Autonomous luminaire powered by battery pack with battery management system

Abstract

A luminaire (100) comprising a light source (200); a battery pack (300) configured for powering the light source, said battery pack comprising a housing (310) including one or more battery cells (311) and a battery management system (320), said battery management system comprising a measurement means (325) configured to measure one or more battery parameters of the one or more battery cells (310), such as a temperature, a charging state, a charging current, a discharging current, a remaining capacity, a remaining lifetime; a transmission means (410) connected to the battery pack (300); wherein the battery pack (300) is connected to the transmission means (410), so as to be able to communicate the measured one or more battery parameters and / or data based thereon, to the transmission means; wherein the transmission means (410) is configured to transmit the one or more battery parameters and / or data based thereon, preferably to a remote device.

Description

[0001] AUTONOMOUS LUMINAIRE POWERED BY BATTERY PACK WITH BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to luminaires, in particular luminaires powered by batteries, and functional devices with batteries and renewable energy generation means.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] Traditionally, light systems have been powered from an established power network, i.e. an electric mains. However, an electric grid is not always available and it is sometimes desirable to avoid extensive works to extend the power network. In recent years, renewable energies have been continuously applied to a broader field of application to reduce carbon emissions and power consumption costs. Also, for lighting purposes, it is now desired to use locally produced power from local renewable power sources.

[0005] Renewable energy generation means such as solar panels or windmills are more and more integrated to luminaires. For example, solar power luminaires which are solely powered by solar energy have been developed. Especially for locations where no electric grid is available and / or where sunlight is present in abundance, such luminaires are desirable. It is further known to use power storage means. Luminaires have thus been provided in the art with a battery that allows them to provide light at night, or during the day when there is not enough sun.

[0006] Charge controllers, that control the charging of the battery with energy produced by the solar panel, are generally located close to the solar panel, for example in the luminaire head. The charge controllers are generally also configured to perform battery management by measuring battery parameters, in order to determine a charge state so as to optimize charging and to manage the lifetime of the battery. However, as batteries are made of cells which can be different, for example due to manufacturing tolerances, the charge controllers are not always very accurate in their readings and cannot always discern the battery parameters of each cell individually. It is thus desirable to have more accurate readings of the battery that allow to more easily trouble-shoot problems and provide predictive maintenance.

[0007] Also, in southern countries, high temperatures may be reached around the luminaire. The undesired heat that is produced by the sunlight directly shining on the solar panel, which is typically arranged at or near the luminaire head, for extended periods of time as this tends to overheat the components of the luminaire, e.g. their battery. On the opposite, in northern countries, low temperatures below zero may be reached around the luminaire, which also may damage the batteryand reduce its lifetime. It is thus desirable to have more flexibility in the placement of the battery to avoid these issues.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] The object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a luminaire that allows to improve the accuracy of readings of the battery to more easily trouble-shoot problems and / or monitor battery performance and / or provide predictive maintenance of the battery. Preferred embodiments also allow to reduce deteriorating the lifespan of the battery due to temperature.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a luminaire comprising a light source and a battery pack configured for powering the light source. The battery pack comprises a housing. The housing includes one or more battery cells and a battery management system. The battery management system comprises a measurement means configured to measure one or more battery parameters of the one or more battery cells, such as a temperature, a charging state, a charging current, a discharging current, a remaining capacity, a remaining lifetime. The luminaire further comprises a transmission means connected to the battery pack. The battery pack is connected to the transmission means, so as to be able to communicate the measured one or more battery parameters and / or data based thereon, to the transmission means. The transmission means is configured to transmit the one or more battery parameters and / or data based thereon. Preferably, the transmission is to a remote device but it could also be to a device of the luminaire itself, such as a sensor of the luminaire.

[0011] As mentioned above, batteries are made of cells which can be different, for example due to manufacturing tolerances. In conventional systems, where the battery management is done by a battery charger or charge controller which is not included in the battery pack housing, the battery state of charge is generally determined by the charge controller by measuring a battery voltage that is the output of the battery management system based on a combined states of battery cells. This measurement is inaccurate as it gives no information on the state of charge of individual cells or groups of cells. By having a battery pack with a battery management system included within the housing of the battery pack, a more accurate reading of any battery parameter of the one or more battery cells can be carried out. In particular, it is possible to have such an accurate reading for an individual battery cell or group of battery cells. Further, by having a battery pack with a battery management system that is able to communicate internal information of the battery a more accurate monitoring of the individual cells or groups of cells can be carried out.By having the battery management system within the housing of the battery pack, and by having a measurement means within the battery pack, it is also possible to access other parameters that cannot be derived in conventional systems. For example, temperature, which defines the remaining lifetime of the battery pack, can be measured.

[0012] This has also further advantages in luminaires. In conventional luminaires, the battery charger or charge controller may be remote from the battery pack. For example, the battery pack may be located in the ground or in a lower end of the pole while the battery charger or charge controller may be located in the head of the luminaire, for example close to a renewable source of energy such as a solar panel. Poles, on which luminaire heads sit, can be tens of meters long. The cable between the battery charger or charge controller and the battery pack may then be very long. This causes, among others, voltage drops which may affect the reading of the charging state and therefore further decreases the accuracy of the measurement. The luminaire according to the invention is thus provided with more flexibility in the placement of the battery pack and thus the luminaire functionality and design is improved.

[0013] Having a battery management system that is accurate allows to more easily trouble-shoot problems and provide predictive maintenance.

[0014] It is further noted that by having the battery management system within the housing of the battery pack and a transmission means connected to the battery pack, it is also possible to provide battery asset data, such as serial number of the battery pack, date of manufacture, etc. This allows for example to know whether the battery pack has been replaced and when, e.g. by comparing the serial numbers at different moments in time, to know the expected remaining life of the battery cells, e.g. by comparing the current time to the date of manufacture. To that end, in addition to the measurement means or alternatively to the measurement means, the battery management system may comprise an asset data storage means configured to store one or more battery asset parameters of the battery pack, such as a battery manufacturing date, a serial number of the battery pack, a production date, a first activation date, a nominal capacity, a nominal voltage, a maximal temperature, a minimal temperature, a number of cycles.

[0015] The luminaire may be an outdoor luminaire. By outdoor luminaire, it is meant luminaires which are installed on roads, tunnels, industrial plants, stadiums, airports, harbors, rail stations, campuses, parks, cycle paths, pedestrian paths or in pedestrian zones, for example, and which can be used notably for the lighting of an outdoor area, such as roads and residential areas in the public domain, private parking areas, access roads to private building infrastructures, warehouses, industry halls, etc.According to a preferred embodiment the battery pack is connected to the transmission means through a serial bus.

[0016] According to a further developed embodiment the luminaire comprises a pole with a lower end fixed in or on the ground and the battery pack is located in the ground and / or in the lower end of the pole.

[0017] Poles can be as high as tens of meters. By having the battery pack located in the ground or in the lower end of the pole, the battery pack is more accessible than if it were in the head of the luminaire. Maintenance interventions then require less resources as they can be carried out on ground level.

[0018] Also, by placing the battery pack in the ground, it is ensured that the temperature around the battery pack is more stable. Underground temperatures are indeed almost constant and are less subject to extreme weather such as extreme heat, which could elevate the temperatures too high, or frost, which could decrease it too low. Charging is then possible even in ambient temperatures as low as 20°C below zero.

[0019] By being underground, the battery pack is also better protected against theft.

[0020] A further advantage of the embodiment having the lower end fixed in the ground, for example below the ground level, and the battery pack being in the lower end of the pole, is that the lower end of the pole can serve as a protection to the battery pack. No extra protection is then needed for the battery pack.

[0021] Preferably, the luminaire comprises an underground compartment below the pole, and the battery pack is located in the underground compartment.

[0022] More preferably, the battery pack may be tubular and may extend substantially vertically in the underground compartment. In this way, the battery pack may be introduced in the pole. Also, the introduction in the underground compartment or the extraction therefrom is made easier.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the luminaire comprises a luminaire head connected to the pole. The luminaire head comprises the light source and the transmission means. By having the transmission means in the luminaire head, better transmission of data can be achieved, notably better than in the ground.

[0024] In some embodiments, the battery pack, the light source and the transmission means may be provided in the luminaire head. An example where the battery pack and the light source are included in the luminaire head is disclosed in NL patent application N2037978, N2035963, N2036391 in the name of SCHREDER S.A. which is included herein by reference.

[0025] Preferably, the luminaire head comprises a data storage means configured to store the one or more battery parameters or data based thereon. This has the advantage that in the case of problem with the transmission of the data, the data is not lost and can be stored to be retrieved later.Additionally or alternatively, the battery management system comprises a data storage means configured to store the one or more battery parameters and / or data based thereon. This has advantages similar to those mentioned above.

[0026] Preferably, the transmission means is configured to communicate using any one or more of the following protocols: Bluetooth, WiSun, NFC, LoRa communication protocol, Sigfox, LPWAN, cellular (GPRS, 3G / 4G / 5G), WiFi, an IEEE 802.15.4 based protocol such as Zigbee, Thread, Lightweight Machine to Machine (LwM2M). Preferably, the transmission means is a wireless transmission means. For example, the transmission means may be configured to transmit data using a wireless personal area network (WPAN), for example as defined in the IEEE 802.15.4 standard; and / or the transmission means may be configured to transmit data to an associated fog device through an LPWAN network, e.g., a LoRaWAN network or a SigFox network. Optionally, the transmission means may be configured to communicate using a short-range protocol such as IEEE 802.15.4 e.g. Zigbee) or a long-range communication protocol such as LoRa wireless data communication technology or cellular data communication technology. The luminaire network may be managed by a fog device or by a separate segment controller. In such a solution the transmission means may only be capable of communicating through the short-range communication protocol. However, it is also possible that the transmission means is capable of communicating through a long-range protocol.

[0027] The transmission means communicates the one or more battery parameters and / or data based thereon directly or indirectly to a remote device. The remote device may be any remote device, e.g. a fog device, a segment controller, a remote server, a mobile device, a neighboring edge device, such as a neighboring luminaire, etc. The transmission means may be configured to unicast, multicast or broadcast the data to one or more remote devices.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the luminaire comprises a renewable energy generation means, such as a solar panel, configured for charging the battery pack. For example, the renewable energy generation means may be a solar panel, a wind turbine, a biomass converter, etc. In this way, the luminaire is more autonomous and does not require connection to the power grid. Such luminaires may thus be located in more remote areas, as well as areas with a poor access.

[0029] Preferably, the luminaire further comprises a charge controller connected to the renewable energy generation means and configured for controlling the charging of the battery pack.

[0030] Charge controllers may have internal clocks, that allow to determine whether it is day or night. Alternatively, the charge controller may detect that sunset has occurred by monitoring the voltage delivered by the solar panel. If this voltage drops below some threshold, it is a sign that thereis not enough light to provide with the maximal voltage, and that the sun is setting or has set. The charge controller may then use power from the energy storage means to output the needed power. In this way, the power output of the at least one light source is controlled in an effective manner.

[0031] Further, the charge controller may be configured to collect data from the renewable energy generation means and to communicate said data to the transmission means. Through at least one day and night cycle, the charge controller may learn, e.g. through self-learning, the timings of the sunset and of the sunrise. These may then be communicated to the transmission means. Also, the seasonal changes in the sunset and sunrise timings may be learned such that the dimming profiles may also adapted throughout the year. These are merely examples of data that may be collected from the renewable energy generation means.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the luminaire head comprises the charge controller.

[0033] It is further noted that the luminaire may comprise a charging station to provide users with electricity in case of need, e.g. to charge the battery of a bicycle, of a phone, etc. Also the luminaire may be installed for events, and removed thereafter. For example, a luminaire with communication means may be installed at a festival venue to communicate with emergency services.

[0034] According to a further embodiment, the luminaire comprises a control means configured to control the powering of the light source. In this way, the light source may be controlled in a more complex manner, which allows for more flexibility to satisfy user visual needs and automation to reduce energy costs and improve sustainability. For example, the light source may be powered according to dimming profiles. Adjusting the light source color, including the shade of white light may improve the lighting at several levels such as comfort, environmental friendliness, etc. The control means may also generate data via measuring and / or monitoring data at the very location of the luminaire.

[0035] Optionally the control means comprise the transmissions means. For example, the control means may comprise a controller and the controller may comprise the transmission means.

[0036] The control means may include drive functionalities. For example, the control means may be implemented as two separate interconnected devices comprising for example a driver and a controller or as one integrated device which includes both control and / or drive functionalities. Examples of drive and control means are disclosed in the following patent specifications in name of SCHREDER S.A. which are included herein by reference: WO 2017 / 220690 Al, WO 2019 / 175437 Al, W02020064864A1, WO 2020 / 064487 Al, WO 2020 / 064499, WO 2020 / 144273 Al, WO 2022 / 200378 Al, PCT / EP2024 / 076945.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the storage means may be part of the control means.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the control means may be configured to receive a light control signal and to control the power provided to the light source based on the light control signal. For example, light control signals may be received from a sensor or from a remote source, such as anexternal database, a remote server, a mobile device, a neighboring edge device, such as a neighboring luminaire. In this way, the light source may be controlled remotely or based on sensor measurements.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, the control means may be configured to control the power provided to the light source based on the one or more battery parameters or data based thereon. In this way, the usage of the battery may be more efficient, and battery lifetime may be improved.

[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment, the luminaire may be provided with a receptacle in which a pluggable control module, such as a NEMA or Zhaga control module, is received. The receptacle and the pluggable control module may be configured to be coupled through a twist-lock mechanism, e.g. as described in ANSI C136.10-2017 standard or ANSI C136.41-2013 standard or Zhaga Interface Specification Standard (Book 18, Edition 1.0, July 2018, see https: / / www.zhagastandard.0rg / data / downloadables / l / O / 8 / l / book 18.pdf or Book 20: Smart interface between indoor luminaires and sensing / communication modules), which are included herein by reference. Examples of receptacles, notably NEMA-type and Zhaga-type receptacles, configured for cooperating with a pluggable module are disclosed in patent applications WO2017 / 133793A1, WO2020 / 212515A1, W02021 / 001544A1, W02020 / 099393A1, W02022 / 029099A1, and PCT / EP2022 / 050240 in the name of the SCHREDER S.A., which are included herein by reference. WO2017 / 133793A1 describes how to implement a receptacle comprising a near-field communication means configured to communicate with a near-field communication unit. WO2020 / 212515A1 describes a receptacle wherein at least one receptacle contact of a plurality thereof is provided, at a rear end of the receptacle, with at least two wires, such that the number of wires provided at the rear side is higher than the number of front contact portions. W02021 / 001544A1 describes a receptacle including at least one peripheral body around its peripheral side and coupled in such a manner with a wall of a luminaire that the at least one peripheral body is non-rotatable relative to the wall; and wherein the at least one peripheral body and the peripheral side of the receptacle are coupled such that the receptacle is non-rotatable relative to the at least one peripheral body. W02020 / 099393A1 describes a receptacle with a wire connector having a front side and a rear side, said wire connector housing a plurality of connector contacts, each connector contact being provided, at a rear end, with a wire receiving contact for receiving and fixing a wire end and, at a front end, with a front contact portion; wherein the rear side of the receptacle and the front side of the wire connector are configured such that the wire connector is removably pluggable in the rear side of the receptacle. W02022 / 029099A1 describes a receptacle assembly including a receptacle and a gasket, said gasket being configured for being located between the receptacle and a housing of a luminaire; wherein said receptacle assembly is provided with an indicator means at a location which is visible when the receptacle is mounted on the housing. PCT / EP2022 / 050240 describes a receptacle assembly including a receptacle and a protection skirt;wherein said receptacle assembly is configured to be mounted on a lower side of a housing of a luminaire; wherein said protection skirt is configured to surround the receptacle.

[0041] The pluggable control module above may comprise at least a portion of the control means. Alternatively or additionally, the pluggable control module may comprise the transmission means or the transmission means may be part of a controller of the control means included in the pluggable module.

[0042] The receptacle may be connected to the charge controller. In this way, the connection between the charge controller and the controller is straightforward for a user, who does not need to perform further cabling connections and merely need to plug in the pluggable control module. The connection may be direct, i.e. without any other element in between the charge controller and the receptacle, or indirect, i.e. with one or several elements in between the charge controller and the receptacle, e.g. the transmission means.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the luminaire further comprises a sensor configured to obtain environmental data. Environmental data may relate to an event in the vicinity of a luminaire or in the luminaire, e.g. characteristics (presence, absence, state, number, direction, speed, wearing mask or not) of objects like vehicles, street furniture, animals, persons, sub-parts of the luminaire, or properties related to the environment (like weather (rain, fog, sun, wind, snow), pollution, visibility, earth quake) or security related events (explosion, incident, gun shot, user alarm) in the vicinity of luminaire, maintenance related data or malfunctioning data of a component of luminaire. The environmental data may also comprise any one or more of: traffic data, such as vehicle / people counting data, ghost driver related data, traffic violation data, information about traffic jams and delays, traffic intensities, rush-hour times and / or lanes, bridge openings, local speeds of passing vehicles, vehicle categories, road availability (whether the road is in good condition or whether road works are temporarily blocking some or all lanes of a road), safety (whether the road is sometimes slippery due to ice or is flooded due to rain); parking data; land use plans, including information related to land use of an area, policy zones, policy designations, regulation of the kinds and densities of activities which are acceptable and / or currently performed on particular lot of an area, e.g. residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial zonings, roadways, school zoning, parks, rivers and streams; air circulation data; noise maps; noise propagation maps; pollution data; weather data; crime data, including for example distributions of crimes in an area, their type, the number of occurrences of these crimes, the police presence in the area ; data about one or more existing sensors in the area, such as their position, type, orientation, accuracy, etc.-, luminaire or traffic light data, such as position data and / or properties of a luminaire or traffic light in the area, such as the position of luminaires, their height, the lighting distribution and intensity they provide ; use type data, such as use as a terrace, as a bicycle parking, as a (un)loading area, etc., a user type data, such as use by children,animals, wheelchair users, elderly people, etc., objective related data related to environmental objectives for the area, such as less crime, less pollution, etc.

[0044] The sensor may be included in the pluggable control module. In this way, fewer connections are needed in comparison to the sensor being an external sensor.

[0045] Preferably, the control means may be configured to receive the obtained environmental data and to control the power provided to the light source based thereon. In this way, the controlling of the light source may be improved as it more accurately corresponds to the environment in which the luminaire is located. Additionally or alternatively, the environmental data may be used to control the charge controller.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the transmission means is a D4i compatible transmission means. The luminaire may further comprise a converter between the battery pack and the transmission means, a serial bus between the battery pack and the converter, said converter being configured to receive the one or more battery parameters or data based thereon through the serial bus and to convert the one or more battery parameters or data based thereon into D4i compatible signals. For example, the converter may be in the control means to perform the conversion thereinto.

[0047] According to a further embodiment, the one or more battery parameters comprise any one or more of: a current temperature, a charging state, a charging current, a discharge state, a discharging current, a charging voltage, a discharging voltage, a state of charge, a remaining lifetime, a number of cycles, a cell balance, a time duration or a number of times that the temperature was higher than a first threshold temperature, a time duration or a number of times that the temperature was lower than a second threshold temperature, a charging overvoltage or a number of times that a charging voltage was higher than a threshold voltage, a charging overcurrent or a number of times that a charging current was higher than a threshold current, a discharging overload or a number of times that the discharging load was higher than a threshold discharging load.

[0048] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a functional device comprising a battery pack, a transmission means connected to the battery pack, a renewable energy generation means, such as a solar panel, configured for charging the battery pack and a functional module, such as a sensor, a charging station, a wireless spot, a screen, such as a display, or a light source, connected to be powered by the battery pack. The battery pack comprises a housing including one or more battery cells and a battery management system. The battery management system comprises a measurement means configured to measure one or more battery parameters of the one or more battery cells, such as a temperature, a charging state, a charging current, a discharging current, a remaining capacity, a remaining lifetime. Alternatively or additionally, the battery management systemcomprises an asset data storage means configured to store one or more battery asset parameters of the battery pack, such as a production date, a first activation date, a nominal capacity, a nominal voltage, a maximal temperature, a minimal temperature, a number of cycles, a battery manufacturing date, a serial number. The battery pack is connected to the transmission means, so as to be able to communicate the measured one or more battery parameters and / or one or more battery asset parameters and / or data based thereon, to the transmission means. The transmission means is configured to transmit the one or more battery parameters and / or the one or more battery asset parameters and / or data based thereon. Preferably, the transmission is to a remote device, but it could also be to a component of the functional device itself, such as a sensor of the functional device. The data based thereon may be based on the one or more battery parameters and / or on the one or more battery asset parameters.

[0049] For example, the functional module may be any one of the following: an image sensing means such as a camera, a communication means such as an antenna, a wireless hotspot, a sensing means such as an air quality sensor or a pollution sensor or a visibility sensor or a smoke sensor or a sound sensor (microphone) or a radio-frequency, RF, sensor or a movement sensor or a temperature sensor, a signaling means, a Human Interface Device and / or receiving means, a loudspeaker, a light projecting means such as a projector, a display, a laser device, a radar device, a light emitting device such as an ultraviolet (UV) light or an infrared (IR) light or a light for light fidelity (Li-Fi) communication, or a spraying / sanitizing device, a charging station, a light source.

[0050] The skilled person will understand that the technical advantages of the first aspect also apply for this second aspect, mutatis mutandis. They will not be repeated in the sake of conciseness.

[0051] It is further noted that the functional device comprises a renewable energy generation means, such as a solar panel, configured for charging the battery pack. The functional device is then made more autonomous as it does not require connection to the electric grid and can be placed in remote locations. For example, a functional device with a charging station may be installed along a trail in the mountain or at campsites in the wilderness, to provide users with electricity in case of need, e.g. to charge the battery of a bicycle, of a phone, etc. Also the functional device may be installed for events, and removed thereafter. For example, a functional device with communication means may be installed at a festival venue to communicate with emergency services.

[0052] Also, further developed embodiments of the second aspect correspond, mutatis mutandis, to those of the first aspect described above. These embodiments and their advantages will also not be repeated, in the sake of conciseness.

[0053] According to further aspects, there is provided an assembly comprising a pole, two or more fastening pieces, at least two fixing profiles, and a least one cover panel. Additionally, it is provided afunctional device comprising said assembly, and a functional head coupled to the pole of the assembly, for example a luminaire comprising a luminaire head. The assembly and the functional device are according to the following clauses:

[0054] 1. An assembly comprising:

[0055] a pole (110) extending in a first longitudinal direction,

[0056] two or more fastening pieces (170) each at least partially surrounding the pole, preferably at different heights on the pole, and each comprising:

[0057] o a pole coupling portion (1705) coupled to the pole ;

[0058] o at least two arms (1701) extending away from the pole coupling portion and from the pole, preferably orthogonally to the first longitudinal direction, said arms each including a peripheral fastening portion at an end thereof ;

[0059] at least two profiles (175), preferably longitudinal profiles, each comprising a body extending substantially in the first longitudinal direction and each including a profile fastening portion (1754) ;

[0060] at least one cover panel (161) coupled to two profiles of the at least two profiles ; wherein the two or more fastening pieces includes a first fastening piece and a second fastening piece, wherein the at least two profiles include a first profile and a second profile, wherein the at least two arms comprise a first arm and a second arm, wherein the at least one cover panel comprises a first cover panel ;

[0061] wherein the peripheral fastening portion of the first arm of the first fastening piece is fastened to the profile fastening portion of the first profile, wherein the peripheral fastening portion of the second arm of the first fastening piece is fastened to the profile fastening portion of the second profile ;

[0062] wherein the peripheral fastening portion of the first arm of the second fastening piece is fastened to the profile fastening portion of the first profile and wherein the peripheral fastening portion of the second arm of the second fastening piece is fastened to the profile fastening portion of the second profile.

[0063] 2. The assembly according to clause 1, wherein the at least two profiles each comprise:

[0064] a first external surface extending in the first longitudinal direction,

[0065] a first groove in said first external surface ;

[0066] wherein the at least one cover panel is preferably plate-like and

[0067] wherein the first cover panel is coupled to the first and second profiles by inserting a first edge of the first cover panel in the first groove of the first profile and a second edge of the first cover panel opposite the first edge in the first groove of the second profile.The assembly according to the previous clause, wherein the at least two arms comprises a third arm, wherein the at least two profiles comprises a third profile; wherein the at least one cover panel comprises a second cover panel ;

[0068] wherein the peripheral fastening portion of the third arm of the first fastening piece is fastened to the profile fastening portion of the third profile, wherein the peripheral fastening portion of the third arm of the second fastening piece is fastened to the profile fastening portion of the third profile ;

[0069] wherein the second profile further comprises:

[0070] a second external surface extending in the first longitudinal direction,

[0071] a second groove (1752) in said second external surface ;

[0072] wherein the second cover panel is coupled to the second and third profiles by inserting a first edge of the second cover panel in the second groove of the second profile and a second edge of the second cover panel opposite the first edge in the first groove of the third profile. The assembly according to clause 2 or 3, wherein a first seal is provided in the first groove of at least one of the profiles between the cover panel and said one profile.

[0073] The assembly according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein at least one pole coupling portion of the two or more fastening pieces defines a central opening for the passage of the pole.

[0074] The assembly according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein at least one of the fastening pieces is at least partially plate-like.

[0075] The assembly according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein at least one of the peripheral fastening portions includes a profile fixation surface (1702) substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the pole.

[0076] The assembly according to the previous clause, wherein the profile fixation surface comprises a hole for bolting or screwing the profile to said profile fixation surface.

[0077] The assembly according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein at least one of the peripheral fastening portions comprises two lateral contact protrusions (1703A, 1703B) at an end thereof, wherein the lateral contact protrusions are each configured to abut an external surface of the corresponding profile at two distinct locations.

[0078] The assembly according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein the body of at least one of the at least two profiles further comprises a through-hole for the passage of one or more cables, wherein preferably the through-hole extends from a bottom end of said body to a top end of said body in the first longitudinal direction.

[0079] The assembly according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein the profile fastening portion of at least one profile comprises:

[0080] at least one cavity (1755) in the body of said at least one profile andat least one opening (1756) providing a passage to said at least one cavity, wherein said at least one opening is configured for the passage of a threaded portion of a screw or a bolt for fastening said profile fastening portion to the peripheral fastening portion of the corresponding fastening piece.

[0081] 12. The assembly according to the previous clause, wherein the at least one cavity extends from a bottom end of the body to a top end of the body in the first longitudinal direction.

[0082] 13. The assembly according to clause 11 or 12, wherein the at least one opening is a slit that extends from a bottom end of the body to a top end of the body in the first longitudinal direction.

[0083] 14. The assembly according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein the body comprises, at a top end and / or a bottom end, a cover hole, preferably a threaded cover hole, for screwing or bolting a cover closing plate (171) configured for covering a volume between the at least one cover panel, the pole and the at least two profiles.

[0084] 15. The assembly according to the previous clause, further comprising at least one cover seal for sealing the volume between the cover closing plate, the at least one cover panel, the pole, and the at least two profiles.

[0085] 16. The assembly according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein the at least one cover panel comprises at least one solar panel.

[0086] 17. The assembly according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein the pole coupling portion of at least one fastening piece of the two or more fastening pieces is coupled to the pole by welding said pole coupling portion to the pole.

[0087] 18. Functional device comprising an assembly according to any one of the previous clauses and a functional head including one or more electrical components, wherein the functional head is coupled to the pole.

[0088] 19. Functional device according to the previous clause, wherein the functional head comprises a housing and wherein at least one fastening piece of the two or more fastening pieces is located in or on the housing of the functional head.

[0089] 20. Functional device according to any one of the clauses 18-19, wherein the assembly is according to clause 16, wherein at least one of the one or more electrical components of the functional head is powered by the at least one solar panel.

[0090] 21. Functional device according to any one of the clauses 18- 20, wherein the functional head is a luminaire head, wherein the one or more electrical components comprises a light source.

[0091] The assembly according to the further aspects allow to couple cover panels to a pole, e.g. around a pole. In this way, the volume around the pole of a device, e.g. the pole of a functional device such as a luminaire device, may be put to good use for improving the functions of the device without theneed to increase the size of the functional head. The volume efficiency of the device is therefore increased. For example, the at least one cover panel may form a cover around the pole including solar panels and / or a light source, e.g. flat LED panel, a screen, such as a display, e.g. for advertisement, etc.

[0092] Further, the cover formed by the at least one cover panel is agnostic of the shape of the pole. Indeed, because the cover panels are coupled to the profiles, which are themselves fastened to the fastening pieces, any shape for the cover may be obtained and only the pole coupling portion is to be adapted to the shape of the pole. For example, a cover with a square cross section may cover a pole with a circular cross section.

[0093] By the use of grooves in the profiles, cover panels may be slid into place. This improves the user friendliness of the coupling of the cover panels with the pole, which do not need any further fastening means such as screws, bolts or glue as well as its decoupling. This also allows to improve the handling of the cover panels in case of malfunctioning, as they become more easily replaceable or movable. The angle between the grooves in a given profile may be tuned to obtain the desired shape for the cover.

[0094] By having a profile fixation surface substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the pole, further and better support of the profile is obtained. In this way, the profile may abut the peripheral fastening portion of the fastening piece on a larger surface and thus the orientation of the profile is better controlled and less prone to variations due to external forces, vibrations, etc. By having lateral contact protrusions which abut an external surface of the profile at two distinct locations, the contact surface between the profile and the fastening piece is further increased and thus improved. Indeed, a plurality of contact points or surfaces are then provided between the two elements. This reduces the degrees of liberty of the profile, which limit the chance of any pivoting of the profile.

[0095] The through-holes in the profiles allow the passage of cables. For example, cables from batteries, from solar panels, e.g. the solar panels of the cover panels. This provides further protection for the cables, which are protected by the body of the profile, e.g. from animals that would crawl in the volume between the pole and the cover panels. In addition, it avoids that the cables are loose within the volume between the cover panels and the pole. The cover closing plate may also close that volume.

[0096] It is noted that the embodiments of the first and second aspect are compatible with the ones of these further aspects and can be combined, mutatis mutandis. In the sake of conciseness however, these will not be discussed. The skilled person understands however that although not literally described, these are included in the present disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0097] The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate presently preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments of devices of the present invention. The above and other advantages of the features and objects of the invention will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0098] Fig. 1 A is a schematic view of a luminaire according to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect. Figs. IB and 1C illustrate the battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect. Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the electrical connections between components of a luminaire according to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect.

[0099] Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a luminaire according to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect comprising a renewable energy generation means and a charge controller.

[0100] Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a luminaire similar to the one of Fig. 3, comprising a receptacle in which a pluggable control module is received.

[0101] Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the cabling between the electrical components of the embodiment of Fig.

[0102] 4.

[0103] Fig. 6A is a schematic view of a luminaire similar to the one of Fig. 4.

[0104] Fig. 6B illustrates luminaires similar to the ones of Figs. 3 or 4 and the alternative relative placement of the renewable energy generation means.

[0105] Fig. 7 are perspective views of luminaires with renewable energy generation means remote from the luminaire head, in an upper portion of the luminaire pole.

[0106] Figs. 8A and 8B are perspective views of luminaires with a renewable energy generation means located along the pole.

[0107] Figs. 9 A and 9B are perspective views of functional devices.

[0108] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0109] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the principles of the invention. Whilst the principles of the invention have been set out above in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that this description is merely made by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of protection which is determined by the appended claims.

[0110] Fig. 1A illustrates a schematic view of a luminaire according to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect.The luminaire 100 comprises a light source 200 and a battery pack 300 configured for powering the light source. The battery pack 300 comprises a housing 310. The housing includes one or more battery cells 311 and a battery management system 320, which are both arranged in the housing 310. The battery management system 320 comprises a measurement means 325 configured to measure one or more battery parameters of the one or more battery cells 311, such as a temperature, a charging state, a charging current, a discharging current, a remaining capacity, a remaining lifetime.

[0111] Additionally or alternatively to the one or more battery parameters listed above, the one or more battery parameters may comprise any one or more of: a production date, a first activation date, a nominal capacity, a nominal voltage, a current temperature, a maximal temperature, a minimal temperature, a discharge state, a charging voltage, a discharging voltage, a state of charge, a number of cycles, a cell balance.

[0112] The luminaire 100 further comprises a transmission means 410 connected to the battery pack 300. The battery pack 300 is connected to the transmission means 410, so as to be able to communicate the measured one or more battery parameters and / or data based thereon, to the transmission means 410. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 1A, the battery pack may be connected to the transmission means 410 through a serial bus 800.

[0113] The transmission means 410 is configured to transmit the one or more battery parameters and / or data based thereon to a remote device 500.

[0114] It is further noted that additionally or alternatively, the battery management system 320 arranged within the housing 310 of the battery pack 300, may comprise an asset data storage means configured to store one or more battery asset parameters of the battery pack, such as a production date, a first activation date, a nominal capacity, a nominal voltage, a maximal temperature, a minimal temperature, a number of cycles, a battery manufacturing date, a serial number, etc, which can also be communicated to the transmission means 410.

[0115] As illustrated in Fig. 1A, the luminaire may comprise a pole 110 with a lower end fixed in the ground G and the battery pack 300 may be located in the ground and preferably in the lower end of the pole 110. The skilled person will understand that the battery pack 300 may be located in the ground G without being in the lower end of the pole 110, as illustrated in Fig. 6A. There, the lower end is fixed on the ground G instead of in the ground.

[0116] In addition, the luminaire may comprise an underground compartment 120 below the pole 110, and the battery pack 300 may be located in the underground compartment 120. The battery pack 300 may be tubular, as further illustrated in Fig. IB, and may extend substantially vertically in the underground compartment 120.

[0117] As illustrated in Fig. 1A, the luminaire may comprise a luminaire head 130 connected to the pole 110. The luminaire head 130 comprises the light source 200 and the transmission means 410.The skilled person also understands that although advantageous, the battery pack is not necessarily located in the ground or close to the ground as discussed above and may be located for example in the luminaire head 130.

[0118] Figs. IB and 1C illustrate the battery pack 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect.

[0119] As discussed above, the battery pack 300 comprises a housing 310 including one or more battery cells 311 and a battery management system 320. For example, the battery cells 311 may be Li-ion battery cells and may be prismatic or cylindrical. As illustrated in Fig. IB and 1C, the battery pack 300 may comprise four sections of eight cells, arranged as four columns. The battery management system 320 comprises a measurement means 325 configured to measure one or more battery parameters of the one or more battery cells 311.

[0120] The housing 310 may be tubular. For example, the housing 310 may comprise a pipe made of a polymer material, such as a polyvinylchloride (PVC) or polyethylene (PE) pipe, in which internal components of the battery pack 300 are arranged, so as to protect the internal components. In addition, the battery pack 300 may comprise a shrink tube 315, e.g. a heat-shrink tube made of shrinkable plastic. The housing 300 and / or the shrink tube 315 provide abrasion resistance, environmental protection, e.g. sealing protection, insulation of the internal components of the battery pack 300, etc. Between the shrink tube 315 and the pipe, a filling material such as a foam material may be arranged, e.g. poured.

[0121] Typically, the housing 310 has a length between 30 cm and 120 cm, preferably between 40 cm and 110 cm and a diameter between 50 mm and 100 mm, for example between 70 mm and 80 mm.

[0122] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the electrical connections between the components of a luminaire 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect.

[0123] As mentioned above, the luminaire 100 comprises a light source 200 and a battery pack 300 configured for powering the light source 200. For example, the light source 200 comprises multiple light source elements 201 with multiple optical elements such as lenses. For example, the light source elements 201 may be LED elements and the light source 200 may comprise a PCB on which the light source elements 201 are arranged. The light source elements 201 may be covered by one or more lens plates (not shown). The battery pack 300 comprises a housing 310 including the one or more battery cells 311 and a battery management system 320. The battery management system 320 comprises a measurement means 325 configured to measure one or more battery parameters of the one or more battery cells 311, such as a temperature, a charging state, a charging current, a discharging current, a remaining capacity, a remaining lifetime.The luminaire 100 further comprises a transmission means 410 connected to the battery pack 300. The battery pack 300 is connected to the transmission means 410, so as to be able to communicate the measured one or more battery parameters and / or data based thereon, to the transmission means 410. The transmission means 410 is configured to transmit the one or more battery parameters and / or data based thereon to a remote device 500.

[0124] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the luminaire 100 may comprise a control means, here a controller 400, configured to control the powering of the light source 200 by receiving power directly from the battery pack 300. Although not illustrated here, the power may also be received indirectly from the battery pack, via a charge controller, as discussed in Figs. 3-6A. The controller 400 may comprise the transmission means 410.

[0125] The controller 400 may be configured to receive a light control signal and to control the power provided to the light source 200 based on the light control signal. For example, light control signals may be received from remote sources. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 400 may be configured to control the power provided to the light source 200 based on the one or more battery parameters or data based thereon.

[0126] Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a luminaire 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, similar to Fig. 2.

[0127] In addition to the features discussed in relation to Fig. 2 above, it is noted that the transmission means 410 may be a D4i compatible transmission means. D4i stands for DALI for Internet of Things (loT). It is an extension of DALI-2 lighting control protocol. D4i LED drivers have the capacity to store and report luminaire, energy, and diagnostic data in a standardized way. Meanwhile, D4i enables intelligent LED luminaires to interact with control devices such as sensors in an external control network. Based on power-supply and data specifications from DiiA, D4i components, including transmissions means, LED drivers, controllers, and input devices, have a compulsory set of features related to power-supply requirements and smart-data capabilities specified by the D4i standard.

[0128] The luminaire may further comprise a converter 350 between the battery pack 300 and the transmission means 410, for example, as illustrated here, at or within the controller 400. The battery pack 300 may be connected to the transmission means 410 through a serial bus 800, wherein for example, the serial bus 800 is between the battery pack 300 and the converter 350. The converter 350 is configured to receive the one or more battery parameters or data based thereon through the serial bus 800 and to convert the one or more battery parameters or data based thereon into D4i compatible signals.

[0129] The luminaire 100 may comprise a data storage means 420 configured to store the one or more battery parameters or data based thereon. The storage means 420 may be part of the controller400. Similarly, the battery management system 320 may comprise a data storage means 330 configured to store the one or more battery parameters and / or data based thereon.

[0130] The luminaire 100 may further comprise a renewable energy generation means 600. For example, the luminaire 100 of Fig. 3 comprises a solar panel, configured for charging the battery pack 300. The skilled person will understand that other types of renewable energy generation means are possible, such as a wind turbine. The luminaire may further comprise a charge controller 700 connected to the renewable energy generation means 600 and configured for controlling the charging of the battery pack 300. The charge controller 700 may be configured to collect data from the renewable energy generation means 600 and to communicate said data to the transmission means 410.

[0131] The luminaire may further comprise a sensor 900 configured to obtain environmental data. The controller 400 may be configured to receive the obtained environmental data, by wire or wirelessly or even through the remote device 500, and to control the power provided to the light source 200 based thereon.

[0132] Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a luminaire 100 similar to the ones of Figs. 1 and 3, in that the luminaire 100 comprises a pole 110 with a lower end fixed in the ground and the battery pack 300 is located in the ground G and in the lower end of the pole 110. Also, the luminaire 100 comprises a renewable energy generation means 600 and a charge controller 700 connected to the renewable energy generation means 600 and configured for controlling the charging of the battery pack 300.

[0133] The luminaire 100 of Fig. 4 is further provided with a receptacle 135 in which a pluggable control module 450, such as a NEMA or Zhaga control module, is received. The pluggable control module 450 comprises at least a portion of the controller 400 and may, as illustrated, comprise the transmission means 410. The receptacle 135 is connected to the charge controller 700, for example, as illustrated, indirectly through part of the controller 400. The skilled person understands however that the charge controller 700 may be directly connected to the receptacle 135 instead. Although not illustrated in Fig. 4, the sensor 900 may be included in the pluggable control module 450.

[0134] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the luminaire head 130 may comprise the charge controller 700. In order to connect the battery pack 300, located in a lower end of the pole, to the charge controller 700 and to the transmission means 410, e.g. in this case to the pluggable control module 450 comprising said transmission means 410, which are both in or on the luminaire head 130 in an upper part of the luminaire 100, the luminaire 100 is provided with at least two lines, one line for the serial bus 800 and one line for power 850 to and from the charge controller 700. For example, a cable with four wires, e.g. two for power and two for the serial bus 800, may extend along the pole 110 between the battery pack 300 and the luminaire head 130.A detailed cabling between the electrical components of the embodiment of Fig. 4 can be found in Fig. 5. All connectors illustrated in Fig. 5 may be in the luminaire head.

[0135] Fig. 6A is a schematic view of a luminaire similar to the one of Fig. 4, but where the lower end of the pole 110 of the luminaire 100 is fixed on the ground, and the battery pack 300 is merely located in the ground, as opposed to being in the lower end of the pole. It is also visible how the renewable energy generation means 600 is not on the luminaire head 130 but remote from it.

[0136] The latter is further illustrated in Fig. 6B, where the relative placement of the renewable energy generation means 600, the charge controller 700 and the battery pack 300 is illustrated for a first, a second, a third, a fourth and a fifth embodiment (from left to right).

[0137] The first embodiment corresponds to a luminaire 100 similar to the one of Fig. 4, with a renewable energy generation means 600 located on the luminaire head 130, e.g. on a surface of the luminaire head, a charge controller 700 in the luminaire head 130 and a battery pack 300 located in the lower end of the pole and in the ground.

[0138] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment at least in that the renewable energy generation means 600 is located along the pole 110, e.g. on a lateral surface of the pole 110 or a cover thereof, as illustrated below in Fig. 8 A and 8B. Further, the second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that the luminaire 100 comprises a compartment 120 below the pole, in which the battery pack 300 is located.

[0139] The third, fourth and fifth embodiments differ from the first and second embodiments at least in that the battery pack 300 is located in the ground, in the compartment 120, but not in a lower end of the pole. Also, these embodiments further differ from the first and second embodiments in that the renewable energy generation means 600 is remote from the luminaire head 130, e.g. further up on the pole 110 like in the third embodiment, or on the ground like the fourth and fifth embodiments. Perspective views of a luminaire 100 with a renewable energy generation means 600 further up on the pole 110 is illustrated in Fig. 7.

[0140] It is also noted that in the fifth embodiment, the charge controller 700 is located in the vicinity of the renewable energy generation means 600 and not in the luminaire head 600.

[0141] The skilled person will understand that any relative position of these elements is also possible even though not illustrated here.

[0142] Perspective views of luminaires 100 with a renewable energy generation means 600 located further up on the pole 110, like the third embodiment in Fig. 6B, are illustrated in Fig. 7. As illustrated on the right-hand side, the solar panel may be fixated with a bracket 150 on an upper portion of the pole 110. The orientation of the panel may depend on the position of the luminaire 100 relative to the sun and on the latitude of the location of the luminaire.Perspective views of luminaires with a renewable energy generation means 600 located along the pole 110, like in the second embodiment in Fig. 6B, are illustrated in Fig. 8 A and 8B.

[0143] As visible on the right-hand side of Fig. 8 A, the luminaire 100 may comprise a charge controller 700 within the luminaire head 130. The luminaire head 130 may comprise a heatsink 250, opposite the light source 200 (not visible), and configured to dissipate the heat therefrom. Between the light source 200 and the charge controller 700, the luminaire head 130 may be provided with the transmission means, e.g. included in the controller 400.

[0144] On the left-hand side of Fig. 8 A, it is shown how the pole 110 may be covered by a cover 160 arranged around the pole 110. The illustrated cover 160 has a parallelepipedal cross section, e.g. a square cross section, and is arranged around the pole 110, which in this case has a circular cross section. The cover 160 comprises at least one cover panel 161, e.g. several cover panels 161, including solar panels of the renewable energy generation means 600, that are fixed around and along the pole 110. Although not illustrated here, the cover panels 160 may comprise a light source, e.g. flat LED panel, a screen, such as a display, e.g. for advertisement, etc.

[0145] As illustrated in the left panel of Fig. 8 A and the right panel of Fig. 8B, the at least one cover panel 161, which may be plate-like, are coupled to profiles 175, which are fastened to fastening pieces 170, e.g. four fastening pieces 170, coupled to the pole 110.

[0146] The profiles 175 are preferably longitudinal and straight, like illustrated in Figs. 8A and 8B, however, this is not necessarily the case. Each of the profiles 175 comprises a body extending substantially in the first longitudinal direction of the pole 110 and each includes a profile fastening portion 1754. The profile fastening portion 1754 may extend over the whole length of the profile 175, such that the profile 175 may be fastened on a plurality of fastening pieces 170.

[0147] The profiles 175 may each comprise a first external surface extending in the first longitudinal direction of the pole 110 and a first groove 1751 in said first external surface. A cover panel 161 is then coupled to the profile 175 by inserting a first edge of the cover panel 161 in the first groove 1751 of one profile 175 and a second edge of the cover panel 161 opposite the first edge in the first groove 1751 of another adjacent profile 175. The profile may also comprise a second groove 1752 for inserting another cover panel 161 to another profile 175. In that way, the pole 110 may be completely surrounded by the cover panels 161.

[0148] As illustrated in Figs. 8 A and 8B, the cover panels 161 including the solar panels of the renewable energy generation means 600 are inserted in the grooves 1751, 1752 of the profiles 175 that are fixed along the pole 110. The panels may be changed by sliding the panel out of the grooves, for example to replace them if they are malfunctioning, to improve their efficiency, e.g. a solar panel oriented north would be more efficient if located on a south oriented face, or if a style change isdesired. Although not illustrated, seals may be provided in the grooves 1751, 1752 of the profiles 175 to avoid any ingress of water and / or dust between the cover panel 161 and the profile 175.

[0149] The profiles 175 are themselves fixed to the pole by fastening them to fastening pieces 170. The two or more fastening pieces each comprise at least two arms 1701 extending away from a pole coupling portion (see later) and from the pole 110, for example orthogonally to the first longitudinal direction of the pole 110. The arms 1701 each include a peripheral fastening portion at an end thereof for fastening one profile 175 at its profile fastening portion 1754.

[0150] The body of the profiles 175 may comprise through-holes 1753 suitable for the passage of cables, e.g. cables to / from the battery pack, to / from the solar panels, etc. The through-hole 1753 preferably extend from a bottom end of the body of the profile 175 to a top end thereof in the first longitudinal direction. The top of the cover 160 may be closed by a cover closing plate 171. Such a cover closing plate 171 is illustrated in Fig. 8 A, may be inside or on a housing of the luminaire head 130, or may be a part of the housing of the luminaire head 130. Optionally the closing is done with seals, in order to avoid any ingress of water and / or dust in the pole 110 and between the pole and the cover 160. The cover closing plate 171, may be screwed and / or bolted to the profiles 175, for example in the holes 1753 which may be threaded at an upper end for that purpose.

[0151] As illustrated in Fig. 8B, the coupling between the fastening pieces 170 and the pole 110 may be achieved by the at least one pole coupling portion 1705 defining a central opening for the passage of the pole 110. In an example, the cover closing plate 171, which may function as a fastening piece 170, may be the only fastening piece 170 that is fixedly coupled, e.g. fixedly attached, welded, fastened, etc., to the pole 110 while the other fastening pieces 170 are not fixedly coupled to the pole 110. In other cases, any or all the fastening pieces 170 may be further screwed or bolted or welded to the pole 110 at the pole coupling portion 1705. The fastening pieces 170 of Fig. 8B may be plate-like, with the hole in their center, i.e. the central opening, configured to receive the pole 110. As discussed above, for example, a periphery delimiting the hole, i.e. an edge of the pole coupling portion 1705, is welded to the pole 110.

[0152] The two or more fastening pieces 170 each comprise a pole coupling portion 1705 coupled to the pole 110 and the at least two arms 1701 discussed above. In other words, the fastening pieces 170 comprise at their periphery a plurality of arms 1701 including at their end a peripheral fastening portion 1701, for example four peripheral fastening portions each at the end of one of the four arms 1701, in case a parallelepipedal aspect is desired. The profiles 175 may be fixed to the peripheral fastening portions 1701, e.g. with a screw or a bolt.

[0153] The peripheral fastening portion may include a profile fixation surface 1702 substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the pole 110. For example, as illustrated in the right panel of Fig. 8B, the fastening piece 170 may be substantially plate-like, and comprise a profile fixationsurface 1702 that extends out of the plate orthogonally to the plate. The profile fixation surface 1702 may further comprise a hole for bolting or screwing the profile to said profile fixation surface 1702.

[0154] The profile fastening portion 1754 of the profile 175 may comprise at least one cavity 1755 in the body of the profile 175 and at least one opening 1756 providing a passage to said at least one cavity. The at least one opening 1756 is configured for the passage of a threaded portion of a screw or a bolt for fastening the profile fastening portion 1754 of the profile 175 to the peripheral fastening portion of the fastening piece 170. The at least one cavity 1755 may extend from a bottom end of the body to a top end of the body in the first longitudinal direction of the pole 110, although this is not always the case. Similarly, the at least one opening 1756 may extend from a bottom end of the body to a top end thereof, in which case the opening 1756 is a slit. For example, as illustrated in the middle top panel of Fig. 8B, a bolt and a nut may fasten the profile fastening portion 1754 of the profile 175 to the peripheral fastening portion of the fastening piece 170 by clamping the edges of the opening 1756, or the edges of the slit, to the profile fixation surface 1702, through the hole in profile fixation surface 1702. For example, the head of the bolt may be located in the cavity 1755 and the nut may abut a surface of the profile fixation surface 1702. It is noted that by having an opening that extends in the longitudinal direction of the pole 110, e.g. by having a slit, easy adjustment of the height at which the profile 175 is fastened is obtained. Fastening of the profiles 175 at the installation is then made easier.

[0155] As also illustrated in the top middle panel of Fig. 8B, at least one of the peripheral fastening portions may comprise two lateral contact protrusions 1703A, 1703B at an end thereof. The lateral contact protrusions 1703A, 1703B are each configured to abut an external surface of the profile 175 that is fastened to the peripheral fastening portion at two distinct locations. In that way, contact is made between the profile and the fastening piece 170 at at least three different locations, which reduces the degrees of freedom of the profile 175. A stabler fastening is then obtained.

[0156] The skilled person will understand that although Figs. 8 A and 8B disclose a cover 160 in which the cover panels 161 are arranged in a square shape, a different number of faces and thus a different shape is also possible with such fastening system. For example, by increasing or decreasing the number of arms 1701, by distributing them in a different way, e.g. not uniformly around the perimeter of the fastening piece 170, etc.

[0157] Figs. 9A and 9B are perspective views of a functional device according to the second aspect of the invention. Fig. 9A further illustrates the functional device schematically when in use.

[0158] As mentioned above, the functional device may be located in remote locations, without being connected to an electric grid. In Fig. 9A, the functional device is illustrated as being located along a trail in the mountains. Because the skilled person understands that the functional device is in many aspects similar to the luminaire of the first aspect, all similar features of the functional device willnot be illustrated nor discussed. The skilled person understands however that these similar features and their advantages mentioned above apply mutatis mutandis.

[0159] As visible from Fig. 9 A, the functional device 100 comprises a renewable energy generation means 600, for example a solar panel, on the side of the functional device, and / or a wind turbine, on top of it. These renewable energy generation means 600 are configured for charging the battery pack, which is not illustrated here, but could for example be underground or elsewhere in the pole or in the head, e.g. a sensor head, like in the embodiments of the first aspect shown above.

[0160] The functional device comprises a functional module 200, or several of them, connected to be powered by the battery pack. For example, the functional device may comprise a Wi-Fi hotspot module, to provide passersby with access to the internet. The functional device may comprise a display. In this case, the display is illustrated as providing information about the surroundings: the display provides information on a direction to take to do climbing, on a direction to take to find a table to eat, an information on the fact that making a fire is prohibited. The display may also have other purposes, such as advertisement purposes, depending on the location where the functional device is located. The functional device may comprise a charging station, at which a user may charge their vehicle, e.g. their bike, or their phone, or any other device that would need to be provided with electricity.

[0161] In Fig. 9B, a more realistic perspective view of a functional device 100 is illustrated. As previously discussed in relation to Figs. 8 A and 8B, the functional device may comprise a pole with cover panels attached thereto, e.g. with the system described in Figs. 8 A and 8B. A variety of shapes may thus be achieved for the functional device.

[0162] It is submitted that although in all these embodiments the luminaire 100 and the functional device are described as being powered only through the battery 300 and the renewable energy generation means 600, the skilled person understands that a hybrid version, i.e. with the luminaire being connected to an electrical grid for powering its components, is also possible.

Claims

25Claims1. A luminaire (100) comprising:a light source (200);a battery pack (300) configured for powering the light source, said battery pack comprising a housing (310) including one or more battery cells (311) and a battery management system (320), said battery management system comprisingo a measurement means (325) configured to measure one or more battery parameters of the one or more battery cells (310), such as a temperature, a charging state, a charging current, a discharging current, a remaining capacity, a remaining lifetime;a transmission means (410) connected to the battery pack (300);wherein the battery pack (300) is connected to the transmission means (410), so as to be able to communicate the measured one or more battery parameters and / or data based thereon, to the transmission means;wherein the transmission means (410) is configured to transmit the one or more battery parameters and / or data based thereon, preferably to a remote device (500).

2. The luminaire of claim 1 , wherein the battery pack is connected to the transmission means through a serial bus (800).

3. The luminaire of claim 1 or 2, wherein the luminaire comprises a pole (110) with a lower end fixed in or on the ground, wherein the battery pack is located in the ground and / or in the lower end of the pole.

4. The luminaire of claim 3, wherein the luminaire comprises an underground compartment (120) below the pole (110), and the battery pack is located in the underground compartment.

5. The luminaire of claim 4, wherein the battery pack (300) is tubular and extends substantially vertically in the underground compartment (120).

6. The luminaire of any one of the claims 3-5, wherein the luminaire comprises a luminaire head (130) connected to the pole (110), said luminaire head comprising the light source (200) and the transmission means (410).

7. The luminaire of claim 6, wherein the luminaire head comprises a data storage means (420) configured to store the one or more battery parameters or data based thereon.

8. The luminaire of any one of the previous claims, wherein the battery management system comprises a data storage means (330) configured to store said one or more battery parameters and / or data based thereon.

9. The luminaire of any one of the previous claims, further comprising a renewable energy generation means (600), such as a solar panel, configured for charging the battery pack (300).

10. The luminaire of claim 9, further comprising a charge controller (700) connected to the renewable energy generation means (600) and configured for controlling the charging of the battery pack (300).

11. The luminaire of claim 10, wherein the charge controller (700) is configured to collect data from the renewable energy generation means (600) and to communicate said data to the transmission means (410).

12. The luminaire of claim 6 and claim 10 or 11, wherein the luminaire head (130) comprises the charge controller (700).

13. The luminaire of any one of the previous claims, further comprising a control means configured to control the powering of the light source (200), wherein optionally the control means comprise the transmissions means.

14. The luminaire of claim 7 and 13, wherein the data storage means (420) is part of the control means.

15. The luminaire according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the control means (400) is configured to receive a light control signal and to control the power provided to the light source (200) based on the light control signal and / or wherein the control means (400) is configured to control the power provided to the light source (200) based on the one or more battery parameters or data based thereon.

16. The luminaire of any of the previous claims, wherein the luminaire is provided with a receptacle (135) in which a pluggable control module (450), such as a NEMA or Zhaga control module, is received.

17. The luminaire of any one of the claims 13-15 and claim 16, wherein the pluggable control module (450) comprises at least a portion of the control means , typically at least a portion of a controller (400) of the control means.

18. The luminaire of claim 16 or 17, wherein the pluggable control module comprises the transmission means (410).

19. The luminaire of any one of the claims 10-12 and any one of the claims 16-18, wherein the receptacle is connected to the charge controller (700).

20. The luminaire of any one of the previous claims, further comprising a sensor (900) configured to obtain environmental data.

21. The luminaire of any one of claims 16-19 and claim 20, wherein the sensor (900) is included in the pluggable control module (450).

22. The luminaire of any one of the claims 13-15 and any one of the claims 20-21, wherein the control means is configured to receive the obtained environmental data and to control the power provided to the light source (200) based thereon.

23. The luminaire of any one of the previous claims, wherein the transmission means (410) is a D4i compatible transmission means, wherein preferably the luminaire further comprises a converter (350) between the battery pack (300) and the transmission means (410), a serial bus (800) between the battery pack (300) and the converter (350), said converter (350) being configured to receive the one or more battery parameters or data based thereon through the serial bus and to convert the one or more battery parameters or data based thereon into D4i compatible signals.

24. The luminaire of any one of the previous claims, wherein the one or more battery parameters comprise any one or more of: a current temperature, a charging state, a charging current, a discharge state, a discharging current, a charging voltage, a discharging voltage, a state of charge, a remaining lifetime, a number of cycles, a cell balance, a time duration or a number28of times that the temperature was higher than a first threshold temperature, a time duration or a number of times that the temperature was lower than a second threshold temperature, a charging overvoltage or a number of times that a charging voltage was higher than a threshold voltage, a charging overcurrent or a number of times that a charging current was higher than a threshold current, a discharging overload or a number of times that the discharging load was higher than a threshold discharging load.

25. A functional device (100) with energy collection and storage, said device comprising:a battery pack (300) comprising a housing (310) including one or more battery cells (311) and a battery management system (320), said battery management system comprisingo a measurement means configured to measure one or more battery parameters of the one or more battery cells (310), such as a temperature, a charging state, a charging current, a discharging current, a remaining capacity, a remaining lifetime; and / oro an asset data storage means configured to store one or more battery asset parameters of the battery pack, such as a production date, a first activation date, a nominal capacity, a nominal voltage, a maximal temperature, a minimal temperature, a number of cycles, a battery manufacturing date, a serial number;a transmission means (410) connected to the battery pack (300);a renewable energy generation means (600), such as a solar panel, configured for charging the battery pack (300);a functional module (200), such as a sensor, a charging station, a wireless spot, a screen, such as a display, or a light source, connected to be powered by the battery pack;wherein the battery pack (300) is connected to the transmission means (410), so as to be able to communicate the measured one or more battery parameters and / or one or more battery asset parameters and / or data based thereon, to the transmission means; wherein the transmission means (410) is configured to transmit the one or more battery parameters and / or the one or more battery asset parameters and / or data based thereon, preferably to a remote device (500).

26. The functional device according to claim 25, wherein the functional device comprises a pole (110) with a lower end fixed in or on the ground, wherein the battery pack is located in the ground and / or in the lower end of the pole.2927. The functional device according to any one of the claims 25-26, wherein the battery pack (300) is tubular and extends substantially vertically in the pole.

28. The functional device according to any one of the claims 25-27, wherein the functional device comprises an underground compartment (120) below the pole (110), and the battery pack is located in the underground compartment.

29. The functional device according to any one of the claims 25-28, further comprising a charge controller (700) connected to the renewable energy generation means (600) and configured for controlling the charging of the battery pack (300).

30. The functional device according to the previous claim, wherein the charge controller (700) is configured to collect data from the renewable energy generation means (600) and to communicate said data to the transmission means (410).

31. The functional device according to any one of the claims 26-30, wherein the functional device comprises a sensor head connected to the pole (110), said sensor head comprising a sensor and the transmission means (410).

32. The functional device according to claim 31 , wherein the sensor head comprises the charge controller (700).

33. The functional device according to claim 31 or 32, further comprising a controller (400) configured to control the sensor.

34. The functional device according to any one of the claims 31-33, wherein the sensor (900) is configured to obtain environmental data.

35. The functional device according to any one of the claims 25-34, wherein the functional device is provided with a receptacle (135) in which a pluggable control module (450), such as a NEMA or Zhaga control module, is received.

36. The functional device according to claim 33 and 35, wherein the pluggable control module (450) comprises at least a portion of the controller (400).

37. The functional device according to 35 or 36, wherein the pluggable control module comprises the transmission means (410).

38. The functional device according to claim 29 and any one of the claims 35-37, wherein the receptacle is connected to the charge controller (700).

39. The functional device according to claim 31 and any one of the claims 35-38, wherein the sensor (900) is included in the pluggable control module (450).

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