Lighting device, lighting device, and lighting fixture

Abstract

To provide a lighting device, an illumination device and a lighting fixture capable of predicting a discharge time of a battery while suppressing the number of components.SOLUTION: In a lighting device 4, a lighting circuit 4g lights a light source 2 by discharge power of a battery 3 in the case of a power failure of an external power source 9. A voltage detection circuit 4h detects a battery voltage Vb of the battery 3. A battery management section 42 manages the battery 3 based on a detection result of the voltage detection circuit 4h. When the light source 2 is turned on, the battery management section 42 creates a prediction formula for predicting a change of the battery voltage based on battery voltages in a plurality of timing, Predicts, using the prediction formula, a discharge time required for the battery voltage Vb to drop to a voltage threshold, outputs a notification signal Yb based on a prediction result of the discharge time, and determines a deterioration degree of the battery based on segments of the prediction formula.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The remaining capacity estimation device described in Patent Document 1 estimates the remaining capacity of a Ni-MH battery. The remaining capacity estimation method performed by this remaining capacity estimation device measures the temperature and internal pressure of the Ni-MH battery at its current remaining capacity, and determines the rate of change of internal pressure with respect to temperature. Furthermore, based on a predetermined correlation between the rate of change and the remaining capacity, the remaining capacity corresponding to the measured rate of change is determined, and the determined remaining capacity is estimated as the current remaining capacity of the Ni-MH battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-63831 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned remaining capacity estimation method requires a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor to measure the temperature and internal pressure of the battery (Ni-MH battery), respectively. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of required parts increases when trying to predict the battery discharge time based on the above-mentioned remaining capacity estimation method.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a lighting device, a lighting device, and a lighting fixture that can predict the discharge time of a battery while reducing the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A lighting device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a lighting circuit, a voltage detection circuit, and a battery management unit. The lighting circuit lights a light source using discharge power from a battery during a power outage of an external power source. The voltage detection circuit detects the battery voltage of the battery. The battery management unit manages the battery based on the detection results of the voltage detection circuit. When the light source is turned on, the battery management unit creates a prediction formula for predicting changes in the battery voltage based on the battery voltage at each of a plurality of timings, predicts the discharge time required for the battery voltage to decrease to a voltage threshold using the prediction formula, outputs a notification signal based on the predicted result of the discharge time, and determines the degree of deterioration of the battery based on the intercept of the prediction formula.

[0007] An illumination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the lighting device described above, the light source, and the battery.

[0008] A lighting fixture according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the lighting device described above and a main body to which at least one of the lighting device, the light source, and the battery is attached. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] As described above, the present disclosure has the effect of making it possible to predict the discharge time of a battery while reducing the number of parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an illumination device including a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of discharge characteristics of a battery included in the lighting device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the discharge time prediction process performed by the lighting device of the above embodiment. [Figure 4] 4A to 4D are diagrams showing the notification operation of the lighting device of the same. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the battery deterioration determination process performed by the lighting device. [Figure 6] Figure 6A is a top view of the lighting fixture, Figure 6B is a bottom view of the lighting fixture, and Figure 6C is a side view of the lighting fixture. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following embodiments generally relate to lighting devices, illumination devices, and lighting fixtures. More specifically, the following embodiments relate to lighting devices, illumination devices, and lighting fixtures that light a light source using discharged power of a battery.

[0012] The drawings described in the embodiments are schematic diagrams, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the components do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios. Note that the configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0013] (Embodiment) (1) Overview of the lighting equipment 1 shows a block diagram of a lighting device 1 including a lighting device 4 according to this embodiment. In addition to the lighting device 4, the lighting device 1 further includes a light source 2 and a battery 3.

[0014] The light source 2 includes at least one solid-state light-emitting element. For example, the light source 2 includes an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are connected in series as a plurality of solid-state light-emitting elements. Note that the light source 2 is not limited to a configuration including LEDs as solid-state light-emitting elements. The light source 2 may include other solid-state light-emitting elements, such as organic electroluminescence (OEL) elements or semiconductor laser diodes (Laser Diodes, LD).

[0015] The battery 3 is a rechargeable storage battery (secondary battery) and corresponds to an emergency power supply. In this embodiment, the battery 3 is a lithium ion battery. By using a lithium ion battery as the battery 3, it is possible to achieve both a small size and an increased capacity for the battery 3.

[0016] The lighting device 4 charges the battery 3 using external power supplied from an external power source (for example, a commercial power system) 9. The lighting device 4 also lights up the light source 2 using the discharged power of the battery 3.

[0017] (2) Lighting device (2.1) Configuration of lighting device As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting device 4 includes a filter 4a, a converter 4b, a constant voltage circuit 4c, a charging circuit 4d, a first control power supply circuit 4e, a second control power supply circuit 4f, a lighting circuit 4g, a voltage detection circuit 4h, a control circuit 4j, and an alarm unit 4k.

[0018] The converter 4b receives an AC input voltage Vi from an external power supply (e.g., a commercial power system) 9 via a filter 4a and converts the AC input voltage Vi into a DC first intermediate voltage Vd1. The converter 4b is a switching power supply circuit, and is configured, for example, with an isolated flyback converter. The DC first intermediate voltage Vd1 output by the converter 4b is preferably lower than the effective value of the AC input voltage Vi supplied from the external power supply 9. The external power supply 9 in this embodiment is a 100V or 200V commercial power system.

[0019] The filter 4a attenuates unnecessary frequency components (such as noise and harmonic components) contained in the current and voltage in the electrical path between the external power supply 9 and the converter 4b.

[0020] The constant voltage circuit 4c converts the first DC intermediate voltage Vd1 output by the converter 4b into a second DC intermediate voltage Vd2. The constant voltage circuit 4c controls the magnitude of the second intermediate voltage Vd2 to a predetermined constant value.

[0021] The charging circuit 4d is configured to receive the second intermediate voltage Vd2 from the constant voltage circuit 4c and to pass a charging current Ic to the battery 3. The operation of the charging circuit 4d is controlled by the control circuit 4j.

[0022] The first control power supply circuit 4e converts the second intermediate voltage Vd2 output by the constant voltage circuit 4c into a DC first control voltage Vc1. The first control power supply circuit 4e is preferably configured as a switching power supply circuit or a linear power supply circuit, and steps down the second intermediate voltage Vd2 to the first control voltage Vc1. The first control power supply circuit 4e generates the first control voltage Vc1 when the external power supply 9 is energized and the second intermediate voltage Vd2 is generated. The first control voltage Vc1 is supplied to the control circuit 4j to operate the control circuit 4j. In other words, the first control voltage Vc1 is a control voltage for operating the control circuit 4j when the external power supply 9 is energized.

[0023] The second control power supply circuit 4f converts the DC battery voltage Vb, which is the voltage of the battery 3, into a DC second control voltage Vc2. The second control power supply circuit 4f is preferably configured as a switching power supply circuit or a linear power supply circuit, and steps down the battery voltage Vb to the second control voltage Vc2. The second control voltage Vc2 is supplied to the control circuit 4j to operate the control circuit 4j. In other words, the second control voltage Vc2 is a control voltage for operating the control circuit 4j when the external power supply 9 fails.

[0024] In this embodiment, the first control voltage Vc1 and the second control voltage Vc2 are equal in magnitude. Therefore, in the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the first control voltage Vc1 and the second control voltage Vc2 as the control voltages of the control circuit 4j, they will be referred to as the control voltage Vc.

[0025] The lighting circuit 4g is configured to light the light source 2 with the discharge power of the battery 3 when the external power supply 9 fails. In this embodiment, the lighting circuit 4g converts the DC current supplied from the battery 3 into a constant current and supplies it as a load current Io to the light source 2. The operation of the lighting circuit 4g is controlled by the control circuit 4j.

[0026] The voltage detection circuit 4h detects the battery voltage Vb and outputs a voltage detection signal Ya including the detection result of the battery voltage Vb to the control circuit 4j. For example, the voltage detection circuit 4h includes a plurality of resistors connected in series, and outputs a divided voltage obtained by dividing the battery voltage Vb by the plurality of resistors to the control circuit 4j as the voltage detection signal Ya.

[0027] The control circuit 4j includes a charge / discharge control unit 41 and a battery management unit 42. The control circuit 4j preferably includes a computer system. The computer system mainly includes a processor and a memory as hardware. At least a portion of the functions of the control circuit 4j in the present disclosure are realized by the processor executing a program stored in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-stored in the memory of the computer system, provided via a telecommunications line, or provided in a non-transitory recording medium readable by the computer system, such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive. The processor of the computer system includes one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The term "integrated circuit" as used here refers to an integrated circuit such as an IC or LSI, and includes integrated circuits called system LSIs, very large-scale integration (VLSIs), or ultra-large-scale integration (ULSIs). Furthermore, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), which is programmable after the LSI is manufactured, or a logic device capable of reconfiguring the connections within the LSI or the circuit partitions within the LSI, can also be used as the processor. The electronic circuits may be integrated into one chip or distributed across multiple chips. The chips may be integrated into one device or distributed across multiple devices. The computer system referred to here 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 charge / discharge control unit 41 has a control function for controlling the charging circuit 4d and the lighting circuit 4g, and a power failure detection function for detecting a power failure of the external power supply 9.

[0029] In this embodiment, the charge / discharge control unit 41 monitors the first control voltage Vc1, and determines that the external power supply 9 is in a conducting state if the first control voltage Vc1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage, and determines that the external power supply 9 is in a power outage state if the first control voltage Vc1 is lower than the predetermined voltage. Note that the charge / discharge control unit 41 may also detect a power outage of the external power supply 9 based on the magnitude of the first intermediate voltage Vd1 or the second intermediate voltage Vd2.

[0030] If the external power source 9 is energized, the charge / discharge control unit 41 stops the operation of the lighting circuit 4g and activates the charging circuit 4d. If the external power source 9 is in a power outage, the charge / discharge control unit 41 stops the operation of the charging circuit 4d and activates the lighting circuit 4g. That is, when the external power source 9 is energized, the lighting device 4 turns off the light source 2 and charges the battery 3 using external power supplied from the external power source 9. If the external power source 9 is in a power outage, the lighting device 4 stops charging the battery 3 and activates the light source 2 using the discharged power of the battery 3.

[0031] Furthermore, when an inspection of the lighting device 1 is instructed, the charge / discharge control unit 41 stops the operation of the charging circuit 4d and operates the lighting circuit 4g. That is, when the lighting device 4 is inspected, the lighting device 4 stops charging the battery 3 and lights the light source 2 using the discharged power of the battery 3. Note that inspections of the lighting device 1 include periodic inspections performed at legally determined intervals and user inspections performed by the user.

[0032] The battery management unit 42 has a battery management function that manages the battery 3 based on the detection result of the voltage detection circuit 4h. The battery management unit 42 of this embodiment has an AD conversion function and generates a digital voltage detection signal by performing AD conversion on the analog voltage detection signal Ya. That is, the battery management unit 42 generates a sample value of the battery voltage Vb for each sampling period. The battery management unit 42 monitors the battery voltage Vb based on the sample values ​​of the battery voltage Vb at each of multiple timings for each sampling period. Then, when the light source 2 is turned on, the battery management unit 42 predicts the discharge time required for the battery voltage Vb to decrease to the voltage threshold based on the change in the battery voltage Vb, and outputs a notification signal Yb based on the predicted discharge time to the notification unit 4k.

[0033] The notification unit 4k has a notification function of receiving the notification signal Yb and providing notification based on the predicted discharge time. For example, the notification unit 4k includes a display element 401 having at least one LED, and provides notification by turning on, off, or blinking the display element 401.

[0034] (2.2) Operation of the battery management unit (2.2.1) Discharge time prediction As described above, the battery 3 is charged when the external power source 9 is energized, and discharges when the external power source 9 fails or when the lighting device 1 is inspected. The battery 3 is required to have the capacity to keep the light source 2 lit for a specified time (20 minutes, 30 minutes, or 60 minutes) during a power outage or inspection.

[0035] Therefore, when the light source 2 is turned on, the battery management unit 42 predicts the discharge time required for the battery voltage Vb to drop to the voltage threshold value based on the change in the battery voltage Vb.

[0036] In this embodiment, the battery 3 is a lithium-ion battery, and FIG. 2 shows the discharge characteristic Yd (change in battery voltage Vb over time) of the battery 3. When discharge of the battery 3 begins at start time t0, the light source 2 transitions from an off state to an on state. The battery voltage Vb drops sharply immediately after start time t0, then continues to drop gradually and almost flatly for a while, and then drops sharply again at the end of the discharge. In the discharge characteristic Yd of the battery 3, the region where the battery voltage Vb drops gradually and almost flatly is called the plateau region PR. In the plateau region PR, the slope of the drop in the battery voltage Vb due to discharge is smaller than in the regions before and after the plateau region PR, and the battery voltage Vb drops almost flatly.

[0037] The battery management unit 42 extracts a plateau region PR from the change characteristics of the battery voltage Vb. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when the battery 3 having the above-described discharge characteristics Yd starts discharging at start time t0, the battery management unit 42 performs AD conversion on the voltage detection signal Ya to generate a sample value Ys of the battery voltage Vb at each sampling period. The battery management unit 42 monitors the change in the battery voltage Vb based on the sample value Ys of the battery voltage Vb. If the slope of the decrease in the battery voltage Vb is within a reference range, the battery management unit 42 determines that the decrease in the battery voltage Vb is a change in the battery voltage Vb in the plateau region PR. The reference range is determined by calculating the slope of the decrease in the battery voltage Vb in the plateau region of a new battery 3 and setting it as a predetermined range that includes the slope of the decrease in the battery voltage Vb of the new battery 3. For example, after a new battery 3 is installed in the lighting device 1, the battery management unit 42 measures the discharge characteristics of the battery 3. The battery management unit 42 then generates reference range data based on the measurement results and stores the reference range data in the memory of the control circuit 4j. Alternatively, the discharge characteristics of each of the plurality of batteries 3 may be measured in advance by an external device, and reference range data based on the measurement results may be stored in the memory of the control circuit 4j. Alternatively, reference range data based on the results of a simulation based on the specifications of the batteries 3 may be stored in the memory of the control circuit 4j. Therefore, the battery management unit 42 extracts the plateau region PR from the slope of the decrease in the battery voltage Vb, and therefore can extract the plateau region PR with high accuracy.

[0038] Then, when the battery management unit 42 acquires a predetermined number or more of sample values ​​Ys of the battery voltage Vb after the start point t1 of the plateau region PR, the battery management unit 42 creates a prediction formula for predicting a change in the battery voltage Vb based on the plurality of sample values ​​Ys. For example, the battery management unit 42 performs linear interpolation on the plurality of sample values ​​Ys to create a prediction formula Fo (see FIG. 3) that is a linear function that expresses the battery voltage Vb as a linear expression of time. The prediction formula Fo can be expressed, for example, as Vb = αt + β (α and β are constants). By using the prediction formula Fo as a linear function, the battery management unit 42 can easily create the prediction formula Fo. Note that the battery management unit 42 may use, as the prediction formula, an approximation curve calculated from the plurality of sample values ​​Ys using the least squares method or the like.

[0039] Next, the battery management unit 42 predicts the discharge time Ta using the prediction formula Fo. Using the prediction formula Fo, the battery management unit 42 predicts the time from the start time t0 of discharge until the battery voltage Vb drops to a predetermined voltage threshold K1 as the discharge time Ta. Data on the voltage threshold K1 is stored in the memory of the control circuit 4j. In this embodiment, the voltage threshold K1 is the value of the battery voltage Vb in the plateau region PR. For example, the discharge characteristics of each of the multiple batteries 3 (preferably each of the multiple batteries 3 is new) are measured in advance using an external device, and a value of the battery voltage Vb belonging to a representative plateau region based on the measurement results is set as the voltage threshold K1. By setting the voltage threshold K1 to a value within the plateau region PR, the battery management unit 42 can extract changes in the battery voltage Vb in the plateau region PR.

[0040] As described above, the battery management unit 42 predicts the discharge time Ta based on the change in the battery voltage Vb in the plateau region PR of the discharge characteristic Yd of the battery 3. Therefore, the battery management unit 42 can accurately predict the discharge time Ta.

[0041] The battery management unit 42 compares the predicted discharge time Ta with a predetermined specified time (20 minutes, 30 minutes, or 60 minutes) and generates a notification signal Yb based on the comparison result. The notification unit 4k turns on, turns off, or blinks the display element 401 based on the notification signal Yb. Figures 4A to 4D show an example of the notification operation by the display element 401.

[0042] If the predicted discharge time Ta is equal to or greater than a first time longer than a specified time, the display element 401 remains extinguished as shown in FIG. 4A. If the predicted discharge time Ta is equal to or greater than a specified time but less than the first time longer than the specified time, the display element 401 blinks at a relatively long cycle T1 as shown in FIG. 4B. If the predicted discharge time Ta is equal to or greater than a second time shorter than the specified time but less than the specified time, the display element 401 blinks at a cycle T2 shorter than the cycle T1 as shown in FIG. 4C. If the predicted discharge time Ta is less than the second time, the display element 401 blinks at a cycle T3 shorter than the cycle T2 as shown in FIG. 4D. In other words, the shorter the predicted discharge time Ta, the shorter the blinking cycle of the display element 401. For example, the cycle T1 is 4 seconds, the cycle T2 is 1 second, and the cycle T3 is 0.5 seconds.

[0043] The notification unit 4k may also provide a sound notification, such as an intermittent buzzer sound or a message such as "The lights will be turned off soon."

[0044] Furthermore, it is preferable that the notification unit 4k issues a notification when the battery 3 is discharging. That is, the battery management unit 42 predicts the discharge time Ta while the battery 3 is discharging and the light source 2 is on, and generates the notification signal Yb. The notification unit 4k then issues a notification operation while the battery 3 is discharging and the light source 2 is on. Therefore, the user can know the predicted discharge time Ta before the battery 3 is completely discharged.

[0045] As described above, the lighting device 4 can predict the discharge time Ta of the battery 3 based on the battery voltage Vb, and does not need to be equipped with a pressure sensor or a temperature sensor. Therefore, the lighting device 4 can predict the discharge time Ta of the battery 3 with a reduced number of components.

[0046] Furthermore, the user can know from the notification operation of the notification unit 4k whether or not the light source 2 can be turned on for a specified time using the battery 3. As a result, the user can be aware of the need to prepare for battery 3 replacement and the necessity of battery 3 replacement.

[0047] Furthermore, by using a lithium-ion battery for battery 3, the amount of change in battery voltage Vb in the plateau region can be made larger than when a nickel-metal hydride battery is used. Therefore, by using a lithium-ion battery for battery 3, battery management unit 42 can easily create prediction formula Fo. If a nickel-metal hydride battery is used for battery 3, the amount of change in battery voltage Vb in the plateau region becomes too small, making it difficult to create prediction formula Fo.

[0048] (2.2.2) Battery Deterioration Assessment FIG. 5 shows discharge characteristics Yd1 and Yd2 as the respective discharge characteristics Yd of two different batteries 3. If the discharge time Ta of the discharge characteristic Yd1 is Ta1 and the discharge time Ta of the discharge characteristic Yd2 is Ta2, the discharge time Ta2 is shorter than the discharge time Ta1. That is, in FIG. 5, the battery 3 having the discharge characteristic Yd2 is more deteriorated than the battery 3 having the discharge characteristic Yd1. In FIG. 5, the sample value Ys of the battery voltage Vb corresponding to the discharge characteristic Yd1 is represented by Ys1, and the sample value Ys of the battery voltage Vb corresponding to the discharge characteristic Yd2 is represented by Ys2.

[0049] Therefore, the battery management unit 42 determines the degree of deterioration of the battery 3 using the above-mentioned prediction formula Fo. Specifically, the battery management unit 42 determines the degree of deterioration of the battery 3 based on the intercept of the prediction formula Fo. If the prediction formula Fo corresponding to the discharge characteristic Yd1 is Fo1 and the prediction formula Fo corresponding to the discharge characteristic Yd2 is Fo2, the intercept of the prediction formula Fo1 is Vb1 and the intercept of the prediction formula Fo2 is Vb2, with a relationship of Vb1 > Vb2. The battery management unit 42 determines that the smaller the intercept value, the greater the degree of deterioration of the battery 3 (more advanced deterioration). In FIG. 5, the battery 3 having the discharge characteristic Yd2 is more deteriorated than the battery 3 having the discharge characteristic Yd1.

[0050] The battery management unit 42 may also determine the degree of deterioration of the battery 3 based on the duration of the plateau region. In Fig. 5, the plateau region PR of the discharge characteristic Yd1 is PR1, and the plateau region PR of the discharge characteristic Yd2 is PR2, with the duration of PR1 being greater than the duration of PR2. The battery management unit 42 determines that the shorter the duration of the plateau region PR, the greater the degree of deterioration of the battery 3 (more advanced the deterioration). In Fig. 5, the battery 3 having the discharge characteristic Yd2 is more deteriorated than the battery 3 having the discharge characteristic Yd1.

[0051] The battery management unit 42 generates a notification signal Yb according to the degree of deterioration of the battery 3. The notification unit 4k turns on, turns off, or blinks the display element 401 based on the notification signal Yb. In this case, the notification unit 4k differentiates the notification operation of the predicted result of the discharge time Ta from the notification operation of the degree of deterioration of the battery 3. For example, the notification unit 4k changes the light color of the display element 401 when notifying the predicted result of the discharge time Ta from the light color when notifying the degree of deterioration of the battery 3.

[0052] The notification unit 4k may also provide a sound notification, such as an intermittent buzzer sound or a message such as "The battery is deteriorating. Please replace the battery."

[0053] Therefore, the user can know the degree of deterioration of the battery 3 through the notification operation of the notification unit 4k. As a result, the user can be aware of the need to prepare for battery 3 replacement and the need to replace the battery 3.

[0054] (3) Structure of lighting fixtures 6A to 6C is a battery-powered disaster prevention lighting fixture installed in buildings such as apartment buildings, detached houses, office buildings, and commercial facilities, and is a recessed emergency light that is recessed into a recessed hole in the ceiling of the building. However, the lighting fixture is not limited to a recessed emergency light. The lighting fixture may be a surface-mounted emergency light that is directly attached to the ceiling, or may be a disaster prevention lighting fixture other than an emergency light, such as an emergency exit light.

[0055] 6A to 6C, an example of the structure of a lighting fixture E1 including a light source 2, a battery 3, and a lighting device 4 will be described below. The lighting fixture E1 according to this embodiment is attached to a building material such as a ceiling or wall material, and emits illumination light to an evacuation passageway or the like during a power outage.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the lighting fixture E1 includes a main body 10, a cover 11, and a pair of supports 12.

[0057] 6A and 6B, 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.

[0058] As shown in Figures 6A to 6C, the pair of supports 12 are formed in the shape of long leaf springs. One longitudinal end of each support 12 is fixed to the side of the main body 10, and the other longitudinal end 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.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the cover 11 is formed in a disk shape that is larger than the outer diameter of the flange 100 of the main body 10. As shown in FIG. 6B, 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. 6C, the pair of mounting springs hold the cover 11 to the main body 10 in a state in which the cover 11 closes the bottom surface of the main body 10.

[0060] The main body 10 is fitted with a light source 2, a battery 3, and a lighting device 4 (see FIG. 1). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6B, the light source unit 2U, the battery unit 3U, and the lighting unit 4U are housed within the main body 10. However, the battery unit 3U is housed within the main body 10 so as to be insertable and removable through an opening in the bottom surface of the main body 10.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 6B, the light source unit 2U includes an LED module 20 and a lens 21. The LED module 20 has a substrate on which the light source 2 (see Fig. 1) 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.

[0062] The battery unit 3U shown in Fig. 6B has a battery 3 (see Fig. 1) that includes multiple cells, and a battery case that houses the battery 3. The battery 3 is, for example, a lithium ion battery. The battery case is made of an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin and has a box shape, and houses the multiple cells inside.

[0063] The lighting unit 4U shown in FIG. 6B includes a lighting device 4 (see FIG. 1). The cover 11 has one hole 111a and three holes 111b. The display element 401 of the lighting device 4 is disposed facing the hole 111a. Light emitted from the display element 401 is emitted downward through the hole 111a. Three other display elements (not shown) are disposed facing the three holes 111b, respectively. The other three display elements turn on, off, or blink depending on the results of an inspection in which the light source 2 of the lighting fixture E1 is forcibly turned on. The light emitted from the other three display elements is emitted downward through the three holes 111b. Note that inspections of the lighting fixture E1 include periodic inspections performed at legally required intervals and user inspections performed by the user. In this embodiment, the light color of the display element 401 is preferably different from the light colors of the other three display elements. For example, if the light colors of the other three display elements are green and red, the light color of the display element 401 will be a color other than green and red (for example, blue).

[0064] (4) Variations The lighting fixture is not limited to a battery-equipped disaster prevention lighting fixture like lighting fixture E1 in FIGS. 6A to 6C, which houses the light source 2, battery 3, and lighting device 4 in a single main body 10. The lighting fixture may be a separately powered disaster prevention lighting fixture in which the light source 2, lighting device 4, and battery 3 are configured separately, and the lighting device 4 receives power from a battery 3 installed in the building to light the light source 2 in an emergency. Alternatively, the control circuit 4j may be separated from the main body, and the control circuit 4j may control the charging and discharging of the battery 3 of each of the multiple lighting fixtures, as well as the turning on and off of the light source 2. In this case, it is preferable that a control circuit 4j is installed for each building or for each floor of the building.

[0065] Furthermore, the battery 3 is not limited to a particular type of secondary battery, and may be, for example, a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lead-acid battery.

[0066] The lighting device 4 also includes various circuits such as a filter 4a, a converter 4b, a constant voltage circuit 4c, a charging circuit 4d, a first control power supply circuit 4e, a second control power supply circuit 4f, a lighting circuit 4g, a voltage detection circuit 4h, a temperature detection circuit 4i, and a control circuit 4j. The lighting device 4 may be configured so that each of the above-mentioned circuits is included in a single device, or may be configured so that each circuit is distributed across multiple devices.

[0067] Although FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the lighting device 4 includes the notification unit 4k, a device other than the lighting device 4 may also include the notification function. For example, the lighting device 4 may include a communication unit and transmit the notification signal Yb to an information terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or a dedicated terminal. Based on the notification signal Yb, the information terminal performs an operation of notifying the predicted result of the discharge time Ta, or an operation of notifying the predicted result of the discharge time Ta and the degree of deterioration of the battery 3. Communication between the lighting device 4 and the information terminal may be either wireless or wired. The wireless communication preferably complies with standards such as wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or ZigBee (registered trademark). The wired communication preferably complies with standards for a wired LAN (Local Area Network) such as Ethernet (registered trademark). Note that the wireless communication and the wired communication may be based on dedicated communication standards.

[0068] (5) Summary A lighting device (4) according to a first aspect of the above-described embodiment includes a lighting circuit (4g), a voltage detection circuit (4h), and a battery management unit (42). The lighting circuit (4g) lights the light source (2) using the discharge power of the battery (3) when the external power source (9) experiences a power outage. The voltage detection circuit (4h) detects the battery voltage (Vb) of the battery (3). The battery management unit (42) manages the battery (3) based on the detection result of the voltage detection circuit (4h). When the light source (2) is turned on, the battery management unit (42) predicts, based on a change in the battery voltage (Vb), a discharge time (Ta) required for the battery voltage (Vb) to decrease to a voltage threshold (K1), and outputs a notification signal (Yb) based on the predicted result of the discharge time (Ta).

[0069] The lighting device (4) described above can predict the discharge time (Ta) of the battery (3) while reducing the number of components.

[0070] In the lighting device (4) of the second aspect of the embodiment, in the first aspect, the battery management unit (42) preferably creates a prediction formula (Fo) for predicting a change in the battery voltage (Vb) based on the battery voltage (Vb) at each of a plurality of timings. The battery management unit (42) predicts the discharge time (Ta) using the prediction formula (Fo).

[0071] The lighting device (4) described above can create a prediction formula (Fo) based on the sample value (Ys) of the battery voltage (Vb).

[0072] In addition, in the lighting device (4) of the third aspect of the embodiment, in the second aspect, it is preferable that the battery management unit (42) creates, as the prediction formula (Fo), an equation of a linear function in which the battery voltage (Vb) is expressed as a linear function of time.

[0073] The above-mentioned lighting device (4) allows the prediction formula (Fo) to be easily created.

[0074] In addition, in the lighting device (4) of the fourth aspect of the embodiment, in the second or third aspect, the battery management unit (42) preferably determines the degree of deterioration of the battery (3) based on the intercept of the prediction formula (Fo).

[0075] The lighting device (4) described above can easily determine the degree of deterioration of the battery (3).

[0076] In addition, in the lighting device (4) of the fifth aspect of the embodiment, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, it is preferable that the battery management unit (42) predicts the discharge time (Ta) based on a change in the battery voltage (Vb) in the plateau region (PR) of the discharge characteristic (Yd) of the battery (3).

[0077] The lighting device (4) described above can accurately predict the discharge time (Ta).

[0078] In addition, in the lighting device (4) of the sixth aspect of the embodiment, in the fifth aspect, it is preferable that the battery management unit (42) determines that the decrease in the battery voltage (Vb) is a change in the battery voltage (Vb) in a plateau region (PR) if the slope of the decrease in the battery voltage (Vb) is within a reference range.

[0079] The lighting device (4) described above can extract the plateau region (PR) with high accuracy.

[0080] In addition, in the lighting device (4) of the seventh aspect of the embodiment, in the fifth or sixth aspect, it is preferable that the battery management unit (42) uses the value of the battery voltage (Vb) in the plateau region (PR) as the voltage threshold (K1).

[0081] The lighting device (4) described above can extract the change in the battery voltage (Vb) in the plateau region (PR).

[0082] In addition, in the lighting device (4) of an eighth aspect of the embodiment, in any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, it is preferable that the battery management unit (42) determines the degree of deterioration of the battery (3) based on the time length of the plateau region (PR) of the discharge characteristic (Yd) of the battery (3).

[0083] The lighting device (4) described above can easily determine the degree of deterioration of the battery (3).

[0084] In addition, it is preferable that the lighting device (4) of the ninth aspect of the embodiment, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, further comprises a notification unit (4k) that receives the notification signal (Yb) and makes a notification based on the prediction result of the discharge time (Ta).

[0085] The lighting device (4) described above can make the user aware of the need to prepare for battery (3) replacement and the necessity of battery (3) replacement.

[0086] In the lighting device (4) of the tenth aspect of the embodiment, in the ninth aspect, it is preferable that the notification unit (4k) issues a notification when the battery (3) is discharging.

[0087] The lighting device (4) described above can notify the user of the predicted discharge time (Ta) before the battery (3) is completely discharged.

[0088] An illumination device (1) according to an eleventh aspect of the embodiment includes the lighting device (4) according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, a light source (2), and a battery (3).

[0089] The lighting device (1) described above can predict the discharge time (Ta) of the battery (3) while reducing the number of parts.

[0090] In the lighting device (1) according to the twelfth aspect of the embodiment, in the eleventh aspect, it is preferable that the battery (3) is a lithium ion battery.

[0091] The prediction formula (Fo) can be easily created for the lighting device (1) described above. Furthermore, the lighting device (1) can achieve both a compact size and an increased capacity for the battery (3).

[0092] In addition, in the lighting device (1) of the thirteenth aspect according to the present embodiment, in the eleventh or twelfth aspect, it is preferable that the battery (3) is configured separately from the light source (2).

[0093] The above-mentioned lighting device (1) can be configured as a lighting device with a separate power supply.

[0094] Furthermore, a lighting fixture (E1) according to a fourteenth aspect of the present embodiment includes a lighting device (1) according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, and a main body (10) to which at least one of a lighting device (4), a light source (2), and a battery (3) is attached.

[0095] The lighting fixture (E1) described above can predict the discharge time (Ta) of the battery (3) while reducing the number of parts. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] E1 lighting fixture 1. Lighting equipment 2 light source 3 batteries 4 Lighting device 4g lighting circuit 4h Voltage detection circuit 4k Information Department 42 Battery Management Department 9 External power supply 10 Main Unit Fo prediction formula K1 voltage threshold PR plateau region Ta discharge time Vb Battery voltage Yb broadcast signal Yd discharge characteristics

Claims

1. a lighting circuit that lights the light source using discharged power from the battery when the external power supply is out of service; a voltage detection circuit for detecting a battery voltage of the battery; a battery management unit that manages the battery based on a detection result of the voltage detection circuit, The battery management unit creating a prediction formula for predicting a change in the battery voltage based on the battery voltage at each of a plurality of timings when the light source is turned on, predicting a discharge time required for the battery voltage to decrease to a voltage threshold using the prediction formula, and outputting a notification signal based on the predicted result of the discharge time; The degree of deterioration of the battery is determined based on the intercept of the prediction formula. Lighting device.

2. The battery management unit creates a linear function expression that expresses the battery voltage as a linear function of time as the prediction expression. The lighting device of claim 1.

3. a notification unit that receives the notification signal and provides notification based on the predicted discharge time; The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The notification unit issues the notification when the battery is discharging. The lighting device of claim 3.

5. A lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; the light source; The battery Lighting equipment.

6. The battery is a lithium ion battery.

6. The lighting device of claim 5.

7. The battery is configured separately from the light source.

7. The lighting device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. A lighting device according to any one of claims 5 to 7; a main body to which at least one of the lighting device, the light source, and the battery is attached; A lighting fixture characterized by:

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