Lighting fixtures

Abstract

The aim is to balance the activation of the battery through discharge with ensuring sufficient illumination time during emergency lighting. [Solution] The lighting fixture 1 comprises a light source, a storage battery 30, a charging circuit unit 401, a lighting circuit unit 402, and a control unit 404. The control unit 404 has a charge / discharge mode that controls the charging circuit unit 401 and the lighting circuit unit 402 to charge and discharge the storage battery 30. In the charge / discharge mode, the control unit 404 performs a first charging process, and then alternately repeats a discharge process and a second charging process. In the discharge process, the storage battery 30 is discharged until its voltage reaches a predetermined voltage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lighting apparatus, and more particularly, to a lighting apparatus that lights a light source with emergency power supplied from a storage battery.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an emergency lighting apparatus including a light source unit, a battery, a normal power supply circuit, an emergency power supply circuit, and a control unit. The normal power supply circuit charges the battery with an external power source. The emergency power supply circuit lights the light source unit with power from the battery. The control unit performs activation processing of the battery by controlling the normal power supply circuit and the emergency power supply circuit. In the activation processing, after the first charging process, the first discharging process and the second charging process are alternately repeated.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the emergency lighting apparatus (lighting apparatus) described in Patent Document 1, there are cases where the lighting duration during emergency lighting cannot be secured by performing the activation processing of the battery (storage battery) through discharging. That is, the emergency lighting apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is difficult to achieve both activation of the storage battery through discharging and securing of the lighting duration during emergency lighting.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a lighting apparatus capable of achieving both activation of a storage battery through discharging and securing of the lighting duration during emergency lighting.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A lighting fixture according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a light source, a storage battery, a charging circuit unit, a lighting circuit unit, and a control unit. The charging circuit unit charges the storage battery with normal power supplied from a normal power source. The lighting circuit unit lights the light source with emergency power supplied from the storage battery. The control unit has a charge / discharge mode that charges and discharges the storage battery by controlling the charging circuit unit and the lighting circuit unit. In the charge / discharge mode, the control unit performs a first charging process, and then alternately repeats a discharge process and a second charging process. In the discharge process, the storage battery is discharged until its voltage reaches a predetermined voltage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a lighting fixture makes it possible to achieve both the activation of the storage battery through discharge and the securing of lighting time during emergency lighting. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lighting fixture according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the same lighting fixture. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the same lighting fixture with the cover omitted. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram of the same lighting fixture. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a timing chart illustrating the charge and discharge modes of the lighting fixture described above. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the charge and discharge modes of the lighting fixture described above. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a timing chart illustrating the charging and discharging modes of a lighting fixture according to a modified example 1 of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The lighting fixtures according to the embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings referenced in the following embodiments are schematic diagrams, and the size and thickness of the components shown in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions, nor do the size ratios and thickness ratios between components necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0010] (Embodiment) (1) Overview First, an overview of the lighting fixture 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the lighting fixture 1 according to this embodiment is an emergency light, which is a type of battery-powered emergency lighting fixture. An emergency light is an emergency lighting fixture for general illumination to light up evacuation routes in the event of a power outage caused by a disaster such as a fire. In this embodiment, as an example, the lighting fixture 1 is a ceiling-recessed emergency light that is embedded in the ceiling.

[0012] In the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, the front-to-back and left-to-right directions indicated by arrows in Figure 3 are defined as the front-to-back and left-to-right directions of the lighting fixture 1 and its components. Furthermore, the direction normal to the plane of Figure 3 is defined as the up-to-down direction of the lighting fixture 1 and its components. However, these directions are not intended to limit the direction in which the lighting fixture 1 and its components can be used. Also, the arrows indicating "front," "back," "left," "right," and "down" in Figure 3 are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent any actual physical direction.

[0013] As shown in Figure 4, the lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment includes an LED module 20, a storage battery 30, a charging circuit unit 401, a lighting circuit unit 402, and a control unit 404. The charging circuit unit 401 charges the storage battery 30 with normal power supplied from an external power source 6. The lighting circuit unit 402 lights the LED module 20 with emergency power supplied from the storage battery 30. The control unit 404 has a charge-discharge mode for performing charging and discharging of the storage battery 30 by controlling the charging circuit unit 401 and the lighting circuit unit 402. In the charge-discharge mode, the control unit 404 executes the first charging process, and then alternately repeats the discharging process and the second charging process. In the discharging process, the storage battery 30 is discharged until the voltage of the storage battery 30 (battery voltage) reaches a predetermined voltage. In the present embodiment, the LED module 20 corresponds to a light source, and the external power source 6 corresponds to a normal power source.

[0014] According to the lighting fixture 1 of the embodiment, since the storage battery 30 is discharged by the discharging process in the charge-discharge mode, the storage battery 30 can be activated. Further, according to the lighting fixture 1 of the embodiment, since the predetermined voltage remains in the storage battery 30 even after the discharging process in the charge-discharge mode, it is possible to ensure the lighting duration during emergency lighting. That is, according to the lighting fixture 1 of the embodiment, it is possible to achieve both activation of the storage battery 30 by discharging and securing of the lighting duration during emergency lighting.

[0015] (2) Details Next, each component of the lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment includes a light source unit 2, a battery unit 3, a circuit unit 4, a fixture body 10, and a cover 11. The lighting fixture 1 further includes a pair of supports 12 and a pair of mounting springs 13 (only one is shown in Figure 2). The lighting fixture 1 is mounted to a ceiling by the pair of supports 12.

[0017] (2.1) Light Source Unit As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the light source unit 2 includes an LED module 20, a heat dissipation member 21, a lens block 22, a mounting member 23, and a pressing member 24.

[0018] The LED module 20 is a so-called white LED (Light Emitting Diode) for illumination. In the present embodiment, the LED module 20 corresponds to a light source. That is, the lighting fixture 1 is provided with the light source (the LED module 20).

[0019] The lens block 22 is made of, for example, glass. The lens block 22 has a substantially truncated conical lens portion 220, and an annular outer flange portion 221 protruding outward from the peripheral edge of the lens portion 220 (see FIG. 2). The lens portion 220 controls the light distribution of the illumination light emitted from the LED module 20.

[0020] The heat dissipation member 21 is formed in a U-shape having a lower side wall, a left side wall and a right side wall by a material with high heat dissipation, for example, an aluminum material. The heat dissipation member 21 is a member for dissipating heat generated in the LED module 20.

[0021] The pressing member 24 is formed in a disk shape from a synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate resin. A quadrangular hole 240 is opened in the center of the pressing member 24. A part of the LED module 20 is inserted into the hole 240 of the pressing member 24, and the peripheral edge portion of the LED module 20 is pressed by the pressing portion 241 at the edge of the hole 240 in the pressing member 24.

[0022] The mounting member 23 is formed in an elliptical shape from a synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate resin. At the center of the mounting member 23, a circular recess recessed downward and a circular window hole 231 opened at the bottom of the recess are provided. The mounting member 23 is screwed to the lower surface of the heat dissipation member 21 in a state where the lens portion 220 of the lens block 22 is inserted into the window hole 231, and the LED module 20, the pressing member 24, and the outer flange portion 221 of the lens block 22 are accommodated in the recess.

[0023] (2.2) Battery Unit The battery unit 3 comprises a plurality of storage batteries 30 and a case 31 that houses the plurality of storage batteries 30. That is, the lighting fixture 1 is equipped with storage batteries 30. Each of the plurality of storage batteries 30 is, for example, a cylindrical nickel-metal hydride battery (see Figure 3). Note that each storage battery 30 may be a rectangular nickel-metal hydride battery, or a cylindrical or rectangular lithium-ion battery, etc. The number of storage batteries 30 should be such that it can meet the standard value of lighting time required for emergency lighting.

[0024] The case 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape with horseshoe-shaped (U-shaped) bottom surfaces on both the top and bottom (see Figures 2 and 3). Multiple storage batteries 30 are housed inside the case 31 in a line along the radial direction, with the axial direction being vertical (see Figure 3). A connector section 32 (see Figure 2) is provided at one end of the bottom of the case 31. The connector section 32 is configured to electrically connect the multiple storage batteries 30, which are electrically connected in series inside the case 31, to the lighting device 40 of the circuit unit 4, which will be described later.

[0025] (2.3) Circuit Unit The circuit unit 4 includes a lighting device 40 (see Figure 4), a housing 41 (see Figure 2), and a terminal block case 42 (see Figure 2).

[0026] The housing 41 is formed in a box shape from a synthetic resin material. The housing 41 houses the lighting device 40. The housing 41 also houses two operating members 43 (see Figure 1) for pressing the two push-button switches 406A and 406B (see Figure 4), which will be described later.

[0027] The terminal block case 42 is formed in a box shape from a synthetic resin material and is attached to the housing 41 so as to cover the terminal block mounted on the outer surface of the housing 41. The terminal block is electrically connected to the lighting device 40, and a power cable, which is drawn in through a pull-in hole provided on the top surface of the fixture body 10, is also connected to it in a detachable manner. In other words, the lighting device 40 is electrically connected to the power cable via the terminal block.

[0028] The lighting device 40 can be implemented, for example, by a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. That is, one or more processors execute a program recorded in one or more memories of the computer system, thereby functioning as the control unit 404 described later. In this case, the program is pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, but it may also be provided via a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or it may be provided recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the lighting device 40 includes a DC power supply unit 400, a charging circuit unit 401, a lighting circuit unit 402, a power failure detection unit 403, a control unit 404, a monitor lamp 405, two push-button switches 406, and a receiving unit 407.

[0030] The DC power supply unit 400 is composed of a self-excited switching power supply circuit, such as a ringing choke converter. The DC power supply unit 400 converts an AC voltage supplied from an external power source (for example, a commercial power grid) 6 into a DC voltage lower than the effective value of the AC voltage.

[0031] The charging circuit unit 401 operates when power is supplied from the external power source 6 and is configured to supply a charging current from the DC power supply unit 400 to the battery unit 3. This charges the storage battery 30 of the battery unit 3. In other words, the lighting fixture 1 is equipped with a charging circuit unit 401 that charges the storage battery 30 with normal power supplied from the external power source 6 (normal power source).

[0032] The lighting circuit 402 is configured to supply a constant current from the DC current supplied from the battery unit 3 to the light source unit 2. In other words, the lighting fixture 1 includes a lighting circuit 402 that lights up the LED module 20 (light source) using emergency power supplied from the storage battery 30.

[0033] The power outage detection unit 403 is configured to detect a power outage in the external power supply 6 from the output voltage of the DC power supply unit 400 and notify the control unit 404.

[0034] The monitor lamp 405 is composed of, for example, a light-emitting diode that emits green light, and it lights up in response to the charging current supplied from the charging circuit unit 401 to the battery unit 3. In other words, by illuminating the monitor lamp 405, the charging circuit unit 401 indicates that the storage battery 30 is being charged.

[0035] The receiver 407 is configured to receive a wireless signal using infrared light as the communication medium, demodulate the transmission frame from the received wireless signal, and pass it to the control unit 404. This wireless signal is transmitted from a wireless transmitter operated by a worker performing periodic inspections. Periodic inspections are conducted at intervals stipulated by law, with the purpose of forcibly activating the lighting circuit unit 402 to confirm that the light source unit 2 maintains a lit state for a specified time or longer. The period stipulated by law is six months. If the lighting fixture 1 is an emergency light, the specified time is 30 minutes or 60 minutes.

[0036] The control unit 404 is configured to operate the charging circuit unit 401 and stop the lighting circuit unit 402 when the power outage detection unit 403 has not detected a power outage. The control unit 404 is also configured to stop the charging circuit unit 401 and operate the lighting circuit unit 402 when the power outage detection unit 403 has detected a power outage. Furthermore, the control unit 404 is configured to perform an inspection operation by stopping the charging circuit unit 401 and operating the lighting circuit unit 402 when one of the push-button switches 406B is pressed or when a transmission frame is received from the receiving unit 407. In this embodiment, the operation mode that performs the above-described inspection operation corresponds to the inspection mode. In addition, the control unit 404 is configured to stop the charging circuit unit 401 and operate the lighting circuit unit 402 for a few seconds when the other push-button switch 406A is pressed, and then stop the lighting circuit unit 402 and operate the charging circuit unit 401. Each of the two push-button switches 406A and 406B is pressed by the corresponding operating member 43 of the two operating members 43 (see Figure 1).

[0037] The control unit 404 has multiple operating modes. These multiple operating modes include the inspection mode and the charge / discharge mode described above. The inspection mode is a mode in which the storage battery 30 is inspected by controlling the charging circuit unit 401 and the lighting circuit unit 402 to light up the LED module 20, as described above. In the inspection mode, the control unit 404 estimates the degree of deterioration of the storage battery 30 based on the battery voltage after the storage battery 30 has been discharged. The charge / discharge mode is a mode in which the storage battery 30 is charged and discharged by controlling the charging circuit unit 401 and the lighting circuit unit 402. That is, the control unit 404 has a charge / discharge mode in which the storage battery 30 is charged and discharged by controlling the charging circuit unit 401 and the lighting circuit unit 402.

[0038] More specifically, in the charge / discharge mode, the control unit 404 performs a first charge process, and then alternately repeats a discharge process and a second charge process. In the first charge process, the battery 30 is charged until its capacity reaches a first specified capacity. Here, the first specified capacity is the sum of the capacity of the battery 30 consumed in the discharge process and the second specified capacity, which will be described later. In the discharge process, the battery 30 is discharged until its capacity reaches a second specified capacity. That is, the second specified capacity is a capacity smaller than the first specified capacity. Also, in the discharge process, the battery 30 is discharged until its voltage (battery voltage) reaches a predetermined voltage. Here, the predetermined voltage is a voltage that allows the LED module 20 (light source) to light up for a predetermined time or longer when emergency lighting is performed. That is, the predetermined voltage is a voltage that allows the LED module 20 to light up (emergency lighting) for a predetermined time or longer, as defined in JIL5501, which will be described later. In other words, the predetermined voltage is a preset voltage. If lighting fixture 1 is an emergency light, the specified time is 30 minutes or 60 minutes, as described above. The specified voltage is set, for example, when lighting fixture 1 is shipped from the factory or when lighting fixture 1 is installed.

[0039] Specifically, the second specified capacity is the capacity to illuminate the LED module 20 for a specified period of time or longer. More specifically, the specified period is the time defined in, for example, the industry standard JIL5501 "Technical Standards for Emergency Lighting Fixtures" established by the Japan Lighting Manufacturers Association. In other words, the specified period is a standardized time. If the lighting fixture 1 is an emergency lighting fixture (emergency light), the specified period is 30 minutes or 60 minutes. In other words, the second specified capacity is the capacity to illuminate the LED module 20 for 30 minutes or 60 minutes or longer. If the above industry standard is changed, the revised industry standard shall be followed.

[0040] In the second charging process, similar to the first charging process, the battery 30 is charged until its capacity reaches the first specified capacity. Then, in the charge-discharge mode, the discharge process and the second charging process are repeated alternately.

[0041] More specifically, in the first charging process, the control unit 404 operates the charging circuit unit 401 and stops the lighting circuit unit 402 to charge the battery 30 until its capacity reaches a first specified capacity. In the discharge process, the control unit 404 stops the charging circuit unit 401 and operates the lighting circuit unit 402 to light the LED module 20, thereby discharging the battery 30 until its capacity reaches a second specified capacity. In the second charging process, the control unit 404 operates the charging circuit unit 401 and stops the lighting circuit unit 402 to charge the battery 30 until its capacity reaches a first specified capacity.

[0042] Here, the control unit 404 determines the execution time of the discharge process and the execution time of the second charge process based on the discharge time of the battery 30 in inspection mode, or the discharge time of the battery 30 when the LED module 20 is lit (emergency lighting) in the event of a power outage of the external power supply 6, and the predetermined time described above. More specifically, the control unit 404 stores the predetermined time described above in advance in the memory of the control unit 404, and calculates a margin based on the discharge time of the battery 30 in inspection mode (inspection time), or the discharge time of the battery 30 when the LED module 20 is lit (emergency lighting) in the event of a power outage of the external power supply 6 (LED module 20 lighting time). Here, the capacity of the battery 30 is set to be longer by the margin described above when comparing the time to the completion of discharge by the discharge process with the predetermined time described above. Therefore, the control unit 404 can calculate the execution time of the discharge process (discharge time) and the execution time of the second charge process (charging time) in the charge / discharge mode based on the margin described above.

[0043] The control unit 404, for example, increases the discharge time during the discharge process and decreases the charging time during the second charging process when the above-mentioned margin is relatively large. Conversely, the control unit 404, for example, decreases the discharge time during the discharge process and increases the charging time during the second charging process when the above-mentioned margin is relatively small. This makes it possible to activate the storage battery 30 by discharge and to ensure sufficient lighting time during emergency lighting.

[0044] Here, if the external power supply 6 fails while the charge / discharge mode is running, the control unit 404 interrupts the charge / discharge mode and emergency lights up the LED module 20. In this case, for example, if the duration of the power outage of the external power supply 6 is 5 minutes or less (including momentary power outages), it is preferable to restart the charge / discharge mode when the external power supply 6 is restored. That is, if the charge / discharge mode is interrupted, it is preferable for the control unit 404 to restart the charge / discharge mode if the interruption period of the charge / discharge mode (for example, the period during which the external power supply 6 is interrupted) is less than or equal to a predetermined period (for example, 5 minutes). As a result, since the charge / discharge mode is restarted if the interruption period of the charge / discharge mode is less than or equal to a predetermined period, it is possible to activate the storage battery 30. Here, when the control unit 404 restarts the charge / discharge mode, it may restart the charge / discharge mode from the point in time when it was interrupted, or it may restart the charge / discharge mode from the beginning.

[0045] (2.4) Main body of the device The fixture body 10 is formed in the shape of a bottomed cylinder with an open bottom. More specifically, the fixture body 10 is formed in the shape of a rectangular cylinder having 12 flat walls. Furthermore, a plurality of flange pieces 100 projecting outward are formed on the lower edge of each of the 12 walls of the fixture body 10 (see Figures 2 and 3). As shown in Figure 3, the fixture body 10 is formed to be large enough to house the light source unit 2, the battery unit 3, and the circuit unit 4 inside. The fixture body 10 is configured to hold the light source unit 2 and the circuit unit 4 housed inside, and to detachably hold the battery unit 3.

[0046] One support member 12 is attached to each of the left and right walls of the fixture body 10 (see Figures 1 and 2). Preferably, the pair of support members 12 are formed in the shape of elongated leaf springs. Each of the pair of support members 12 is fixed to the wall of the fixture body 10 at one end in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to bend upward at the other end in the longitudinal direction toward the top surface of the fixture body 10. In other words, the fixture body 10 is supported by the ceiling material by sandwiching it between the pair of support members 12, which are inserted into recessed holes formed in the ceiling surface, and a plurality of flange pieces 100 provided on the lower end surface of the fixture body 10.

[0047] (2.5) Cover The cover 11 is formed in a disc shape that is larger than the outer diameter of the fixture body 10 (the outer diameter of the tip edges of the multiple flange pieces 100), and has a circular window opening 110 in the center (see Figures 1 and 2). The lens portion 220 of the light source unit 2 is inserted through the window opening 110. The cover 11 is detachably attached to the fixture body 10 and is configured to cover the opening 101 on the bottom surface of the fixture body 10 when attached to the fixture body 10. More specifically, the cover 11 is detachably attached to the fixture body 10 so as to cover the battery unit 3 and circuit unit 4 held in the fixture body 10.

[0048] Furthermore, near the window opening 110 on the bottom surface of the cover 11, four holes (first hole 111, second hole 112, third hole 113, and fourth hole 114) are provided in two rows, one vertical and one horizontal. The first hole 111 and the second hole 112 are located in positions corresponding to the two operating members 43. The third hole 113 is located in a position corresponding to the monitor lamp 405. The fourth hole 114 is located in a position corresponding to the receiving unit 407.

[0049] Mounting springs 13 (see Figure 2) are attached to the front and rear ends of the upper surface of the cover 11. The pair of mounting springs 13 are removably inserted into through grooves, one pair each, provided on the front and rear sides of the inner circumferential surface of the fixture body 10. In other words, the cover 11 is held on the fixture body 10 in a state where the lower surface of the fixture body 10 is closed by the insertion of the pair of mounting springs 13 into the pair of through grooves (see Figure 1).

[0050] (3) Charge / Discharge Mode Next, the charge and discharge modes of the control unit 404 of the lighting fixture 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The charge and discharge modes of the control unit 404 include steps ST1 to ST6 shown in Figure 6. Note that the flowchart shown in Figure 6 is an example, and one or more steps other than steps ST1 to ST6 shown in Figure 6 may be included.

[0051] When the operating mode becomes the charge / discharge mode, the control unit 404 starts the first charging process (step ST1 in Figure 6). More specifically, the control unit 404 continues the first charging process until the first period T1 has elapsed (step ST2 in Figure 6). In the first charging process, the control unit 404 charges the battery 30 with a charging current I11 (see Figure 5). At this time, the control unit 404 charges the battery 30 by operating the charging circuit unit 401 and stopping the lighting circuit unit 402. The capacity of the battery 30 becomes the first specified capacity after the first charging process. The first period T1 is, for example, 45 days. Here, the first specified capacity is the capacity when the battery 11 is fully charged, and at the time the first period T1 has elapsed, the capacity of the battery 11 has reached the first specified capacity.

[0052] When the first period T1 has elapsed (step ST2 in Figure 6; Yes), the control unit 404 starts the discharge process (step ST3 in Figure 6). More specifically, the control unit 404 continues the discharge process until the second period T2 has elapsed (step ST4 in Figure 6). In the discharge process, the control unit 404 discharges the battery 30 with a discharge current I12 (see Figure 5). At this time, the control unit 404 discharges the battery 30 by stopping the charging circuit unit 401 and operating the lighting circuit unit 402 to light up the LED module 20. The capacity of the battery 30 becomes the second specified capacity after the discharge process. The second period T2 is, for example, 30 minutes or 60 minutes. Here, the second period T2 is the period until the voltage of the battery 11 reaches a predetermined voltage. Also, in the discharge process, the control unit 404 discharges the battery 11 until its capacity reaches the second specified capacity.

[0053] When the second period T2 has elapsed (step ST4 in Figure 6; Yes), the control unit 404 starts the second charging process (step ST5 in Figure 6). More specifically, the control unit 404 continues the second charging process until the third period T3 has elapsed (step ST6 in Figure 6). In the second charging process, the control unit 404 charges the battery 30 with a charging current I11 (see Figure 5). At this time, the control unit 404 charges the battery 30 by operating the charging circuit unit 401 and stopping the lighting circuit unit 402. The capacity of the battery 30 becomes the first specified capacity after the second charging process. The third period T3 is, for example, 45 days. Here, the first specified capacity is, as described above, the capacity when the battery 11 is fully charged, and at the time the third period T3 has elapsed, the capacity of the battery 11 has reached the first specified capacity. When the third period T3 has elapsed (step ST6 in Figure 6; Yes), the control unit 404 alternately repeats the discharge process and the second charge process until it switches from the charge / discharge mode to another operating mode (for example, inspection mode) (steps ST3 to ST6 in Figure 6).

[0054] (4) Effects According to the lighting fixture 1 of this embodiment, the battery 30 is discharged by the discharge process in the charge-discharge mode, making it possible to activate the battery 30. Furthermore, according to the lighting fixture 1 of this embodiment, a predetermined voltage remains in the battery 30 even after the discharge process in the charge-discharge mode, making it possible to secure the lighting time during emergency lighting. In other words, according to the lighting fixture 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to achieve both the activation of the battery 30 by discharge and the securing of the lighting time during emergency lighting. In addition, by activating the battery 30, it is possible to extend the life of the battery 30.

[0055] According to the lighting fixture 1 of this embodiment, the predetermined voltage is equal to or greater than the voltage of the storage battery 30 when the external power supply 6 fails and the LED module 20 is emergency-lit, so the LED module 20 can be emergency-lit even after the discharge process in the charge-discharge mode.

[0056] According to the lighting fixture 1 of this embodiment, even after the discharge process in the charge-discharge mode, a second specified capacity remains in the storage battery 30, making it possible to emergency-light the LED module 20.

[0057] According to the lighting fixture 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to determine the execution time of the discharge process and the execution time of the second charging process in accordance with the inspection time of the inspection mode or the lighting time for emergency lighting of the LED module 20.

[0058] According to the lighting fixture 1 of this embodiment, the charging and discharging mode is restarted if the interruption period of the charging and discharging mode is less than or equal to a predetermined period, thereby enabling the activation of the storage battery 30.

[0059] (5) Variant 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 lists some modifications of the embodiments described above. The modifications described below can be combined and applied as appropriate.

[0060] (5.1) Variation 1 In the above-described embodiment, the battery 30 is charged with a constant charging current I11 during the second charging process (see Figure 5). In contrast, the second charging process may include a period during which the battery 30 is charged with a charging current I13 that is greater than the charging current I11 (see Figure 7). The charging and discharging modes of the lighting fixture 1 according to Modification 1 will now be described with reference to Figure 7.

[0061] In the lighting fixture 1 according to Modification 1, the control unit 404, in charge-discharge mode, performs a first charging process, and then alternately repeats a discharge process and a second charging process. More specifically, in the first charging process, the control unit 404 charges the battery 30 with a charging current I11 until the first period T1 has elapsed. Next, after the first period T1 has elapsed, the control unit 404 discharges the battery 30 with a discharge current I12 until the second period T2 has elapsed. After that, in the second charging process, the control unit 404 charges the battery 30 until the third period T3 has elapsed. More specifically, in the first charging period T31, which is a part of the third period T3, the control unit 404 charges the battery 30 with a charging current I13 that is greater than the charging current I11. Also, in the second charging period T32, which is the remaining period of the third period T3, the control unit 404 charges the battery 30 with a charging current I11. In this embodiment, the charging current I11 corresponds to the second charging current, and the charging current I13 corresponds to the first charging current. That is, the second charging process includes a first charging period T31 in which the battery 30 is charged with the charging current I13, and a second charging period T32 in which the battery 30 is charged with the charging current I11. The first charging period T31 is, for example, 24 hours. The second charging period T32 is, for example, 44 days. That is, the first charging period T31 is shorter than the second charging period T32.

[0062] In the lighting fixture 1 according to Modification 1, similar to the lighting fixture 1 according to the above embodiment, it is possible to achieve both activation of the storage battery 30 by discharge and securing the lighting time during emergency lighting.

[0063] Furthermore, in the lighting fixture 1 according to modified example 1, the storage battery 30 is charged with a charging current I13 that is greater than the charging current I11 during the first charging period T31, so it is possible to shorten the time until the capacity of the storage battery 30 reaches the first specified capacity.

[0064] Furthermore, in the lighting fixture 1 according to modified example 1, the first charging period T31 is shorter than the second charging period T32, which reduces the load on the charging circuit section 401.

[0065] (5.2) Other variations The following are some other variations.

[0066] In the embodiment described above, the first period T1 for performing the first charging process and the third period T3 for performing the second charging process are each 45 days long. However, each of the first period T1 and the third period T3 may be, for example, 90 days or 30 days long. In other words, each of the first period T1 and the third period T3 may be between 30 and 90 days long.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the lighting fixture 1 is an emergency light, but the lighting fixture 1 is not limited to an emergency light; for example, it may be an exit sign. In this case, the second period T2 for performing the discharge process is the time specified in the industry standard JIL5502 "Technical Standards for Exit Sign Fixtures and Evacuation Guidance System Devices" established by the Japan Lighting Manufacturers Association. When the lighting fixture 1 is an exit sign, the second period T2 is 20 minutes or 60 minutes.

[0068] In the above-described modified example 1, a period is provided in the second charging process during which the battery 30 is charged with a charging current I13 that is greater than the charging current I11. However, a period may also be provided in the first charging period during which the battery 30 is charged with a charging current I13 that is greater than the charging current I11.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above-described modified example 1, if the lighting fixture 1 is an emergency exit sign, the first charging period T31 for charging the battery 30 with the charging current I13 is, for example, 12 hours (see Figure 7).

[0070] (Appearance) This specification discloses the following aspects:

[0071] The lighting fixture (1) according to the first embodiment comprises a light source (20), a storage battery (30), a charging circuit unit (401), a lighting circuit unit (402), and a control unit (404). The charging circuit unit (401) charges the storage battery (30) with normal power supplied from a normal power source (6). The lighting circuit unit (402) lights the light source (20) with emergency power supplied from the storage battery (30). The control unit (404) has a charge / discharge mode that controls the charging circuit unit (401) and the lighting circuit unit (402) to charge and discharge the storage battery (30). In the charge / discharge mode, the control unit (404) performs a first charging process, and then alternately repeats a discharge process and a second charging process. In the discharge process, the storage battery (30) is discharged until the voltage of the storage battery (30) reaches a predetermined voltage.

[0072] According to this embodiment, since the storage battery (30) is discharged by the discharge process in the charge-discharge mode, it is possible to activate the storage battery (30). Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since a predetermined voltage remains in the storage battery (30) even after the discharge process in the charge-discharge mode, it is possible to secure the lighting time during emergency lighting. In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to achieve both the activation of the storage battery (30) by discharge and the securing of the lighting time during emergency lighting.

[0073] In the lighting fixture (1) according to the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the predetermined voltage is equal to or greater than the voltage that allows the light source (20) to be lit for a predetermined time or longer when emergency lighting is performed.

[0074] According to this embodiment, it is possible to emergency-ignite the light source (20) even after the discharge process in the charge-discharge mode.

[0075] In the lighting fixture (1) according to the third embodiment, the predetermined voltage is a preset voltage, as in the second embodiment.

[0076] This embodiment has the advantage that it does not require setting a predetermined voltage.

[0077] In the lighting fixture (1) according to the fourth embodiment, in any one of the first to third embodiments, in the first charging process, the storage battery (30) is charged until its capacity reaches a first specified capacity. In the discharging process, the storage battery (30) is discharged until its capacity reaches a second specified capacity which is smaller than the first specified capacity.

[0078] According to this embodiment, even after the discharge process in the charge-discharge mode, the second specified capacity remains in the storage battery (30), making it possible to emergency-light the light source (20).

[0079] In the lighting fixture (1) according to the fifth embodiment, in any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the second charging process includes a first charging period (T31) and a second charging period (T32). The first charging period (T31) is the period during which the battery (30) is charged with a first charging current (I13). The second charging period (T32) is the period during which the battery (30) is charged with a second charging current (I11) that is smaller than the first charging current (I13).

[0080] According to this embodiment, it is possible to shorten the time it takes for the capacity of the storage battery (30) to reach the first specified capacity.

[0081] In the lighting fixture (1) according to the sixth embodiment, the first charging period (T31) is shorter than the second charging period (T32) according to the fifth embodiment.

[0082] According to this embodiment, since the period for charging the storage battery (30) with the first charging current (I13) is short, it is possible to reduce the burden on the charging circuit (401).

[0083] In the lighting fixture (1) according to the seventh embodiment, in any one of the first to sixth embodiments, the control unit (404) restarts the charge / discharge mode if the interruption period of the charge / discharge mode is less than or equal to a predetermined period when the charge / discharge mode is interrupted.

[0084] According to this embodiment, if the interruption period of the charge / discharge mode is less than or equal to a predetermined period, the charge / discharge mode is restarted, making it possible to activate the storage battery (30).

[0085] The configurations relating to the second to seventh aspects are not essential to the lighting fixture (1) and can be omitted as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1 Lighting fixtures 6 External power supply (common power supply) 20 LED modules (light sources) 30 Storage batteries 401 Charging circuit section 402 Lighting circuit section 404 Control Unit I11 Charging current (second charging current) I13 Charging current (1st charging current) T31 1st charging period T32 Second Charging Period

Claims

1. Light source and Storage batteries and A charging circuit unit that charges the storage battery using normal power supplied from a normal power source, A lighting circuit unit that lights the light source using emergency power supplied from the storage battery, The system includes a control unit having a charge / discharge mode that controls the charging circuit unit and the lighting circuit unit to charge and discharge the storage battery, In the charge / discharge mode, the control unit performs a first charge process, and then alternately repeats a discharge process and a second charge process. In the discharge process, the battery is discharged until its voltage reaches a predetermined voltage. Lighting fixtures.

2. The predetermined voltage is greater than or equal to the voltage required to keep the light source lit for a predetermined period of time or longer when emergency lighting is performed. The lighting fixture according to claim 1.

3. The predetermined voltage is a preset voltage. The lighting fixture according to claim 2.

4. In the first charging process, the storage battery is charged until its capacity reaches a first specified capacity. In the discharge process, the battery is discharged until its capacity reaches a second specified capacity, which is smaller than the first specified capacity, from the first specified capacity. A lighting fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The second charging process is as follows: A first charging period in which the storage battery is charged with a first charging current, A second charging period in which the battery is charged with a second charging current smaller than the first charging current, A lighting fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The first charging period is shorter than the second charging period. The lighting fixture according to claim 5.

7. The control unit, when the charge / discharge mode is interrupted, restarts the charge / discharge mode if the interruption period is less than or equal to a predetermined period. A lighting fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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