EP0079267A1 - Self-contained post-mounted lighting fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-contained, open-air, post-mounted lighting fixture (1), operating with the aid of an energy source consisting of a device (2) which converts solar energy directly into electricity. The device (2), which can be oriented towards the sun by hand or automatically, makes it possible to charge an accumulation device (15) during the day. The energy thus stored serves to supply an optical unit (18) consisting of a light source (20) and of a reflecting means (R); the light produced is concentrated in the form of sheets in various specified zones. A self-contained post-mounted fixture (1) according to the invention permits the lighting of specified zones whilst preserving, with satisfactory independence, the notion of ambient lighting. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to an autonomous outdoor lighting bollard, in public or private places.

The installation of a means of lighting, when the source of energy does not exist in the immediate vicinity, is often very expensive; a significant part of this cost is due in particular to the work required by laying the electrical power cables. Also, it is advantageous to use a source of energy stored nearby or in the installation; accumulator batteries are thus used, but which pose the problem of recharging them.

It is known to use, for lighting means comprising accumulators, means converting solar energy into electrical energy used to recharge these accumulators; these means are constituted, for example, by elements sensitive to light, such as photovoltaic cells.

Unfortunately, these cells are of a high price, which means that they have to be used in small areas, and the quantity of electricity they supply then remains relatively low; therefore, their application is generally limited to intermittent lighting means.

Thus, for example, a set of photovoltaic cells, the surface of which is 0.25m2, provides a power of around 30W, in good conditions of lighting by the sun. These conditions can vary considerably during the day, and the energy capable of being stored by accumulators allows a lighting autonomy of approximately one night, provided that the power of the source of light is limited to ten watts. light.

Given this relatively low power, the exploitation of the resulting light energy must be optimized.

The present invention relates to an autonomous lighting bollard, the energy source of which is a device which converts solar energy directly into electrical energy, making it possible to illuminate with normal intensity places such as, for example, parts of garden or path.

Thanks to its arrangement, such a lighting terminal, although using a direct converter of solar energy into electricity, has sufficient autonomy while retaining the quality of ambient lighting, by concentrating energy light available to preferred areas.

According to the invention, an autonomous lighting terminal comprising a device for converting solar energy into electrical energy, an accumulator device; is characterized in that these devices cooperate with first electronic control means, for supplying an optical unit constituted by a light source and at least one reflecting means, concentrating the light in the form of sheets in different delimited areas.

• - la figure 1 représente une borne autonome selon l'invention,
• - les figures 2 et 3 représente des variantes d'un bloc optique,
• - la figure 4 montre le schéma par blocs fonctionnels, d'éléments constituant une borne autonome conforme à l'invention.
• - La figure 5 montre le schéma par blocs fonctionnels des moyens représentés sur la figure 4, associés à des moyens d'asservissement.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and the five appended figures, among which:

• FIG. 1 represents an autonomous terminal according to the invention,
• FIGS. 2 and 3 represent variants of an optical unit,
• - Figure 4 shows the diagram by functional blocks, of elements constituting an autonomous terminal according to the invention.
• - Figure 5 shows the block diagram of the means shown in Figure 4, associated with servo means.

Figure 1 shows an autonomous lighting terminal 1 according to the invention.

At a higher level, there is a device 2 for converting solar energy into electrical energy, comprising in the nonlimiting example of the description, a set 3 of photovoltaic cells whose receiving surface 4 is likely to be oriented towards the Sun. The assembly 3 is mounted in leaktight manner on a cradle 5, the bottom plate 6 of which is curved according to an arc of circle, center 7. The cradle 5 rests on a column 8 of circular section, the top 9 of which matches the shape of the bottom 6; the cradle 5 is fixed to the column 8 by conventional means not shown; this attachment can be final, or preferably carried out by means of articulation means 120, shown in dotted lines.

By these articulation means 120, the device 2 is capable of a rotational movement, around the center 7 according to an arrow 10, which allows its orientation. A sensor 11, consisting of a light-sensitive cell, intended to sense the ambient light level, is embedded in column 8.

At an intermediate level of the column 8, the latter comprises around its entire periphery, a wall 12 transparent to light; this light, concentrated in at least two layers A ', B' of different directions A, B, is produced by an optical unit 18 to which this wall 12 serves as protection against bad weather.

The optical unit 18, shown diagrammatically, constitutes a first nonlimiting version, visible through an opening made in the drawing of the wall 12.

This optical unit notably includes a light source 20 which, in the example described is a pseudo-point source 14, located in a reflecting means R in which this source is maintained by conventional means not shown.

The reflecting means R consists of the assembly of two reflectors 22, 23, of frustoconical shape for example or as shown in FIG. 1, pseudo parabolic, joined by their top 24, 25, and centered around a longitudinal axis yy; the pseudo-point source 14 being centered on this axis yy at the intersection thereof with an axis ZZ, at the level of which the junction of the reflectors 22, 23 is effected. In operation, the light flux emitted by the pseudo-point source 14 is shared between the reflectors 22, 23, and concentrated by these in light layers A ', B', projected in directions represented by the arrows A and B.

This arrangement is remarkable in that it allows, thanks to the reflecting means R, comprising two reflectors 22, 23 communicating through their apex 24, 25, to concentrate the light flow in at least two layers A ', B' of directions A , B by lighting only previously determined areas.

Such a reflecting means may also include reflectors 22, 23 oriented differently, making it possible to concentrate the light in layers A ', B', of direction A, Al, A2 ... AN for one and B, Bl, B2 , B ... N for the other, so as to favor for example the lighting of the ground 26 on which the autonomous terminal 1 is placed.

A lower level 13 of column 8 contains first means 100 and possibly second electronic control means 150, a device 15 of accumulators, shown in dotted lines and described in a later phase of the description.

FIG. 2 shows an optical unit 18, comprising a light source 20 also consisting of a pseudo-point source 14, associated with another version of the reflecting means R.

In the nonlimiting example of the description, the latter consists of two parts 16, 27; the pseudo-point source 14, maintained by conventional means not shown, is centered on an axis Z-Z, between a surface 28 of revolution which comprises the part 16, and another surface 29 of revolution, which comprises the part 27.

These two light reflecting surfaces 28, 29 are each obtained by rotation around the axis Z-Z of revolution, of curve 30 and curve 31.

These two surfaces thus form a pseudo-paraboloid of revolution, thanks to which the light flux emitted by the pseudo-point source 14 is concentrated in a sheet n, projected over 360 ° around the optical unit 18 and its axis Z-Z.

In FIG. 3, there is an optical unit 18 comprising as a light source 20, a so-called linear source, consisting of a fluorescent tube 19, associated with a third version of a reflecting means R.

In the nonlimiting example described, this reflecting means consists of 4 cylindrical surfaces 33, 34, 35, 36, reflecting light, and assembled in pairs on either side of the tube 19;

These surfaces are joined on axes (not shown) parallel to the longitudinal axis V-V of the tube 19 and aligned on the axis ZI-Z1 of the latter.

The surfaces 33, 34, on the one hand and 35, 36 on the other hand, constitute two pseudo-parabolic cylinders of length L substantially equal to that of the tube 19, and the guidelines of which are formed by the extension of the curves which constitute the edges 39, 40 on the one hand and 41, 42 on the other.

The light flux emitted in operation by the tube 19 is concentrated and divided into two layers, each projected in a different direction, represented by the arrows A, B, these directions being transverse to the axis V-V.

As already mentioned for the other reflector devices, this reflector device 18 can be arranged by a modification of the curves which constitute the edges 39, 40, 41, 42, so as to project the light layers in directions. such as for example directions A, Al, A2 ... AN for one of these layers and B, BI, B2 ... BN for the other.

The diagram of FIG. 4 represents in the form of functional blocks, essential elements which constitute an autonomous terminal 1 according to the invention.

• - le dispositif 2 convertisseur direct de l'énergie solaire en électricité.
• - des premiers moyens 100 électroniques de commande, figurés dans un cadre en traits pointillés,
• - un dispositif 15 d'accumulateurs,
• - un capteur 11 sensible à la lumière ambiante,
• - un bloc optique 18.

We find there

• - device 2 direct converter of solar energy into electricity.
• first electronic control means 100, shown in a frame in dotted lines,
• a device 15 for accumulators,
• a sensor 11 sensitive to ambient light,
• - an optical unit 18.

The device 2, connected to the regulator 44, generates a current Il controlled and regulated by the regulator 44; this delivers a current in the form of a current 12, to the device 15 of accumulators to which it is connected, this current 12 constituting the charging current of the device 15. This device 15 is connected to the second regulator 46, to which it provides a discharge current 13, which this regulator controls and regulates in order to distribute it in the form of a current 14, to the converter 47 to which it is connected. The converter 47, connected to the optical unit 18, has the function of transforming the direct current 14, into an alternating current 15, under a voltage and at a frequency suitable for the ignition of the light source 20 (not shown) contained in the optical unit 18.

• - la première condition qu'il contrôle lui-même, est que le niveau du courant 13 reste suffisant, montrant ainsi un niveau suffisant de la charge des accumulateurs 15 ; ceci dans le but de maintenir la longévité de ces accumulateurs.

Current 13, used for the production of light, is authorized by regulator 46 under two conditions:

• - The first condition that it controls itself, is that the level of current 13 remains sufficient, thus showing a sufficient level of the charge of accumulators 15; this in order to maintain the longevity of these accumulators.

The second condition is linked to the lighting autonomy of the autonomous terminal 1: the current Il, used to charge the accumulators 15, is generated during daylight hours when lighting is not necessary; also the regulator 46, connected to the comparator 45, receives from the latter a command CI authorizing the establishment of the current 13.

This command CI is obtained by the cooperation between the sensor 11 and the comparator 45. The sensor 11 supplies an electrical level E, a function of the ambient brightness, to the comparator 45 to which it is connected; this comparator compares the level E with a predetermined level, constituting a predetermined threshold S. When the level E is lower than the threshold S, the comparator 45 delivers to the regulator 46 a command CI which disappears when the level E becomes higher than the Threshold S.

This constitutes a twilight control by means of which the lighting by an autonomous terminal 1 according to the invention is established and switched off automatically, as a function of the ambient brightness.

As shown in FIG. 5, in addition to the means already shown in FIG. 4, second means 150 are provided, intended to achieve a control of the orientation of the device 2.

• - des moyens moteurs 50 coopérant avec les moyens d'articulation 120 (figure 1), cette coopération étant symbolisée par une ligne en traits pointillés LM.
• - un comparateur 53 des valeurs V,...VN que peut atteindre le courant Il.
• - un dispositif de mémorisation 52 des valeurs V...VN
• - un dispositif horloge 54, générateur à intervales de temps prédéterminés, de signaux SY.

These means 150, shown in a frame in dotted lines comprise:

• - Motor means 50 cooperating with the articulation means 120 (FIG. 1), this cooperation being symbolized by a line in dotted lines LM.
• - a comparator 53 of the values V, ... VN which the current Il can reach.
• - a storage device 52 for the values V ... VN
• - A clock device 54, generator with predetermined time intervals, of SY signals.

• - délivre à ce dernier une commande AM, l'autorisant a effectuer une mémorisation de la valeur V...VN que possède à cet instant le courant Il ; cette valeur mémorisée VM, transmise par le dispositif de mémorisation au comparateur 53, est lue en permanence par ce dernier, et lui sert de niveau de référence.
• - dans un deuxième temps, le comparateur 53 délivre une commande C3 aux moyens moteurs 50, provoquant une rotation dans un premier sens déterminé du dispositif 2, qui entraine une modification de l'orientation de ce dernier.

As previously explained, the regulator 44 controls the current Il and, being connected to the comparator 53 and to the storage device 52, it transmits to the latter the values V ... VN which the current Il has; on the other hand, the clock 54 delivers, with predetermined time intervals, signals SY to the comparator 53. On reception of a signal SY to the comparator, the latter being connected to the storage device 52, firstly :

• - issues an AM command to the latter, authorizing it to store the value V ... VN that the current Il has at this instant; this stored value VM, transmitted by the storage device to the comparator 53, is permanently read by the latter, and serves as its reference level.
• - In a second step, the comparator 53 delivers a command C3 to the motor means 50, causing a rotation in a first determined direction of the device 2, which causes a modification of the orientation of the latter.

This new orientation causes a variation of the current Il, the new value VI of which is compared with the stored value VM, by the comparator 53. If this value V1 is less than VM, the comparator 53 interrupts the command C3 and delivers to the motor means 50 , a command C4 which causes a rotation of the device 2 in a direction opposite to the first. This last orientation leads to a new value V2 of the current Il, greater than the value VM stored; the comparator then authorizes a memorization VM of the value V2, and maintains the command C4.

Each new value V ... VN is also stored, until the comparator 53 detects that it is lower than that stored. The comparator then interrupts the command C4, the orientation of the device 2 being close to the optimum.

This operation is repeated at each signal SY delivered by the clock device 54.

The comparator 53 is also connected to the sensor 11; it receives the level E therefrom, corresponding to the level of the ambient luminosity, and compares this level E with a predetermined level, constituting a threshold S2. If the level E is greater than the threshold S2, the comparator 53 authorizes the operation of the servo-control; if the level E is lower than the threshold S2, the control is not carried out.

This limits the exercise of this enslavement to day periods.

This combination of means makes it possible to achieve a simple and effective control of the orientation of the device 2 which makes it possible to increase the autonomy of a lighting bollard according to the invention; the average power supplied by the device 2, being increased by the orientation of the latter towards the sun.

• - à la coopération entre le comparateur 53 et le régulateur 44, qui permet d'utiliser le courant Il généré par le dispositif 2 pour définir l'orientation de celui-ci.
• - en ce que la coopération entre le régulateur 44 et les moyens 150 s'effectue des intervales de temps prédéterminés, grâce à un dispositif d'horloge 54 que comporte les moyens 150.
• - à la coopération entre le capteur 11 et le comparateur 53, qui permet de déterminer les périodes ou cet asservissement s'exerce.

This orientation is either manual or automatic by this control obtained in particular by:

• - the cooperation between the comparator 53 and the regulator 44, which makes it possible to use the current II generated by the device 2 to define the orientation of the latter.
• - in that the cooperation between the regulator 44 and the means 150 takes place at predetermined time intervals, thanks to a clock device 54 that the means 150 comprises.
• - the cooperation between the sensor 11 and the comparator 53, which makes it possible to determine the periods in which this control is exercised.

The autonomy as well as the comfort of use, are also improved thanks to the lighting or extinction control, produced by twilight control.

As previously described, an autonomous lighting terminal 1 in accordance with the invention operates using an energy source directly converting solar energy into electrical energy, such as the device 2.

Despite the relatively low power delivered by this source, this autonomous terminal 1 allows autonomy and satisfactory lighting, thanks to the particular arrangement of the optical unit 18; this arrangement makes it possible to reduce the energy consumption in significant proportions, while retaining the concept of satisfactory ambient lighting.

Claims (12)

1. Autonomous bollard (1) comprising a device (2) converter of solar energy into electrical energy, a device (15) of accumulator, characterized in that these devices cooperate with first electronic means (100) control for supplying an optical unit (18) constituted by a light source (20) and at least one reflecting means (R), concentrating the light in the form of sheets in different delimited areas. 2. Autonomous terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (2) comprises articulation means (120) allowing its orientation by rotation around a center (7) according to an arrow (10) . 3. autonomous bollard (1) according to one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that the light source (20) consists of a pseudo-point source (14), and cooperates with a reflecting means (R) constituted by two reflectors (22, 23) assembled by their top (24, 25) in order to concentrate the light into two layers (A ', B') of directions (A, Al, A2 ... AN for one and B , B1, B2 ... BN for the other), predetermined. 4. autonomous bollard (1) according to one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that the light source (20) consists of the pseudo-point source (14), and cooperates with the reflecting means (R) consisting of two parts (16, 27) forming a pseudo paraboloid of revolution, in order to concentrate the light into a sheet (n) distributed over 360 ° around the optical unit (18) and an axis (ZZ) which the latter comprises. 5. Autonomous bollard (1) according to one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that the light source (20) consists of a fluorescent tube (19), and cooperates with the reflecting means (R) consisting of two pseudo parabolic cylinders (surface 33, 34 and surfaces 35, 36), in order to concentrate the light into two directional layers (A, A1, A2 ... AN for one and B, BI, B2 .. .BN for the other). 6. autonomous terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first electronic means (100) comprise a regulator (46) cooperating with a sensor (11) of the ambient brightness, in order to achieve a twilight control, allowing the automatic setting and switching off of lighting by an autonomous terminal (1), depending on the ambient light. 7. autonomous terminal (1) according to claims 2 to 6 characterized in that the articulation means (120) that includes the device (2) are implemented manually. 8. Autonomous terminal (1) according to claims 2 to 6 characterized in that the articulation means (120), are implemented by means of second electronic control means (150) providing a control, in order to obtain a automatic orientation of the device (2) towards the sun. 9. autonomous terminal (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the second means (150) comprise a clock device (54) delivering signals (SY), in order to control the servo with intervals of predetermined time . 10. Autonomous terminal (1) according to one of claims 8, 9, characterized in that the second means (150) comprise a comparator (53) cooperating with a regulator (44) that comprise the first means (100), for use the values (V ... VN) of a current (Il) generated by the device (2), as a parameter of the servo-control. 11. autonomous terminal (1) according to one of claims 8, 9, 10, characterized in that the second means (150) comprise a storage device (52) making it possible to store the values (V ... VN) of the current (I1). 12. Autonomous terminal (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the comparator (53) cooperates with the sensor (11) of the ambient light, in order to authorize the control during periods of day.

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