Adapters and lighting systems

Abstract

This invention provides an adapter and lighting system that can reduce the amount of wiring required to install a wireless communication unit on the ceiling. [Solution] The adapter 1 comprises a connection part 11, a mounting part 12, a supply part 13, a wireless communication part 4, and a housing 10. The supply part 13 supplies power supplied from the power supply device 3 to the lighting device 2 via the connection part 11 when the connection part 11 is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device 3 and the lighting device 2 is directly or indirectly attached to the mounting part 12. The wireless communication part 4 receives power from the power supply device 3 when the connection part 11 is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device 3 and performs wireless communication using radio waves. The housing 10 houses the supply part 13 and the wireless communication part 4.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to an adapter and a lighting system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an adapter including a connecting portion detachably connected to a power supply device provided on a ceiling, and to a lighting system including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lamp mounting adapter including a cylindrical adapter body. The adapter body is provided, on an upper side thereof, with a hooking ceiling mounting portion detachably attachable to a hooking ceiling, and is provided, on a lower side thereof, with a socket portion to which a lamp is detachably attached.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Literature 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, there is a demand to install a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication using radio waves on the ceiling of a facility. However, in order to install the wireless communication unit on the ceiling, there is a problem that it is necessary to newly lay wiring for supplying power to the wireless communication unit on the ceiling.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an adapter and a lighting system that can reduce the amount of wiring required for installing a wireless communication unit on a ceiling.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] An adapter according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a connection section, a mounting section, a supply section, a wireless communication section, and a housing. The connection section is electrically and mechanically connected to a power supply device provided on the ceiling. The mounting section is electrically connected to the lighting device, to which the lighting device is directly or indirectly mounted. The supply section supplies power to the lighting device, which is supplied from the power supply device via the connection section, when the connection section is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device and the lighting device is directly or indirectly mounted to the mounting section. The wireless communication section receives power from the power supply device and performs wireless communication using radio waves when the connection section is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device. The housing houses the supply section and the wireless communication section.

[0007] A lighting system according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises the adapter and the lighting device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, there is an advantage in that the wiring required to install the wireless communication unit on the ceiling can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the adapter and lighting system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the wireless communication unit of the adapter described above relays communication between the router and an external device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the same lighting system. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a plan view of the adapter shown above. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side view of the adapter shown above. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the adapter shown above. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the adapter and lighting system according to the first modified example shown above. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the wireless communication unit of the adapter according to the second modified example described above is connected to a wide-area communication network via a mobile phone line. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the adapter and lighting system according to the third modified example described above. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting system according to the third modified example shown above. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments and modifications described below are merely examples of the present disclosure. This disclosure is not limited to these embodiments and modifications, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not depart from the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure. The figures described in the embodiments and modifications below are schematic diagrams, and the ratios of the size and thickness of each component in the figures do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0011] (Embodiment) (1) Overview The following describes the general outline of the adapter 1 and lighting system A1 according to this embodiment, with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the adapter 1 according to this embodiment is used to connect the power supply device 3 and the lighting device 2. When the adapter 1 is connected to the power supply device 3 and the lighting device 2, the power supply device 3 supplies power output from a commercial AC power source 5 (see Figure 1) to the lighting device 2 via the adapter 1. The power supply device 3 is installed on the ceiling Y2 (see Figure 2) of the facility Y1. That is, the lighting device 2 is a ceiling light attached to the ceiling Y2. In this disclosure, the "power supply device 3" is also referred to as a hook ceiling body or a hook ceiling rosette.

[0013] The adapter 1 of the present embodiment includes a connection portion 11, an attachment portion 12, a supply portion 13, a wireless communication portion 4, and a housing 10, as shown in FIG. 1. The connection portion 11 is electrically and mechanically connected to a power feeding device 3. The lighting device 2 is directly or indirectly attached to the attachment portion 12, and the attachment portion 12 is electrically connected to the lighting device 2. When the connection portion 11 is electrically and mechanically connected to the power feeding device 3 and the lighting device 2 is directly or indirectly attached to the attachment portion 12, the supply portion 13 supplies the lighting device 2 with power supplied from the power feeding device 3 via the connection portion 11. When the connection portion 11 is electrically and mechanically connected to the power feeding device 3, the wireless communication portion 4 is supplied with power from the power feeding device 3 and performs wireless communication using radio waves. The housing 10 accommodates the supply portion 13 and the wireless communication portion 4.

[0014] From the above, in the adapter 1 of the present embodiment, there is no need to newly lay wiring for supplying power to the wireless communication portion 4 on the ceiling Y2. That is, the adapter 1 of the present embodiment has an advantage that it is possible to reduce the amount of wiring required for installing the wireless communication portion 4 on the ceiling Y2.

[0015] The lighting system A1 of the present embodiment includes the adapter 1 and the lighting device 2, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0016] From the above, in the lighting system A1 of the present embodiment, there is no need to newly lay wiring for supplying power to the wireless communication portion 4 on the ceiling Y2. That is, the lighting system A1 of the present embodiment has an advantage that it is possible to reduce the amount of wiring required for installing the wireless communication portion 4 on the ceiling Y2.

[0017] (2) Detailed Configuration (2-1) Lighting System The detailed configuration of the lighting system A1 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, lighting system A1 comprises an adapter 1 and a lighting device 2. Lighting system A1 is connected to a power supply device 3 installed on the ceiling Y2 (see Figure 2) of facility Y1. Examples of facility Y1 include residential facilities, offices, hotels, schools, welfare facilities, commercial facilities, warehouses, hospitals, or factories.

[0019] The power supply device 3 is a power socket that supports the lighting system A1 and supplies power to the lighting system A1. The power supply device 3 supplies power output from the commercial AC power supply 5 (see Figure 1) to the lighting device 2 via the adapter 1.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the power supply device 3 has a main body 30. The main body 30 is a bottomed cylindrical member with an open top. The main body 30 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. Two through holes 31 are provided on the surface of the main body 30 to which the adapter 1 is connected (the surface facing the adapter 1, i.e., the bottom surface). A corresponding hook blade 191 from a pair of hook blades 191 (see Figure 4), which are the connection part 11 of the adapter 1, is inserted into each of the two through holes 31.

[0021] In the power supply device 3, a holding part (not shown) is provided inside the main body 20. The holding part holds the hook blades 191 inserted into each of the two insertion holes 31. The holding part is a component made of metal and is electrically connected to the commercial AC power supply 5.

[0022] (2-2) Adapter As shown in Figure 1, the adapter 1 comprises a connection part 11, a mounting part 12, a supply part 13, an acquisition part 14, a wireless communication part 4, an AC / DC converter 181, a DC / DC converter 182, and a housing 10.

[0023] The connection part 11 is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device 3. The lighting device 2 is attached to the mounting part 12, and the mounting part 12 is electrically connected to the lighting device 2. In this embodiment, the lighting device 2 is directly attached to the mounting part 12.

[0024] The supply unit 13 supplies power supplied from the power supply device 3 via the connection unit 11 to the lighting device 2 when the connection unit 11 is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device 3 and the connection unit 21 of the lighting device 2 is attached to the mounting unit 12. The supply unit 13 is a power supply circuit that electrically connects the connection unit 11 and the mounting unit 12.

[0025] The housing 10 houses the supply unit 13, the wireless communication unit 4, the AC / DC converter 181, the DC / DC converter 182, and the acquisition unit 14. The housing 10 has a flattened cylindrical shape. The housing 10 in this embodiment is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, a pair of hooking blades 191 are provided on the surface 101 of the housing 10 that is connected to the power supply device 3 (the surface facing the power supply device 3, i.e., the top surface). Each of the pair of hooking blades 191 is a plate member. The pair of hooking blades 191 are made of a metal material. Each of the pair of hooking blades 191 is provided so as to protrude upward from the top surface 101 of the housing 10, as shown in Figure 5.

[0027] The pair of hooking blades 191 are electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device 3 in a detachable manner. In other words, the pair of hooking blades 191 constitute the connection portion 11 in the adapter 1 of this embodiment. Specifically, with the pair of hooking blades 191 inserted into the two insertion holes 31 of the power supply device 3, the operator rotates the adapter 1 clockwise relative to the power supply device 3, thereby holding the pair of hooking blades 191 in a holding portion (not shown) provided inside the main body 20 of the power supply device 3. In this way, the pair of hooking blades 191 are electrically and mechanically connected to the holding portion of the power supply device 3. In short, the adapter 1 is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device 3.

[0028] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a pair of hooking members 192 are provided on the side surface 102 of the housing 10. The lighting device 2 is secured to the pair of hooking members 192, thereby holding the lighting device 2. As shown in Figure 4, the pair of hooking members 192 protrude outward from the side surface 102 of the housing 10. The pair of hooking members 192 are positioned radially opposite each other on the housing 10. The pair of hooking members 192 are biased from the inside to the outside of the housing 10 by a torsion spring (not shown) housed in the housing 10. Each of the pair of hooking members 192 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0029] As shown in Figure 6, a pair of operating members 193 are provided on the surface 103 of the housing 10 that is connected to the lighting device 2 (the surface facing the lighting device 2, i.e., the bottom surface). The pair of operating members 193 move a pair of hooking members 192 inward against the elastic force of a torsion spring. More specifically, each of the pair of operating members 193 is connected to the corresponding hooking member 192 of the pair of hooking members 192 inside the housing 10. When the pair of operating members 193 are pushed outward, the hooking member 192 connected to each operating member 193 moves inward into the housing 10. The user operates the pair of operating members 193 to move the pair of hooking members 192 inward into the housing 10 and remove the lighting device 2 from the adapter 1.

[0030] A receptacle connector 194 is provided on the lower surface 103 of the housing 10. Inside the housing 10, the receptacle connector 194 is electrically connected to a pair of hooking blades 191 via a supply unit 13. When the pair of hooking members 192 are holding the lighting device 2, the connection portion 21 of the lighting device 2 is directly attached to the receptacle connector 194 and electrically connected to the connection portion 21. In other words, the receptacle connector 194 is the mounting portion 12 in the adapter 1 of this embodiment.

[0031] In this embodiment, the power supply unit 13 branches the power supplied from the power supply device 3 via the connection unit 11 (a pair of hooking blades 191) and supplies the branched power to the lighting device 2 and the wireless communication unit 4, respectively. More specifically, the power supply unit 13 in this embodiment supplies a portion of the branched power supply to the connection unit 21 of the lighting device 2 via the mounting unit 12. The power supply unit 13 in this embodiment then supplies the remaining branched power supply to the power terminal (not shown) of the communication module 41 of the wireless communication unit 4, which will be described later, via the AC / DC converter 181 and the DC / DC converter 182. In other words, the power supply unit 13 in this embodiment is a power supply path that connects each of the pair of hooking blades 191 to the power terminal of the communication module 41 of the wireless communication unit 4, in addition to the receptacle connector 194, via the AC / DC converter 181 and the DC / DC converter 182. With the above configuration, the adapter 1 does not require a new power supply path to be provided inside the housing 10 to supply power from the power supply device 3 to the wireless communication unit 4 via a connection part different from the connection part 11. As a result, there is the advantage that the adapter 1 can be made smaller.

[0032] The AC / DC converter 181 converts the AC voltage and AC current supplied from the power supply device 3 via the connection unit 11 and the supply unit 13 into DC voltage and DC current. The DC / DC converter 182 converts the DC voltage output from the AC / DC converter 181 into a desired DC voltage (for example, by stepping it down). The DC / DC converter 182 outputs the power converted to the desired DC voltage to the power terminal of the communication module 41 of the wireless communication unit 4.

[0033] The wireless communication unit 4 receives power from the power supply device 3 when the connection part 11 (a pair of hooking blades 191) is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device 3, and performs wireless communication using radio waves as a medium. In this embodiment, the wireless communication unit 4 is supplied with power from the power supply device 3 via the connection part 11 and branched by the supply unit 13. In this disclosure, "wireless communication" includes communication using Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wireless communication unit 4 of this embodiment communicates wirelessly with both the external device X1 and the router RO1 connected to the wide-area communication network NT1, and relays communication between the router RO1 and the external device X1. The "external device X1" referred to here is, for example, an information terminal such as a smartphone, tablet computer, laptop or desktop personal computer, or wearable device such as a smartwatch located in facility Y1. The "external device X1" may also be electrical equipment such as a television, refrigerator, washing machine, or air conditioner installed in facility Y1.

[0035] According to the above configuration, as shown in Figure 2, even if an obstacle OB1 (e.g., a shelf) is placed between router RO1 and external device X11 in facility Y1, external device X11 can communicate with router RO1 via the wireless communication unit 4 of adapter 1, thereby suppressing instability in communication between router RO1 and external device X11 due to obstacle OB1. Furthermore, even if router RO1 and external device X12 (see Figure 2) are located on different floors of facility Y1, external device X12 can communicate with router RO1 via the wireless communication unit 4 of adapter 1, thereby suppressing instability in communication between router RO1 and external device X12, which are located on different floors of facility Y1. Note that in Figure 2, router RO1 is assumed to be located on the first floor Y11 of facility Y1, and external device X12 is assumed to be located on the second floor Y12 of facility Y1.

[0036] Furthermore, the wireless communication units 4 of the adapters 1 installed on different floors of facility Y1 communicate wirelessly with each other. For example, the wireless communication unit 4 (4α) of the adapter 1 installed on the power supply device 3 on the first floor Y11 of facility Y1 and the wireless communication unit 4 (4β) of the adapter 1 installed on the power supply device 3 on the second floor Y12 of facility Y1 communicate wirelessly with each other. The wireless communication unit 4β communicates with router RO1 via wireless communication unit 4α, and also communicates with external device X12. Therefore, external device X12 can also communicate with router RO1 via wireless communication units 4α and 4β. As a result, instability in communication between router RO1 and external device X12, which are located on different floors of facility Y1, can be further suppressed.

[0037] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the wireless communication unit 4 includes a substrate 42 and a communication module 41. The substrate 42 is a rectangular plate member. The substrate 42 has a first surface 421 and a second surface 422 that are opposite each other in the thickness direction. The communication module 41 includes, as an example, an electronic component that incorporates a microcontroller and an antenna, and a communication board on which the above electronic component is mounted. The communication module 41 is provided on the first surface 421 of the substrate 42.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the wireless communication unit 4 of this embodiment is positioned such that the thickness direction of the substrate 42 is aligned with a predetermined direction D1, which is the normal direction to the surface 103 (see Figure 6) on which the mounting portion 12 (receptacle connector 194) of the housing 10 of the adapter 1 is provided. The predetermined direction D1 here is the direction in which the adapter 1 and the lighting device 2 are aligned when the lighting device 2 is attached to the adapter 1, that is, the axial direction (i.e., the up and down direction) of the housing 10 of the adapter 1. In the wireless communication unit 4 of this embodiment, the first surface 421 on which the communication module 41 is provided is the surface on the mounting portion 12 side in the thickness direction of the substrate 42, of the first surface 421 and the second surface 422. That is, the first surface 421 is the bottom surface of the substrate 42, and the second surface 422 is the top surface of the substrate 42.

[0039] In this embodiment, the wireless communication unit 4 is housed in the housing 10 of the adapter 1. However, a portion of the wireless communication unit 4 may also be housed in the housing 10 of the adapter 1. That is, a portion of the wireless communication unit 4 may be exposed from the housing 10 of the adapter 1.

[0040] The acquisition unit 14 acquires environmental information relating to the surrounding environment. In this disclosure, "surrounding environment" refers to the temperature, humidity, brightness, or noise level in the space where the adapter 1 having the acquisition unit 14 is located, that is, the internal space of facility Y1 where the power supply device 3 to which the adapter 1 is connected is installed. For example, the adapter 1 may be equipped with a measurement unit for measuring the surrounding environment, and the acquisition unit 14 may generate and acquire environmental information based on the measurement results of the measurement unit. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 14 may receive measurement results from a measurement unit installed separately in facility Y1 that measures the surrounding environment, and generate and acquire environmental information based on the measurement results of the measurement unit.

[0041] The wireless communication unit 4 transmits the environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit 14 to an external device via wireless communication. More specifically, the wireless communication unit 4 transmits the environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit 14 to the control unit 25 of the lighting device 2 (described later), and the control unit 25 may control the output of the DC / DC converter 23 based on the above environmental information so that the brightness of the LED module 24 (described later) becomes a value suitable for the surrounding environment. Alternatively, the wireless communication unit 4 may transmit the environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit 14 to an external device X11 owned by the user, and the display unit of the external device X11 may display information prompting the user to adjust the brightness of the LED module 24 to a value suitable for the surrounding environment. The above configuration has the advantage of making it possible to provide a lighting device 2 that is suitable for the surrounding environment. In other words, it has the advantage of making it possible to provide a solution related to the lighting device 2 that utilizes the surrounding environment.

[0042] (2-3) Lighting devices As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the lighting device 2 comprises a connection section 21, an AC / DC converter 22, a DC / DC converter 23, an LED module 24, a control unit 25, a device body 201, and a globe 202.

[0043] The device body 201 is made of a metal plate (e.g., steel plate). The device body 201 is formed in a substantially disc shape. Multiple mounting fixtures (not shown) for holding the globe 202 are provided on the lower surface of the device body 201. These multiple mounting fixtures are provided on the lower surface of the device body 201 at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The globe 202 is detachably attached to the device body 201 via the multiple mounting fixtures. The globe 202 is made of a translucent synthetic resin and is formed in a flat dome shape with an open top surface.

[0044] On the underside of the main body 201 of the device, a connection section 21, an AC / DC converter 22, a DC / DC converter 23, an LED module 24, and a control unit 25 are arranged. When the globe 202 is attached to the main body 201 of the device, the main body 201 and the globe 202 house the connection section 21, the AC / DC converter 22, the DC / DC converter 23, the LED module 24, and the control unit 25.

[0045] The central part of the device body 201 is provided with a through-hole (not shown) that penetrates vertically. The through-hole is circular in shape. After the adapter 1 is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device 3, the user pushes the device body 201 upwards toward the ceiling Y2 so that the adapter 1 passes through the through-hole in the device body 201. As a result, the hooking member 192 of the adapter 1 catches on the device body 201 and holds it in place, and the device body 201 is attached to the adapter 1. In short, the lighting device 2 is attached to the ceiling Y2 via the power supply device 3 and the adapter 1.

[0046] The connection part 21 is electrically connected to the mounting part 12 (receptacle connector 194) of the adapter 1 when the device body 201 is attached to the adapter 1. The connection part 21 is electrically connected to the power terminals of the LED module 24 via the AC / DC converter 22 and the DC / DC converter 23. The connection part 21 is a plug connector.

[0047] The AC / DC converter 22 is configured to convert the AC voltage and AC current supplied from the AC power source 5 via the power supply device 3 and adapter 1 into DC voltage and DC current. The DC / DC converter 23 is configured to convert the DC voltage output from the AC / DC converter 22 into a desired DC voltage (for example, step down).

[0048] The LED module 24 is composed of multiple LEDs (light-emitting diodes) mounted on a circuit board. In other words, the lighting device 2 uses the LED module 24 as its light source. However, the light source is not limited to the LED module 24; it may also be an organic electroluminescent element, a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, etc.

[0049] The control unit 25 controls the DC / DC converter 23. The control unit 25 controls the DC / DC converter 23 based on control signals received from an external source (for example, a remote control for remotely operating the lighting device 2). For example, if the control unit 25 receives a control signal to turn on the LED module 24, it operates the DC / DC converter 23 to turn on the LED module 24. On the other hand, if the control unit 25 receives a control signal to turn off the LED module 24, it stops the DC / DC converter 23 to turn off the LED module 24. Furthermore, if the control unit 25 receives a control signal to control the brightness of the LED module 24, it may control the output of the DC / DC converter 23 so that the brightness of the LED module 24 reaches a target value.

[0050] (3) Advantages The adapter 1 of this embodiment comprises a connection part 11, a mounting part 12, a supply part 13, a wireless communication unit 4, and a housing 10. The connection part 11 is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device 3. The mounting part 12 is to which the lighting device 2 is directly attached and is electrically connected to the lighting device 2. The supply part 13 supplies power supplied from the power supply device 3 to the lighting device 2 via the connection part 11 when the connection part 11 is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device 3 and the lighting device 2 is directly attached to the mounting part 12. The wireless communication unit 4 receives power from the power supply device 3 when the connection part 11 is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device 3 and performs wireless communication using radio waves. The housing 10 houses the supply part 13 and the wireless communication unit 4. As a result, with the adapter 1 of this embodiment, there is no need to lay new wiring in the ceiling Y2 to supply power to the wireless communication unit 4. In other words, the adapter 1 of this embodiment has the advantage of reducing the amount of wiring required to install the wireless communication unit 4 in the ceiling Y2.

[0051] In this embodiment, the adapter 1 has the advantage of preventing communication between external device X1 and router RO1 connected to the wide-area communication network NT1, and relaying communication between router RO1 and external device X1.

[0052] In the adapter 1 of this embodiment, the supply unit 13 branches the power supplied from the power supply device 3 via the connection unit 11 (a pair of hooking blades 191), and supplies the branched power to the lighting device 2 and the wireless communication unit 4, respectively. This has the advantage of allowing the adapter 1 to be made smaller.

[0053] The adapter 1 of this embodiment further includes an acquisition unit 14 that acquires environmental information about the surrounding environment. The wireless communication unit 4 transmits the environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit 14 to the outside via wireless communication. This has the advantage of making it possible to provide a lighting device 2 that is suitable for the surrounding environment.

[0054] The lighting system A1 of this embodiment comprises an adapter 1 and a lighting device 2. As a result, the lighting system A1 of this embodiment does not require the installation of new wiring in the ceiling Y2 to supply power to the wireless communication unit 4. In other words, the lighting system A1 of this embodiment has the advantage of reducing the amount of wiring required to install the wireless communication unit 4 in the ceiling Y2.

[0055] (4) Variations The embodiments described above are merely one of many embodiments of this disclosure. The embodiments described above can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the objectives of this disclosure are achieved. The following modifications may be implemented by combining them as appropriate. Components similar to those in the embodiments described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0056] (4-1) First variation In the lighting system A1 of the above-described embodiment, the supply unit 13 branches the power supplied from the power supply device 3 via the connection unit 11 and supplies the branched power to the lighting device 2 and the wireless communication unit 4, respectively. However, in the lighting system A2 of the first modified example shown in Figure 7, the second supply unit 16 supplies the wireless communication unit 4 with a second supply power that is different from the first supply power supplied from the power supply device 3 via the connection unit 11, and is supplied from the power supply device 3 via the second connection unit 15.

[0057] The first modified lighting system A2 shown in Figure 7 comprises an adapter 1A and a lighting device 2. The adapter 1A comprises a first connection part 11, a mounting part 12, a first supply part 13A, an acquisition part 14, a second connection part 15, a second supply part 16, a wireless communication part 4, an AC / DC converter 181, a DC / DC converter 182, and a housing 10.

[0058] The first supply unit 13A supplies power supplied from the power supply device 3 via the first connection unit 11 to the lighting device 2 when the first connection unit 11 is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device 3 and the connection unit 21 of the lighting device 2 is attached to the mounting unit 12. The first supply unit 13A is a power supply circuit that electrically connects the first connection unit 11 and the mounting unit 12. Unlike the supply unit 13 in the above-described embodiment, the first supply unit 13A does not branch the power supplied from the power supply device 3 via the first connection unit 11, but supplies the power supplied from the power supply device 3 only to the lighting device 2.

[0059] The second connection part 15 is electrically connected to the power supply device 3 when the first connection part 11 is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device 3. For example, the power supply device 3 is provided with terminals that are electrically connected to a commercial AC power supply 5, and the second connection part 15 of the adapter 1A is electrically connected to the above-mentioned terminals of the power supply device 3 when the first connection part 11 is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device 3.

[0060] The second supply unit 16 supplies the second supply power, which is different from the first supply power supplied from the power supply device 3 via the first connection unit 11, to the wireless communication unit 4. More specifically, the second supply unit 16 supplies the second supply power supplied from the power supply device 3 via the second connection unit 15 to the power terminals (not shown) of the communication module 41 of the wireless communication unit 4, which will be described later, via the AC / DC converter 181 and the DC / DC converter 182. The second supply unit 16 is a power supply path that connects the second connection unit 15 to the power terminals of the communication module 41 of the wireless communication unit 4 via the AC / DC converter 181 and the DC / DC converter 182.

[0061] The above configuration has the advantage of allowing the first supply unit 13A and the second supply unit 16 to be designed individually. Therefore, it has the advantage of allowing the first supply unit 13A and the second supply unit 16 to be designed flexibly.

[0062] (4-2) Second variation The wireless communication unit 4 in the above-described embodiment performs wireless communication with both the external device X1 and the router RO1 connected to the wide-area communication network NT1, and relays communication between the router RO1 and the external device X1. However, the wireless communication unit 4A in the second modified example shown in Figure 8 is connected to the wide-area communication network NT1 via a mobile phone line, performs wireless communication with the external device X1, and connects the external device X1 to the wide-area communication network NT1. The term "mobile phone line" as used in this disclosure refers to a line using a mobile phone network (so-called carrier network) provided by a telecommunications carrier, such as a 3G (third generation) line, LTE (Long Term Evolution) line, 4G (fourth generation) line, or 5G (fifth generation) line.

[0063] External device X11 connects to the wide-area communication network NT1 via a wireless communication unit 4A provided in an adapter 1 attached to a power supply device 3 on the first floor Y11 of facility Y1. The wireless communication unit 4A is located on the ceiling Y2 of facility Y1. This prevents obstacles OB1 from making it difficult for external devices X11 and X12 to connect to the wide-area communication network NT1. As a result, external device X11 can stably connect to the wide-area communication network NT1.

[0064] Furthermore, the external device X12 connects to the wide-area communication network NT1 via the wireless communication unit 4A provided by the adapter 1, which is attached to the power supply device 3 on the first floor Y11 of facility Y1, or on the second floor Y12 of facility Y1. This has the advantage that the external device X12 can stably connect to the wide-area communication network NT1.

[0065] (4-3) Third variation In the lighting system A1 of the above-described embodiment, the lighting device 2 is directly attached to the mounting portion 12 of the adapter 1, and the mounting portion 12 is electrically connected to the lighting device 2. However, in the third modified example lighting system A3 shown in Figures 9 and 10, the lighting device 2 is indirectly attached to the mounting portion 12B of the adapter 1B via a connecting member 6, and the mounting portion 12B is electrically connected to the lighting device 2.

[0066] The third modified lighting system A3, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, comprises an adapter 1B, a connecting member 6, and a lighting device 2. The adapter 1B comprises a connecting part 11, a mounting part 12B, a supply part 13, an acquisition part 14, a wireless communication part 4, an AC / DC converter 181, a DC / DC converter 182, and a housing 10. The lighting device 2 is indirectly attached to the mounting part 12B via the connecting member 6, and the mounting part 12B is electrically connected to the lighting device 2.

[0067] As shown in Figure 10, the lower surface 103 of the housing 10 of adapter 1B is provided with two through-holes 195, similar to the two through-holes 31 of the power supply device 3. A corresponding hook blade from a pair of hook blades (not shown), which are the connecting portion 61 of the connecting member 6 (described later), is inserted into each of the two through-holes 195. In adapter 1B, a holding portion (not shown) is provided inside the housing 10. The holding portion holds the hook blades inserted into each of the two through-holes 195.

[0068] With the pair of hooking blades of the connecting member 6 inserted into the two through holes 195 of the adapter 1B, the operator rotates the connecting member 6 clockwise relative to the adapter 1B, thereby holding the pair of hooking blades of the connecting member 6 in place on the holding portion of the adapter 1B. In this way, the connecting member 6 is attached to the two through holes 195 and the holding portion of the adapter 1B. More specifically, the lighting device 2 is indirectly attached to the two through holes 195 and the holding portion of the adapter 1B via the connecting member 6, and the holding portion of the adapter 1B is electrically connected to the lighting device 2 via the connecting portion 61, mounting portion 62, and supply portion 63 of the connecting member 6, which will be described later. That is, the two through holes 195 and the holding portion are the mounting portion 12B in the adapter 1B of the third modified example. The holding portion is a member made of a metal material and is electrically connected to the connecting portion 11 via the supply portion 13.

[0069] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the connecting member 6 comprises a connecting portion 61, a mounting portion 62, a supply portion 63, and a housing 60.

[0070] The connection part 61 is electrically and mechanically connected to the adapter 1B. The lighting device 2 is attached to the mounting part 62, and the mounting part 62 is electrically connected to the lighting device 2.

[0071] The power supply unit 63 supplies power supplied from the adapter 1B via the connection unit 61 to the lighting device 2 when the connection unit 61 is electrically and mechanically connected to the adapter 1B and the connection unit 21 of the lighting device 2 is attached to the mounting unit 62. The power supply unit 63 is a power supply circuit that electrically connects the connection unit 61 and the mounting unit 62.

[0072] The housing 60 houses the supply unit 63. The housing 60 has a flattened cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the housing 60 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0073] The surface of the housing 60 that connects to the adapter 1B (the surface facing the adapter 1B, i.e., the top surface) is provided with a pair of hooking blades (not shown), similar to the pair of hooking blades 191 in the adapter 1 of the above-described embodiment. Since the pair of hooking blades in the connecting member 6 are the same as the pair of hooking blades 191 in the adapter 1 of the above-described embodiment, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0074] The pair of hooking blades described above are electrically and mechanically connected to the adapter 1B in a detachable manner. In other words, the pair of hooking blades described above constitute the connection portion 61 of the connecting member 6.

[0075] On the side surface 602 of the housing 60 (see Figure 10), a pair of hooking members 692 are provided, similar to the pair of hooking members 192 in the adapter 1 of the above-described embodiment. Since the pair of hooking members 692 in the connecting member 6 are the same as the pair of hooking members 192 in the adapter 1 of the above-described embodiment, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0076] On the surface 603 of the housing 60 connected to the lighting device 2 (the surface facing the lighting device 2, i.e., the bottom surface), a pair of operating members (not shown) are provided, similar to the pair of operating members 193 in the adapter 1 of the above-described embodiment. The pair of operating members move a pair of hooking members 692 inward against the elastic force of the torsion spring. The user operates the pair of operating members to move the pair of hooking members 692 inward into the housing 60 and detach the lighting device 2 from the connecting member 6. Note that the pair of operating members on the connecting member 6 are the same as the pair of operating members 193 in the adapter 1 of the above-described embodiment, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0077] A receptacle connector (not shown) is provided on the lower surface 603 of the housing 60, similar to the receptacle connector 194 in the adapter 1 of the above-described embodiment. The receptacle connector is electrically connected to a pair of hooking blades via a supply unit 63 inside the housing 60. When the pair of hooking members are holding the lighting device 2, the connection portion 21 of the lighting device 2 is directly attached to the receptacle connector and electrically connected to the connection portion 21. In other words, the receptacle connector is the mounting portion 62 of the connection member 6.

[0078] (4-4) Other variations The following lists other modifications of the embodiments described above.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, the wireless communication unit 4 is positioned such that the thickness direction of the substrate 42 is aligned with a predetermined direction D1, which is the normal direction to the surface 103 (see Figure 6) on which the mounting portion 12 (receptacle connector 194) of the housing 10 of the adapter 1 is provided. However, the wireless communication unit 4 may also be positioned such that the thickness direction of the substrate 42 intersects (for example, is perpendicular to) the above-mentioned predetermined direction D1.

[0080] (summary) The adapter (1, 1A, 1B) of the first embodiment comprises a connection part (11), mounting parts (12, 12B), supply parts (13, 13A), wireless communication parts (4, 4A), and a housing (10). The connection part (11) is electrically and mechanically connected to a power supply device (3) installed on the ceiling (Y2). The mounting parts (12, 12B) are electrically connected to the lighting device (2) and to the lighting device (2) to which the lighting device (2) is directly or indirectly attached. The supply parts (13, 13A) supply power to the lighting device (2) that is supplied from the power supply device (3) via the connection part (11) when the connection part (11) is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device (3) and the lighting device (2) is directly or indirectly attached to the mounting parts (12, 12B). The wireless communication unit (4, 4A) receives power from the power supply unit (3) when the connection unit (11) is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply unit (3), and performs wireless communication using radio waves. The housing (10) houses the power supply unit (13, 13A) and the wireless communication unit (4, 4A).

[0081] This configuration has the advantage of reducing the amount of wiring required to install the wireless communication unit (4, 4A) on the ceiling (Y2).

[0082] In the adapters of the second embodiment (1, 1A, 1B), in the first embodiment, the wireless communication unit (4) performs wireless communication with the external device (X1) and the router (RO1) connected to the wide area communication network (NT1), and relays communication between the router (RO1) and the external device (X1).

[0083] This configuration has the advantage of suppressing instability in communication between the router (RO1) and the external device (X1).

[0084] In the third embodiment of the adapter (1, 1A, 1B), in the first embodiment, the wireless communication unit (4A) is connected to a wide-area communication network (NT1) via a mobile phone line. The wireless communication unit (4A) communicates wirelessly with an external device (X1) and connects the external device (X1) to the wide-area communication network (NT1).

[0085] This configuration has the advantage that external devices (X1) can be stably connected to the wide-area communication network (NT1).

[0086] In the fourth embodiment of the adapter (1, 1B), as in the first to third embodiments, the power supply unit (13) branches the power supply and supplies the branched power to the lighting device (2) and the wireless communication unit (4, 4A), respectively.

[0087] This embodiment has the advantage of allowing for miniaturization of the adapter (1,1B).

[0088] The adapter (1A) of the fifth embodiment further comprises a second connection part (15) different from the first connection part (11), which is a connection part (11) in the first to third embodiments, and a second supply part (16) different from the first supply part (13), which is a supply part (13). The second connection part (15) is electrically connected to the power supply device (3) when the first connection part (11) is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device (3). The second supply part (16) supplies a second supply power, which is a supply power different from the first supply power, which is the supplied power, and is supplied from the power supply device (3) via the second connection part (15), to the wireless communication unit (4, 4A).

[0089] This embodiment has the advantage that the first supply unit (13, 13A) and the second supply unit (16) can each be designed flexibly.

[0090] The adapter (1, 1A, 1B) of the sixth embodiment further comprises an acquisition unit (14) that acquires environmental information relating to the surrounding environment, as in the first to fifth embodiments. The wireless communication unit (4, 4A) transmits the environmental information to the outside by wireless communication.

[0091] This embodiment has the advantage of making it possible to provide a lighting device (2) that is suitable for the surrounding environment.

[0092] The seventh embodiment of the lighting system (A1, A2, A3) comprises an adapter according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments and a lighting device (2).

[0093] This configuration has the advantage of reducing the amount of wiring required to install the wireless communication unit (4, 4A) on the ceiling (Y2). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0094] 1, 1A, 1B adapter 2. Lighting device 3. Power supply device 4, 4A Wireless Communication Section 10 cabinets 11. Connection part (first connection part) 12, 12B Mounting section 13, 13A supply section (1st supply section) 14 Acquisition Department 15. Second connection section 16 Second supply section A1 Lighting System A2 Lighting System A3 Lighting System NT1 Wide Area Communication Network RO1 Router X1 External device Y2 Ceiling

Claims

1. A connection part that is electrically and mechanically connected to a power supply device installed on the ceiling, A mounting portion to which a lighting device is directly or indirectly attached and electrically connected to the lighting device, When the connection portion is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device, and the lighting device is directly or indirectly attached to the mounting portion, a supply unit supplies power supplied from the power supply device via the connection portion to the lighting device, When the connection part is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device, power is supplied from the power supply device, and a wireless communication unit performs wireless communication using radio waves, The system comprises a housing that houses the supply unit and the wireless communication unit, adapter.

2. The wireless communication unit performs wireless communication with an external device and a router connected to a wide-area communication network, and relays communication between the router and the external device. The adapter according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned wireless communication unit is It is connected to a wide-area communication network via a mobile phone line. The system communicates wirelessly with an external device and connects the external device to the wide-area communication network. The adapter according to claim 1.

4. The supply unit divides the supplied power and supplies the divided power to the lighting device and the wireless communication unit, respectively. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A second connection part, which is different from the first connection part, The system further comprises a second supply unit, which is different from the first supply unit, which is the supply unit, The second connection portion is electrically connected to the power supply device when the first connection portion is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply device. The second supply unit supplies the wireless communication unit with a second supply power, which is a different power supply from the first supply power supply and is supplied from the power supply device via the second connection unit. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. It further includes an acquisition unit that acquires environmental information about the surrounding environment, The wireless communication unit transmits the environmental information to the outside via wireless communication. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The lighting device comprises, Lighting system.

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