FR2516204A1 - AUTONOMOUS LIGHTING TERMINAL - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO AN AUTONOMOUS TERMINAL 1 FOR OUTDOOR LIGHTING, OPERATING WITH THE AID OF AN ENERGY SOURCE CONSTITUTED OF A DEVICE 2 DIRECT CONVERTER OF SOLAR ENERGY INTO ELECTRICITY. THE DEVICE 2 ORIENTABLE TOWARDS THE SUN MANUALLY OR AUTOMATICALLY ALLOWS THE DAY TO CHARGE AN ACCUMULATOR DEVICE 15. THE ENERGY THUS STORED IS USED TO SUPPLY AN OPTICAL BLOCK 18, CONSTITUTED OF A SOURCE OF LIGHT 20 AND OF A REFLECTING MEDIUM R; THE LIGHT PRODUCED IS CONCENTRATED IN THE FORM OF TABLECLOTHS IN DIFFERENT DELIMITED AREAS. AN AUTONOMOUS TERMINAL 1 ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION ALLOWS THE LIGHTING OF DELIMITED ZONES BY PRESERVING WITH A SATISFACTORY AUTONOMY, THE CONCEPT OF AMBIENT LIGHTING.

Description

AUTONOMOUS LIGHTING TERMINAL

  The invention relates to an autonomous lighting terminal in full

air, 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 the laying of the power supply cables Also, it is advantageous to use a source of energy stored near or in the installation; accumulator batteries are

  thus used, but which pose the problem of their recharge.

  It is known to use for lighting means comprising accumulators, means for converting solar energy into electrical energy used to recharge these accumulators; these means are constituted for example by elements sensitive to the

  light, such as photovoltaic cells.

  Unfortunately these cells are of a high price, which forces them to use them in small surface, and the quantity of electricity which they provide remains then relatively weak; therefore, their application is generally limited to intermittent lighting means.

  For example, a set of photocells

  voltages, whose surface area is 0.25 m 2, provides power

  about 30 W, in good sunlight conditions.

  These conditions can vary considerably during the day, and the energy likely to be stored by accumulators, allows a lighting autonomy of approximately one night, provided to limit

  at ten watts the power of the light source.

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

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  The present invention relates to an autonomous lighting terminal, the energy source of which is a device that directly converts solar energy into electrical energy, making it possible to illuminate with normal intensity premises such as, for example, parts garden or path. Thanks to its layout, such a lighting terminal, although implementing a direct converter of solar energy into electricity, has sufficient autonomy while maintaining the quality of an ambient lighting, concentrating light energy.

  available to favorite 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, to power an optical block constituted by a light source and at least one reflecting means, concentrating the

  light in the form of sheets in different delimited areas.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description

  which follows and the five appended figures, among which: Figure 1 represents an autonomous terminal according to the invention, Figures 2 and 3 shows variants of an optical block, Figure 4 shows the block diagram functional,

  of elements constituting an autonomous terminal according to the invention.

  Figure 5 shows the functional block diagram of

  means represented in FIG. 4, associated with means of asserting

  vissement. FIG. 1 shows a stand-alone terminal 1 for compliant lighting

to the invention.

  At a higher level, there is a device 2 for converting solar energy into electrical energy, comprising in the example

  non-limiting description, a set 3 of photocells

  voltaic whose receiving surface 4 is likely to be oriented towards the sun The assembly 3 is mounted in a sealed manner on a cradle 5, the bottom plate 6 is bent in an arc of

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  circle, center 7 The cradle 5 rests on a column 8 of circular section, the apex 9 matches the shape of the bottom 6; the cradle 5 is fixed to the column 8 by conventional means not shown; this fixation may be final, preferably achieved by means of articulation means 120,

  represented in dotted lines.

  By these hinge means 120, the device 2 is capable of a rotational movement, around the center 7 along an arrow 10, which allows a sensor 11, consisting of a light-sensitive cell, to be sensed. the brightness level

  ambient, is embedded in column 8.

  At an intermediate level of the column 8, it comprises all around its periphery, a wall 12 transparent to light; this light, concentrated in at least two sheets A ', B' of different directions A, B, is produced by an optical block 18 to which this

  wall 12 serves as protection against bad weather.

  The optical block 18, shown schematically, constitutes a first non-limiting version, visible thanks to an opening

  practiced in the drawing of the wall 12.

  This optical block comprises in particular a light source which, in the example described is a point pseudo source 14, located in a reflecting means R in which this source is

  maintained by conventional means not shown.

  The reflecting means R is constituted by the assembly of two reflectors 22, 23 of frustoconical shape, for example, or as shown in FIG. 1, pseudo parabolic, united by their apex 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 which the junction of the reflectors 22, 23 is made. In operation, the light flux emitted by the pseudo-point source 14 is shared between the reflectors 22, 23, and concentrated by them in light sheets A ', BI, projected in directions represented by the arrows A and B.

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  This arrangement is remarkable in that it allows thanks to the reflecting means R, comprising two reflectors 22, 23 communicating at their apex 24, 25, to concentrate the light flux in at least two sheets A ', B' of directions A , B by illuminating only previously determined zones. Such a reflecting means may also comprise reflectors 22, 23 oriented differently, for concentrating the light in sheets A ', B', direction A, AI, A 2 AN for the urn and B, BI, B 2, BN for the other, so as to favor by

  for example, the lighting of the ground 26 on which the autonomous terminal 1 is placed.

  A lower level 13 of the column 8, contains first means 100 and possibly second electronic control means 150, a storage device 15, shown in dashed lines and described in a subsequent phase of FIG.

description.

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

  In the nonlimiting example of the description, the latter is

  consisting of two parts 16, 27; the point pseudo source 14, maintained by conventional means not shown, is centered on an axis Z-Z, between a surface 28 of revolution that includes the portion 16, and another surface 29 of revolution, that includes the

part 27.

  These two reflective surfaces 28, 29 of the light, are each obtained by the rotation about the axis Z-Z of revolution,

of curve 30 and curve 31.

  These two surfaces thus form a pseudo-paraboloid Yde of revolution, thanks to which the light flux emitted by the pseudo-point source 14 is concentrated in a n-shaped film, projected on 360

  around the optical block 18 and its axis Z-Z.

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

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  In the nonlimiting example described, this reflecting means is constituted by 4 cylindrical surfaces 33, 34, 35, 36, reflecting the light, and assembled in pairs on both sides 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 last.

  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 whose guidelines are constituted by the extension of the curves which constitute the

  edges 39, 40 on the one hand and 41, 42 on the other hand.

  The luminous flux emitted during 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 V-V axis.

  As has already been mentioned for the other reflector devices, this reflector device 18 can be arranged by modifying the curves formed by the edges 39, 40, 41, 42 so as to project the light sheets in directions such as for example directions A, AI, A 2 AN for one of these

  tablecloths and B, B 1, B 2 BN for the other.

  The diagram in Figure 4 represents in the form of functional blocks, essential elements that constitute a terminal

autonomous 1 according to the invention.

  There is: the device 2 direct converter of solar energy into electricity. first electronic control means 100, shown in a dotted line frame, a storage device 15, a sensor 11 responsive to ambient light,

an optical block 18.

  The device 2, connected to the regulator 44, generates a current Il controlled and regulated by the regulator 44; it delivers a current in the form of a current 12, to the device 15 of accumulators

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  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 to distribute it in the form of a current I 4, to the converter 47 to which it is connected The converter 47, connected to the optical unit 18, has the function of transforming the continuous current 14, into an alternating current 15, at a voltage and frequency appropriate to the ignition -de the light source 20 (not shown)

contained in the optical unit 18.

  The current I 3, used for the production of light, is authorized by the regulator 46 under two conditions: the first condition that it controls itself, is that the level of the current 13 remains sufficient, thus showing a sufficient level of the charge of accumulators 15; this for the purpose of

  maintain the longevity of these accumulators.

  The second condition is related to the lighting autonomy of the autonomous terminal 1: the current Il, used to charge the accumulators 15, is generated during daylight hours where lighting is not required; also the regulator 46, connected to the comparator 45, receives from the latter a CI command 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 provides an electrical level E, depending on the ambient brightness, to the comparator 45 to which it is connected; this comparator compares the level E to a predetermined level, constituting a predetermined threshold S When the level E is below the threshold S, the comparator 45 delivers to the regulator 46 a command CI which disappears when the level E becomes greater than the threshold S. This constitutes a twilight control by means of which lighting by an autonomous terminal I according to the invention is established and

  cut off automatically, depending on 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 servo of the orientation of the device 2.

  These means 150, shown in a dotted line frame include: motor means 50 cooperating with the hinge means 120 (Figure 1), this cooperation being symbolized by

a dotted line LM.

  a comparator 53 of the values V, VN that can reach the

current II.

  a memory device 52 of the V VN values a clock device 54, a time interval generator

predetermined, SY signals.

  As previously explained, the regulator 44 controls the current Il and, being connected to the comparator 53 and the storage device 52, it transmits thereto the values V VN that the current II possesses; on the other hand, the clock 54 delivers, with predetermined time intervals, signals SY to the comparator 53 A receiving a signal SY to the comparator, the latter being connected to the storage device 52, in a first step: delivers an AM command to the latter, authorizing it to perform a memorization of the value V VN which current II has at this instant; this memorized value VM, transmitted by the storage device to the comparator 53, is read in

  by the latter, and serves as a reference level.

  in a second step, the comparator 53 delivers a command C 3 to the motor means 50, causing a rotation in a first determined direction of the device 2, which causes a

  change 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 memorized value VM, by the comparator 53. If this value Vl is lower than VM, the comparator 53 interrupts the command C 3 and delivers to the motor means 50 a command C 4 which causes a rotation of the device 2 in a direction opposite to the first This last orientation causes a new value V 2 of the current 11, higher than the stored value VM; the comparator then allows a

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  VMI memorization of the value V 2, and maintains the command C 4.

  Each new value V VN is also stored until the comparator 53 detects that it is lower than the one stored in memory. The comparator then interrupts the command C 4, the orientation of the device 2 being close to the optimum. This operation is repeated with each SY signal delivered by

the clock device 54.

  The comparator 53 is also connected to the sensor 11; it receives the level E, corresponding to the level of ambient brightness, and compares this level E to a predetermined level, constituting a threshold 52 If the level E is greater than the threshold 52, the comparator 53 allows the operation of the control; if the level E is below the threshold 52, the servocontrol is not effected. This makes it possible to limit the exercise of this enslavement to

periods of day.

  This combination of means makes it possible to

  view of the orientation of the device 2 simple and effective that increases the autonomy of a lighting terminal according to the invention; the average power provided by the device 2, being

  increased by the orientation of the latter towards the sun.

  This orientation is either manual or automatic by this servocontrol obtained notably thanks to: the cooperation between the comparator 53 and the regulator 44, which makes it possible to use the current Il generated by the device 2 to

define the orientation of it.

  in that the cooperation between the regulator 44 and the means takes place at predetermined time intervals, thanks to a

  clock device 54 that includes the means 150.

  the cooperation between the sensor 11 and the comparator 53, which allows to determine the periods or this enslavement is exercised. The autonomy as well as the comfort of use, are also improved thanks to the control of lighting or extinction, produced

by the twilight command.

  As previously described, an autonomous illumination terminal 1 according to the invention operates using a power source directly converting the solar energy into electrical energy, such as the device 2. Despite the relatively low power that delivers 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 maintaining the

  concept of satisfactory ambient lighting.

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Claims (9)

  1 autonomous lighting terminal (1) comprising a device (2) for converting solar energy into electrical energy, an accumulator device (15), characterized in that these devices cooperate with first electronic means (100) of control for supplying an optical block (18) consisting of 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 hinge means (120) for its orientation by a rotation about a center (7) according to an arrow (10).   3 autonomous terminal (1) according to one of claims 1, 2,   characterized in that the light source (20) consists of a pseudo-point source (14) r and cooperates with a reflecting means (R> consisting of two reflectors (22, 23) joined by their apices (24, 25). ) in order to concentrate the light in two layers (A ', B') of directions (A, AI, A 2 AN for one and   B, BI, B 2 BN for the other), predetermined.   4 autonomous terminal (1) according to one of claims 1, 2,   characterized in that the light source (20) is constituted by the point pseudo source (14), and cooperates with the reflecting means (R) consisting of two parts (16, 27) forming a paraboloid pseudo-revolution, in order to concentrate the light in a sheet (n) distributed over 360 around the optical block (18) and a axis (Z-Z) that it comprises.   Autonomous terminal (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) so as to to focus the light into two layers of   direction (A, AI, A 2 AN for one and B, BI, B 2 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 establishment and automatic shutdown of the lighting   by a stand-alone terminal (1), depending on the ambient brightness.   Autonomous terminal (1) according to claims 2 to 6   characterized in that the hinge means (120) that comprises   the device (2) is implemented manually.   8 autonomous terminal (1) according to claims 2 to 6   characterized in that the hinge means (120) are implemented by means of second electronic control means (150) providing servo-control, in order to obtain an orientation   Automatic device (2) to 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), to control the servo   with predetermined time intervals.   Autonomous terminal (1) according to one of claims 8, 9,   characterized in that the second means (150) comprises a   parator (53) cooperating with a regulator (44) that comprises the first means (100), for using the values (V VN) of a current (II) generated by the device (2), as a parameter of the servocontrol.   It autonomous terminal (1) according to one of claims 8, 9, 10,   characterized in that the second means (150) includes a storage device (52) for storing the values (V VN) of the current (II).   12 autonomous terminal (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the comparator (53) cooperates with the sensor (11) of the ambient brightness, to allow the servo during periods of day.