Lighting systems and lighting equipment

Abstract

To provide a lighting system and lighting equipment that can improve accuracy of determining a degree of battery deterioration.SOLUTION: A lighting system 4 includes a lighting circuit 41, a voltage detection portion 421, an index derivation portion 422, a temperature sensor 410, a deterioration determination portion 423, a notification circuit 43, and a notification control portion 426. The lighting circuit 41 lights a light source 2 with power supplied from a battery 3. The index derivation portion 422 detects a battery voltage Vb of the battery 3 and generates data of a detected value of the battery voltage Vb. The index derivation portion 422 determines an index used in a deterioration determination process on the basis of an amount of decrease ΔVb11 in the detected value before and after the battery voltage Vb falls due to start of discharge of the battery 3, and a discharge current Ib of the battery 3. The deterioration determination portion 423 performs the deterioration determination process to determine a degree of deterioration of the battery 3 on the basis of the index. The notification control portion 426 causes the notification circuit 43 to notify a user of a lifespan of the battery 3 on the basis of the degree of deterioration of the battery 3 and a temperature of the battery 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lighting system and a lighting fixture. [Background technology]

[0002] The conventional lighting device (lighting fixture) described in Patent Document 1 is an emergency light that is turned on in an emergency such as a power outage, and includes an emergency lighting circuit (lighting system) and a secondary battery that serves as an emergency power source. In an emergency such as a power outage in the external power source, the emergency lighting circuit lights the light source with a constant current using the secondary battery as a power source. In such lighting devices, it is required by law to periodically check whether the light source is turned on for a specified period of time using the secondary battery.

[0003] Therefore, in conventional lighting devices, during inspection, the light source is turned on by the secondary battery for a predetermined time, and the voltage of the secondary battery at that time is detected.The detected voltage of the secondary battery is then compared with a threshold value, and the state of the secondary battery is judged based on the comparison result.Some lighting devices have a function of notifying the outside of the secondary battery of abnormalities such as the life of the secondary battery by controlling the lighting of a display monitor based on the judgment result. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-139222 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In lighting fixtures such as disaster prevention lighting fixtures, there is a demand for improved accuracy in determining the degree of battery deterioration.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a lighting system and a lighting fixture that can improve the accuracy of determining the degree of deterioration of a battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A lighting system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a lighting circuit, a voltage detection unit, a deterioration determination unit, a temperature sensor, an index derivation unit, a notification circuit, and a notification control unit. The lighting circuit lights a light source with power supplied from a battery. The voltage detection unit detects the battery voltage of the battery and generates data on the detected value of the battery voltage. The deterioration determination unit performs a deterioration determination process to determine a degree of deterioration of the battery. The temperature sensor measures the temperature of the battery. The index derivation unit obtains an index to be used in the deterioration determination process based on an amount of decrease in the detection value before and after the battery voltage drops due to the start of discharging of the battery and a discharge current of the battery. The notification circuit performs a life notification of the battery. The notification control unit acquires the temperature of the battery measured by the temperature sensor, and causes the notification circuit to perform the life notification of the battery based on the degree of deterioration of the battery determined by the deterioration determination unit and the temperature of the battery. The deterioration determination unit performs the deterioration determination process based on the index.

[0008] A lighting system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a lighting circuit, a voltage detection unit, a deterioration determination unit, a temperature sensor, and an index derivation unit. The lighting circuit lights a light source with power supplied from a battery. The voltage detection unit detects a battery voltage of the battery and generates data on a detected value of the battery voltage. The deterioration determination unit performs a deterioration determination process to determine a degree of deterioration of the battery. The temperature sensor measures a temperature of the battery. The index derivation unit finds an index to be used in the deterioration determination process based on an amount of decrease in the detection value before and after the battery voltage drops due to the start of discharging of the battery, and a discharge current of the battery. The deterioration determination unit acquires the temperature of the battery from the temperature sensor, and performs the deterioration determination process based on the index and the temperature of the battery.

[0009] A lighting device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned lighting system, a light source that is turned on by an output of the lighting system, a battery that supplies power to the lighting system for turning on the light source, and a main body to which the lighting system, the light source, and the battery are attached. Effect of the Invention

[0010] As described above, the present disclosure has an effect of improving the accuracy of determining the degree of deterioration of a battery. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a lighting system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a discharge circuit and a voltage detection unit included in the lighting system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram showing voltage fluctuations during discharging of a battery provided in the lighting system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged waveform diagram of the falling edge of the voltage fluctuation of the battery of the above embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the battery of the above embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of the battery deterioration determination in the above embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the battery deterioration determination in the above embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram showing a change curve of the impedance of the battery. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a lighting system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a part of a lighting fixture including the above lighting system. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the lighting system. [Figure 12]12A, 12B and 12C are top, bottom and side views of the lighting fixture. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The following embodiments generally relate to a lighting system and a lighting fixture. More specifically, the following embodiments relate to a lighting system and a lighting fixture that turn on a light source in an emergency.

[0013] Each figure described in the embodiment is a schematic diagram, and the ratio of the size and thickness of each component does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio. Note that the configuration described in the following embodiment is merely an example of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0014] (1) First embodiment (1.1) Overview of lighting fixtures The lighting fixture according to the embodiment is a disaster prevention lighting fixture, and is a recessed type emergency light that is recessed into a recessed hole provided in the ceiling of a building. However, the lighting fixture is not limited to a recessed type emergency light. The lighting fixture may be an exposed type emergency light that is directly attached to the ceiling, or a disaster prevention lighting fixture other than an emergency light such as an emergency exit light.

[0015] 1 shows a block diagram of a lighting fixture 1 according to the present embodiment. The lighting fixture 1 includes a lighting device 4A as a lighting system 4. The lighting fixture 1 further includes a light source 2 and a battery 3 in addition to the lighting device 4A.

[0016] The light source 2 has a plurality of solid-state light-emitting elements. For example, the light source 2 has an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) corresponding to a plurality of solid-state light-emitting elements are connected in series. Note that the light source 2 is not limited to a configuration having LEDs as solid-state light-emitting elements. The light source 2 may have other solid-state light-emitting elements, such as organic electroluminescence (OEL) or semiconductor laser diodes (Laser Diodes, LD).

[0017] Battery 3 is a rechargeable storage battery (secondary battery) and corresponds to an emergency power source. Battery 3 is not limited to a specific type of secondary battery, but battery 3 is preferably, for example, a nickel-metal hydride battery or a nickel-cadmium battery. Battery 3 can output emergency power by discharging the stored charge during a power outage. In other words, the power supplied from battery 3 during a power outage is emergency power.

[0018] The lighting device 4A includes a charging circuit 40, a lighting circuit 41, and a control circuit 42A. The lighting device 4A preferably further includes an alarm circuit 43 (announcement unit). The lighting device 4A preferably further includes a discharge circuit 44, a DC power supply circuit 45, a power failure detection circuit 46, a receiver 47, a monitor lamp 48, an operation unit 49, and a temperature sensor 410.

[0019] The DC power supply circuit 45 is preferably configured with a switching power supply circuit such as a flyback converter, and converts the AC voltage supplied from an external power supply (e.g., a commercial power system) 9 into a DC voltage lower than the effective value of the AC voltage. The charging circuit 40 is preferably configured to operate when power is supplied from the external power supply 9, and to pass a charging current from the DC power supply circuit 45 to the battery 3. The lighting circuit 41 is preferably configured to convert the DC current supplied from the battery 3 into a constant current and supply it to the light source 2. The power failure detection circuit 46 is configured to detect a power failure of the external power supply 9 from the output voltage of the DC power supply circuit 45 and notify the control circuit 42A. The external power supply 9 is a 100V or 200V commercial power system.

[0020] The monitor lamp 48 is composed of, for example, a light emitting diode that emits green light. The operation unit 49 has at least one push button switch or the like that is operated by an inspector who performs inspections such as regular inspections and user inspections. The operation unit 49 outputs an operation signal to the control circuit 42A when the push button switch is operated. The receiving unit 47 is configured to receive a wireless signal that uses infrared rays as a communication medium, demodulate a transmission frame from the received wireless signal, and pass it to the control circuit 42A. This wireless signal is transmitted from a wireless transmitter that is operated by an inspector or the like.

[0021] The periodic inspection is carried out at legally specified intervals, and aims to check whether the floor illuminance provided by the light source 2 is sufficient by forcibly operating the lighting circuit 41 and discharging the battery 3 for a specified period of time or more. The user inspection aims to check the degree of deterioration of the battery 3 by forcibly operating the discharge circuit 44 and discharging the battery 3 for a short period of time.

[0022] The discharge circuit 44 has a function of discharging the battery 3 during user inspection, which will be described later. Fig. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the discharge circuit 44. The discharge circuit 44 includes an operational amplifier 44a, resistors 44b to 44h, a capacitor 44i, and a transistor 44j. The transistor 44j is an npn-type bipolar transistor.

[0023] A series circuit of a transistor 44j and a resistor 44f is connected between both ends of the battery 3. A reference voltage Vr obtained by dividing the DC control voltage Vc1 by a series circuit of resistors 44b to 44d is input to the positive input terminal of the operational amplifier 44a. This reference voltage Vr corresponds to the target value of the discharge current Ib of the battery 3 when the battery 3 is discharged by the discharge circuit 44. The voltage across resistor 44f is input to the negative input terminal of the operational amplifier 44a via resistor 44h. The voltage across resistor R44f is proportional to the discharge current Ib of the battery 3 and corresponds to the detection value of the discharge current Ib. A parallel circuit of resistor 44g and capacitor 44i is connected between the negative input terminal and the output terminal of the operational amplifier 44a. The output terminal of the operational amplifier 44a is connected to the base of the transistor 44j via resistor 44e.

[0024] The operational amplifier 44a adjusts the base current of the transistor 44j so that the detected value of the discharge current Ib matches the target value. As a result, the discharge circuit 44 can discharge the battery 3 so that the discharge current Ib matches a certain target value. By using the discharge circuit 44 independent of the lighting circuit 41, the light source 2 does not light up when the user checks the light source 2, so that unnecessary lighting of the light source 2 can be prevented.

[0025] The notification circuit 43 is a notification section having a notification function, and includes, for example, a monochrome display element 431, a sound generating section 432 such as a piezoelectric sounder, and a drive circuit 433 that drives the display element 431 and the sound generating section 432. The drive circuit 433 drives the display element 431 to emit light, and drives the sound generating section 432 to generate sound. The notification circuit 43 may use a monitor lamp 48 as a display element.

[0026] The control circuit 42A is configured to have the functions of a voltage detection unit 421, an index derivation unit 422, a deterioration determination unit 423, a storage unit 424, a timer 425, a notification control unit 426, and an inspection control unit 427.

[0027] The control circuit 42A operates by being supplied with power from an external power source 9, a battery 3, or a control power source. The control circuit 42A preferably includes a computer system. The computer system is mainly composed of a processor and a memory as hardware. At least a part of the functions of the control circuit 42A in the present disclosure is realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through an electric communication line, or may be provided by being recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that is readable by the computer system. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large scale integrated circuit (LSI). The integrated circuits such as ICs or LSIs referred to here are called by different names depending on the degree of integration, and may be integrated LSIs called system LSIs, VLSIs (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSIs (Ultra Large Scale Integration). The electronic circuits may be integrated in one chip or distributed among multiple chips. The chips may be integrated in one device or distributed among multiple devices. The computer system includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

[0028] The control circuit 42A is configured to operate the charging circuit 40 when the power failure detection circuit 46 does not detect a power failure. The control circuit 42A is also configured to stop the charging circuit 40 and supply emergency power from the battery 3 to the lighting circuit 41 when the power failure detection circuit 46 detects a power failure. The lighting circuit 41 supplied with emergency power executes emergency lighting to light the light source 2 with the emergency power. At this time, regardless of the charging state of the battery 3, the charging circuit 40 may be stopped and the lighting circuit 41 may be operated to light the light source 2 steadily (for example, fully lit). Alternatively, if the charge amount of the charging circuit 40 is sufficiently smaller than the discharge amount to the lighting circuit 41 (for example, trickle charging), the charging circuit 40 may not be stopped and the lighting circuit 41 may be operated to light the light source 2 steadily (for example, fully lit).

[0029] Furthermore, when the control circuit 42A receives an operation signal for regular inspection from the operation unit 49, or receives a transmission frame for a regular inspection signal from the receiving unit 47, it determines that an instruction for regular inspection has been given from an inspector or the like. If the battery 3 is fully charged, the control circuit 42A is configured to stop the charging circuit 40 for a predetermined specified time and operate the lighting circuit 41 to discharge the battery 3, thereby performing regular inspection. If the battery 3 is not fully charged, the control circuit 42A first operates the charging circuit 40 to fully charge the battery 3, and then stops the charging circuit 40 for a predetermined specified time and operates the lighting circuit 41 to discharge the battery 3, thereby performing regular inspection. Furthermore, if the battery 3 is not fully charged, the control circuit 42A may operate the charging circuit 40 to charge the battery 3 while operating the lighting circuit 41 for a predetermined specified time to discharge the battery 3. Furthermore, regardless of the charging state of the battery 3, the charging circuit 40 may be stopped and the lighting circuit 41 may be operated to steadily light the light source 2 (for example, fully lit). Furthermore, if the amount of charge in the charging circuit 40 is sufficiently smaller than the amount of discharge to the lighting circuit 41 (for example, trickle charging), the charging circuit 40 may not be stopped and the lighting circuit 41 may be operated to steadily light the light source 2 (for example, fully lit). Note that it is not essential to discharge the battery 3 when performing regular inspection, and regular inspection may be performed without discharging the battery 3.

[0030] When the control circuit 42A receives an operation signal for user inspection from the operation unit 49, or receives a transmission frame for a user inspection signal from the receiving unit 47, it determines that an instruction for user inspection has been given by an inspector or the like. The control circuit 42A is then configured to stop the charging circuit 40 and operate the discharging circuit 44 to discharge the battery 3, thereby performing a user inspection. The control circuit 42A may also periodically perform a user inspection even without an instruction from an inspector or the like.

[0031] (1.2) User Inspection The user inspection will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0032] (1.2.1) Voltage detection The voltage detection unit 421 is electrically connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the battery 3. FIG. 2 shows a part of the configuration of the voltage detection unit 421, which includes a series circuit of resistors 421a to 421c connected between the positive and negative electrodes of the battery 3. The battery voltage Vb, which is the voltage across the battery 3, is divided by the resistors 421a to 421c. The voltage divided by the resistors 421a to 421c is proportional to the battery voltage Vb and corresponds to the detection value of the battery voltage Vb. The voltage detection unit 421 then performs AD conversion on the detection value of the battery voltage Vb to convert the detection value of the battery voltage Vb into a digital value. The voltage detection unit 421 passes the data of the detection value of the battery voltage Vb expressed as a digital value to the index derivation unit 422.

[0033] When user inspection is started, the control circuit 42A discharges the battery 3 while controlling the discharge current Ib to a constant value by the discharge circuit 44. The voltage detection unit 421 detects the battery voltage Vb, and passes the detected value data of the battery voltage Vb to the index derivation unit 422.

[0034] (1.2.2) Indicator derivation FIG. 3 shows a waveform X1 of the battery voltage Vb during discharge. The waveform X1 shows the change in the battery voltage Vb over time. In FIG. 3, when discharge starts at time t1, the battery voltage Vb drops sharply at time t1 and then drops gradually with time until the discharge stops at time t2. Then, the battery voltage Vb rises sharply at time t2. During the discharge period T1 from time t1 to t2, the larger the value of the discharge current Ib (the higher the C rate), the greater the amount of drop in the battery voltage Vb. Note that the discharge period T1 in FIG. 3 is about several msec to several seconds.

[0035] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the waveform X1 in FIG. 3 near time t1. When discharge starts at time t1, the battery voltage Vb falls sharply in a first period T11 from time t1 to time t11. The battery voltage Vb falls at a gradually decreasing slope in a second period T12 from time t11 to time t12. After time t12, the amount of charge stored in the battery 3 decreases with the passage of time, and the battery voltage Vb falls gently. In FIG. 4, the amount of fall in the battery voltage Vb in the first period T11 is ΔVb11. Moreover, the amount of fall in the battery voltage Vb in the second period T12 is ΔVb12.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows an equivalent circuit of the battery 3. The equivalent circuit of the battery 3 is composed of an ideal voltage source 3a with no internal resistance, a first internal resistance 3b corresponding to the solution resistance, a second internal resistance 3c corresponding to the charge transfer resistance, and a capacitor 3d corresponding to the electric double layer. The second internal resistance 3c and the capacitor 3d are connected in parallel to form an RC parallel circuit 3e, and the voltage source 3a, the first internal resistance 3b, and the RC parallel circuit 3e are connected in series. The battery voltage Vb is the voltage across the series circuit of the voltage source 3a, the first internal resistance 3b, and the RC parallel circuit 3e.

[0037] Then, the discharge current Ib immediately after the start of discharge mainly passes through the first internal resistance 3b and the capacitor 3d during the first period T11 (see FIG. 4), and the battery voltage Vb drops sharply. During the first period T11, the internal resistance (DC resistance) of the battery 3 is mainly composed of the first internal resistance 3b. Thereafter, during the second period T12 (see FIG. 4), the discharge current Ib passes through the first internal resistance 3b and the RC parallel circuit 3e, and the battery voltage Vb drops with a gradually decreasing slope. At time t12, which is the end timing of the second period T12, the internal resistance of the battery 3 is mainly composed of the series circuit of the first internal resistance 3b and the second internal resistance 3c. That is, the value of the internal resistance during the second period T12 is greater than the value of the internal resistance during the first period T11. At time t1, which is the start timing of the first period T11, electrical continuity is established between both ends of the battery 3 through the discharge circuit 44, and at time t11, which is the start timing of the second period T12, a discharge current Ib begins to flow from the battery 3 to the discharge circuit 44.

[0038] In general, as the time of use of the battery 3 passes, the battery 3 deteriorates and the capacity of the battery 3 decreases. As the capacity of the battery 3 decreases, the resistance value of the first internal resistor 3b increases. That is, the resistance value of the first internal resistor 3b increases as the deterioration of the battery 3 progresses.

[0039] Therefore, the index derivation unit 422 calculates an index used in a deterioration determination process for determining the deterioration degree of the battery 3 based on the amount of decrease ΔVb11 in the battery voltage Vb before and after the battery voltage Vb falls in the first period T11 in which the internal resistance of the battery 3 is mainly constituted by the first internal resistance 3b, and the discharge current Ib. By calculating the index based on the amount of decrease ΔVb11 and the discharge current Ib, the index derivation unit 422 can generate an index that can accurately determine the deterioration of the battery 3. As a result, the lighting device 4A can improve the accuracy of determining the deterioration degree of the battery 3.

[0040] The index in this embodiment is the impedance of the battery 3. In the first period T11, the internal resistance of the battery 3 is mainly composed of the first internal resistance 3b, so the impedance of the battery 3, which is the index, increases as the battery deterioration progresses. Specifically, the impedance Zb is calculated by the following formula 1. Zb=ΔVb11 / Ib ...... Formula 1 When the discharge circuit 44 discharges the battery 3, the discharge current Ib is a constant value determined by the specifications of the discharge circuit 44. Therefore, the impedance Zb is proportional to the amount of decrease ΔVb11 in the battery voltage Vb.

[0041] In this index derivation process, the discharge current Ib may be smaller than the current flowing from the battery 3 during emergency lighting of the light source 2. Furthermore, it has been found through experiments that the impedance Zb can be accurately determined in a discharge period T1 of about several msec to several seconds. In this way, by reducing the discharge current Ib and shortening the discharge period T1, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the battery 3 due to user inspection.

[0042] Furthermore, the index derivation unit 422 can generate an index that allows deterioration of the battery 3 to be determined with high accuracy by determining the index based on the falling edge of the battery voltage Vb (the voltage drop across the first internal resistance 3b).

[0043] The length of the first period T11 is approximately equal to a design value determined by the specifications of the battery 3 and the discharge circuit 44. When the control circuit 42A has an RTC (Real Time Clock), it is preferable that the index derivation unit 422 periodically reads the value of the RTC and accumulates the count value to measure the elapsed time from time t1 when the discharge circuit 44 starts discharging. Alternatively, the index derivation unit 422 may have a counter that measures the elapsed time from time t1 by incrementing the count value at a constant cycle (e.g., the cycle of a clock frequency). The index derivation unit 422 starts the timing operation by setting the timing at which the discharge circuit 44 is instructed to start discharging as time t1.

[0044] The control circuit 42A starts the user inspection when an instruction for user inspection is received or periodically, and performs the user inspection intermittently. The index derivation unit 422 calculates the impedance Zb of the battery 3, which is an index, every time a user inspection is performed, and stores the impedance Zb in the storage unit 424. That is, the storage unit 424 stores the history of the impedance Zb.

[0045] Note that the control circuit 42A may execute discharge of the battery 3 by the discharge circuit 44 multiple times in one user inspection, and the index derivation unit 422 may obtain the impedance Zb for each. In this case, the index derivation unit 422 sets the impedance Zb in the current user inspection to the average value, median value, maximum value, or minimum value of the multiple impedances Zb. As a result, the index derivation unit 422 can obtain the impedance Zb while suppressing the effects of noise.

[0046] (1.2.3) Deterioration judgment (First example of deterioration judgment) The memory unit 424 stores a history of the impedance Zb, which indicates the amount of change in the impedance Zb. The deterioration determination unit 423 then determines the degree of deterioration of the battery 3 based on the amount of change in the impedance Zb.

[0047] For example, if the battery 3 is a nickel-metal hydride battery, the impedance Zb changes very little for a while after the battery 3 is first used. However, as time passes after the battery 3 is first used, the impedance Zb decreases. As a result, the fully charged capacity of the battery 3 drops to about 70% to 80%, assuming that the initial state is 100%. At this point, the impedance Zb increases suddenly. At this time, the rate at which the impedance Zb increases is more than twice as fast as the initial value (for example, the rate at which the impedance Zb increases until about three years have passed since the battery 3 was first used).

[0048] Therefore, it is preferable that the deterioration determination unit 423 obtains the increase slope of the impedance Zb, and determines that the battery 3 is at the end of its life if the increase slope of the impedance Zb is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0049] Specifically, after the lighting fixture 1 is installed or the battery 3 is replaced with a new one, the control circuit 42A periodically performs a user inspection once per period T2 (for example, one month) as shown in FIG. 6. The timer 425 resets the time value when the user inspection is performed, when the battery 3 is replaced, or each time a user inspection is performed, and starts timing the period T2. The memory unit 424 stores a history of the impedance Zb calculated for each period T2. Note that the frequency of the user inspection may be more frequent than the inspection required by law in order to detect initial abnormalities. Also, the frequency of the user inspection may be low during the warranty period of the battery 3 and high frequency outside the warranty period.

[0050] If the control circuit 42A includes an RTC (Real Time Clock), the timer 425 periodically reads the RTC value and accumulates the count value to measure the elapsed time. Alternatively, the timer 425 may be a counter that measures time by incrementing the count value at a fixed period (e.g., the period of the clock frequency).

[0051] The index derivation unit 422 sequentially calculates impedance Zb(1), Zb(2), Zb(3), ..., Zb(m-2), Zb(m-1), Zb(m) for each period T2 (m is a natural number). Therefore, the storage unit 424 stores each data of impedance Zb(1), Zb(2), Zb(3), ..., Zb(m-2), Zb(m-1), Zb(m) as a history of impedance Zb.

[0052] The deterioration determination unit 423 uses Zb(1) to Zb(12) to determine the average value of the increase slope Δα(m) as the initial slope K1. The increase slope Δα(m) is determined by (Zb(m)-Zb(m-1)) / T2. Specifically, when the second impedance Zb(2) is determined, the deterioration determination unit 423 determines the increase slope Δα(2) of the second impedance Zb(2) relative to the first impedance Zb(1). When the third impedance Zb(3) is determined, the deterioration determination unit 423 determines the increase slope Δα(3) of the third impedance Zb(3) relative to the first impedance Zb(1). Thereafter, the deterioration determination unit 423 similarly determines the increase slopes Δα(4) to Δα(12). Then, the deterioration determination unit 423 determines the average value of the increase slopes Δα(2) to Δα(12) as the initial slope K1. The initial slope K1 is an initial value of the increase slope.

[0053] That is, the initial value of the increase slope is found one year (12 months) after the lighting fixture 1 is installed or the battery 3 is replaced with a new one, and this initial value is set as the initial slope K1. The calculation period for the initial slope K1 is not limited to one year, and may be any period during which the impedance Zb of the battery 3 is stable.

[0054] The deterioration determination unit 423 multiplies the initial gradient K1 by a positive coefficient γ to obtain a threshold value K10. The coefficient γ is preferably a value of 2 or more and 3 or less, for example.

[0055] After obtaining the initial slope K1, the deterioration determination unit 423 obtains an increasing slope Δα(m) for the (m-1)th impedance Zb(m-1) every time the mth (13th or later) impedance Zb(m) is obtained. The increasing slope Δα(m) is obtained by (Zb(m)-Zb(m-1)) / T2. The deterioration determination unit 423 then compares the increasing slope Δα(m) with a threshold K10. If the increasing slope Δα(m) is equal to or greater than the threshold K10, the deterioration determination unit 423 determines that the battery 3 is in a battery life state where the battery life is nearing the end. If the increasing slope Δα(m) is less than the threshold K10, the deterioration determination unit 423 determines that the battery 3 is in a normal state where it can be used for a while. In FIG. 6, the increasing slope Δα(m1) when m=m1 is equal to or greater than the threshold K10.

[0056] When the deterioration determination unit 423 determines that the battery 3 is nearing the end of its life, the notification control unit 426 controls the notification circuit 43 to perform a life notification. The notification circuit 43 may perform the life notification as soon as the deterioration determination unit 423 determines that the battery 3 is nearing the end of its life, or may perform the life notification when a predetermined fixed time has elapsed after the determination. If the control circuit 42A has a calendar function, it is preferable for the notification circuit 43 to perform the life notification after it is determined that the battery is nearing the end of its life, and before the summer season when temperatures become high.

[0057] Furthermore, the deterioration determination unit 423 may intermittently determine the increase slope Δα(m) even after it has been determined that the battery is in the end of its life state. In this case, if a value obtained by multiplying the threshold value K10 by a coefficient σ greater than 1 (e.g., 1.5 or 2) is set to a threshold value K11, the deterioration determination unit 423 determines whether the increase slope Δα(m) has exceeded the threshold value K11. When the increase slope Δα(m) exceeds the threshold value K11, the notification control unit 426 controls the notification circuit 43 to issue a replacement notification recommending replacement of the battery 3.

[0058] In the above-mentioned lifespan notification and replacement notification by the notification circuit 43, the display element 431 lights up or flashes. In addition, in the lifespan notification and replacement notification by the notification circuit 43, the sound output unit 432 may output a sound. The sound output by the sound output unit 432 may be, for example, a message for battery 3 lifespan notification, "The battery 3 is nearing the end of its life," a message for battery 3 replacement notification, "Please replace the battery 3," a buzzer sound for lifespan notification, and a buzzer sound for replacement notification.

[0059] The life notification lets the inspector know that the battery 3 is nearing the end of its life, and makes the inspector aware of the need to prepare for or replace the battery 3. Furthermore, the replacement notification makes the inspector aware of the need to replace the battery 3.

[0060] (Second example of deterioration judgment) A second example of the deterioration determination will now be described.

[0061] The deterioration determination unit 423 obtains the amount of increase in impedance Zb, and determines that the battery 3 is at the end of its life if the amount of increase in impedance Zb becomes equal to or exceeds a threshold value.

[0062] For example, control circuit 42A performs a user inspection once per period T2 (e.g., one month) as shown in Fig. 7. As a result, storage unit 424 stores data on impedance Zb(1), Zb(2), Zb(3), ..., Zb(m-2), Zb(m-1), and Zb(m) as a history of impedance Zb.

[0063] The deterioration determination unit 423 obtains an increase amount Δβ(m) from the m-1th impedance Zb(m-1) every time the user inspection is performed and the mth impedance Zb(m) is obtained. The deterioration determination unit 423 obtains a comparison value K2(m+1) by adding the increase amount Δβ(m) to the impedance Zb(m). Then, the deterioration determination unit 423 obtains a difference value by subtracting the comparison value K2(m+1) from the m+1th impedance Zb(m+1), and if the difference value is equal to or greater than the increase amount Δβ(m), the deterioration determination unit 423 determines that the battery 3 is in a battery life state nearing the end of its life. That is, the deterioration determination unit 423 sets a threshold value K20 that is twice the increase amount Δβ(m), and if the increase amount Δβ(m+1) is equal to or greater than the threshold value K20, the deterioration determination unit 423 determines that the battery 3 is in a battery life state near the end of its life. If the increase amount Δβ(m+1) is less than the threshold value K20, the deterioration determination unit 423 determines that the battery 3 is in a normal state that can be used for a while. In FIG. 7, when m=m2+1, the increase amount Δβ(m2+1) is equal to or greater than the threshold K20 (twice the increase amount Δβ(m2)).

[0064] The life notification and replacement notification of the notification circuit 43 are similar to the first example of deterioration determination described above.

[0065] (1.3) Judgment aid (1.3.1) Temperature-based assessment aid The higher the temperature of the battery 3, the faster the deterioration of the battery 3. In other words, the higher the temperature of the battery 3, the more rapidly the battery 3 deteriorates.

[0066] FIG. 8 shows curves Y1 and Y2 of change in impedance Zb of the battery 3 with respect to the power supply use period, which is the period during which the battery 3 is used. The curve Y1 shows the change over time in impedance Zb when the temperature of the battery 3 is Q1° C. The curve Y2 shows the change over time in impedance Zb when the temperature of the battery 3 is Q2° C. The temperature Q2 is higher than the temperature Q1, and the time t22 at which the impedance Zb suddenly increases in the curve Y2 is earlier than the time t21 at which the impedance Zb suddenly increases in the curve Y1. In addition, the time t32 at which the impedance Zb reaches the upper limit value Zbm in the curve Y2 is earlier than the time t31 at which the impedance Zb reaches the upper limit value Zbm in the curve Y1. That is, the increase slope becomes larger earlier in the curve Y2 than in the curve Y1.

[0067] Therefore, it is preferable that the lighting device 4A further includes a temperature sensor 410. The temperature sensor 410 directly or indirectly measures the temperature of the battery 3. For example, the temperature sensor 410 is built into the battery 3 or attached to the surface of the battery 3. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 410 is disposed within the housing of the lighting device 4A. Alternatively, a temperature measurement function of a computer system included in the control circuit 42A may be used as the temperature sensor 410.

[0068] The notification control unit 426 acquires the detection result (detected temperature data) of the temperature sensor 410. When the detected temperature reaches or exceeds a certain temperature, the notification control unit 426 advances the timing of the life notification compared to when the detected temperature is below the certain temperature. For example, if the notification control unit 426 issues a life notification when a predetermined certain time has elapsed after it is determined that the battery 3 is nearing the end of its life, the notification control unit 426 can advance the timing of the life notification by shortening the length of this certain time.

[0069] Furthermore, the deterioration determination unit 423 may obtain the detection result (detected temperature data) of the temperature sensor 410. If the replacement notification is to be issued at the timing when the increase slope Δα(m) exceeds a threshold value K11, which is a value obtained by multiplying the threshold value K10 by a coefficient σ larger than 1, the deterioration determination unit 423 can advance the timing of the replacement notification by reducing the coefficient σ.

[0070] (1.3.2) Judgment assistance based on discharge history The rate of deterioration of the battery 3 increases as the number of times and the amount of discharge of the battery 3 increase. In other words, the more the number of times and the amount of discharge of the battery 3 increase, the more rapidly the battery 3 deteriorates.

[0071] Therefore, the control circuit 42A stores the discharge history such as the number of times the battery 3 is discharged and the amount of discharge in the memory unit 424. The number of times the battery is discharged is the number of times the battery is discharged due to user inspection, regular inspection, emergency lighting such as a power outage, etc. The amount of discharge is the amount of current (accumulated value of current) discharged due to user inspection, regular inspection, emergency lighting, etc.

[0072] The control circuit 42A advances the timing of the life notification as the number of discharges and the amount of discharge increase based on the discharge history. Also, the control circuit 42A advances the timing of the replacement notification as the number of discharges and the amount of discharge increase based on the discharge history.

[0073] The discharge history may be at least one of the number of discharges and the amount of discharge.

[0074] (1.4) Communications The lighting device 4A may include a communication unit (not shown) and transmit data such as the result of the determination by the deterioration determination unit 423, a life notification, and a replacement notification to an inspection terminal. The inspection terminal is, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, and is an information terminal managed by a user such as an inspector. Communication between the lighting device 4A and the inspection terminal may be either wireless communication or wired communication. The wireless communication is preferably in compliance with standards such as wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or ZigBee (registered trademark) (for example, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15.1, or IEEE 802.15.4). The wired communication is preferably in compliance with standards such as wired LAN (Local Area Network) such as Ethernet (registered trademark), BACnet (registered trademark), or RS-485 (for example, IEEE 802.3, or RS-485).

[0075] (1.5) Periodic Inspection The above-mentioned lighting fixture 1 is a disaster prevention lighting fixture such as an emergency exit light or an emergency lighting fixture. Emergency exit lights and emergency lighting fixtures must be inspected periodically based on laws and regulations. The timing of periodic inspection of emergency exit lights is stipulated in the Fire Service Act, and the timing of periodic inspection of emergency lighting fixtures is stipulated in the Building Standards Act.

[0076] Furthermore, if the storage battery installed in the emergency light has not exceeded a certain number of years since its manufacture, it may not be necessary to inspect the storage battery in the above-mentioned periodic inspection of the emergency light, taking into account the lifespan of the storage battery. In this case, if the storage battery installed in the emergency light has exceeded a certain number of years since its manufacture, it is necessary to carry out the above-mentioned periodic inspection of the emergency light, taking into account the lifespan of the storage battery. For example, if the storage battery is a nickel-cadmium battery, it is necessary to carry out a periodic inspection if it has been more than three years since its manufacture. Also, if the storage battery is a nickel-metal hydride battery, it is necessary to carry out a periodic inspection if it has been more than five years since its manufacture.

[0077] However, in reality, it is difficult to say that regular inspections are performed at appropriate times (for example, at times stipulated by laws and regulations). Therefore, the lighting device 1 of the present embodiment has the following notification function and automatic inspection function in order to perform regular inspections at appropriate times taking into account the lifespan of the storage battery.

[0078] First, as a premise, in lighting fixture 1 according to this embodiment, if the power usage period, which is the usage period of battery 3, does not exceed a predetermined inspection time, there is no need to perform regular inspection of lighting fixture 1. Therefore, after the power usage period reaches the predetermined inspection time, control circuit 42A performs the following notification control process and inspection control process.

[0079] The timer 425 has a function of timing the above-mentioned period T2, and also has a function of timing the power use period, the uninspected period, and the appliance use period.

[0080] The power usage period is the usage period of the battery 3. The measured time of the power usage period is reset when the battery 3 is replaced with a new battery 3.

[0081] The uninspected period is the period after the completion of a regular inspection in which the battery 3 is discharged. The uninspected period is used to determine when to perform another regular inspection on the same battery 3 after a regular inspection has been performed (the second or subsequent regular inspection on the same battery 3, hereinafter referred to as a re-regular inspection). The time count for the uninspected period is reset to zero when a regular inspection is performed or when the battery 3 is replaced.

[0082] The fixture usage period is the period during which the lighting fixture 1 is in use. In this embodiment, the fixture usage period is the time that has elapsed since the supply of power from the external power source 9 to the lighting device 4 began. However, the starting point of the fixture usage period may be the time when a new battery 3 is fully charged by the charging circuit 40. Then, when the timer 425 starts timing the fixture usage period, the timed time of the fixture usage period increases from zero as time passes. The timed time of the fixture usage period is not reset when regular inspection is performed.

[0083] The notification control unit 426 performs inspection notification control to cause the notification circuit 43 to issue an inspection notification using the measured time of the power usage period. The inspection notification is a notification that urges a person to carry out the first regular inspection.

[0084] In addition, the notification control unit 426 performs re-inspection notification control to cause the notification circuit 43 to perform a re-inspection notification using the measured time of the uninspected period. The re-inspection notification refers to a notification that urges a person to perform a second or subsequent regular inspection (re-regular inspection) of the battery 3.

[0085] The notification control unit 426 also performs appliance replacement notification control to cause the notification circuit 43 to issue an appliance replacement notification using the measured time of the appliance usage period. The appliance replacement notification is a notification that urges a person to replace the lighting fixture 1.

[0086] The notification control unit 426 also performs device replacement re-notification control to cause the notification circuit 43 to issue a replacement re-notification using the measured time of the device usage period. The device replacement re-notification is a notification that urges a person to replace the lighting device 1 more strongly than the re-inspection notification.

[0087] The inspection control unit 427 also performs automatic inspection control to automatically perform regular inspection by controlling the charging circuit 40 and the lighting circuit 41 based on the measured times of the power usage period, the non-inspection period, and the appliance usage period.

[0088] When the first delay time has elapsed since the inspection notification was executed (eg, started), the inspection control unit 427 executes regular inspection of the battery 3. After the inspection notification is executed, an inspector may perform regular inspection.

[0089] When the regular inspection is completed, the timer 425 starts timing the non-inspection period. When the time counted for the non-inspection period reaches the re-inspection notification time, the notification circuit 43 issues a re-inspection notification. When the second delay time has elapsed since the re-inspection notification was executed (e.g., started), the inspection control unit 427 executes a re-regular inspection of the battery 3. After the re-inspection notification is executed, an inspector may execute a re-regular inspection of the battery 3.

[0090] Then, the inspection control unit 427 performs a periodic inspection of the lighting fixture 1 based on the voltage value of the battery 3 and the current value flowing through the light source 2 at the time when a specified time (20 minutes, 30 minutes, or 60 minutes) has elapsed since the start of the periodic inspection, and causes the notification circuit 43 to notify the result of the periodic inspection. For example, if the inspection control unit 427 determines that the battery 3 has deteriorated and is not normal (abnormal), it notifies by at least one of lighting or blinking the display element 431 and outputting a sound from the sound generating unit 432. Also, if the inspection control unit 427 determines that the light source 2 has deteriorated and is not normal (abnormal), it notifies by at least one of lighting or blinking the display element 431 and outputting a sound from the sound generating unit 432. It is preferable that the notification form performed when an abnormality in the battery 3 is notified and the notification form performed when an abnormality in the light source 2 is notified are mutually different.

[0091] Furthermore, the inspection control unit 427 may determine that the battery 3 is normal if the lighting circuit 41 is operating normally when a specified time has elapsed since the start of regular inspection. The inspection control unit 427 may determine that the battery 3 is not normal (abnormal) if the lighting circuit 41 is not operating normally due to a drop in the output voltage of the battery 3 when the specified time has elapsed.

[0092] (2) Second embodiment In the first embodiment, the functions of the lighting system 4 are integrated into one lighting device 4A. On the other hand, the lighting system 4 of the second embodiment has a configuration in which the functions of the lighting device 4A are distributed. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described.

[0093] FIG. 9 shows a lighting system 4B as the lighting system 4.

[0094] The functions of the lighting system 4B are distributed among the lighting fixtures 1, the server 5, and the inspection terminal 6.

[0095] The control circuit 42B of the lighting fixture 1 has a voltage detection unit 421, an index derivation unit 422, a timer 425, a notification control unit 426, and an inspection control unit 427. The server 5 has a communication unit 51, a degradation determination unit 423, and a storage unit 424. That is, the functions of the lighting device 4A are distributed between the lighting fixture 1 and the server 5.

[0096] The lighting fixture 1 and the server 5 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network NT1 including the Internet. The lighting fixture 1 has a communication unit 411, and the server 5 has a communication unit 51, and the communication units 411 and 51 transmit and receive signals to and from each other via the network NT1.

[0097] Specifically, when a user inspection is performed on the lighting device 1, the communication unit 411 transmits data on the impedance Zb calculated by the index derivation unit 422 to the server 5. In the server 5, the communication unit 51 receives the data on the impedance Zb, and the data on the impedance Zb is stored in the memory unit 424. That is, the memory unit 424 of the server 5 stores a history of the impedance Zb. Then, the deterioration determination unit 423 of the server 5 determines the degree of deterioration of the battery 3 based on the amount of change in the impedance Zb, and the communication unit 51 transmits the determination result of the deterioration determination unit 423 to the lighting device 1. When it is determined that the battery 3 is near the end of its life based on the determination result of the deterioration determination unit 423, the notification control unit 426 of the lighting device 1 controls the notification circuit 43 to perform a life notification.

[0098] Furthermore, the deterioration determination unit 423 may intermittently determine the increase slope Δα(m) even after determining that the battery is in the end of its life state. In this case, the deterioration determination unit 423 determines whether the increase slope Δα(m) exceeds a threshold K11 (a value obtained by multiplying threshold K10 by a coefficient σ greater than 1). When the increase slope Δα(m) exceeds threshold K11, the communication unit 51 transmits a replacement notification request to the lighting fixture 1, recommending replacement of the battery 3. When the communication unit 411 of the lighting device 4B receives the replacement notification request, the notification control unit 426 controls the notification circuit 43 to perform a replacement notification.

[0099] Moreover, it is preferable that the communication unit 411 transmits each data such as the detected temperature and the discharge history used for the above-mentioned (1.3) judgment assistance to the server 5. In this case, in the server 5, the communication unit 51 receives each data such as the detected temperature and the discharge history, and the detected temperature, the discharge history, and the data such as the detected temperature and the discharge history are stored in the storage unit 424. The deterioration judgment unit 423 determines each timing of the life notification and the replacement notification based on the detected temperature and the discharge history, and adjusts the transmission timing of the judgment result.

[0100] Furthermore, an inspection terminal 6 may be communicatively connected to the network NT1. The inspection terminal 6 is, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, and is an information terminal managed by an inspector or the like. The inspection terminal 6 is configured to be capable of wireless or wired communication with the network NT1, and includes an alarm circuit 61. The wireless communication preferably complies with standards such as wireless LAN, Bluetooth, or ZigBee. The wired communication preferably complies with standards such as wired LAN such as Ethernet, BACnet, or RS-485.

[0101] The determination result of the deterioration determination unit 423 of the server 5 is transmitted to the inspection terminal 6 via the network NT1. The notification circuit 61 of the inspection terminal 6 performs life notification and replacement notification. The notification circuit 61 performs life notification and replacement notification visually by a display screen. Furthermore, the notification circuit 61 may perform life notification and replacement notification audibly by sound emitted from a speaker.

[0102] 10 shows a part of the lighting fixture 1 of the embodiment 2. The lighting fixture 1 includes a control board B1 and a communication board B2.

[0103] A microcomputer MC1 is mounted on the control board B1. The microcomputer MC1 functions as a voltage detection unit 421, an index derivation unit 422, a timer 425, a notification control unit 426, an inspection control unit 427, and a communication interface (communication IF) 4201. A microcomputer MC2 and a communication unit 411 are mounted on the communication board B2. The microcomputer MC2 functions as a communication interface (communication IF) 4202 and a storage unit 4203. That is, the microcomputers MC1 and MC2 constitute the control circuit 42B. Communication between the microcomputers MC1 and MC2 is performed via the communication IFs 4201 and 4202. The storage unit 4203 temporarily stores data such as a discharge history used for judgment assistance.

[0104] Lighting system 4B may include one server 5 and multiple lighting fixtures 1, and the single server 5 may execute a deterioration determination process for the batteries 3 of the multiple lighting fixtures 1 to manage the deterioration levels of the batteries 3 of the multiple lighting fixtures 1. For example, the single server 5 may collectively manage the deterioration levels of the batteries 3 of multiple lighting fixtures 1 installed in a building such as an office building or a commercial building. Alternatively, the single server 5 may manage the deterioration levels of the batteries 3 of the multiple lighting fixtures 1 installed in the building for each floor of the building.

[0105] Fig. 11 shows a specific configuration example of lighting system 4B. Note that, in Fig. 11, lighting system 4B includes one server 5 and multiple lighting fixtures 1, but lighting system 4B only needs to include at least one lighting fixture 1.

[0106] The lighting fixture 1 functioning as an emergency light or an emergency exit light is configured to be able to communicate with a disaster prevention interface 71. The communication between the lighting fixture 1 and the disaster prevention interface 71 is performed by wireless communication or wired communication. The disaster prevention interface 71 is configured to be able to communicate with a multi-manager 72. The communication between the disaster prevention interface 71 and the multi-manager 72 is performed by wireless communication or wired communication. The multi-manager 72 is configured to be able to communicate with a server 5 via a network NT1. The multi-manager 72 is configured to be able to communicate with an inspection terminal 6. The communication between the multi-manager 72 and the inspection terminal 6 is performed by wireless communication or wired communication. The wireless communication preferably complies with a standard such as wireless LAN, Bluetooth, or ZigBee. The wired communication preferably complies with a dedicated standard for inter-instrument communication, a wired LAN such as BACnet or Ethernet, or a standard such as RS-485.

[0107] As described above, the lighting fixture 1 and the server 5 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the disaster prevention interface 71, the multi-manager 72, and the network NT1. In addition, the server 5 and the inspection terminal 6 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the network NT1 and the multi-manager 72.

[0108] Wireless transmitter 73 is a portable terminal carried by the inspector. Wireless transmitter 73 has an operation unit such as a push button operated by the inspector, and transmits a wireless signal using infrared or radio waves as a communication medium to lighting fixture 1 when operated by the inspector. The wireless signal includes instructions for user inspection and instructions for regular inspection. When lighting fixture 1 receives the wireless signal, it carries out the content of the instruction in the wireless signal.

[0109] (3) Structure of lighting fixtures The structure of the lighting fixture 1 included in the lighting system 4 will be described below with reference to Fig. 12A to Fig. 12C. The lighting fixture 1 according to this embodiment is attached to a construction material such as a ceiling material or a wall material, and irradiates illumination light onto an evacuation passage or the like during a power outage.

[0110] As shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C, lighting device 1 includes a main body 10, a cover 11, and a pair of supports 12.

[0111] 12A and 12B, the main body 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape with one bottom surface (lower surface) open. A pair of supports 12 are attached to the side surfaces of the main body 10. An annular flange 100 that protrudes outward is formed at the lower end of the main body 10.

[0112] The pair of supports 12 are formed in the shape of long leaf springs, as shown in Figures 12A to 12C. One end of each support 12 in the longitudinal direction is fixed to a side surface of the main body 10, and the other end in the longitudinal direction is configured to be flexible (upward) in a direction approaching the bottom surface (top surface) of the main body 10. In other words, the main body 10 is supported by the ceiling material such that the ceiling material is sandwiched between the pair of supports 12 inserted into embedding holes provided in the ceiling and a flange 100 provided on the lower end surface of the main body 10.

[0113] As shown in Figs. 12A to 12C, the cover 11 is formed in a disk shape larger than the outer diameter of the flange 100 of the main body 10. As shown in Fig. 12B, a circular window hole 110 is provided in the center of the cover 11. The lens 21 of the light source unit 2U passes through the window hole 110. A pair of mounting springs are attached to the cover 11. As shown in Fig. 12C, the cover 11 is held to the main body 10 by the pair of mounting springs in a state in which the cover 11 closes the bottom surface of the main body 10.

[0114] The light source 2, the battery 3, and the lighting device 4A (see FIG. 1) are attached to the main body 10. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12B, the light source unit 2U, the battery unit 3U, and the lighting unit 4U are housed in the main body 10. However, the battery unit 3U is housed in the main body 10 so as to be insertable and removable through an opening on the bottom surface of the main body 10.

[0115] 12B, the light source unit 2U includes an LED module 20 and a lens 21. The LED module 20 has a substrate on which a light source 2 is mounted, and emits white illumination light such as white, neutral white, or daylight color when a voltage is applied in the forward direction. The lens 21 is disposed in front of (below) the LED module 20, and collects the light emitted from the LED module 20.

[0116] The battery unit 3U shown in Fig. 12B has a battery 3 (see Fig. 1) including multiple cells, and a battery case that houses the battery 3. The battery 3 is, for example, a nickel-metal hydride battery or a nickel-cadmium battery. The battery case is made of an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin in a box shape and houses the multiple cells inside.

[0117] The lighting unit 4U shown in FIG. 12B has a lighting device 4A (see FIG. 1). Light emitted from a monitor lamp 48 of the lighting device 4A is emitted to the front (downward) of the cover 11 through a first hole 111 provided in the cover 11. The receiver 47 receives (receives) a wireless signal through a second hole 112 provided in the cover 11. Light emitted from a display element 431 of the notification circuit 43 is emitted to the front (downward) of the cover 11 through a third hole 114 provided in the cover 11. Each push button of the operation unit 49 is arranged to face one of the three operation holes 113 provided in the cover 11.

[0118] (4) Variations If the discharge current Ib at the time of user inspection is a constant value (or an approximately constant value), the index derivation unit 422 may obtain the magnitude of the battery voltage Vb as the index. If the discharge current Ib is a constant value, the magnitude of the battery voltage Vb is proportional to the impedance Zb. Therefore, the deterioration determination unit 423 can determine the deterioration of the battery 3 using the magnitude of the battery voltage Vb as an index instead of the impedance Zb.

[0119] A discharge circuit composed of a lighting circuit 41 and a light source 2 may be used instead of the discharge circuit 44. The control circuit 42A or 42B controls the lighting circuit 41, which supplies lighting power to the light source 2 using the discharge power of the battery 3, thereby discharging the battery 3. The control circuit 42A or 42B can adjust the discharge current Ib of the battery 3 by controlling the lighting circuit 41.

[0120] Moreover, instead of the discharge circuit 44, the control power supply circuit of the control circuit 42A or 42B may be used as the discharge circuit.

[0121] Furthermore, the lighting system 4 may be configured by appropriately combining the configurations of the above-described embodiments and modifications.

[0122] (5) Summary The lighting system (4) of the first aspect according to the embodiment includes a lighting circuit (41), a voltage detection unit (421), an index derivation unit (422), and a deterioration determination unit (423). The lighting circuit (41) lights the light source (2) with power supplied from the battery (3). The voltage detection unit (421) detects the battery voltage (Vb) of the battery (3) and generates data on the detected value of the battery voltage (Vb). The deterioration determination unit (423) performs a deterioration determination process to determine the degree of deterioration of the battery (3). The index derivation unit (422) obtains an index to be used in the deterioration determination process based on the amount of decrease (ΔVb11) of the detected value before and after the battery voltage (Vb) falls due to the start of discharge of the battery (3) and the discharge current (Ib) of the battery (3). The deterioration determination unit (423) performs the deterioration determination process based on the index.

[0123] The lighting system (4) described above can improve the accuracy of determining the degree of deterioration of the battery (3).

[0124] In the lighting system (4) according to the second aspect of the embodiment, in the first aspect, the index derivation unit (422) intermittently calculates the index. Then, it is preferable that the deterioration determination unit (423) determines the degree of deterioration of the battery (3) based on the amount of change in the intermittently calculated index.

[0125] The lighting system (4) described above can improve the accuracy of determining the degree of deterioration of the battery (3).

[0126] In the lighting system (4) of the third aspect according to the embodiment, in the first or second aspect, the index derivation unit (422) preferably determines the impedance (Zb) of the battery (3) as the index.

[0127] The above-described lighting system (4) can improve the accuracy of determining the degree of deterioration of the battery (3) by using the impedance (Zb) of the battery (3), which has a high correlation with the deterioration of the battery (3), as an index.

[0128] In the lighting system (4) of the fourth aspect according to the embodiment, in any one of the first to third aspects, it is preferable that the discharge current (Ib) is controlled to a constant value.

[0129] The lighting system (4) described above improves the accuracy of deriving the index.

[0130] In addition, in the lighting system (4) of the fifth aspect of the embodiment, in the fourth aspect, it is preferable that the discharge current (Ib) is considered to be a constant value and the index derivation unit (422) determines the magnitude of the battery voltage (Vb) as the index.

[0131] In the above-mentioned lighting system (4), if the discharge current (Ib) is constant, the accuracy of determining the degree of deterioration of the battery (3) can be improved by using the magnitude of the battery voltage (Vb) as an index instead of the impedance (Zb).

[0132] In addition, in a lighting system (4) of a sixth aspect of the embodiment, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, it is preferable that the deterioration determination unit (423) calculates the increase slope (Δα(m)) of the index, and determines that the battery (3) is at the end of its life when the increase slope (Δα(m)) of the index becomes equal to or greater than a threshold value (K10).

[0133] The lighting system (4) described above can easily determine the degree of deterioration of the battery (3).

[0134] In the lighting system (4) of the seventh aspect according to the embodiment, in the sixth aspect, it is preferable that the threshold value (K10) is a value based on the increasing slope (K1) of the index in a predetermined period.

[0135] The lighting system (4) described above can set a threshold value (K10) so as to be able to accurately determine the degree of deterioration of the battery (3).

[0136] In addition, in the lighting system (4) of the eighth aspect of the embodiment, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, it is preferable that the deterioration determination unit (423) calculates the increase in the index (Δβ(m+1)) and determines that the battery (3) is at the end of its life when the increase in the index (Δβ(m+1)) becomes equal to or greater than a threshold value (K20).

[0137] The lighting system (4) described above can easily determine the degree of deterioration of the battery (3).

[0138] In the lighting system (4) of the ninth aspect according to the embodiment, in the eighth aspect, it is preferable that the threshold value (K20) is a value based on the amount of increase (Δβ(m)) of the index in a predetermined period.

[0139] The lighting system (4) described above can set a threshold value so as to accurately determine the degree of deterioration of the battery (3).

[0140] In addition, in the lighting system (4) of a tenth aspect according to the present embodiment, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, it is preferable that the lighting system (4) further includes a notification circuit (43, 61) that notifies the result of the deterioration determination process.

[0141] The lighting system (4) described above can notify a user, such as an inspector, of the result of the determination.

[0142] In addition, in the lighting system (4) of an eleventh aspect of the embodiment, in the tenth aspect, it is preferable that the notification circuit (43, 61) notifies the result of the deterioration determination process at a timing based on at least one of the temperature of the battery (3) and the discharge history of the battery (3).

[0143] The lighting system (4) described above can notify the result of the determination, taking into consideration the progress of deterioration of the battery (3) based on at least one of the temperature of the battery (3) and the discharge history of the battery (3).

[0144] A lighting device (1) according to a twelfth aspect of the embodiment includes a lighting system (4A) according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, a light source (2) that is turned on by an output of the lighting system (4A), a battery (3) that supplies power to the lighting system (4A) for turning on the light source (2), and a main body (10) to which the lighting system (4A), the light source (2), and the battery (3) are attached.

[0145] The lighting device (1) described above can improve the accuracy of determining the degree of deterioration of the battery (3). [Explanation of symbols]

[0146] 2 light source 3 batteries 4, 4B lighting system 4A Lighting Device 41 Lighting circuit 421 Voltage detection unit 422 Indicator derivation part 423 Deterioration determination section 43 Announcement Circuit 61 Announcement Circuit 10 Main unit Vb Battery voltage ΔVb11 Amount of decrease in detection value Ib discharge current Zb Battery impedance Δα(m) Increasing slope of index K10 Threshold K20 Threshold K1 Increasing slope of index Δβ(m) Increase in index

Claims

1. A lighting circuit that lights the light source with power supplied from a battery; a voltage detection unit that detects a battery voltage of the battery and generates data of the detected battery voltage; a deterioration determination unit that performs a deterioration determination process to determine a deterioration degree of the battery; A temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the battery; an index derivation unit that determines an index to be used in the deterioration determination process based on an amount of decrease in the detection value before and after the battery voltage drops due to the start of discharging of the battery and a discharge current of the battery; a notification circuit for notifying the user of the life of the battery; a notification control unit that acquires the temperature of the battery measured by the temperature sensor, and causes the notification circuit to perform a life notification of the battery based on the degree of deterioration of the battery determined by the deterioration determination unit and the temperature of the battery; Equipped with The deterioration determination unit performs the deterioration determination process based on the index. Lighting system.

2. The notification control unit changes a timing at which the notification circuit issues the notification of the life of the battery based on the temperature of the battery.

2. The lighting system of claim 1.

3. the notification control unit causes the notification circuit to perform the battery life notification earlier when the temperature of the battery is equal to or higher than a certain temperature than when the temperature of the battery is below the certain temperature.

3. The lighting system of claim 2.

4. A lighting circuit that lights the light source with power supplied from a battery; a voltage detection unit that detects a battery voltage of the battery and generates data of the detected battery voltage; a deterioration determination unit that performs a deterioration determination process to determine a deterioration degree of the battery; A temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the battery; an index derivation unit that determines an index to be used in the deterioration determination process based on an amount of decrease in the detection value before and after the battery voltage drops due to the start of discharging of the battery and a discharge current of the battery; Equipped with The deterioration determination unit acquires the temperature of the battery from the temperature sensor, and performs the deterioration determination process based on the index and the temperature of the battery. Lighting system.

5. the deterioration determination unit changes a condition for determining the deterioration degree of the battery based on the index, based on the temperature of the battery.

5. A lighting system according to claim 4.

6. the deterioration determination unit determines that the degree of deterioration of the battery is greater when the temperature of the battery is equal to or higher than a certain temperature than when the temperature of the battery is lower than the certain temperature.

6. A lighting system according to claim 5.

7. and a notification circuit for notifying a result of the deterioration determination process. A lighting system according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. The deterioration determination unit obtains an increasing slope of the index, and determines that the battery is at the end of its life if the increasing slope of the index is equal to or greater than a threshold value. A lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. The threshold value is a value based on the increasing slope of the index during a predetermined period. The lighting system of claim 8.

10. The deterioration determination unit obtains an increase in the index, and determines that the battery is at the end of its life if the increase in the index is equal to or greater than a threshold value. A lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. The threshold value is a value based on the increase in the index over a predetermined period of time. The lighting system of claim 10.

12. A lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, a light source that is turned on by the output of the lighting system; a battery that supplies power to the lighting system for lighting the light source; a main body in which the lighting system, the light source, and the battery are mounted; A lighting fixture characterized by:

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