

[0029] In the event of an external power outage, in both the case of emergency lights and exit signs, the first power supply unit 13a operates using the power of the battery 21, and the lighting circuit section of the power supply circuit 32 converts the power from the battery 21 into lighting power, which is then supplied to the light source 12, causing the light source 12 to light up. At this time, the load switching circuit 33 is switched to the actual load circuit 37, and the lighting circuit section of the power supply circuit 32 converts the power from the battery 21 into a predetermined lighting power, which is then supplied to the light source 12, causing the light source 12 to light up.

[0030] Furthermore, the control unit 43 performs inspection operations on the battery 21 based on a set inspection schedule or manual inspection instructions given via a remote control or inspection switch.

[0031] During the battery 21 inspection operation, the load switching circuit 33 switches to the dummy load circuit 38, the lighting circuit section of the power supply circuit 32 converts the power from the battery 21 into a predetermined lighting power, and this lighting power is supplied to the dummy load 22 located on the battery pack 11 via the dummy load circuit 38. As the power from the battery 21 is discharged at the dummy load 22, the battery 21 inspection is performed with the light source 12 not lit.

[0032] The control unit 34 then detects the voltage of the battery 21 and monitors whether it falls below a predetermined voltage threshold within a predetermined inspection time, and determines whether the battery 21 is normal or if there are any abnormalities due to deterioration, etc. The inspection results are displayed on the monitor lamp of the first lighting device 10a, and the inspection information is also transmitted to a remote control, etc., so that it can be checked on the remote control, etc.

[0033] On the other hand, in the second lighting device 10b shown in Figure 2, the first receiving terminal 35 and the second receiving terminal 36 (the second receiving terminal 36 may not be present) of the second connector receiving part 31b are electrically connected to the first terminal 25 and the second terminal 26 of the connector 23 of the battery pack 11. As a result, the power supply circuit 32 and the battery 21 are electrically connected, but the dummy load 22 is not electrically connected. In other words, when the connector 23 is connected to the second connector receiving part 31b, the first terminal 25 is electrically connected to the second lighting device 10b, but the second terminal 26 is not electrically connected to the second lighting device 10b.

[0034] In the second lighting device 10b, when external power is supplied, the second power supply unit 13b operates using the external power, and the charging circuit section of the power supply circuit 32 charges the battery 21. If the second lighting device 10b is an emergency exit sign, the lighting circuit section of the power supply circuit 32 converts the external power into lighting power and supplies it to the light source 12, causing the light source 12 to light up. If it is an emergency light, the lighting circuit section of the power supply circuit 32 does not operate, and the light source 12 remains off.

[0035] In the event of an external power outage, in both the case of exit signs and emergency lights, the second power supply unit 13b operates using the power from the battery 21, and the power from the battery 21 is converted into lighting power by the lighting circuit section of the power supply circuit 32 and supplied to the light source 12, causing the light source 12 to light up.

[0036] Furthermore, during inspection of the battery 21, the lighting circuit section of the power supply circuit 32 converts the power from the battery 21 into a predetermined lighting power and supplies it to the light source 12, and the inspection of the battery 21 is performed while the light source 12 is lit.

[0037] Thus, the battery pack 11 includes a battery 21 and a simulated load 22, and the connector 23 has a first terminal 25 electrically connected to the battery 21 and a second terminal 26 electrically connected to the simulated load 22. Therefore, it can be used by both a first lighting device 10a that supports the simulated load and a second lighting device 10b that does not support the simulated load, even though it includes the simulated load 22.

[0038] In other words, the battery pack 11 has a connector 23 that is detachable from the first connector receiving part 31a of the first lighting device 10a and the second connector receiving part 31b of the second lighting device 10b. When connected to the first connector receiving part 31a, the first terminal 25 and the second terminal 26 are electrically connected to the first lighting device 10a. When connected to the second connector receiving part 31b, the first terminal 25 is electrically connected to the second lighting device 10b, and the second terminal 26 is not electrically connected to the second lighting device 10b. Thus, while equipped with a simulated load 22, the battery pack 11 can be used in common with the first lighting device 10a, which is compatible with the simulated load, and the second lighting device 10b, which is not compatible with the simulated load.

[0039] Furthermore, in the first lighting device 10a, by connecting the battery pack 11, power from the battery 21 can be supplied to the simulated load 22, allowing the battery 21 to be inspected.

[0040] Figure 3 also shows a first lighting device 10a for handling a simulated load, which has a connector structure that cannot be directly connected to the connector 23 of the battery pack 11. This first lighting device 10a includes a first power supply unit 13a, a light source connection section 30, and a first connector receiving section 31a. The first connector receiving section 31a has a first receiving terminal connector receiving section 40 on which a first receiving terminal 35 is disposed, and a second receiving terminal connector receiving section 41 on which a second receiving terminal 36 is disposed, and is provided in a connector structure that cannot be directly connected to the connector 23 of the battery pack 11.

[0041] Figure 4 shows a second lighting device 10b that does not support a simulated load, which has a connector structure that cannot be directly connected to the connector 23 of the battery pack 11. This second lighting device 10b includes a second power supply unit 13b, a light source connection section 30, and a second connector receiving section 31b. The second connector receiving section 31b has the same connector structure as the first lighting device 10a shown in Figure 3, and includes a connector receiving section 40 for a first receiving terminal and a connector receiving section 41 for a second receiving terminal. Note that this second lighting device 10b does not necessarily have to include the connector receiving section 41 for a second receiving terminal.

[0042] A conversion harness 50 is used to enable connection of a common battery pack 11 to either the first lighting device 10a shown in Figure 3 or the second lighting device 10b shown in Figure 4.

[0043] The conversion harness 50 comprises a harness section 51, a battery connection connector 52 provided at one end of the harness section 51 and detachable from the connector 23 of the battery pack 11, and a lighting device connection connector 53 provided at the other end of the harness section 51.

[0044] The harness section 51 includes a first harness section 54 for battery connection and a second harness section 55 for dummy load connection.

[0045] The battery connection connector 52 has a first battery connection terminal 56 that is electrically connected to the first terminal 25 of the connector 23, and a second battery connection terminal 57 that is electrically connected to the second terminal 26. One end of the first harness portion 54 is electrically connected to the first battery connection terminal 56, and one end of the second harness portion 55 is electrically connected to the second battery connection terminal 57.

[0046] The lighting device connection connector 53 includes a first lighting device connection connector 58 that is detachably connected to the connector receiving portion 40 for the first receiving terminal, and a second lighting device connection connector 59 that is detachably connected to the connector receiving portion 41 for the second receiving terminal. The first lighting device connection connector 58 is provided with a first lighting device connection terminal 60 that is electrically connected to the first receiving terminal 35, and the second lighting device connection connector 59 is provided with a second lighting device connection terminal 61 that is electrically connected to the second receiving terminal 36. The other end of the first harness portion 54 is electrically connected to the first lighting device connection terminal 60, and the other end of the second harness portion 55 is electrically connected to the second lighting device connection terminal 61.

[0047] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the battery pack 11 is common to both the first lighting device 10a, which supports a simulated load as shown in Figure 3, and the second lighting device 10b, which does not support a simulated load as shown in Figure 4, and can be connected and used with either of them using the conversion harness 50.

[0048] The battery connection connector 52 of the conversion harness 50 is connected to the connector 23 of the battery pack 11, and the first lighting device connection connector 58 and the second lighting device connection connector 59 are connected to the first receiving terminal connector receiving section 40 and the second receiving terminal connector receiving section 41, respectively.

[0049] In the first lighting device 10a shown in Figure 3, the battery 21 and the power supply circuit 32 are electrically connected by the conversion harness 50, and the simulated load 22 and the simulated load circuit 38 are also electrically connected. In other words, when the connector 23 is connected to the first connector receiving part 31a, the first terminal 25 and the second terminal 26 are electrically connected to the first lighting device 10a.

[0050] In the second lighting device 10b shown in Figure 4, the battery 21 and the power supply circuit 32 are electrically connected by the conversion harness 50, but the dummy load 22 is not electrically connected. In other words, when the connector 23 is connected to the second connector receiving part 31b, the first terminal 25 is electrically connected to the second lighting device 10b, while the second terminal 26 is not electrically connected to the second lighting device 10b.

[0051] Thus, even if the connector structure of the battery pack 11 differs between the first lighting device 10a and the second lighting device 10b, by using the conversion harness 50, the battery pack 11 can be used in conjunction with the first lighting device 10a, which is compatible with the simulated load 22, and the second lighting device 10b, which is not compatible with the simulated load, while still having a simulated load 22. Furthermore, in the first lighting device 10a, by connecting the battery pack 11, power from the battery 21 can be supplied to the simulated load 22, allowing the battery 21 to be inspected.

[0052] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 10 Lighting devices 10a First lighting device 10b 2nd lighting device 11 Battery Packs 21 batteries 22 Pseudo load 23 Connectors 25 1st terminal 26 2nd terminal 31 Connector receiving part 31a First connector receiving section 31b Second connector receiving section 34 Control Unit 50 Conversion Harness 51 Harness section 52 Battery connection connector 53 Lighting device connection connector

Claims

1. Battery and; Simulated load and; The first terminal electrically connected to the battery; The second terminal electrically connected to the aforementioned dummy load; A connector having the first terminal and the second terminal; A battery pack characterized by having the following features.

2. The aforementioned connector is It is detachably attached to the first connector receiver of the first lighting device and the second connector receiver of the second lighting device. When connected to the first connector receiving portion, the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected to the first lighting device. When connected to the second connector receiving portion, the first terminal is electrically connected to the second lighting device, and the second terminal is not electrically connected to the second lighting device. The battery pack according to feature 1.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1; The connector of the battery pack is detachable, and the connector receiving portion to which the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected; A control unit capable of supplying power from the battery to the simulated load to perform inspection of the battery; A lighting device characterized by having the following features.

4. A conversion harness for connecting the battery pack described in claim 1, Harness section; A battery connection connector is provided at one end of the harness portion and is detachable from the connector of the battery pack; A lighting device connection connector is provided at the other end of the harness; Equipped with, The aforementioned lighting device connection connector is It is detachably attached to the first connector receiver of the first lighting device and the second connector receiver of the second lighting device. When connected to the first connector receiving portion, the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected to the first lighting device. When connected to the second connector receiving portion, the first terminal is electrically connected to the second lighting device, and the second terminal is not electrically connected to the second lighting device. A conversion harness characterized by the following features.

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