FR2665032A1 - Remote-control cabinet for a self-contained safety lighting unit - Google Patents

Abstract

This is a remote-control cabinet (10) allowing action to be taken on self-contained safety lighting units (11). According to the invention, the self-contained safety lighting units (11) each being equipped with an additional control module (15), which, forming a receiver, is able to make it possible to subject it to at least one control test under the orders of a mobile transmitter (16), there is associated, with the remote-control cabinet (10), a module for running an additional test (38), which, in substitution for the mobile transmitter (16), is itself also able, via the output terminal channel (23A, 23B) of this remote-control cabinet (10), to subject the self-contained safety lighting units (11) to at least one control test. Application to the centralised control of an installation including a plurality of self-contained safety lighting units.

Description

"Remote control unit for autonomous lighting unit
of security"
The present invention relates generally to autonomous safety lighting units.

 It relates more particularly to the remote control boxes which it has already been proposed to associate them to allow, if desired, a centralized intervention on them.

 Overall, these remote control boxes have input terminals specific to their connection to the mains, a rectifier, and, served in parallel by this rectifier and an independent source of current, switching means, which, under the control of buttons -pushors available to the user, are able to direct, on one or the other of two output terminals by which they are able to be connected to the autonomous emergency lighting blocks concerned, the current pulses resulting from an action on these pushbuttons.

 In practice, when the sector is absent, these current pulses have the effect of ensuring either the standby of the autonomous blocks of emergency lighting, that is to say both the extinction of the emergency lights that include that of their pilot light, ie the re-lighting of these emergency lamps.

 When the sector is present, these same current pulses have the effect of ensuring either the lighting of their emergency lamps, or their return to standby configuration, for which only their pilot light is on.

 In doing so, these remote control boxes advantageously make it possible to submit, remotely, without cutting off the sector, and therefore without interrupting the general supply of the premises concerned, the autonomous safety lighting blocks to the control test, relatively rudimentary, consisting of make sure, on sight, that the emergency lights they include are in good working order.

 I1 has also also already been proposed to each individually equip the autonomous emergency lighting blocks with an additional control module, which, forming a receiver, is suitable, under the control of a transmitter, in practice a mobile transmitter. , such as for example a mobile transmitter with infrared radiation, to allow such an autonomous block of emergency lighting to be subjected to a more complete control.

 In practice, the control tests thus likely to be carried out then relate not only to the state of the emergency lamps, but also, if desired, and with a timing, to the autonomy of the autonomous source of current ensuring their supply. , with the possibility, each time, of stopping the current control test.

 To date, the intervention of the additional control modules implemented is done individually, autonomous block of emergency lighting by autonomous block of emergency lighting, under the control of the mobile transmitter provided for this purpose.

 The present invention generally relates to a provision allowing them to be brought in centrally for at least part, if not all, of the autonomous emergency lighting units concerned.

 More specifically, it relates to a remote control unit for an autonomous block of emergency lighting of the kind comprising input terminals, suitable for its connection to the mains, a rectifier, and, served in parallel by said rectifier and an autonomous current source, switching means, which, under the control of pushbuttons available to the user, are capable of directing, on one or the other of two output terminals by which it is able to be connected to the autonomous safety lighting unit, the current pulses resulting from an action on said push button, this remote control unit being generally characterized in that, the autonomous lighting unit of security being equipped with an additional control module, which, forming a receiver, is able to allow it to be subjected to at least one control test under the control of a transmitter, it is associated with this telecom cabinet mande, an additional test launch module, which, in substitution for this transmitter, is also able, by the channel of the output terminals of this remote control unit, to submit to at least one control test the autonomous block security lighting.

 Thus, advantage is taken of such a remote control unit to ensure, centrally, as desired, for a plurality of autonomous emergency lighting blocks, the launch of the control tests authorized by the additional control modules which are equipped.

 Preferably, the remote control unit according to the invention comprises a cell by which the additional test launch module which is associated with it is plug-in, removably, both mechanically and electrically.

 Thus, no wiring is advantageously to be implemented between it and this test launch module, and, following an arrangement of the pull-out assembly type, the latter constitutes a sort of extension thereof.

 In addition, systematically provided in advance on the remote control unit, this cell advantageously allows the user to benefit, or not, according to his needs or means, from the advantages of this extension.

 Preferably, also, the additional test launch module associated with the remote control unit according to the invention benefits from the same power sources as it, connection terminals being provided on this remote control unit for serving this test launch module. additional by its rectifier and by its autonomous source of current, as well as for its connection to the ground.

 Thus, in the production of the additional test launch module, the corresponding components are advantageously saved.

 In practice, the components necessary for the production of this additional test launch module are exclusively electronic components advantageously requiring only low currents for their service.

 Preferably, finally, the remote control unit according to the invention comprises a connection terminal by means of which the additional test launch module which is associated with it is able to lock its own switching means.

 Everything therefore takes place thus advantageously as if, when this additional test launch module is implemented, it substitutes its own functions for those of the remote control unit with which it is associated, the latter therefore constituting for it only an interface through which pass all the information it delivers, benefiting, in passing, from any protections that may be provided on the corresponding output terminals.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which
FIG. 1 is the block diagram of an installation implementing a remote control unit according to the invention
Figure 2 is, on a larger scale, an exploded perspective view of this remote control unit and the additional test launch module associated with it
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the remote control unit according to the invention.

 As illustrated in FIG. 1, an installation for which the remote control unit 10 according to the invention is intended implements a plurality of autonomous emergency lighting blocks 11 connected in parallel to the sector 12.

 These autonomous emergency lighting blocks 11 being well known in themselves, and not belonging specifically to the present invention, they will not be described in detail here.

 It will suffice to indicate that, as shown diagrammatically in broken lines in FIG. 1, they each comprise two emergency lamps 13 and a pilot light 14, and that, as shown in solid lines, they are each equipped with a module for additional control 15, which, forming a receiver, is capable of making it possible to subject each of them individually to at least one control test under the control of a mobile transmitter 16.

 This mobile transmitter 16 being also well known by itself, and not falling directly from the present invention either, it will not be described in detail here either.

lCl.

 It will suffice to indicate that, in the embodiment shown, it comprises three push-buttons, or keys, 17A, 17B, 17C, which, at the disposal of the user, each correspond respectively to three distinct functions.

 For example, the push button 17A corresponds to a control of the state, whether it is working properly or not, of the emergency lamps 13 and the push button 17B corresponds to a control of their power autonomy, while the button - push-button 17C allows the stopping, if desired, of any of the preceding control tests when such a control test is in progress.

 In the embodiment shown, indicator lamps 18A, 18B, 18C make it possible to display the corresponding operations.

 At the same time, the additional control module 15 of each of the autonomous emergency lighting blocks 11 comprises two display lamps 20A, 20B, for example simple LEDs.

 For example, the display lamp 20A is green, and the display lamp 20B red.

 Preferably, and for reasons which will appear below, this additional control module 15 comprises, jointly, decoding means, with coding wheels for example, suitable for allowing an address to be assigned to the autonomous emergency lighting blocks 11 that he equips.

 The various autonomous emergency lighting blocks 11 concerned can thus, if desired, be grouped by zones.

 In practice, the transmission between the mobile transmitter 16 and such an additional control module 15 takes place by infrared radiation.

 The corresponding provisions are well known in themselves and therefore will not be detailed here.

 In a manner also known per se, the remote control unit 10, which is normally permanently installed at a central station, comprises input terminals 22A, 22B which are specific to its connection to the sector 12, and output terminals 23A , 23B, by which it is able to be connected, in parallel, using a bus wiring 25, to each of the autonomous emergency lighting blocks 11 concerned.

 As detailed in FIG. 3, this remote control unit 10 comprises a rectifier 26, and, served in parallel by this rectifier 26 and an autonomous current source 27, in practice a battery, for example a nickel cadmium battery, means switching 28 which, under the control of push-buttons 29A, 29B, one for switching on and the other for switching off, available to the user, are capable of directing, on one or the other of the two output terminals 23A, 23B, the current pulses 30A, 30B resulting from an action on these push-buttons 29A, 29B.

 The switching means 28 are for example capable of an electromechanical embodiment.

 But they are also susceptible to electronic production.

 For example, and as suggested in FIG. 2, they then comprise two monostables 32A, 32B, each piloted respectively by the push buttons 29A, 29B, and serving in parallel the output terminals 23A, 23B by means of the shown embodiment, an interface 33 and a protection and signaling unit 34 which is common to them.

 The various corresponding constituents belonging to those skilled in the art, they will not be described in detail here.

 For example, the monostables 32A, 32B can be produced, in a manner known per se, using NOR gates (NOR), and the interface 33 can comprise two operational amplifiers mounted in a bridge.

 As for the protection and signaling unit 34, it comprises, for example, and preferably, means suitable for protecting the assembly against the effects of an inadvertent reversal of polarity, of a possible short circuit, or of an untimely connection of the output terminals 23A, 23B on sector 12.

 Of course, the remote control unit 10 also includes, in the case of such an electronic embodiment, a block 35 suitable for properly energizing all of its components.

 Finally, it includes a charger 36 capable of ensuring systematic recharging of the autonomous current source 27.

 According to the invention, the autonomous emergency lighting blocks 11 being each individually equipped, as indicated above, with an additional control module 15, it is associated, with the remote control unit 10, with a test launch module additional 38, which, in substitution for the mobile transmitter 16, is, like this one, capable, by the channel of the output terminals 23A, 23B of this remote control unit 10, to submit to at least one control test the autonomous emergency lighting units 11, or at least some of them.

 In practice, in the embodiment shown, this additional test launch module 38 has the same functions as the mobile transmitter 16.

 It therefore comprises, like him, three push-buttons, or keys, 17A, 17B, 17C, and three pilot lights 18A, 18B, 18C.

 Preferably, and as shown, the remote control unit 10 comprises a cell 40 by which the additional test launch module 38 which is associated with it can be plugged in, removably, both mechanically and electrically, this test launch module additional 38 itself comprising for this purpose a tip 41 of configuration complementary to that of this cell 40, FIG. 2.

 In the cell 40, and as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3, the various connection terminals must therefore be grouped together to intervene between the remote control unit 10 and the additional test launch module 38.

 There is thus, first of all, in this cell 40, a terminal 43 connected to the positive terminal of the rectifier 26, a terminal 44 itself connected to the positive terminal of the autonomous current source 27, and a terminal of mass 45.

 Thus, the additional test launch module 38 associated with the remote control unit 10 can benefit from the same power sources as it, the connection terminal 43 ensuring its service by the rectifier 26, the connection terminal 44 its service by the source autonomous current 27, and the connection terminal 45 its connection to ground.

 In the cell 40 is also provided a connection terminal 46 by means of which the additional test launch module 38 is able to lock the switching means 28, by simple application of an appropriate voltage level on the one or the other of the constituent doors of the corresponding monostables 32A, 32B.

 Finally, in the cell 40 of the remote control unit 10, two connection terminals 47A, 47B are provided, on the one hand, via the output terminals 23A, 23B, and by the other. through the interface 33 and the protection and signaling block 34, the signals delivered by the additional test launch module 38 on its corresponding output terminals, and, on the other hand, a connection terminal 47C by l 'intermediary of which, and under the same conditions as above, the additional test launch module 38 can intervene simultaneously on the two output terminals 23A, 23B.

 For example, the connection terminals 47A, 47B each correspond respectively to the functions to which the push buttons 17A, 17B of the additional test launch module 38 correspond, and the connection terminal 47C to the function to which its push button 17C corresponds. .

 Finally, when, as indicated above, the autonomous emergency lighting blocks 11 are grouped by zone, the additional test launch module 38 associated with the remote control unit 10 according to the invention comprises, under the control of buttons- push-buttons 48A, 48B, 48C available to the user, FIG. 2, coding means, with coding wheels for example, capable of limiting its effects to autonomous blocks of emergency lighting in such or such zone, in correspondence with the decoding means that comprise the additional control module 15 of these autonomous emergency lighting blocks 11.

 Essentially, the practical implementation of the additional test launch module 38 takes over that of the mobile transmitter 16.

 This is well known by itself, so it will not be described here.

 First of all, it will be assumed below that, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 1, only the remote control unit 10 is used.

 When the sector 12 is present, an action on the push button 29A of this remote control unit 10 ensures the simultaneous lighting of the emergency lamps 13 of all the autonomous emergency lighting blocks 11 concerned.

 An action on its push-button 29B ensures a return to standby configuration of these autonomous emergency lighting blocks 11, that is to say the extinction of their emergency lamps 13, the only one then remaining lit their pilot light 14 .

 When the sector 12 is absent, an action on the push button 29B of the remote control unit 10 ensures the simultaneous resting of all the autonomous emergency lighting units 11, that is to say the extinction as well of their emergency lights 13, which are then normally on, than that of their pilot 14.

 An action on its push button 29B ensures, if desired, the simultaneous re-lighting of the emergency lamps 13 of all these autonomous emergency lighting units 11.

 We will now assume that, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1, the additional test launch module 38 is plugged into the remote control unit 10.

 If the sector 12 is present, this additional test launch module 38, then duly supplied, deactivates, by the connection terminal 46, the switching means 28 of the remote control unit 10, and, therefore, any action on one or other of the push buttons 29A, 29B thereof has no effect.

 Jointly, the additional test launch module 38 allows, like the mobile transmitter 16, for which it is then replaced centrally, the launch of one or other of the control tests that it authorizes.

 When such a control test is in progress, the display lamp 20A of the additional control module 15 of each of the autonomous emergency lighting blocks 11 flashes.

 It becomes fixed at the end of such a control test if the corresponding autonomous safety lighting unit 11 is in good working condition.

 Otherwise, it is the display lamp 20B which lights up, thus signaling that the autonomous safety lighting unit 11 concerned is to be checked.

 When the sector 12 is absent, the additional test launch module 38 has no effect, since it is then no longer supplied with power other than by the autonomous current source 27.

 If, however, a control test is in progress using for example the mobile transmitter 16, an action on the push button 29B of the remote control unit 10 makes it possible to stop, if desired, this control test, however, any action on its push button 29A has no effect.

 Except for such control tests, any action on one or other of the push buttons 29A, 29B of the remote control unit 10 leads to the same effects as when the additional test launch module 38 is not present.

 As will be noted, the display lamps 20A, 20B of the additional control module 15 associated with the autonomous emergency lighting blocks 11 advantageously allow visual storage of the control tests to which they have been subjected.

 Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown, but encompasses any variant.

Claims (6)

 1. Remote control unit for an autonomous block of emergency lighting, of the type comprising input terminals (22A, 22B), suitable for its connection to the mains (12), a rectifier (26), and, served in parallel by said rectifier (26) and an autonomous current source (27), switching means (28), which, under the control of push buttons (29A, 29B) available to the user, are capable of directing , on one or the other of two output terminals (23A, 23B) by which it is able to be connected to the autonomous block of emergency lighting (11), the current pulses (30A, 30B) resulting from 'An action on said push-buttons (29A, 29B), characterized in that the autonomous emergency lighting unit (11) being equipped with an additional control module (15), which, forming a receiver, is capable of allow to submit it to at least one control test under the control of a transmitter (16), it is associated with this remote control unit e (10), an additional test launch module (38), which, in substitution for said transmitter (16), is also suitable, via the output terminal channel (23A, 23B) of said remote control unit (10) , to submit to at least one control test said autonomous block of emergency lighting (11).  2. Remote control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional test launch module (38) associated therewith takes up the same functions as the transmitter (16).  3. Remote control unit according to any one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that the additional test launch module (38) which is associated with it benefits from the same power sources as it, connection terminals (43 , 44, 45) being provided on it for serving this additional test launch module (38) by its rectifier (26) and by its independent current source (27) as well as for its connection to ground.  4. Remote control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a connection terminal (46) by means of which the additional test launch module (38) which is associated with it is able to lock its own switching means (28).  5. Remote control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, several autonomous emergency lighting blocks (11), grouped by zones, being concerned, the additional test launch module (38) associated with it includes, under the control of push buttons (48A, 48B, 48C) available to the user, coding means capable of limiting its effects to autonomous safety lighting blocks (11) of such or such zone, and the additional control module (15) that these autonomous emergency lighting blocks (11) include is provided with corresponding decoding means.  6. Remote control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a cell (40) by which the additional test launch module (38) which is associated with it is detachably plug-in. , both mechanically and electrically.