JP2000315590A - Lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting system admitting a variety of controls without requiring any alteration to a great extent to the existing configuration. SOLUTION: A dimming signal Vs' which is prepared by changing the on-duty ratio of a dimming signal Vs transmitted from a signal generator 1 into the specified value is output to a signal line Ls from a signal converter 2. Accordingly a lighting circuit part 3b receives the dimming signal Vs' having different on-duty ratio from the dimming signal Vs output from the signal generator 1 in a luminaire 3 connected with the signal converter 2 through the signal line Ls, and a light source 3a is lighted up at a dimming level different from the dimming level instructed by the signal generator 1. Thus a variety of dimming controls which can not be conducted by the signal generator 1 are made practicable only by adding signal converter 2 to the existing configuration consisting of signal generator 1 and luminaire 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting device capable of remotely controlling the state of a light source of a lighting fixture in an indoor space such as an office.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, a control signal has been generated from a signal generator such as a dimmer for a luminaire having a specific function such as dimming, and the dimming level of the luminaire etc. There is provided a lighting device for remotely controlling the lighting device.

[0003]

By the way, in the conventional lighting apparatus, only the same control can be performed for a plurality of lighting apparatuses connected to the signal generator.
If different types of lighting equipment are connected to the same signal generator, the reaction to the control signal (in this case, the dimming level) will differ depending on the type of lighting equipment,
This caused discomfort to the user. In order to prevent this, for example, it is necessary to use a lighting device having a function of converting a standard control signal by a microcomputer or the like, or to manufacture a lighting device incorporating a program for matching characteristics to any of the lighting devices. There was a lack of versatility and it was inconvenient.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-241865 proposes a lighting device having a connection interface for converting a high-speed digital dimming signal standard (DMX512) into another low-speed dedicated signal. However, this lighting device has a complicated structure to process high-speed dimming signals, so it is a device limited to a specific use only, and has poor versatility and is difficult to use in a general lighting space. is there.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device capable of performing various controls without significantly changing an existing configuration. .

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting apparatus comprising: a light source; one or a plurality of luminaires including a lighting circuit for lighting the light source; Control means for outputting a control signal for varying at least the brightness of the light source, and a signal conversion means for converting the control signal output from the control unit to another control signal and outputting it, By simply changing the existing configuration including the lighting equipment and the control means by adding the signal conversion means, various controls which cannot be performed by the control means can be performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a signal converter is connected to a part of the plurality of lighting fixtures and the controller. It works.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of luminaires are respectively connected to the control means via the signal converting means, and the same operation as the first aspect of the present invention. To play.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the invention, a plurality of lighting fixtures are connected to the signal conversion means, and has the same effect as the first aspect of the invention.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the present invention, another signal converting means is connected to the output side of the signal converting means, and has the same effect as the first aspect of the present invention. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a means for sending and wiring a control signal is provided in the lighting apparatus, and in addition to the operation of the first aspect of the invention, the configuration is further simplified. Can be

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, there is provided a detecting means for detecting a surrounding condition, and the signal converting means converts the control signal into a control signal according to a detection result of the detecting means. In addition to the operation of any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, various controls according to the detection result of the detection means can be performed.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, power supply means for obtaining an operation power of the signal conversion means from a signal line through which the control signal is transmitted is provided. In addition to the function of any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, it is not necessary to newly provide a power source when adding the signal conversion means, and the configuration can be simplified.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, power supply means for supplying operating power to the signal conversion means is provided in the lighting fixture. In addition to the function of any of the inventions described above, it is not necessary to newly provide a power supply when adding the signal conversion means, and the configuration can be simplified.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, there is provided an emergency power supply, and an emergency control unit for supplying power from the emergency power supply to the lighting circuit unit and the signal conversion unit in the event of a power failure. Characterized by having a lighting fixture,
In addition to the function of any one of the first to ninth aspects of the invention, the signal conversion means can be operated even at the time of a power failure, so that usability is improved.

[0016]

(Embodiment 1) As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of luminaires 3 (only one is shown in FIG. 1) are provided with a light source 3a such as a fluorescent lamp or an incandescent lamp, and an external light source 3a. A lighting circuit unit 3b that receives power from an AC power source (commercial power source) AC and turns on the light source 3a. Here, the lighting circuit unit 3b varies the brightness (luminous flux) of the light source 3a in accordance with a control signal (dimming signal) externally applied via the signal line Ls, and employs a conventionally known technique. It can be realized using. The signal generator 1 outputs a dimming signal Vs composed of a square wave pulse signal having a constant period as shown in FIG. 3A to the signal line Ls, and varies the on-duty ratio. Instructs the lighting circuit unit 3b of the luminaire 3 to indicate a dimming level corresponding to the on-duty ratio (for example, the dimming level is lower as the on-duty ratio is higher). The operating power of the signal generator 1 is supplied from an external commercial power supply AC.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the signal converter 2 comprises a signal receiving section 2a for receiving the dimming signal Vs input from the signal generator 1 via the signal line Ls, and a CPU for controlling the received light. A signal converter 2b for converting the optical signal Vs into another dimming signal, and a dimming signal Vs' converted by the signal converter 2b.
And a power supply unit 2d for generating an operation power supply for each unit from an external AC power supply (commercial power supply) AC.

In the signal converter 2b, the on-duty ratio of the dimming signal Vs transmitted from the signal generator 1 is changed to a predetermined value, and for example, the dimming signal Vs as shown in FIG.
s is converted into a dimming signal Vs' having a low on-duty ratio as shown in FIG. 4B, or a dimming signal Vs as shown in FIG. The dimming signal Vs 'having a high on-duty ratio is converted, and the converted dimming signal Vs' is output from the signal transmission unit 2c to the signal line Ls. Therefore, in the lighting fixture 3 connected to the signal converter 2 by the signal line Ls, the lighting circuit unit 3b outputs the dimming signal Vs' having a different on-duty ratio from the dimming signal Vs output from the signal generator 1. Then, the light source 3a is turned on at a dimming level different from the dimming level instructed by the signal generator 1. On the other hand, in a lighting fixture (not shown) directly connected to the signal generator 1 via the signal line Ls without passing through the signal converter 2, the lighting circuit unit receives the dimming signal Vs from the signal generator 1 as it is. Then, the light source is turned on at the dimming level as instructed by the signal generator 1. Here, the lighting circuit unit 3b of the lighting fixture 3 is configured to turn off the light source 3a when receiving the dimming signal Vs' with the on-duty ratio set to 95% as shown in FIG. 5B. Thus, the lighting fixture 3 connected to the signal converter 2 can be turned off by dimming control.

Thus, various controls that cannot be performed by the signal generator 1 can be performed by a simple change in which the signal converter 2 is simply added to an existing lighting device including the signal generator 1 and the lighting fixture 3, for example, Among the plurality of lighting fixtures 3, a specific lighting fixture 3 may be made brighter than other lighting fixtures 3 (see FIG. 3), or a specific lighting fixture 3 may be darkened to save energy (see FIG. 4). Control can be performed. Also,
In the conventional device, the signal generator 1 located at a remote place must be operated in order to change the brightness of a specific lighting fixture, but according to the present embodiment, the signal converter installed near the lighting fixture 3 There is an advantage that operability is improved because the dimming control can be performed in Step 2. If the signal converter 2 is provided with an adjusting means capable of adjusting the conversion level such as how much the on-duty ratio of the received dimming signal Vs is increased or decreased, the conversion level (dimming) in the signal converter 2 is increased. Level) can be adjusted freely, and the usability can be improved.

When the wiring distance of the signal line Ls becomes long, the voltage from the signal generator 1 is higher than the rated voltage as shown in FIG. In some cases, the dimming signal Vs is transmitted at the voltage level Va. For the lighting fixture 3 in which the wiring distance of the signal line Ls is relatively short, the dimming signal Vs is converted by the signal converter 2 into the rated voltage level Vb. It is also possible to apply the dimming signal Vs' lowered to. At this time, if the reduced voltage (power) is used, it is possible to increase the on-duty ratio of the dimming signal Vs 'with the same power, and to use the dimming signal Vs' as the operating power supply of the signal converter 2. It becomes possible.

Also, since the wiring distance of the signal line Ls is long, the voltage level V
If a ′ falls below the rated voltage level as shown in FIG. 7A, the voltage level is changed from Va ′ in the signal converter 2 as shown in FIG. It is also possible to apply the dimming signal Vs' raised to the voltage level Vb of the above, and to play the role of a so-called booster. At the same time, if the on-duty ratio of the dimming signal Vs' is reduced, the voltage level of the dimming signal Vs can be increased with the same power.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Connect only ₁ via a signal converter 2 to the signal generator 1,
If to connect directly to another lighting apparatus 3 ₂ to the signal generator 1, connected via a signal converter 2 among the signal generator plurality of lighting apparatuses 3 ₁ connected to 1, 3 ₂ only in lighting apparatus 3 ₁ can be lit at different dimming levels of the other lighting apparatus 3 _2.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG.
If the plurality of lighting fixtures 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ controlled by the dimming are connected to the signal generator 1 via the signal converters 2 ₁ and 2 ₂ respectively,
Some of the lighting fixtures 3 ₁ , 3 ₂ can be set to different dimming levels, and each lighting fixture 3 ₁ can be configured with a simple configuration.
There is an advantage that the dimming level in... Can be changed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of lighting fixtures 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ are connected to a signal generator 1 through one signal converter 2.
When there are a plurality of luminaires 3 ₁ ... That are dimmed and controlled by the signal generator 1, some of the luminaires 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ are connected to one another by one signal converter 2. It can be turned on or off at a dimming level different from that of a lighting fixture (not shown), and the lighting fixture 3 _{1 has} a simple configuration.
There is an advantage that the dimming level in... Can be changed.

[0025] Alternatively, if so connecting the lighting fixture 3 ₂ via the signal generator 1 connected to the signal converter 2 ₁ to a further signal converter 2 ₂ As shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of The lighting fixtures 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ can be turned on or off at dimming levels different from each other and different from the dimming level in the signal generator 1, and the lighting fixtures 3 ₁ ,.
There is an advantage that the dimming level can be changed.

(Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 1, the case is described in which the lighting fixture 3 is turned off when the dimming signal Vs' with the on-duty ratio set to 95% is received. In the case of a lighting fixture 3 that cannot be turned off by a light control signal, a signal converter 2 'as shown in FIG. 12 may be used.

The signal converter 2 'includes a power supply control unit 2e for controlling the power supply from the external commercial power supply AC to the lighting equipment 3, and the on-duty ratio is set to 95% by the signal receiving unit 2a. Upon receiving the dimming signal Vs, the signal conversion unit 2b controls the power supply control unit 2e to stop the power supply from the commercial power supply AC to the lighting fixture 3, thereby turning off the lighting fixture 3.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the lighting fixture 3 that cannot be turned off by the dimming signal is also turned on and off by the dimming signal Vs using the signal converter 2 '.
It can be turned off.

[0029] In Embodiment 3 In this embodiment, the lighting apparatus 3 ₁ two to the signal converter 2, 3 ₂ are connected as shown in FIG. 13, each for each lighting apparatus 3 _1, 3 ₂ It is characterized in that dimming signals Vs ′ ₁ and Vs ′ ₂ whose conversion levels are set independently are output, and other configurations and operations are common to the first embodiment.

[0030] In the signal converter 2 of this embodiment, the dimming signal Vs in the signal converter 2b from the two is dimming signal Vs obtained by converting the conversion level of _'1, Vs' ₂ a signal transmission unit 2c It transmits to each lighting fixture 3 ₁ , 3 ₂ . Therefore, it is possible to set different dimming levels for some of the luminaires 3 ₁ , 3 ₂ out of the plurality of luminaires 3 _{1, which} are dimmed by the signal generator 1, as shown in FIG. There is an advantage that the dimming level in each of the lighting fixtures 3 ₁ can be changed with a simpler configuration than the configuration of the first embodiment.

Here, as shown in FIG. 15A, the dimming signal Vs having the ON width of Ta is converted by the signal converter 2b into the ON width of Tb as shown in FIGS. Tc two kinds of dimming signals Vs ′ ₁ and Vs ′ ₂ (where Ta = Tb + T
If to convert to c), when raised than the dimming level of one of the lighting apparatus 3 _first dimming level of the original dimming signal Vs also the other dimming level of the lighting apparatus 3 ₂ By lowering accordingly, various dimming controls can be performed while suppressing the power consumption of the entire lighting device to some extent.

[0032] In Embodiment 4 This embodiment is characterized in that a means for wire feeding a lighting circuit portion 3b to the signal line Ls of the lighting apparatus 3 _1, other configurations and operations as in Embodiment 1 It is common.

As shown in FIG. 16, the terminal portion 3c of the signal line Ls for feeding with a signal line Ls to be connected to the signal generator 1 is connected wires' is connected is provided with the lighting apparatus 3 _1, The signal converter 2 is connected to the terminal 3c via a signal line Ls'. Therefore, the dimming control by the dimming signal Vs from the signal generator luminaire 3 ₁ the signal generator 1 which is directly connected to one, which is connected to the lighting apparatus 3 ₁ from the feed line signal converter 2 illumination In the instrument 3 _2,
The dimming control is performed by the dimming signal Vs ′ obtained by converting the dimming signal Vs from the signal generator 1 by the signal converter 2. As a result, it is possible to light the lighting apparatus 3 ₁ of two, 3 ₂ from each other at different dimming levels with a simple configuration.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the operating power of the signal converter 2 is supplied from an external commercial power supply AC. However, as shown in FIG.
a, and a battery unit 4 including a charging circuit unit 4b for charging the storage battery 4a is provided in the signal converter 2, so that wiring for supplying power from the commercial power supply AC to the signal converter 2 is not required, and the construction is performed. Performance can be improved.

The storage battery 4a comprises a secondary battery such as a Ni-Cd battery or a lithium battery. Further, the charging circuit unit 4b uses the power obtained by the solar cell (not shown) to
When the lighting fixture 3 is turned off, power is supplied from the storage battery 4a to each unit such as the signal conversion unit 2b.
When the lighting fixture 3 is turned on, power is directly supplied from the charging circuit unit 4b to the signal conversion unit 2b and the like, and the storage battery 4a is charged.

Thus, the charging circuit section 4b having a solar cell
Since the storage battery 4a is charged by this, there is an advantage that replacement of the battery or the like becomes unnecessary and maintenance becomes easy.

(Embodiment 5) In this embodiment, the dimming signal V
It is characterized in that a power supply means for obtaining the operating power of the signal conversion unit 2 from the signal line Ls through which the signal s is transmitted is provided, and the other configurations and operations are common to the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, a power supply circuit 2f for rectifying and smoothing the signal current flowing through the signal line Ls and charging a smoothing capacitor (not shown) is provided in the signal converter 2, and the power supply circuit Operating power is supplied from 2f to each part of the signal converter 2, and the power supply means is constituted by the power supply circuit 2f.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operating current in the signal converter 2 is obtained by rectifying and smoothing the signal current flowing through the signal line Ls by the power supply circuit 2f. The wiring for power supply to the signal converter 2 is not required, and the signal converter 2 can be installed only with the wiring of the signal line Ls. Further, since the operating power is obtained from the signal current flowing through the signal line Ls, there is an advantage that the operating power can be stably supplied to the signal converter 2.

(Embodiment 6) The present embodiment is characterized in that a power supply means for supplying operating power to the signal converter 2 is provided in the lighting fixture 3, and other configurations and operations are the same as those in Embodiment 1. Since they are common, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 19, the lighting circuit section 3b of the lighting fixture 3 receives power from an external AC power supply (commercial power supply) AC and connects a power supply line Lq to the power supply section 2d of the signal converter 2. A commercial power supply AC is supplied via the power supply.
That is, in the present embodiment, the power supply unit is constituted by the power supply line Lq.

In the present embodiment, the commercial power supply A is supplied from the lighting fixture 3 to the signal converter 2 via the power supply line Lq.
C, and the signal converter 2 is usually installed near the lighting equipment 3 in many cases, so that the power supply wiring (power supply line Lq) to the signal converter 2 can be minimized. There is an advantage that workability is improved. In addition, there is an advantage that a stable power supply is possible because power is supplied from an external commercial power supply AC. Instead of supplying the commercial power AC from the lighting equipment 3 to the signal converter 2 via the power supply line Lq, a low-voltage power supply is once created in the lighting equipment 3 and this low-voltage power supply is supplied to the signal converter 2. You may make it.

By the way, as shown in FIG.
May be supplied from the signal converter 2.
For example, it can be realized by means such as controlling the phase of an AC voltage transmitted from the signal converter 2 via the signal line Ls, or superimposing a dimming signal on a DC voltage supplied to the lighting fixture 3. Thereby, the signal converter 2 and the lighting fixture 3
The wiring between them is only the signal line Ls, and the workability is improved.

(Embodiment 7) In the present embodiment, an emergency power supply composed of a storage battery and an emergency control unit 5 for supplying power to the lighting circuit unit 3b and the signal converter 2 from the emergency power supply in the event of a power failure are illuminated. 3 is characterized in that it is provided in the third embodiment, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 21, the emergency control unit 5 receives power from a commercial power supply AC to charge a storage battery (not shown) and supplies the commercial power AC to the lighting circuit unit 3b during a non-power failure. In the event of a power failure, power is supplied from the storage battery to the lighting circuit unit 3b, and at the same time, power is also supplied to the signal converter 2 via the power supply line Lq. Therefore, the lighting circuit unit 3b can light the light source 3a even at the time of a power failure, and the lighting fixture 3 functions as an emergency light.

On the other hand, the signal converter 2 receives power supply from a commercial power supply (not shown) during a non-power failure, and receives power supply from the emergency control unit 5 of the lighting fixture 3 via a power supply line Lq during a power failure. It works. here,
Since PWM control for adjusting the dimming level with the on-duty ratio of the dimming signal Vs is performed on the lighting fixture 3, if the dimming signal Vs (Vs ′) is interrupted during a power failure, the lighting fixture 3 is completely turned off. The light comes on, the power consumption increases, and the lighting time by the storage battery is shortened. for that reason,
In the signal converter 2 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, the on-duty ratio of the dimming signal Vs' is increased while power is being supplied from the emergency control unit 5 due to a power failure compared to when there is no power failure. The dimming level is reduced. As a result, the power consumption of the lighting equipment 3 during a power outage is suppressed, and the lighting time by the storage battery is extended.

(Embodiment 8) As shown in FIG. 23, in this embodiment, a lighting fixture 3 using a fluorescent lamp 3a as a light source and a lighting fixture 3 'using an incandescent lamp 3a' as a light source are each provided with a signal converter 2 , 2 ′ to the signal generator 1. However, the lighting equipment 3 using the fluorescent lamp 3a as a light source and the signal converter 2 connected to the lighting equipment 3 via the signal line Ls are common to the first embodiment, and therefore the description is omitted.

On the other hand, the signal converter 2 'is supplied with a commercial power supply AC, and performs phase control, voltage control, and the like according to the dimming signal Vs transmitted from the signal generator 1 via the signal line Ls. The incandescent lamp 3 of the lighting fixture 3 'is appropriately controlled.
The dimming control of the incandescent lamp 3a 'is performed by varying the power supplied to a'.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the lighting fixture 3 using the fluorescent lamp 3a as a light source by one signal generator 1,
In addition, dimming control of different types of lighting equipment such as a lighting equipment 3 'using an incandescent lamp 3a' as a light source can be performed simultaneously.

(Embodiment 9) As shown in FIG. 24, the configuration of the present embodiment is common to that of Embodiment 1, and the common components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The present embodiment is characterized in that dimming control is performed such that the dimming level of the luminaire 3 is varied according to the time zone by using the timer function of the signal converter 2b of the signal converter 2. is there. Here, C constituting the signal conversion unit 2b
Since the PU usually has a built-in timer, the signal conversion unit 2b executes a program for performing dimming control as described below using the timer.

For example, dimming control is performed on the lighting equipment 3 installed in the office according to a time schedule as shown in FIG. In other words, during the period from 20:00 to 6:00 in the morning, the number of people in the office is small, so the dimming level is lowered to save power, and the dimming level is slightly increased from around 6:00 when people start to work, so that they leave early. To ensure the workability of people. And from 9:00 when working hours start, the dimming level is 100
% To improve work efficiency. During the lunch break from 12:00 to 13:00, the dimming level is lowered to achieve refresh and energy saving, and the dimming level is set to 100% again in the afternoon work hours after 13:00. Then, considering that there are people who work overtime outside of working hours after 17:00, the dimming level is slightly lowered from the daytime to save energy without impairing workability.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the dimming level of the lighting fixture 3 is controlled by the timer using the signal converter 2, so that a lighting environment according to the situation can be easily realized and energy saving can be achieved. It is also possible.

(Embodiment 10) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26, a scene switch 6 for instructing the signal converter 2 to switch the dimming level in accordance with the lighting condition (scene) is provided. There is a feature in this point, and other configurations are common to the first embodiment. Therefore, common configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The scene switcher 6 has means for setting a dimming level corresponding to each of a plurality of scenes, and converts the dimming level data corresponding to the scene selected by the user into a signal converter of the signal converter 2. 2b. For example, as shown in FIG. 27, different dimming levels are set for each of six scenes from scene 1 to scene 6, and the user operates a selection switch (not shown) provided in the scene switcher 6 to select the dimming level. The light control level data of the scenes 1... Given from the scene switcher 6 is provided to the signal converter 2 b of the signal converter 2.

On the other hand, in the signal converter 2 b, the on-duty ratio of the dimming signal Vs transmitted from the signal generator 1 is changed to an on-duty ratio corresponding to the dimming level data supplied from the scene switcher 6. It changes and transmits the changed light control signal Vs' to the lighting fixture 3 via the signal line Ls.
Thus, the dimming level of the lighting apparatus 3 can be switched to the dimming level corresponding to the scene 1... Selected by the scene switcher 6, and the signal converter 2 and the scene switcher 6 provide a so-called scene reproduction function. Can be realized.

Note that, as shown in FIG.
A transmission means for transmitting the dimming level data by a radio medium such as a radio wave or an infrared ray is provided, and a signal converter 2 is provided with a receiver 2g for receiving the radio medium, and the scene switcher 6 is provided.
When the dimming level data is transmitted and received between the device and the signal converter 2 by a wireless signal, the installation of the scene switcher 6 and the wiring between the signal converter 2 become unnecessary, and the workability and convenience are improved. Performance can be improved.

(Eleventh Embodiment) In the first to tenth embodiments, the signal generator 1, the signal converter 2, and the lighting fixture 3 are connected to each other by a signal line Ls by wire, as shown in FIG. The dimming signal Vs is transmitted from the signal generator 1 to the signal converter 2 by a communication medium such as radio waves or infrared rays, or the signal converter 2 is transmitted from the signal converter 2 to the lighting equipment 3 by a communication medium as shown in FIG. The dimming signal Vs' is transmitted or, as shown in FIG.
The dimming signals Vs and Vs' may be transmitted from the signal converter 2 to the signal converter 2 to the lighting equipment 3 by a communication medium.

For example, it is sufficient to provide a means for transmitting a radio signal by radio waves or infrared rays on the sender side of the dimming signals Vs and Vs', and to provide a receiving means for receiving the radio signal on the receiver side. Since the transmitting means and the receiving means can be realized by using a conventionally well-known technique, detailed description will be omitted.

According to the present embodiment, the signal generator 1, the signal converter 2, and the lighting equipment 3 can be installed even in a situation where the wiring by the signal line Ls is difficult, and the range of use as the lighting device is expanded. There is an advantage that can be.

(Embodiment 12) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 32, a human sensor 7 for detecting the presence or absence of a person in a detection area is connected to the signal converter 2, and the detection result of the human sensor 7 The feature is that the conversion level of the dimming signal Vs in the signal converter 2 is varied accordingly. However, since other configurations are common to the first embodiment, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The human sensor 7 detects the presence or absence of a person in the detection area by detecting, for example, a heat ray radiated from the human body by a pyroelectric element.
It outputs a level human body detection signal Vh. However, since such a human sensor 7 can be realized by using a conventionally well-known technique, detailed illustration and description of the configuration are omitted.

FIG. 33 shows a signal converter 2 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a human body detection signal Vh output from the human sensor 7 is taken into the signal converter 2b. As shown in FIG. 34B, the signal conversion unit 2b controls the dimming transmitted from the signal generator 1 while the human body detection signal Vh is at the L level without the presence of the human being detected by the human sensor 7. The dimming signal Vs ′ having an on-duty ratio (for example, 100%) that turns off the lighting device 3 regardless of the on-duty ratio of the signal Vs (see FIG. 34A) is transmitted to the signal transmission unit 2c.
To the lighting fixture 3 (see FIG. 34 (c)). When the presence of a person is detected by the human sensor 7 and the human body detection signal Vh becomes H level, the signal conversion unit 2b operates until the predetermined lighting holding time Th elapses after the human body detection signal Vh rises to H level. During the period, the signal transmitting unit 2c transmits the dimming signal Vs' having an on-duty ratio equal to the on-duty ratio of the dimming signal Vs transmitted from the signal generator 1 to the lighting fixture 3. That is, in the signal converter 2, the lighting fixture 3 is turned off while the presence of the person is not detected by the human sensor 7, and the signal generator 1 outputs the light from the signal generator 1 only during the lighting holding time Th after the presence of the person is detected. Control is performed such that the lighting apparatus 3 is turned on at the given dimming level and turned off if the presence of a person is not detected again within the lighting holding time Th.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 35, while the presence of a person is not detected by the human sensor 7 and the human body detection signal Vh is at the L level, the dimming signal Vs transmitted from the signal generator 1 is turned on. A dimming signal Vs' having an on-duty ratio equal to the duty ratio is transmitted from the signal transmitting unit 2c to the lighting fixture 3, and when the presence of a person is detected by the human sensor 7 and the human body detection signal Vh becomes H level, signal conversion is performed. The unit 2b controls the lighting fixture 3 regardless of the on-duty ratio of the dimming signal Vs transmitted from the signal generator 1 from when the human body detection signal Vh rises to the H level until a predetermined lighting holding time Th elapses. May be transmitted from the signal transmission unit 2c to the lighting fixture 3 such that the dimming signal Vs' having an on-duty ratio that turns on all the lights. That is, while the presence of the person is not detected by the human sensor 7, the lighting apparatus 3 is turned on at the dimming level given from the signal generator 1, and the lighting is maintained after the presence of the person is detected. During the time Th, the lighting device 3 is fully lit, and if the presence of a person is not detected again within the lighting holding time Th, the lighting device 3 is controlled to be lit at the dimming level given from the signal generator 1. May be performed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by connecting the human sensor 7 to the signal converter 2, the lighting fixture 3 is turned on / off or dimmed according to the presence or absence of a person in the detection area. It is possible to save energy by lighting the luminaire 3 only when necessary, and it is not necessary to change the luminaire 3 to a luminaire with a human sensor, thereby improving workability. .

(Embodiment 13) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 36, an illuminance sensor 8 for detecting ambient brightness (illuminance) is connected to the signal converter 2, and according to the detection result of the illuminance sensor 8, It is characterized in that the conversion level of the dimming signal Vs in the signal converter 2 is varied. However, since other configurations are common to the first embodiment, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The illuminance sensor 8 detects ambient illuminance by a photoelectric conversion element such as CdS and outputs an illuminance detection signal Vg corresponding to the illuminance level. However, since such an illuminance sensor 8 can be realized using a conventionally known technique, detailed illustration and description of the configuration are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 37B, the signal converter 2b outputs the signal while the level of the illuminance detection signal Vg of the illuminance sensor 8 is lower than the threshold value Vth, that is, while the ambient illuminance is lower than a predetermined value. A dimming signal Vs' having an on-duty ratio equal to the on-duty ratio of the dimming signal Vs transmitted from the generator 1 is transmitted from the signal transmission unit 2c to the lighting fixture 3 (see FIG. 37 (c)). Further, while the level of the illuminance detection signal Vg is higher than the threshold value Vth, that is, while the ambient illuminance is higher than a predetermined value, the on-duty ratio of the dimming signal Vs transmitted from the signal generator 1 is set in advance. The dimming signal Vs ′ converted to the on-duty ratio is transmitted from the signal transmitting unit 2 c to the lighting fixture 3. That is, in the signal converter 2, while the ambient illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 8 is lower than a predetermined value, the lighting apparatus 3 is turned on at the dimming level (100% in this case) given from the signal generator 1. While the ambient illuminance is higher than the predetermined value, the dimming signal V having a dimming level lower than the dimming signal Vs from the signal generator 1.
Control to turn on the lighting equipment 3 is performed by s'.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 38B, the signal is transmitted from the signal generator 1 while the level of the illuminance detection signal Vg of the illuminance sensor 8 is higher than the threshold value Vth, that is, while the ambient illuminance is higher than a predetermined value. The dimming signal Vs ′ having an on-duty ratio equal to the on-duty ratio of the obtained dimming signal Vs is transmitted from the signal transmission unit 2c to the lighting fixture 3 (FIG. 38).
(C), the dimming signal V transmitted from the signal generator 1 while the level of the illuminance detection signal Vg is lower than the threshold value Vth, that is, while the ambient illuminance is lower than a predetermined value.
The dimming signal Vs' obtained by converting the on-duty ratio of s into a preset on-duty ratio (in this case, a value for fully lighting the lighting device 3) is transmitted from the signal transmitting unit 2c to the lighting device 3.
May be controlled by the signal conversion unit 2b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 39, when the ambient illuminance is low, the dimming level is increased, and when the ambient illuminance is high, the dimming level is decreased. On-duty ratio Tf1 of dimming signal Vs ≧ on-duty ratio T of dimming signal Vs ′ according to the level of
The control to vary the on-duty ratio Tf2 within the range of f2 may be performed by the signal converter 2b. In addition, a target position is set based on the dimming level given from the signal generator 1, and even if the ambient illuminance changes due to the influence of external light or the like, the illuminating device 3 is adjusted so that the set target illuminance is obtained. The light level may be feedback-controlled by the signal converter 2b.

As described above, according to this embodiment, by connecting the illuminance sensor 8 to the signal converter 2, the lighting fixture 3 can be turned on / off or dimmed according to the ambient illuminance. By turning on the lighting equipment 3 only when it is necessary to save energy,
It is not necessary to change to a lighting fixture with an illuminance sensor, so that the workability is improved.

(Embodiment 14) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 40, the human sensor 7 described in Embodiment 12 and the illuminance sensor 8 described in Embodiment 13 are used as the signal converter 2.
And the conversion level of the dimming signal Vs in the signal converter 2 is varied according to the detection result of the human sensor 7 and the detection result of the illuminance sensor 8. However, since other configurations are common to the first embodiment, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 41 (b), the signal conversion unit 2b outputs a signal to the human body while the level of the illuminance detection signal Vg of the illuminance sensor 8 is higher than the threshold value Vth, that is, while the ambient illuminance is higher than a predetermined value. Regardless of whether or not the presence of a person is detected by the sense sensor 7 (see FIG. 3C), adjustment of the on-duty ratio equal to the on-duty ratio of the dimming signal Vs transmitted from the signal generator 1 is performed. The optical signal Vs' is transmitted from the signal transmitting unit 2c to the lighting fixture 3 (see FIG. 4D). Also, when the level of the illuminance detection signal Vg is lower than the threshold value Vth, that is, when the presence of a person is detected by the human sensor 7 while the ambient illuminance is lower than a predetermined value and the human body detection signal Vh becomes H level, The dimming signal V obtained by converting the on-duty ratio of the dimming signal Vs transmitted from the signal generator 1 to a preset on-duty ratio (for example, a value for fully lighting).
s' is transmitted from the signal transmission unit 2c to the lighting equipment 3. That is, in the signal converter 2, while the ambient illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 8 is higher than the predetermined value, the lighting apparatus 3 is turned on at the dimming level given from the signal generator 1, and the ambient illuminance becomes higher than the predetermined value. Is low and within a predetermined time (lighting holding time Th) after the presence of a person is detected by the human sensor 7, regardless of the dimming signal Vs from the signal generator 1,
Control is performed such that the lighting fixture 3 is fully lit by s'.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by connecting the human sensor 7 and the illuminance sensor 8 to the signal converter 2, the luminaire 3 can be changed according to the presence or absence of a person in the detection area and the ambient illuminance. Can be turned on / off or dimmed, saving energy by turning on the lighting equipment 3 only when necessary, and changing the lighting equipment 3 to a lighting equipment with a human sensor and an illuminance sensor. Since there is no need to perform, the workability is improved.

(Embodiment 15) This embodiment is characterized in that, as shown in FIG. 42, the illuminance sensor 8 'is configured to be connectable to the signal converter 2 as a slave unit in Embodiment 12, and other configurations are provided. Are common to the twelfth embodiment, and the common components are described with the same reference numerals.

The signal converter 2 is provided with a terminal (not shown) for connecting the illuminance sensor 8 ', and the illuminance sensor 8' can be connected to this terminal via the signal line Lg. In the signal converter 2b of the signal converter 2, if the illuminance sensor 8 'is not connected, the control described in the twelfth embodiment is performed, and if the illuminance sensor 8' is connected, the control is described in the fourteenth embodiment. Such control is performed.

According to the present embodiment, the configuration of the twelfth embodiment having only the human sensor 7 and the configuration of the fourteenth embodiment having both the human sensor 7 and the illuminance sensor 8 'are optional even after installation. And convenience can be improved.

Also, as shown in FIG. 43, in the case where the human sensor 7 'is configured to be connectable to the signal converter 2 as a slave unit in the thirteenth embodiment, the configuration of the thirteenth embodiment having only the illuminance sensor 8 The configuration of the fourteenth embodiment having both the human sensor 7 'and the illuminance sensor 8 can be arbitrarily selected even after installation, and the convenience can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 44, in the twelfth embodiment, if the human sensor 7 'can be connected to the signal converter 2 as a slave unit, the detection area for detecting the presence or absence of a person can be expanded. , Convenience can be improved.

(Embodiment 16) This embodiment is characterized in that the human sensor 7 described in Embodiment 12 is connected to the signal converter 2 in Embodiment 10 as shown in FIG. However, since other configurations are common to the twelfth embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

As in the tenth embodiment, the signal conversion unit 2 b sets the on-duty ratio of the dimming signal Vs transmitted from the signal generator 1 to an on-duty corresponding to the dimming level data given from the scene switcher 6. The duty ratio is changed and the changed dimming signal Vs' is transmitted to the lighting fixture 3 via the signal line Ls. As shown in FIG. When the human body detection signal Vh is at the L level, the dimming level is lowered, and when the human body detection signal Vh becomes the H level, the on-duty ratio is changed so that the dimming level is increased within the lighting holding time Th. The signal Vs ′ is transmitted to the lighting fixture 3. That is, in each scene 1 and scene 2, when there is no person in the detection area, the light is turned on at a low dimming level. When there is a person in the detection area, the light is turned on at a high dimming level for a certain period of time. The lighting device 3 is controlled by the signal converter 2 so that the lighting device continues to be lit while it is present and is lit again at a low dimming level when no one is present.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform scene control according to time and situation,
There is an advantage that energy saving can be achieved by increasing the dimming level only when there is a person.

[0083]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting apparatus including a light source and a lighting circuit unit for lighting the light source, and a control signal for varying at least the brightness of the light source for the lighting circuit unit. And a signal conversion means for converting a control signal output from the control unit into another control signal and outputting the converted control signal. There is an effect that various controls that cannot be performed by the control unit can be performed by a simple change simply by adding a unit.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the signal converting means is connected to a part of the plurality of luminaires and the control means, the same effect as the first aspect of the invention can be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of lighting fixtures are connected to the control means via the signal conversion means, respectively, the same effects as those of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of lighting fixtures are connected to the signal conversion means, so that the same effects as those of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since another signal converting means is connected to the output side of the signal converting means, the same effect as that of the first aspect is obtained.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the means for sending and wiring the control signal is provided in the lighting fixture, there is an effect that the configuration can be further simplified in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detecting means for detecting a surrounding situation, and the signal converting means converts the control signal into a control signal corresponding to a detection result of the detecting means. In addition to the effect of the invention, there is an effect that various controls can be performed according to the detection result of the detection means.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the power supply means for obtaining the operating power of the signal conversion means from the signal line through which the control signal is transmitted is provided, in addition to the effects of any of the first to eighth aspects, In addition, there is an effect that it is not necessary to newly provide a power source when adding the signal conversion means, and the configuration can be simplified.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the power supply means for supplying the operating power to the signal conversion means is provided in the lighting equipment. There is an effect that it is not necessary to newly provide a power source when adding the power supply, and the configuration can be simplified.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the lighting equipment includes an emergency power supply and an emergency control unit for supplying power from the emergency power supply to the lighting circuit unit and the signal conversion unit in the event of a power failure. In addition to the effects of any one of the inventions, the signal conversion means can be operated even at the time of a power failure, and the usability is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a signal converter of the above.

FIG. 3 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the above.

FIG. 4 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the above.

FIG. 5 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the above.

FIG. 6 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the above.

FIG. 7 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the above.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the above.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the above.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the above.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the above.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a signal converter according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a signal converter in the above.

FIG. 15 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the above operation.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the above.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the above.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the above.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the above.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a tenth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the above.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the above.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing an eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the above.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the above.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing a twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing a signal converter of the above.

FIG. 34 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the above operation.

FIG. 35 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the above operation.

FIG. 36 is a block diagram illustrating a signal converter according to a thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the above operation.

FIG. 38 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the above operation.

FIG. 39 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the above operation.

FIG. 40 is a block diagram illustrating a signal converter according to a fourteenth embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the above operation.

FIG. 42 is a block diagram showing a fifteenth embodiment.

FIG. 43 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the above.

FIG. 44 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the above.

FIG. 45 is a block diagram showing a sixteenth embodiment.

FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Signal generator 2 Signal converter 3 Lighting equipment 3a Light source 3b Lighting circuit part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shinji Matsuda 1048 Oaza Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture F-term in Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. (reference) CJ14 CJ16 CL02 CL07 CL08

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A lighting device comprising a light source and a lighting circuit unit for lighting the light source, a control unit for outputting a control signal for changing at least the brightness of the light source to the lighting circuit unit, A lighting device, comprising: signal conversion means for converting a control signal output from the control unit into another control signal and outputting the converted control signal. 2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a signal converting means is connected to a part of the plurality of lighting fixtures and the control means. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of lighting fixtures are connected to the control means via signal conversion means.
The lighting device according to the above. 4. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of lighting devices are connected to the signal conversion means. 5. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein another signal conversion means is connected to an output side of the signal conversion means. 6. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a means for sending and wiring a control signal is provided in the lighting fixture. 7. A detecting device for detecting a surrounding situation,
The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the signal conversion unit converts the signal into a control signal corresponding to a detection result of the detection unit. 8. The lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply unit that obtains an operation power of the signal conversion unit from a signal line to which the control signal is transmitted. 9. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a power supply for supplying an operation power to the signal converter is provided in the lighting equipment.
The lighting device according to any one of claims 7 to 7. 10. The lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising an emergency power supply and an emergency control unit for supplying power to the lighting circuit unit and the signal conversion unit from the emergency power supply in the event of a power failure. The lighting device according to any one of the above.