Lighting device

Abstract

To provide a lighting system that allows for the synchronization of inspection timings. [Solution] The lighting device 11 comprises a battery 24, a detection unit 35, a communication unit 29, a timing unit 36, and a control unit 30. The detection unit 35 detects the connection status of the battery 24. The communication unit 29 receives signals from an external source. The timing unit 36 ​​starts counting when the detection unit 35 detects the connection of the battery 24 and receives a signal within a predetermined time. The control unit 30 performs an inspection when the count by the timing unit 36 ​​reaches a predetermined value.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to lighting devices.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, disaster prevention lighting fixtures such as induction lamps and emergency lamps are subject to inspection obligations and need to be inspected regularly. Some of these disaster prevention lighting fixtures have a timer and perform inspections based on the time measured by this timer.

[0003] However, when multiple disaster prevention lighting fixtures are installed on a floor or the like, if the start timing of the timer of each disaster prevention lighting fixture is different, there is a risk that the inspection implementation timing will be different for each disaster prevention lighting fixture.

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 lighting device capable of aligning the inspection implementation timing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The lighting device of the embodiment includes a battery, a detection unit, a communication unit, a timing unit, and a control unit. The detection unit detects the connection state of the battery. The communication unit receives a signal from the outside. The timing unit starts counting when the detection unit detects the connection of the battery and receives a signal within a predetermined time. The control unit executes an inspection when the count by the timing unit reaches a predetermined value.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to this embodiment, it is expected that a lighting device will be provided that allows for the timing of inspections to be synchronized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a floor plan view of a floor to which the lighting system using the lighting device of the first embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram of the same lighting device. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the same lighting device. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the lighting device according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0010] Figure 1 shows a floor plan of the floor to which the lighting system 10 is applied. The lighting system 10 comprises a plurality of lighting devices 11 installed on the floor and a terminal 12 which is a transmitting unit.

[0011] Lighting devices 11 are disaster prevention lighting devices such as emergency lights 13 installed on the ceiling of a floor that light up during a power outage, and guide lights 14 installed at entrances and emergency exits that light up to guide people to evacuation routes. Multiple emergency lights 13 and multiple guide lights 14 may be installed on a single floor. Some of the multiple emergency lights 13 are newly installed emergency lights 13a, while other emergency lights 13 and guide lights 14 may be existing.

[0012] Terminal 12 includes, for example, a remote control, tablet, laptop, or smartphone that can be carried by a worker installing the lighting equipment 11, or a lighting control terminal installed on the wall of the floor, and is capable of communicating with each lighting equipment 11. Terminal 12 can transmit signals such as a count start signal, time information, and inspection schedule to each lighting equipment 11.

[0013] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the lighting device 11. The lighting device 11 comprises a power supply unit 22, a light source 23, and a battery 24.

[0014] The power supply unit 22 is connected to the AC power supply E by a power line. When AC power is supplied from the AC power supply E, it operates using AC power. When the AC power is cut off during a power outage, it operates using the power from the battery 24.

[0015] The light source 23 emits visible light and, in the case of the emergency light 13, is used for emergency lighting during power outages, and in the case of the exit sign 14, is used to illuminate the exit panel. The light source 23 is a light-emitting element such as an LED or an organic EL semiconductor light-emitting element, but other types of light sources such as lamps may also be used.

[0016] Battery 24 can be a rechargeable secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery, nickel-cadmium battery, or lithium-ion battery.

[0017] Furthermore, the power supply unit 22 includes a power supply unit 26 that lights up the light source 23 and charges / discharges the battery 24, an inspection switch 27, a monitor lamp 28, a communication unit 29 that communicates with the outside, including the terminal 12, and a control unit 30 that controls the power supply unit 22.

[0018] The power supply unit 26 includes a lighting unit 32 for lighting the light source 23 and a charging unit 33 for charging the battery 24. When AC power is supplied, the lighting unit 32 keeps the light source 23 off in the case of the emergency light 13, and supplies lighting power converted from AC power to the light source 23 to light up the exit sign 14. On the other hand, in the case of a power outage, in both the case of the emergency light 13 and the exit sign 14, it supplies lighting power converted from the battery 24 to the light source 23 to light up. The charging unit 33 charges the battery 24 when AC power is supplied.

[0019] The inspection switch 27 is switched to a circuit that lights the light source 23 with the power of the battery 24 by one operation to check the lighting, or executes an inspection operation by a predetermined operation including a long press for a predetermined time or more, and is arranged at a position operable from the outside.

[0020] The monitor lamp 28 is a monitor lamp composed of a plurality of, for example, light emitting elements, and is arranged at a position visible from the outside. The monitor lamp 28 displays the state of the lighting device 11, the inspection during the battery 24, and the inspection result in a lighting form such as a lighting color, turning off, continuous lighting, or blinking.

[0021] The communication unit 29 includes an optical signal communication unit that transmits and receives an optical signal using infrared rays as a medium with a remote control for operating the lighting device 1.The communication unit 29 also includes a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with other lighting devices 11 and terminals 12.

[0022] The control unit 30 also has functions of a detection unit 35, a timing unit 36, an inspection unit 37 that inspects the battery 24 and the like, and a storage unit 38 that stores various information.

[0023] The detection unit 35 detects that the battery 24 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 22 and the power from the battery 24 is supplied to the power supply unit 22.

[0024] The timing unit 36 has a clock function that provides time information including date and time, and a timer function that counts elapsed time information. The timing unit 36 obtains time information from a remote control or a terminal 12 to measure the date and time. The timing unit 36 starts counting when the detection unit 35 detects the connection of the battery 24, and the timer function operates.

[0025] The inspection unit 37 performs inspections of the battery 24 and other components based on a pre-set inspection schedule or manual inspection instructions from the inspection switch 27, remote control, or terminal 12. During the inspection, the light source 23 is lit using the power of the battery 24, and the battery 24 is discharged for a predetermined inspection time. The voltage of the battery 24 is detected, and the detected voltage of the battery 24 is compared with a predetermined threshold to determine whether the battery 24 is normal or abnormal due to deterioration, etc.

[0026] The storage unit 38 may use, for example, non-volatile memory that retains its contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 38 stores inspection schedule information, inspection results, and the like.

[0027] Next, the operation of the lighting device 11 will be explained with reference to the timing chart in Figure 3.

[0028] When the lighting device 11 is shipped from the factory, the electrical connection of the battery 24 to the power supply unit 22 is disconnected to prevent natural discharge of the battery 24. Therefore, when installing the lighting device 11 at its installation location on the floor, the electrical wires are electrically connected to the power supply unit 22, and the battery 24 is also electrically connected.

[0029] When the detection unit 35 detects that the battery 24 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 22 and power from the battery 24 is supplied to the power supply unit 22, the timer function of the timing unit 36 ​​activates and starts counting (hereinafter referred to as the first count).

[0030] The control unit 30 monitors whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the battery 24 was connected (the first count by the timing unit 36 ​​began) or whether a count start signal has been received from the terminal 12. The predetermined time since the battery 24 was connected (the first count by the timing unit 36 ​​began) may be, for example, 1 hour, which is the time required to set up the multiple lighting devices 11, or 48 hours, which is the time required for the battery 24 to be fully charged.

[0031] After installing multiple lighting devices 11, the worker operates the terminal 12 to send a count start signal to each lighting device 11. When operating the terminal 12, information such as time information and inspection schedule is also sent to each lighting device 11.

[0032] In each lighting device 11, upon receiving a count start signal from the terminal 12 within a predetermined time after the battery 24 is connected (the first count by the timing unit 36 ​​begins), the timing unit 36 ​​resets the first count and starts a new count (hereinafter referred to as the second count) from 0. Therefore, the start timing of the second count can be synchronized in all lighting devices 11 that receive the count start signal from the terminal 12 within a predetermined time after the battery 24 is connected (the first count by the timing unit 36 ​​begins).

[0033] Then, in each lighting device 11, when the value of the second count by the timer function of the timing unit 36 ​​has exceeded a predetermined inspection period (for example, 6 months) based on the inspection schedule and the inspection timing has been reached, the inspection unit 37 of the control unit 30 performs an inspection operation of the battery 24, etc. During the inspection, the light source 23 is lit using the power of the battery 24, and the power of the battery 24 is discharged for a predetermined inspection time. The voltage of the battery 24 is detected, and the detected voltage of the battery 24 is compared with a predetermined threshold to determine whether the battery 24 is normal or abnormal due to deterioration, etc.

[0034] In this way, when installing multiple lighting devices 11, even if there is a time gap between the start of installation of the first lighting device 11 and the completion of installation of the last lighting device 11, the start timing of the second count that determines the inspection period can be synchronized, thereby suppressing variations in the timing of inspections of the lighting devices 11.

[0035] Furthermore, in lighting devices 11 that do not satisfy the condition of receiving a count start signal within a predetermined time after the battery 24 is connected (the first count by the timing unit 36 ​​begins), the count start signal is ignored.

[0036] This prevents issues such as the existing lighting device 11 resetting its count and changing the inspection timing when a new lighting device 11 (new emergency light 13a) is installed on a floor where an existing lighting device 11 is already installed.

[0037] Next, the operation of the lighting device 11 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the time chart in Figure 4. In this lighting device 11, the operation of the inspection switch 27 is added as a condition for starting the second count.

[0038] When the lighting device 11 is installed, the detection unit 35 detects that the battery 24 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 22 and that power from the battery 24 is supplied to the power supply unit 22. This triggers the timer function of the timing unit 36 ​​to activate and start the first count.

[0039] The control unit 30 monitors whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the battery 24 was connected (the first count by the timing unit 36 ​​began), whether the inspection switch 27 has been operated, and whether a count start signal has been received from the terminal 12.

[0040] When a lighting device 11 is installed, if it is one of the lighting devices 11 whose inspection timing is to be synchronized, the worker operates the inspection switch 27 of that lighting device 11. Operating this inspection switch 27 also serves to confirm the connection and operation of the lighting device 11, as the light source 23 is lit using the power of the battery 24.

[0041] After installing multiple lighting devices 11, the worker operates the terminal 12 to send a count start signal to each lighting device 11.

[0042] In each lighting device 11, if the inspection switch 27 is operated and a count start signal is received from the terminal 12 within a predetermined time after the battery 24 is connected (the first count by the timing unit 36 ​​begins), the first count is reset and a new second count starts from 0. Therefore, the start timing of the second count can be synchronized in all lighting devices 11 that have the inspection switch 27 operated and the count start signal received from the terminal 12 within a predetermined time after the battery 24 is connected (the first count by the timing unit 36 ​​begins).

[0043] Alternatively, the start condition for the second count may be that the inspection switch 27 is operated within a predetermined time after the battery 24 is connected (the first count by the timing unit 36 ​​begins), followed by the reception of the count start signal from the terminal 12. Or, regardless of the order, the start condition for the second count may be that the inspection switch 27 is operated and the count start signal from the terminal 12 is received within a predetermined time after the battery 24 is connected (the first count by the timing unit 36 ​​begins).

[0044] Then, in each lighting device 11, when the value of the second count by the timer function of the timing unit 36 ​​has elapsed a predetermined inspection period (for example, 6 months) based on the inspection schedule and the inspection timing has been reached, the inspection unit 37 of the control unit 30 performs an inspection operation of the battery 24, etc.

[0045] In this way, when installing multiple lighting devices 11, even if there is a time gap between the start of installation of the first lighting device 11 and the completion of installation of the last lighting device 11, the start timing of the second count by the timer function of the timing unit 36 ​​can be synchronized, thereby suppressing variations in the timing of inspection of the lighting devices 11.

[0046] Furthermore, even if the inspection switch 27 is operated within a predetermined time after the battery 24 is connected (the first count by the timing unit 36 ​​begins), the lighting device 11 ignores the count start signal when it receives the count start signal from the terminal 12 after the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0047] Furthermore, even if a count start signal is received from the terminal 12 within a predetermined time after the battery 24 is connected (the first count by the timing unit 36 ​​begins), the lighting device 11 will not reset the first count or start the second count if the inspection switch 27 has not been operated within the predetermined time.

[0048] This prevents issues such as the existing lighting device 11 resetting its count and changing the inspection timing when a new lighting device 11 (new emergency light 13a) is installed on a floor where an existing lighting device 11 is already installed. Furthermore, even when installing a new lighting device 11 (new emergency light 13a), the timing of inspections for the lighting device 11 can be synchronized, for example, by floor area or by type, such as emergency light 13 or exit sign 14, by selecting whether or not to operate the inspection switch 27.

[0049] The timing unit 36 ​​may also include a first timing unit that performs a first count to measure a predetermined time since the battery 24 was connected (the first count by the timing unit 36 ​​began), and a second timing unit that performs a second count to count the inspection time.

[0050] 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]

[0051] 11 Lighting equipment 24 Batteries 27 Inspection switch 29 Communications Department 30 Control Unit 35 Detection unit 36 Timing section

Claims

1. Battery and; A detection unit for detecting the connection status of the aforementioned battery; A communications unit that receives signals from the outside; The detection unit detects the connection of the battery and, upon receiving the signal within a predetermined time, triggers a timing unit to start counting; A control unit that performs an inspection when the count by the aforementioned timing unit reaches a predetermined value; A lighting device characterized by having the following features.

2. Equipped with an inspection switch, The timing unit starts counting when the detection unit detects the battery connection, the inspection switch is operated within the predetermined time, and the signal is received. The lighting device according to feature 1.

3. The timing unit will not perform any action based on the signal if the detection unit detects the battery connection and receives the signal after the predetermined time has elapsed. The lighting device according to feature 1.

4. The predetermined time is the time it takes for the battery to reach full charge. The lighting device according to feature 1.

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