Communication cables, lighting batons and lighting systems

A communication cable with direct fixture connections and a lighting baton with a signal converter simplifies the connection of multiple lighting fixtures, reducing the time and complexity of the wiring process.

JP7766259B2Active Publication Date: 2025-11-10PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021118222
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-07-16
Publication Date
2025-11-10
Estimated Expiration
2041-07-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Connecting communication cables to multiple lighting fixtures in a studio or stage setting is time-consuming as the number of fixtures increases.

Method used

A communication cable with multiple signal lines and fixture connection points, where each signal line is connected to a specific fixture connection point, and a lighting baton with a cylindrical housing and signal converter, simplifying the connection process.

Benefits of technology

Simplifies the task of connecting communication cables to multiple lighting fixtures by allowing direct electrical connections to each fixture, reducing the time and complexity of the wiring process.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To simplify work of connecting a communication cable to a plurality of lighting fixtures.SOLUTION: A communication cable 10 transmits a signal for controlling a plurality of lighting fixtures L. The communication cable includes a plurality of signal lines S sequentially arranged along a direction of transmitting the signal, and a plurality of fixture connection points P electrically connected to the plurality of lighting fixtures L. The n-th (n is an integer of one or more) signal line Sn among the plurality of signal lines S is connected to the n-th fixture connection point Pn among the plurality of fixture connection points P, and the n-th fixture connection point Pn is electrically connected to the n-th lighting fixture Ln among the plurality of lighting fixtures L. The (n+1)-th signal line Sn+1 different from the n-th signal line Sn is connected to the n-th fixture connection point Pn and the (n+1)-th fixture connection point Pn+1 different from the n-th fixture connection point Pn, and the (n+1)-th fixture connection point Pn+1 is electrically connected to the (n+1)-th lighting fixture Ln+1 different from the n-th lighting fixture Ln.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication cable, a lighting baton and a lighting system. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a lighting system that includes a plurality of lighting fixtures installed in a studio, a stage, etc. In this lighting system, lighting control signals for controlling the lighting fixtures are input to the lighting fixtures, and dimming control and color adjustment control of the plurality of lighting fixtures is performed (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-289365 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, a communication cable for transmitting a lighting control signal is connected to each of a plurality of lighting fixtures. However, when the number of lighting fixtures increases, the work of connecting communication cables to the plurality of lighting fixtures at a site such as a studio or a stage becomes time-consuming.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a communication cable, a lighting baton, and a lighting system that can simplify the task of connecting a communication cable to multiple lighting fixtures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the communication cable of the present invention is a communication cable for transmitting signals for controlling a plurality of lighting fixtures, the communication cable having a plurality of signal lines arranged in order along the signal transmission direction, and a plurality of fixture connection points electrically connected to the plurality of lighting fixtures, wherein a signal line from a start end to a terminal end of the communication cable is constituted by the plurality of signal lines, and an n-th signal line (n is an integer of 1 or more) of the plurality of signal lines is connected to the n-th fixture connection point of the plurality of fixture connection points. directly The nth fixture connection point is electrically connected to an nth lighting fixture among the plurality of lighting fixtures, and an (n+1)th signal line different from the nth signal line is electrically connected to the nth fixture connection point and an (n+1)th fixture connection point different from the nth fixture connection point. Directly to each of The (n+1)th fixture connection point is electrically connected to an (n+1)th lighting fixture that is different from the nth lighting fixture.

[0007] One aspect of the lighting baton of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned communication cable, a cylindrical housing that stores at least a portion of the communication cable, and a signal converter that is connected to a first signal line among the multiple signal lines included in the communication cable.

[0008] One aspect of the lighting system of the present invention includes the above-described communication cable, a signal converter connected to a first signal line among the plurality of signal lines included in the communication cable, and a plurality of lighting fixtures connected to the signal converter via the communication cable. The fixture connection point is electrically connected to the input port and the output port of the lighting fixture, but not to the output port. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the communication cable, lighting baton, and lighting system of the present invention, the task of connecting a communication cable to multiple lighting fixtures can be simplified. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting system of Comparative Example 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting system of Comparative Example 2. As shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the communication cable according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a wiring structure in a communication cable according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a lighting system according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a wiring structure in a communication cable according to a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Background to the invention) The process leading to the present invention will be explained with reference to Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting system 101 of a first comparative example.

[0013] The lighting system 101 of Comparative Example 1 includes a lighting baton 105, a signal converter 130, a plurality of lighting fixtures L, and a plurality of communication cables 110. The signal converter 130 is suspended from the lighting baton 105. The plurality of lighting fixtures L are also suspended from the lighting baton 105 (not shown). The signal converter 130 and the plurality of lighting fixtures L are communicatively connected by the plurality of communication cables 110. For example, a lighting control signal output from a dimming console (not shown) is converted by the signal converter 130 into a signal based on the DMX (Digital Multiplex: registered trademark) standard and transmitted to the plurality of lighting fixtures L. The dimming and color adjustment of each lighting fixture L is controlled by this signal.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, in this lighting system 101, the signal converter 130 and multiple lighting fixtures L are communicatively connected via a daisy chain. This requires the preparation of multiple communication cables 110. Furthermore, in this lighting system 101, work is required to connect two adjacent lighting fixtures L with the communication cables 110 on site, such as in a studio or on a stage. Specifically, it is necessary to connect the communication cable 110 to an output port (e.g., a through port) Op of one lighting fixture L, and to connect the same communication cable 110 to an input port Ip of the other lighting fixture L. This poses a problem in that the work of connecting the communication cables 110 to multiple lighting fixtures L is time-consuming.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting system 101A of a second comparative example.

[0016] The lighting system 101A of Comparative Example 2 includes a lighting baton 105A, multiple signal converters 130A, multiple lighting fixtures L, and multiple communication cables 110A. The multiple signal converters 130A are provided inside the lighting baton 105A. Each of the multiple lighting fixtures L is communicatively connected to the multiple signal converters 130A by the multiple communication cables 110A that pass through the interior of the lighting baton 105A.

[0017] 2, multiple lighting fixtures L are connected to the output ports of signal converter 130A in a one-to-one correspondence. Therefore, if the number of lighting fixtures L increases, the number of output ports becomes insufficient, and multiple signal converters 130A are required. Furthermore, if the distance between signal converter 130 and lighting fixture L increases, the task of connecting communication cable 110A to multiple lighting fixtures L becomes time-consuming.

[0018] In contrast, the lighting system, lighting baton, and communication cable of this embodiment have the configuration shown below, which makes it possible to simplify the task of connecting a communication cable to multiple lighting fixtures.

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below represents a preferred specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement positions, and connection forms shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present invention will be described as optional components.

[0020] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0021] (Embodiment) The configuration of the lighting system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting system 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 also shows a dimming console 60 that outputs a lighting control signal.

[0023] The lighting system 1 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of lighting fixtures L1 to L6, a lighting baton 5 including a communication cable 10, and a signal converter 30. In Fig. 3, the communication cable 10 is indicated by a dashed line, the lighting baton 5 is indicated by a thick dashed line, and other components are indicated by solid lines. Hereinafter, some or all of the plurality of lighting fixtures L1 to L6 may be referred to as lighting fixture L.

[0024] Lighting fixture L has multiple light-emitting elements. The light-emitting elements emit red, green, blue, white, or yellow light. Lighting fixture L is hung from lighting batons 5 installed on the ceiling of the studio or stage, and irradiates the studio or stage with illumination light. While six lighting fixtures L1 to L6 are shown in FIG. 3, the number of lighting fixtures L is not limited to this. The number of lighting fixtures L hung from lighting batons 5 may be two or more, or seven or more.

[0025] The lighting baton 5 is a member for suspending the lighting fixture L, and is installed, for example, so that it can be raised and lowered relative to the ceiling. The lighting baton 5 may also be fixed to the ceiling. The lighting baton 5 has a cylindrical housing 50. The housing 50 has a hollow circular or polygonal shape in a cross section perpendicular to the direction in which the lighting baton 5 extends. A portion of the communication cable 10 is stored inside the housing 50. The housing 50 also has one or more holes. The remaining portion of the communication cable 10 is pulled out to the floor side through this hole.

[0026] The signal converter 30 serves as a node connecting the lighting control console 60 and the lighting fixtures L. The signal converter 30 is communicatively connected to the lighting control console 60 via a cable based on the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard and to the lighting fixtures L via a communication cable 10 based on the DMX standard. That is, the signal converter 30 converts an Ethernet-based lighting control signal transmitted from the lighting control console 60 into a DMX-based signal and outputs the signal to the lighting fixtures L. The lighting control signal includes an address for identifying each lighting fixture L. The lighting fixtures L are subjected to color adjustment and dimming control based on the signal output from the signal converter 30. In FIG. 3 , one signal converter 30 is disposed inside the housing 50 of the lighting baton 5, but this is not limiting. For example, multiple signal converters 30 may be disposed inside the housing 50, or may be disposed outside the housing 50.

[0027] The communication cable 10 is a cable that transmits the signal output from the signal converter 30, i.e., the signal that controls the lighting fixture L. As shown in Fig. 3, the communication cable 10 has a trunk line portion 10a and multiple branch line portions 10b.

[0028] The trunk line 10a is provided inside the housing 50 of the lighting baton 5. The starting end of the trunk line 10a is connected to one output port of the signal converter 30, and the ending end of the trunk line 10a is connected to a termination device 40 arranged inside the housing 50. The root portion, which is one end of the branch line 10b, is connected to the trunk line 10a, and a connector 20 is connected to the tip portion, which is the other end of the branch line 10b. The branch line 10b passes through a hole in the housing 50 and is pulled out below the housing 50. Each connector 20 is provided outside the housing 50 of the lighting baton 5.

[0029] Here, the wiring structure of the communication cable 10 will be described, focusing on the signal transmission path within the communication cable 10.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, the communication cable 10 has a plurality of signal lines S1 to S7 arranged in order along the signal transmission direction, and a plurality of fixture connection points P1 to P6 electrically connected to a plurality of lighting fixtures L. The signal line from the start to the end of the communication cable 10 is made up of the plurality of signal lines S1 to S7. Each of the plurality of fixture connection points P1 to P6 is, for example, a terminal of a connector 20. Hereinafter, some or all of the plurality of signal lines S1 to S7 may be referred to as a signal line S, and some or all of the plurality of fixture connection points P1 to P6 may be referred to as a fixture connection point P.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the first signal line S1 connected to the signal converter 30 is connected to a first fixture connection point P1. The first fixture connection point P1 is electrically connected to a first lighting fixture L1. The second signal line S2 is connected to both the first fixture connection point P1 and a second fixture connection point P2. The second fixture connection point P2 is electrically connected to a second lighting fixture L2.

[0032] The same applies to the third to seventh signal lines S3 to S7, the third to sixth fixture connection points P3 to P6, and the third to sixth lighting fixtures L3 to L6. The connection relationship between the signal line S of the communication cable 10, the fixture connection points P, and the lighting fixtures L is expressed as follows using n (n is an integer of 1 or greater):

[0033] That is, the n-th signal line S among the plurality of signal lines S n is the nth fixture connection point P among the multiple fixture connection points P n The nth fixture connection point P n is the n-th lighting fixture L among the multiple lighting fixtures L n The n-th signal line S n The (n+1)th signal line S n+1 is the nth fixture connection point P n and the nth fixture connection point P n The (n+1)th fixture connection point P is different from n+1 The (n+1)th fixture connection point P n+1 is the nth luminaire L n The (n+1)th lighting fixture L is different from n+1 is electrically connected to

[0034] The fixture connection point P being electrically connected to the lighting fixture L means that the fixture connection point P may be directly connected to the lighting fixture L or indirectly connected via another cable or the like. In this embodiment, the fixture connection point P is directly connected to the lighting fixture L. Furthermore, of the input port Ip and output port Op of the lighting fixture L, the fixture connection point P is not connected to the output port Op but is electrically connected to the input port Ip.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, at least a part of the signal line S is housed in the housing 50 of the lighting baton 5. That is, the n-th signal line S n and the (n+1)th signal line S n+1 A part of the components is housed inside the housing 50.

[0036] Specifically, a portion of the first signal line S1 is drawn out from the signal converter 30 and arranged along the inside of the cylindrical housing 50. The remaining portion of the first signal line S1 exits through a hole in the housing 50 and is connected to the first appliance connection point P1. A portion of the second signal line S2 is also arranged along the inside of the cylindrical housing 50. The remaining portion of the second signal line S2 is drawn out from the first appliance connection point P1 and enters the inside of the housing 50, and then exits through a hole in the housing 50 and is connected to the second appliance connection point P2.

[0037] Further, the wiring structure within the communication cable 10 will now be described in more detail.

[0038] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the communication cable 10 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4(a) shows a cross-section of the trunk portion 10a taken along line IVa-IVa in Fig. 3, and Fig. 4(b) shows a cross-section of the branch portion 10b taken along line IVb-IVb in Fig. 3.

[0039] The communication cable 10 has a ground line G and two signal lines S. The ground line G is formed by a shielded wire 11. One of the two signal lines S is formed by conductors 12 and 13 made of a twisted pair of wires. The other signal line S is formed by conductors 14 and 15 made of a twisted pair of wires. Each of the conductors 12 to 15 is covered with insulating resin. Each of the conductors 12 to 15 is also shielded by a shielded wire 11.

[0040] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the wiring structure inside the communication cable 10. Note that the lighting battens 5 are not shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 also shows the signal converter 30 and the lighting fixture L.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 5, the starting end of the communication cable 10 is connected to a signal converter 30, and the ending end is connected to a termination device 40. The termination device 40 may be a connector or a power strip (terminal block). A path adjustment unit 10c is provided between the trunk portion 10a and the branch portion 10b of the communication cable 10. The path adjustment unit 10c is an area where the signal line of the communication cable 10 is branched or changed.

[0042] First, the ground line G will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the communication cable 10 includes a ground line G that is connected to multiple lighting fixtures L. The ground line G is branched into multiple ground lines G on its path before being connected to the multiple lighting fixtures L, specifically by the path adjustment unit 10c. For example, a first ground line G1 connected to the ground of the signal converter 30 is connected to the ground of the first lighting fixture L1 via a terminal 21 of the connector 20 at the first fixture connection point P1. A second ground line G2 branched from the first ground line G1 by the path adjustment unit 10c is connected to the ground of the second lighting fixture L2 via a terminal 21 of the connector 20 at the second fixture connection point P2. In other words, the nth ground line G among the multiple ground lines G is n is the nth luminaire L n and the nth ground line G n The (n+1)th ground line G n+1 is the (n+1)th lighting fixture L n+1 is electrically connected to the ground of the

[0043] Next, the signal line S will be described. As shown in Fig. 5, conductors 12 and 13 of one signal line S are connected to a signal converter 30, and conductors 14 and 15 of the other signal line S are also connected to the signal converter 30. Note that conductors 14 and 15 of the trunk line 10a are connected directly to a termination device 40 through the trunk line 10a.

[0044] Conductors 12 and 13 connected to signal converter 30 pass through part of trunk 10a, have their route adjusted by path adjuster 10c, and then pass through branch 10b before being connected to first fixture connection point P1. For example, conductor 12 of trunk 10a and branch 10b is connected to terminal 22 of connector 20 of first fixture connection point P1, and conductor 13 of trunk 10a and branch 10b is connected to terminal 23 of connector 20. Since first lighting fixture L1 is connected to first fixture connection point P1, the signal output from signal converter 30 is input to first lighting fixture L1 via conductors 12 and 13 and terminals 22 and 23. Signals with a 180° phase difference are output from signal converter 30 to conductors 12 and 13. In first lighting fixture L1, the phase of the signal input to conductor 13 is inverted by 180° before processing.

[0045] Conductor 14 of branch section 10b is connected to terminal 22 connected to conductor 12, and conductor 15 of branch section 10b is connected to terminal 23 connected to conductor 13. Conductor 14 of branch section 10b returns to path adjustment section 10c and is then connected to conductor 12 of trunk section 10a. Conductor 15 of branch section 10b returns to path adjustment section 10c and is then connected to conductor 13 of trunk section 10a. Conductors 12, 13 of trunk section 10a pass through part of trunk section 10a, then change their path direction at next path adjustment section 10c, pass through branch section 10b, and are then connected to second fixture connection point P2. Because communication cable 10 has the above wiring structure, additional processing can be performed on an existing communication cable to produce communication cable 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0046] In this embodiment, a termination resistor 45 for impedance matching is provided inside the housing 50. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the last lighting fixture connected to the communication cable 10 is the sixth lighting fixture L6, so the termination resistor 45 is connected to the seventh signal line S7 connected to the sixth fixture connection point P6. Note that the termination resistor 45 may also be connected to the signal line S7 via the termination fixture 40.

[0047] That is, the termination resistor 45 is connected to the (n+1)th lighting fixture L n+1is the last lighting fixture connected to the communication cable 10, the (n+1)th fixture connection point P n+1 The (n+2)th signal line S connected to n+2 The (n+2)th signal line S n+2 One wire of the twisted pair wires constituting the above is connected to one end of a terminating resistor 45, and the other wire of the twisted pair wires is connected to the other end of the terminating resistor 45.

[0048] As described above, the communication cable 10 of this embodiment includes the n-th signal line S n is the nth fixture connection point P n The nth fixture connection point P n is the nth lighting fixture L n and the (n+1)th signal line S n+1 is the nth fixture connection point P n and the (n+1)th fixture connection point P n+1 and the (n+1)th fixture connection point P n+1 The (n+1)th lighting fixture L n+1 is electrically connected to

[0049] According to this communication cable 10, the fixture connection points P connected to the signal line S can be connected one by one to correspond to the lighting fixtures L. This simplifies the work of connecting the communication cable 10 to multiple lighting fixtures L.

[0050] (Modification of lighting system) A lighting system 1A according to a modified example of the embodiment will be described.

[0051] 6 is a diagram showing a lighting system 1A according to a modified example. In this modified example, an example will be described in which the connector 20 of the communication cable 10 has a location where no lighting fixture L is connected.

[0052] A lighting system 1A of the modified example includes a plurality of lighting fixtures L1 to L5, a lighting baton 5 including a communication cable 10, and a signal converter 30. In this lighting system 1A, a lighting fixture L is not connected to the location where lighting fixture L1 was connected in the embodiment, and a first lighting fixture L1 is connected to the location where lighting fixture L2 was connected in the embodiment. Similarly, second to fifth lighting fixtures L2 to L5 are connected adjacently but offset from each other.

[0053] In this modified example, even if there are locations where no lighting fixture L is connected, the signal output from signal converter 30 is transmitted without interruption to multiple lighting fixtures L1-L5 through the wiring within connector 20. Specifically, conductor 12 of trunk portion 10a is connected to terminal 22 of connector 20 via conductor 14 of branch portion 10b (see FIG. 5), and conductor 13 of trunk portion 10a is connected to terminal 23 of connector 20 via conductor 15 of branch portion 10b (see FIG. 5), so that the signal output from signal converter 30 is transmitted without interruption to multiple lighting fixtures L1-L5.

[0054] In this case, the point where lighting fixture L1 was connected in the embodiment does not function as fixture connection point P because lighting fixture L is not connected thereto. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 6, the point where the first lighting fixture L1 is actually connected becomes the first fixture connection point P1, and the signal line S connecting the signal converter 30 and the first fixture connection point P1 becomes the first signal line S1. Furthermore, the points where the second to fifth lighting fixtures L2 to L5 are actually connected become the second to fifth fixture connection points P2 to P5.

[0055] (Modified communication cable) A communication cable 10A according to a modification of the embodiment will be described. In this modification, an example will be described in which the communication cable 10A does not have the branch line portion 10b and is connected to the lighting fixture L via another communication cable 10B.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a wiring structure within a communication cable 10A according to a modified example of the embodiment.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 7, the starting end of the communication cable 10A is connected to a signal converter 30, and the ending end is connected to a termination device 40. The communication cable 10A also has a trunk section 10a and a path adjustment section 10c. The path adjustment section 10c is an area where the signal line of the communication cable 10A is branched or changed. A housing-type connector 20A is provided in the path adjustment section 10c.

[0058] First, we will explain the ground line G. As shown in Fig. 7, the ground line G of the communication cable 10A is branched into multiple ground lines G on its path before being connected to the multiple lighting fixtures L, specifically by the path adjuster 10c.

[0059] For example, first ground line G1, which is connected to the ground of signal converter 30, is connected to the ground of first lighting fixture L1 via communication cable 10B. The length of communication cable 10B is, for example, 1 meter or more and 2 meters or less. If the length of communication cable 10B is 2 meters or less, the influence of signal reflection at the communication speed of 250 kBPS of the DMX standard can be reduced.

[0060] The second ground line G2 branched from the first ground line G1 at the path adjustment unit 10c is connected to the ground of the second lighting fixture L2 via another communication cable 10B. n is the nth luminaire L n and the nth ground line G n The (n+1)th ground line G n+1 is the (n+1)th lighting fixture L n+1 The ground line G is electrically connected to the n-th ground line G at the terminal 21 of the connector 20A. n and the (n+1)th ground line G n+1 It may be divided into

[0061] Next, a description will be given of the signal line S. As shown in Fig. 7, conductors 12 and 13 of one signal line S are connected to a signal converter 30, and conductors 14 and 15 of the other signal line S are also connected to the signal converter 30.

[0062] Conductors 12 and 13 connected to signal converter 30 pass through part of trunk line 10a, have their route direction changed by path adjuster 10c, and are connected to a terminal of connector 20A, which is first fixture connection point P1. Specifically, conductor 12 is connected to terminal 22 of connector 20A, and conductor 13 is connected to terminal 23 of connector 20A. Since first lighting fixture L1 is connected to first fixture connection point P1 via communication cable 10B, the signal output from signal converter 30 is input to first lighting fixture L1 via conductors 12 and 13, terminals 22 and 23, and communication cable 10B.

[0063] Another conductor 12 of the trunk section 10a is connected to terminal 22 connected to conductor 12, and another conductor 13 of the trunk section 10a is connected to terminal 23 connected to conductor 13. After passing through part of the trunk section 10a, the other conductors 12, 13 change their route direction at the next route adjustment section 10c and are connected to a second fixture connection point P2.

[0064] In this way, even in the communication cable 10A of the modified example, the n-th signal line S n is the nth fixture connection point P n The nth fixture connection point P n is the nth lighting fixture L n and the (n+1)th signal line S n+1 is the nth fixture connection point P n and the (n+1)th fixture connection point P n+1 and the (n+1)th fixture connection point P n+1 The (n+1)th lighting fixture L n+1 is electrically connected to

[0065] With this communication cable 10A, the fixture connection points P can be connected to the lighting fixtures L one by one, for example, via another communication cable 10B. This simplifies the process of connecting the communication cable 10A to multiple lighting fixtures L.

[0066] (summary) The communication cable 10 according to this embodiment is a communication cable for transmitting signals for controlling a plurality of lighting fixtures L, and includes a plurality of signal lines S arranged in order along the direction of signal transmission, and a plurality of fixture connection points P electrically connected to the plurality of lighting fixtures L. The nth (n is an integer of 1 or greater) signal line S among the plurality of signal lines S is n is the nth fixture connection point P among the multiple fixture connection points P n The nth fixture connection point P n is the n-th lighting fixture L among the multiple lighting fixtures L n The nth signal line S n The (n+1)th signal line S n+1 is the nth fixture connection point P n and the nth fixture connection point P n The (n+1)th fixture connection point P is different from n+1 and the (n+1)th fixture connection point P n+1 is the nth luminaire L n The (n+1)th lighting fixture L is different from n+1 is electrically connected to

[0067] According to this communication cable 10, the fixture connection points P connected to the signal line S can be connected one by one to correspond to the lighting fixtures L. This simplifies the work of connecting the communication cable 10 to multiple lighting fixtures L.

[0068] The fixture connection point P may also be a terminal of a connector 20 that is electrically connected to the lighting fixture L.

[0069] According to this communication cable 10, the connectors 20 can be connected one by one to correspond to the lighting fixtures L. This simplifies the task of connecting the communication cable 10 to a plurality of lighting fixtures L.

[0070] In addition, the (n+1)th lighting fixture L n+1 is the last lighting fixture connected to the communication cable 10, the (n+1)th fixture connection point P n+1 The (n+2)th signal line S connected to n+2 may be connected to a termination resistor 45.

[0071] This allows impedance matching at the end of the communication cable 10, eliminating the need to provide a termination resistor in the lighting fixture L, for example, in a studio or on a stage, thereby simplifying the wiring work.

[0072] The communication cable 10 may further include a cylindrical housing 50 that houses at least a portion of the signal line S, and the termination resistor 45 may be provided inside the housing 50.

[0073] According to this, impedance can be matched in advance by the termination resistor 45 provided in the housing 50, so there is no need to provide a termination resistor in the lighting fixture L. This simplifies the wiring work.

[0074] Moreover, the communication cable 10 may further include a cylindrical housing 50 that houses at least a part of the signal line S, and the appliance connection point P may be provided outside the housing 50.

[0075] In this way, by providing the fixture connection point P outside the housing 50, the work of connecting the communication cable 10 to a plurality of lighting fixtures L can be simplified.

[0076] Also, the nth signal line S n and the (n+1)th signal line S n+1 A part of the components may be housed inside the housing 50.

[0077] In this way, by storing a portion of the signal line S inside the housing 50, it is possible to organize the wiring of the communication cable 10. This simplifies the work of connecting the communication cable 10 to multiple lighting fixtures L.

[0078] The communication cable 10 further includes a ground line G connected to the plurality of lighting fixtures L, and the ground line G is branched into a plurality of ground lines G on a path before being connected to the plurality of lighting fixtures L, and the n-th ground line G among the plurality of ground lines G is n is the nth luminaire L n and the nth ground line G n The (n+1)th ground line G n+1 is the (n+1)th lighting fixture L n+1 The power supply may be electrically connected to the ground.

[0079] This allows the ground line G to be connected to the corresponding lighting fixture L. This simplifies the process of connecting the communication cable 10 to a plurality of lighting fixtures L.

[0080] The lighting baton 5 of this embodiment comprises a communication cable 10, a cylindrical housing 50 that stores at least a portion of the communication cable 10, and a signal converter 30 that is connected to a first signal line S1 of multiple signal lines S included in the communication cable 10.

[0081] This makes it possible to provide a lighting baton 5 that can simplify the task of connecting the communication cable 10 to a plurality of lighting fixtures L.

[0082] The signal converter 30 may also be disposed inside the housing 50 .

[0083] This allows the signal converter 30 and the first signal line S1 to be connected in advance by the signal converter 30 provided in the housing 50. This simplifies the wiring work.

[0084] The lighting system 1 of this embodiment includes a communication cable 10, a signal converter 30 connected to a first signal line S1 of a plurality of signal lines S included in the communication cable 10, and a plurality of lighting fixtures L connected to the signal converter 30 via the communication cable 10.

[0085] This makes it possible to provide a lighting system 1 that can simplify the task of connecting the communication cable 10 to a plurality of lighting fixtures L.

[0086] (Other forms) Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, it is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the above-described embodiments that would occur to those skilled in the art, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1. 1A lighting system 5 Lighting Batons 10, 10A, 10B communication cable 20, 20A Connector Terminals 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 30 Signal Converter 40 Termination equipment 45 Termination resistor 50 cabinets G, G1, G2, G3 ground tracks L, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6 lighting fixtures P, P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 fixture connection points S, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7 signal line

Claims

1. A communication cable for transmitting signals for controlling a plurality of lighting fixtures, a plurality of signal lines arranged in sequence along a signal transmission direction; and a plurality of fixture connection points electrically connected to the plurality of lighting fixtures; a signal line from a start end to a finish end of the communication cable is formed by the plurality of signal lines; an n-th signal line (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1) among the plurality of signal lines is directly connected to an n-th appliance connection point among the plurality of appliance connection points; the nth fixture connection point is electrically connected to an nth lighting fixture among the plurality of lighting fixtures; an (n+1)-th signal line different from the n-th signal line is directly connected to each of the n-th appliance connection point and the (n+1)-th appliance connection point different from the n-th appliance connection point; The (n+1)th fixture connection point is electrically connected to an (n+1)th lighting fixture different from the nth lighting fixture. Communication cable.

2. The fixture connection point is a terminal of a connector electrically connected to the lighting fixture.

2. The communication cable according to claim 1.

3. When the (n+1)th lighting fixture is the last lighting fixture connected to the communication cable, the (n+2)th signal line connected to the (n+1)th fixture connection point is connected to a termination resistor.

3. The communication cable according to claim 1 or 2.

4. further comprising a cylindrical housing that houses at least a portion of the signal line; The termination resistor is provided inside the housing.

4. The communication cable according to claim 3.

5. further comprising a cylindrical housing that houses at least a portion of the signal line; The appliance connection point is provided outside the housing. The communication cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. A part of the nth signal line and a part of the (n+1)th signal line are housed inside the housing.

6. The communication cable according to claim 4 or 5.

7. further comprising a ground line connected to the plurality of lighting fixtures, The ground line is branched into a plurality of ground lines on a path before being connected to the plurality of lighting fixtures, and an n-th ground line among the plurality of ground lines is electrically connected to the ground of the n-th lighting fixture, and an (n+1)-th ground line different from the n-th ground line is electrically connected to the ground of the (n+1)-th lighting fixture. The communication cable according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The communication cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a cylindrical housing that accommodates at least a portion of the communication cable; a signal converter connected to a first signal line among the plurality of signal lines included in the communication cable; A lighting baton equipped with:

9. The signal converter is disposed inside the housing.

9. The lighting baton of claim 8.

10. A communication cable according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a signal converter connected to a first signal line among the plurality of signal lines included in the communication cable; a plurality of lighting fixtures connected to the signal converter via the communication cable; Equipped with The fixture connection point is an input port and an output port of the lighting fixture that are not connected to the output port but are electrically connected to the input port. Lighting system.

Citation Information

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