Lighting device

Abstract

To provide a lighting device that can complement wireless communication. [Solution] The lighting device 20 comprises a light source unit 21, a wireless communication unit 23, a power supply unit 22, and a magnet unit 24. The wireless communication unit 23 is located on the back of the light source unit 21 and has a wireless relay function. The power supply unit 22 is located on the back of the light source unit 21. The magnet unit 24 is located on the back of the light source unit 21 and protrudes more from the back of the light source unit 21 than the wireless communication unit 23 and the power supply unit 22.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, in offices and facilities, a plurality of lighting devices may be installed to form a network using a wireless communication method by radio waves, enabling wireless communication with each other. Wireless communication between lighting devices utilizes either the ceiling space, the room space, or both. However, depending on the conditions of the installation location of the lighting devices, there may be a metal wall surface installed in the ceiling space or H-shaped steel or a fire curtain installed on the room space side, which may interfere with wireless communication.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a lighting device that can complement wireless communication.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The lighting device according to the embodiment includes a light source unit, a wireless communication unit, a power supply unit, and a magnet unit. The wireless communication unit is disposed on the back surface of the light source unit and has a wireless relay function. The power supply unit is disposed on the back surface of the light source unit. The magnet unit is disposed on the back surface of the light source unit and protrudes from the back surface of the light source unit to a higher height than the wireless communication unit and the power supply unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the embodiment, it can be expected to provide a lighting device that can complement wireless communication.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the installation of a lighting device representing one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the same lighting device. [Figure 3] This is a side view of the same lighting device. [Figure 4] This is an end view of the same lighting device, with some parts omitted. [Figure 5] This is a partially omitted end view showing other examples of use of the same lighting device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] One embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] As shown in Figure 1, for example, in an office or facility, multiple lighting devices (first lighting devices) 10 may be installed to form a wireless communication network using radio waves, enabling them to communicate wirelessly with each other. The network is, for example, a mesh network, which enables wireless communication between lighting devices within direct communication range, and also enables communication between lighting devices located far away outside the direct communication range by having another lighting device relay the communication. For example, a BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) mesh network can be used as a mesh network. The lighting devices receive control signals transmitted from operating terminals such as tablets connected to the network, wall control units (remote control switches), brightness sensors, motion sensors, and scheduling equipment, and perform lighting control, including turning on, dimming, and turning off.

[0010] The lighting device 10 is installed on the ceiling surface 11 and uses the space above the ceiling, the room space, or both to communicate wirelessly. However, depending on the location where the lighting device is installed, there may be a metal wall above the ceiling or H-beams or fireproof curtains on the room space side, which may interfere with wireless communication between adjacent lighting devices 10. For example, a ferromagnetic metal wall 12, which acts as a wireless communication obstacle, may protrude from the ceiling surface 11 between adjacent lighting devices 10, which may interfere with wireless communication between the lighting devices 10.

[0011] In such cases, a lighting device (second lighting device) 20, which is a lighting device with a wireless relay function, is used to supplement wireless communication between adjacent lighting devices 10.

[0012] Figures 2 to 4 show a long-shaped lighting device 20. The lighting device 20 comprises a light source unit 21, a power supply unit 22, a wireless communication unit 23, and a pair of magnet units 24, all located on the back of the light source unit 21.

[0013] The light source unit 21 comprises a long chassis 27, a long light source module 28 which is a light source attached to the lower side of the chassis 27, and a long cover 29 which covers the light source module 28 and is attached to the chassis 27.

[0014] The chassis 27 is made of metal and is elongated. The chassis 27 comprises an elongated light source mounting section 31 and side wall sections 32 that are bent upward from both sides in the short direction of the light source mounting section 31, and is formed in a roughly U-shape in cross-section. The leading end of the side wall section 32 is bent so as to wrap around to the outer surface of the side wall section 32.

[0015] The light source module 28 has a long substrate 34 with a wiring pattern formed on its surface, and multiple light-emitting elements 35 mounted along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 34 on the wiring pattern on the surface of the substrate 34. The substrate 34 is mounted along the longitudinal direction of the chassis 27 such that its back side faces the bottom surface of the chassis 27. The light-emitting elements 35 are semiconductor light-emitting elements such as LEDs or organic ELs.

[0016] The cover 29 is a resin cover through which radio signals can pass, and is a light-transmitting cover having light-transmitting properties and light-diffusing properties, and the light from the light-emitting element 35 passes therethrough. The cover 29 is formed in a shape in which the cross-sectional shape in the short side direction is a convex curved surface on the front side.

[0017] On the upper surface side of the cover 29, an opening in which the light source module 28 is arranged is formed along the longitudinal direction in the central region in the width direction, and shoulder portions 36 are formed along the longitudinal direction on both side regions of the opening, which are both side regions in the width direction. On both side shoulder portions 36, a lower engaging portion 37 that engages with the lower surface side of the light source mounting portion 31 of the chassis 27 and an upper engaging portion 38 that engages with the side wall portion 32 of the chassis 27 are provided. The chassis 27 and the cover 29 are combined and integrated with each other by sliding them from the longitudinal direction.

[0018] An end face cover 39 is attached to the end of the cover 29. The end face cover 39 is made of resin, but may be non-light-transmitting or may have light-transmitting properties. The end face cover 39 is attached to the end of the cover 29 held by the chassis 27 and holds the cover 29 with respect to the chassis 27.

[0019] Also, the power supply unit 22 is attached to the central region in the longitudinal direction on the back side of the chassis 27 of the light source unit 21. The power supply unit 22 protrudes from the back side of the light source unit 21, that is, protrudes from the chassis 27 and the cover 29.

[0020] The power supply unit 22 converts the power supplied from the outside into a predetermined lighting power and supplies it to the light source module 28 of the light source unit 21 to light the light-emitting element 35. The power supply unit 22 converts the power supplied from the outside into a predetermined operating power and supplies it to the wireless communication unit 23.

[0021] The power supply unit 22 has a power receiving unit that receives power transmitted from the power transmission unit by a wireless power supply method (wireless power feeding method). The power receiving unit is arranged on the outer surface of a metal power supply case in a region protruding from the back side of the light source unit 21. As the wireless power supply method, methods such as an electromagnetic induction method, an electric field coupling method, and an electromagnetic wave method (microwave, laser) are used.

[0022] Also, the wireless communication unit 23 is attached between one end of the light source unit 21 and the power supply unit 22 on the back side of the chassis 27 of the light source unit 21. The wireless communication unit 23 protrudes from the back side of the light source unit 21, that is, protrudes more than the chassis 27 and the cover 29, and the protrusion height from the back side of the light source unit 21 is lower than that of the power supply unit 22.

[0023] The wireless communication unit 23 houses a communication circuit for controlling wireless communication and an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals in a resin case 42 through which a wireless signal using radio waves can pass. The communication circuit communicates using the communication method used for the above-mentioned network, and for example, communicates using a communication method corresponding to a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) mesh network. The wireless communication unit 23 has a wireless relay function of receiving a wireless signal transmitted from any one of the lighting devices 10 and transmitting the received wireless signal to other lighting devices 10.

[0024] Also, the pair of magnet units 24 are attached on the back side of the chassis 27 of the light source unit 21 on the end side rather than the power supply unit 22 and the wireless communication unit 23. The pair of magnet units 24 have a common structure.

[0025] The magnet section 24 has a cylindrical magnet 45 and a pair of suction members 46 that hold the magnet 45. The pair of suction members 46 are attached to a mounting plate 47 by screws, and the mounting plate 47 is attached to the chassis 27. The axial direction of the cylindrical magnet 45 is oriented in the direction of the shorter side of the chassis 27, and the magnet 45 is held by being sandwiched between the pair of suction members 46 from both sides in the axial direction. The suction members 46 are made of ferromagnetic metal, are raised perpendicular to the upper surface of the chassis 27, and their tips protrude above the magnet 45. The mounting plate 47 is positioned and mounted between the side walls 32 on both sides of the chassis 27.

[0026] The magnetic portion 24 (the tip of the pair of adsorption members 46) protrudes from the rear side of the light source portion 21, that is, it protrudes more than the chassis 27 and cover 29, and the height of the protrusion from the rear side of the light source portion 21 is higher than that of the power supply portion 22 and wireless communication portion 23.

[0027] Next, the use of the lighting device 20 will be described.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, a metal wall 12 protrudes from the ceiling surface 11 between adjacent lighting devices 10, which may interfere with wireless communication between the lighting devices 10. In such cases, a lighting device 20 with a wireless relay function is used to supplement wireless communication between the lighting devices 10.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the lighting device 20 is attached to the metal wall 12 by the magnetic force of the magnets 45, by bringing a pair of magnets 24 protruding from the back side of the light source unit 21 into contact with the lower surface of the metal wall 12.

[0030] With the lighting device 20 attached to the metal wall 12, a gap A is formed between the back side of the light source unit 21 and the metal wall 12, and the upper sides of the power supply unit 22 and wireless communication unit 23, which protrude from the back side of the light source unit 21, are positioned to protrude into gap A. A space is formed between the power supply unit 22 and wireless communication unit 23 and the metal wall 12.

[0031] Then, power is transmitted wirelessly from the power transmission unit, which is installed opposite the power supply unit 22, to the power receiving unit of the power supply unit 22 through the gap A. The transmitted power is received by the power receiving unit of the power supply unit 22 through the gap A between the light source unit 21 and the metal wall 12.

[0032] The power supply unit 22 receives power, converts it into lighting power, and supplies it to the light source module 28 of the light source unit 21 to light up the light-emitting element 35. It also converts the power into operating power and supplies it to the wireless communication unit 23 to operate the wireless communication unit 23.

[0033] The wireless communication unit 23, through its relay function, receives wireless signals transmitted from any of the lighting devices 10, transmits the received wireless signals to other lighting devices 10, and complements wireless communication between the lighting devices 10.

[0034] Since a gap A is formed between the light source unit 21 and the metal wall 12, and a space is formed between the wireless communication unit 23 and the metal wall 12, the performance of transmitting and receiving wireless signals can be improved.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, for example, if there is no metal wall 12 between adjacent lighting devices 10, a main body 50 may be used to install the light source unit 21 on the ceiling surface 11 in order to complement the transmission and reception of wireless signals. In this case, a power supply method using power lines may be used for the lighting device 20, or if a wireless power supply method is used, an opening for wireless power supply may be provided in a part of the main body 51.

[0036] The main body 50 is provided in an elongated shape, and the light source 21 can be positioned on its lower side. The main body 50 is made of a ferromagnetic metal and is a rectangular box shape having an elongated top plate 51, side plate portions 52 bent from both sides in the short direction of the top plate 51, and end plate portions positioned at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the top plate 51 and the side plate portions 52, with an opening 53 provided on its lower surface in which the light source 21 is positioned.

[0037] Then, the main body 50 is installed on the ceiling surface 11, and the upper side of the light source 21 is inserted into the opening 53 of the main body 50 and attached. By bringing the pair of magnets 24 of the light source 21 into contact with the top plate 51 of the main body 50, the light source 21 is attracted to and attached to the main body 50 by the magnetic force of the magnets 45.

[0038] With the light source unit 21 attached to the main body unit 50, a gap B is formed between the metal chassis 27 of the light source unit 21 and the side plate 52 of the main body unit 50, in which part of the cover 29 is positioned. This gap B allows wireless signals to pass through, enabling the wireless communication unit 23 to send and receive wireless signals. A space is formed between the wireless communication unit 23 and the top plate 51 of the main body unit 50.

[0039] Therefore, in this case as well, a gap B is formed between the chassis 27 of the light source unit 21 and the side plate portion 52 of the main body unit 50, and a space is formed between the wireless communication unit 23 and the top plate portion 51 of the main body unit 50, thereby enabling the transmission and reception of wireless signals and ensuring wireless communication performance.

[0040] Thus, in this embodiment, the lighting device 20 can be easily installed on the metal wall 12 or the main body 50 by providing the magnet part 24, and because the protrusion height of the magnet part 24 from the back side of the light source 21 is higher than that of the wireless communication unit 23, a space can be created between the wireless communication unit 23 and the metal wall 12 or the main body 50, ensuring the wireless communication performance of the wireless communication unit 23, and therefore complementing wireless communication between adjacent lighting devices 10.

[0041] The power supply unit 22 receives power transmitted wirelessly, so power can be supplied even when the lighting device 20 is installed in a location where it is difficult to supply power by power lines. Moreover, the protrusion height of the magnet unit 24 from the back side of the light source unit 21 is greater than that of the power supply unit 22, allowing wireless power to be supplied through the gap A between the light source unit 21 and the metal wall 12 or the main body 50.

[0042] 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]

[0043] 20 Lighting devices 21 Light source section 22 Power supply section 23 Wireless Communication Department 24 Magnet section

Claims

1. Light source unit; A wireless communication unit having a wireless relay function is positioned on the back of the light source unit; A power supply unit is located on the back of the aforementioned light source unit; A magnet section is positioned on the back of the light source section and protrudes more from the back of the light source section than the wireless communication section and the power supply section; A lighting device characterized by having the following features.

2. The power supply unit receives power transmitted by a wireless power supply system. The lighting device according to feature 1.

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