AU2010100520B4

AU2010100520B4 - Light Alright

Info

Publication number: AU2010100520B4
Application number: AU2010100520A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrew Charles Peeler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-28
Filing date: 2010-05-28
Publication date: 2012-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 2018-05-28
Also published as: AU2010100520A4

Abstract

Light Alright Specification Abstract A mains power automatic emergency lighting unit is disclosed. The emergency lighting unit can be plugged into an existing light fitting that allows unaffected operation of the existing light and activates in the event of a power failure under the control of the switch or switches for said light. The automatic emergency lighting unit monitors both the mains supply voltage and the mains impedance and can be used on a variety of lighting installations including fluorescent lights that require the use of a starter.

Description

Light Alright Specification Description This invention relates to improving existing automatic emergency lighting systems that provide lighting in the event of a mains power failure. The effects of mains power failure can range from minor inconvenience to potentially life threatening situations. Sudden and unexpected darkness due to lights losing power can cause unwanted and unnecessary distress, exacerbated by age or disability. Locations where sudden darkness may cause distress and increase the risk of injury include showers, toilets and public spaces. Loss of domestic lighting during fire fighting activities should also warrant the installation of a reliable source of emergency light. There is a variety of dedicated high end automatic emergency lighting systems that require installation by qualified tradesmen. Cost, convenience and upgradability can be significant considerations when installing high end automatic lighting systems. Equally, there is a variety of low end automatic emergency lighting systems that do not require the services of qualified tradesmen to do the installation. These include units that plug into power outlets that activate when mains power fails, even if activation is not required. Significantly, emergency lighting that needs to be plugged into a power outlet may not be optimally placed and may be inadvertently switched off or unplugged. Logicality suggests that automatic emergency lighting should be located in the general proximity of existing lighting. There are systems conceived that do not require the services of a qualified tradesman, that can be plugged into existing light fittings, but all have shortcomings. Automatic emergency lighting that plugs into an existing light fitting at the expense of the light is an unsatisfactory solution. Equally, units that plug into existing light fittings that allow continued use of the existing light but require additional switching or switch activation combinations make them clumsy and difficult to configure, particularly for the less technically minded. Another consideration is the length of time the battery backed automatic emergency lighting system can maintain useful light. The use of solid state lighting such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) is common to improve longevity of useful light. Other methods used to improve battery life include timers to turn off the emergency lights at a preprogrammed time or additional switching on the emergency light units. Determining the correct time for an emergency light to stay activated is, at best, very difficult and introduces an unpredictable emergency lighting scenario. Additional switching to turn off emergency lights and then reset them introduces a level of operational complexity that may cause confusion or failure in the event of an emergency. The shortcomings of existing automatic emergency lighting systems, as discussed, are overcome by the present invention. This invention describes an automatic emergency lighting unit containing a number of solid state lighting devices, typically Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), that can be plugged into a number of different light fittings including, but not restricted to, incandescent and energy saving fixtures, that allows continued operation of existing light in the existing light fitting and activates in the event of a power failure under the control of the switch or switches for the existing light. Also this invention provides visual solid state indication, typically a Light Emitting Diode (LED), that mains power is present at the light fitting and the unit is functioning correctly. This invention may typically utilize a plurality of white LEDs as the solid state lighting devices with rechargeable battery backup. 1 The invention description is as follows: Figure 1 illustrates the format and appearance of the invention which can be used with a variety of lights that do not require the use of a starter. This invention resolves the shortcomings of existing automatic emergency lighting systems by supporting features which include low cost, solid state circuitry, directly pluggable into existing light fittings, retains existing light or lights, requires no qualifications for installation, requires no tools, ensures optimum positioning, simple to upgrade or modify, fully automatic, controllable using existing light switch or switches, houses an internal rechargeable battery which automatically charges when the light is turned on, indicates mains power 'present When installed and there is no mains power failure, the unit is totally transparent to the user. Figure I will be used to complement the operational description of the invention (emergency lighting unit) and is referred to subsequently. Upon removal of the existing light, which may be any mains type not requiring a starter, the emergency lighting unit is plugged into the light fitting from which the light was removed by inserting the plug section (10) of the emergency lighting unit into the light fitting. The light that was removed is now inserted into the socket section (13) of the emergency lighting unit. The electronic circuitry, rechargeable battery, solid state lighting devices, typically LEDs, and mains power indicator, typically a LED, are housed in the main body (11) of the emergency lighting unit. Visual indication that mains power is applied can be observed through the translucent cover (12) of the emergency lighting unit when activation of the existing light switch or switches for the existing light occurs. Light from the solid state lighting devices, typically LEDs, contained in the emergency lighting unit can be seen through the translucent cover (12) when there is a mains power fail and activation of the existing light switch or switches for the light occurs. The plug section (10) and socket section (13) of the emergency lighting unit can be, but are not restricted to, bayonet style fittings. Figure 2 will be used to complement the electrical operational states of the invention (emergency lighting unit). The emergency lighting unit has three modes of operation and will be described subsequently. In 'Mains Supplied' mode (30) the emergency lighting unit charges its internal battery, turns on the mains LED indicator, and ensures the solid state lighting devices, typically LEDs, are off. In this mode, the mains power is available and activation of the switch or switches has occurred. Also, the existing light is on. In 'No Mains and switch off 'mode (31) the emergency lighting unit turns off the mains LED indicator and ensures the solid state lighting devices, typically LEDs, are off. Also, the existing light is off. In 'No Mains and switch on' mode (32) the emergency lighting unit turns off the mains LED indicator and turns on the solid state lighting devices, typically LEDs. Also, the existing light is off In all three modes (30), (31), (32) the emergency lighting unit monitors the mains voltage and impedance to determine the correct response regarding mains LED indication, battery charging and activation of the solid state lighting devices, typically LEDs. Also, the diagram illustrates no electrical disruption to the connection between the mains supply and the existing light (33), thus maintaining unaffected operation of the existing light when the emergency lighting unit is installed and mains power is available. 2

Claims

1. A mains power automatic emergency lighting unit, housing a number of solid state lighting devices, typically Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), that can be plugged into an existing light socket, the light for which does not require a separate starter, and will allow unaffected operation of the existing light whereby the existing light can be inserted into the emergency lighting unit and controlled by the existing light switch or switches when there is no power failure and the solid state lighting devices, typically LEDs, housed in the emergency lighting unit can be controlled by the existing light switch or switches during a power failure.

2. Inclusive in claim 1 is electronic circuitry that monitors both the mains supply voltage and the mains impedance to determine the operational requirements of the emergency lighting unit.

3. Inclusive in claim 1 is the incorporation of rechargeable, upgradeable battery backup, charging for which occurs when mains power is supplied to the emergency lighting unit by activation of the light switch or switches.

4. Inclusive in claim 1 is the incorporation of a visual solid state indicator, typically a Light Emitting Diode (LED), that indicates that mains power is supplied to the emergency lighting unit and the rechargeable battery backup is charging. Andrew Charles Peeler 11 January 2012