FR2985319A1 - Installation for emergency lighting blocks in building, has signaling device connected to communication network to communicate with management system, so as to indicate malfunction of one of emergency lighting blocks to receptionist - Google Patents

Abstract

The installation (100) has a management system (300) to communicate with emergency lighting blocks (201-203) via a communication network (110). A signaling device (400) separate from the management system is connected to the communication network to communicate with the management system, so as to indicate a malfunction of one of the emergency lighting blocks to a receptionist. The signaling device includes a detecting unit to detect the absence of communication with the management system, and a dialog interface for the user to locate a zone corresponding to the malfunctioning lighting block. An independent claim is also included for a method for monitoring the installation for emergency lighting blocks.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES The present invention generally relates to the field of installations of security lighting blocks comprising a management system adapted to communicate with a plurality of security lighting blocks via a communication network. It also relates to a method for monitoring such an installation.

It finds a particularly advantageous application in the realization of a little complex installation for small to medium-sized buildings. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Document FR2929461, an installation as aforesaid, is currently known in which the management system is passive in that it is designed only to receive status information from the connected security lighting blocks. to the communication network. According to this document, each safety lighting unit performs a regular check of its state, thanks to an integrated component verification system. When a fault is detected, it indicates it to the management system which then displays on its facade a state of malfunction of the installation. This installation has several disadvantages. Firstly, it does not detect that one of the security lighting blocks is disconnected from or absent from the communication network. Indeed, in this case the "off-network" block no longer communicates with the management system which mistakenly considers that it is in good working order since it no longer receives any information about it. In addition, in order to visualize the state of the installation, it is advisable to go to a technical room where the management system is installed, since it is it which displays on the facade a visual signal resulting from its verifications. Only the maintenance operator is likely to receive the information displayed by the management system.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a simple, economical installation of safety lighting blocks which gives access to the information relating to the state of the art. installation to different people located on equipped places, such as for example a hostess. More particularly, the present invention proposes an installation comprising at least one signaling device separate from the management system, connected to said communication network in order to communicate with the management system to signal to the user a malfunction of at least one said security lighting blocks. The signaling device can be advantageously installed at the height of man in a place of passage, for example at the reception station. According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the installation, the management system comprises interrogation means for interrogating, on a regular space of time, the security lighting blocks, reception means for receiving the responses of said lighting blocks of interrogated security and transmission means for regularly sending a signal representative of the state of the installation to the signaling device.

Thanks to the interrogation means, the management system is active here and can interrogate security lighting blocks that are "off-grid". The installation therefore has, among other things, the ability to obtain information on the presence or absence of security lighting blocks on the communication network.

Other non-limiting and advantageous features of the installation according to the invention are the following: the signaling device comprises means for detecting an absence of communication with the management system; the reception means are adapted to detect that a security lighting unit 30 is off-grid; the management system comprises means for recording signals representative of the states of said interrogated lighting blocks; the signaling device comprises a means of visual communication of the signal representative of the state of the installation; the signaling device comprises means for transmitting an audible signal indicating to the user the state of malfunction of the installation, and means for cutting off said sound signal; the installation comprises a plurality of zones of security lighting blocks and, at the entrance of each zone, a filter connected to the communication network and adapted to pass the interrogation signals to the blocks of light; security lighting of said area; and the signaling device is equipped with a dialogue interface which enables the user to locate the zone corresponding to said one or more safety lighting blocks 10 in the state of default or in off-grid state. The invention also proposes a method for monitoring a security lighting unit installation according to the invention, which comprises the steps according to which: a) the management system transmits an interrogation signal intended for a 15 security lighting block among the security lighting blocks of the installation; b) the management system receives and records a response transmitted by said block and / or records the absence of response of said security lighting unit; c) the management system performs a determined number of queries and 20 records in accordance with steps a) and b), d) the management system sends a signal from the recordings made, representative of the state of the installation , to a signaling device which transmits to the user a signal representative of the state of the installation. Other nonlimiting and advantageous features of the monitoring method according to the invention are the following: the signaling device emits a visual signal representative of the state of the installation; - The signaling device emits an audible signal when the installation 30 is in a malfunction state; the signaling device sends a fault signal of the installation when no signal representative of the state of the installation reaches it from the management system; the management system, in step a), interrogates the emergency lighting blocks in a predetermined order; the management system performs ten successive interrogations and recordings before carrying out step d); the signal emitted in step d) carries the information of the location of the zone in which the safety lighting block or blocks in the state of default or in the off-grid state is located; the signal emitted by the management system comprises a unique identifier of a security lighting unit, which is recognized by said block present on the communication network. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be achieved. In the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a security lighting unit installation according to the invention, comprising a single zone; FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic front view of the signaling device of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of an alternative embodiment of the signaling device of the installation according to the invention; FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the installation according to the invention, comprising several zones of security lighting blocks; FIG. 5 is a timing chart of the method of monitoring a security lighting block installation according to the invention; FIG. 6 is an example of the frame of the interrogation signal sent by the management system to a safety lighting unit of the installation according to the invention; and FIG. 7 is an example of the frame of the interrogation signal transmitted by the management system to a safety lighting unit via the filter of a variant embodiment of the installation in accordance with FIG. 'invention. As a preliminary, it will be noted that from one figure to the other, the identical or similar elements of the different embodiments of the invention will, as far as possible, be referenced by the same reference signs and will not be described at each times. FIG. 1 shows an installation 100 of emergency lighting blocks comprising three security lighting blocks 201, 202, 203, a management system 300 and a signaling device 400, separate from the management system 300. connected to each other by a single communication network 110 and supplied with current by a power supply network 120. According to the example shown in FIG. 1, the installation 100 comprises a single series of safety lighting blocks 201 , 202, 203 distributed in a single zone of the equipped building. The management system 300 is usually located in a technical or computer room of the building, accessible only to maintenance personnel. The security lighting blocks 201, 202, 203 are generally located on the interior walls of the building, near the ceiling, at the intersections of the corridors or the entrances and exits of the building. The signaling device 400 is placed at height of man, near the reception or more generally in a passage of the building, in order to be seen by all the people circulating or stationing in these places, in particular by 20 hostess. Here, the communication network 110 comprises two communication cables 111, 112 for carrying a signal between said management system 300, the security lighting blocks 201, 202, 203 and the signaling device 400. The applied voltage at the terminals of the communication network 110 by the management system 300 is equal to +15 volts. The first and second cables 111, 112 are cables of the type 5G1, of section equal to 50 square millimeters. The power supply network 120 comprises a phase cable 121 and a neutral cable 122 which deliver to the electrical installation 100 a nominal voltage of between 220 volts and 240 volts or between 110 volts and 127 volts for a frequency interval. between 45 Hertz and 65 Hertz. Here, the power supply network 120 does not include a ground connection cable because the main elements of the installation 100 do not require a ground connection because they consist mainly of plastic components. As shown more particularly in Figure 1, here, the management system 300 is connected to the power supply network 120 via a first circuit breaker 130. The signaling device 400 and the set of safety lighting blocks 201, 202 , 203 are connected to said power supply network 120 via a second circuit breaker 140. The first circuit breaker 130 protects the management system 300 and the second circuit breaker 140 protects the signaling device 400 as well as all the security lighting blocks. 201, 202, 203 of an overvoltage of the power supply network 120. An overvoltage of the power supply network 120 is a voltage higher than the nominal voltage delivered by said power supply network 120. Each lighting block of 201, 202, 203 of said installation 100 comprises in the usual manner a battery (not shown), emergency lighting means (not shown) and t less light (not shown) indicating the status of the safety lighting unit 201, 202, 203.

When the power supply network 120 delivers a current, each safety lighting unit 201, 202, 203 recharges its battery. He is then in a standby state. When the power supply network 120 is unintentionally cut off, said battery of each safety lighting unit 201, 202, 203 discharges to supply said emergency lighting means of the emergency lighting unit 201, 202 , 203, which illuminate the premises and signal evacuations so that those present can evacuate the equipped building safely. Each security lighting block 201, 202, 203 is then in operating condition. It is important that each of the safety lighting blocks 201, 202, 203 of the installation 100 is always in good working order when the power supply 120 is cut off inadvertently. safety lighting unit 201, 202, 203 in the standby state is operational during operation. That is the reason why, in accordance with the provisions of the French standard NFC 71 820, each security lighting block 201, 202, 203 comprises an automatic integrated test system (SATI) which performs, at regular intervals of time, checks when the emergency lighting unit 201, 202, 203 is in standby to detect any malfunction of the constituent elements (battery, emergency lighting means, indicator lights) of the emergency lighting unit 201, 202, 203 When the Automatic Integrated Test System (SATI) detects a malfunction of the emergency lighting unit 201, 202, 203, the latter indicates its malfunction by lighting a warning light. Another indicator light also indicates an operational state of operation of said safety lighting unit 201, 202, 203 which is in a standby state. Finally, each safety lighting unit 201, 202, 203 may be in an off-grid state, for example when it is cut off from the communication network 110, and / or absent and / or disconnected by a maintenance operator and / or stolen. According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the installation 100, the management system 300 is adapted to communicate, via the single communication network 110 with the security lighting unit 201, 202, 203, as well as with the security device. signaling 400 which is adapted to signal to the user, according to the information he receives from the management system 300, a malfunction of at least one of said security lighting blocks 201, 202, 203. For this each security lighting block 201, 202, 203 of the installation 100 here comprises a unique eight-bit coded address. The management system 300 which has recorded in a dedicated memory the addresses of the security lighting blocks 201, 202, 203, preferably comprises interrogation means for interrogating, at regular time space, the security lighting blocks. 201, 202, 203 via the single communication network 110. Said interrogation means comprise a processor (not shown) capable of designing and transmitting a signal comprising a succession of bits defining a communication frame 301 adapted to be transported on the communication network 110.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 6, here this communication frame 301 comprises eight bits 302 making it possible to identify that the signal is an interrogation or a response to an interrogation of a security lighting block 201, 202, 203, interrogated, said interrogation-response message 302.

This communication frame 301 also comprises eight bits 303 corresponding to the address of the security lighting block 201, 202, 203 interrogated, said identification message 303, and eight bits 304 corresponding to the state of the lighting block. 201, 202, 203 interrogated, said status message 304. Each bit may have the value "0" or "1".

The value "0" corresponds to a voltage measurement of less than 4 volts at the terminals of the communication network 110. This is a so-called "pinched" state of the network. The value "1" corresponds to a voltage measurement greater than 6.5 volts at the terminals of the communication network 110.

This is a so-called "loose" state of the network. The communication network 110 is designed so that it transmits the bits at a standard rate of 110 bits per second. Each interrogation-response message 302 and each status message 304 then comprises a determined series of values "0" or "1" just like the identification messages of the security lighting blocks 201, 202, 203. The management system 300 here also comprises receiving means for receiving the responses of the safety lighting blocks 201, 202, 203 interrogated or for detecting the absence of response of a safety lighting unit 201, 202, 203 interrogates.

The management system 300 advantageously comprises recording means comprising a dedicated memory (not shown) in which the processor writes signals representative of the states of the security lighting blocks 201, 202, 203 interrogated who responded. When a questioned security light block 201, 202, 203 does not respond, the processor detects a lack of response and stores in the memory of the management system 300 the fault state of said security lighting block 201 , 202, 203 questioned. The management system 300 further comprises transmission means for regularly sending a signal representative of the state of the installation to the signaling device 400 which is adapted to transmit to the user a signal representative of the state of the installation 100. The signaling device 400 comprises means for detecting an absence of communication with the management system 300 and, in this case, it is adapted to signal to the user a fault in the installation 100 The absence of communication between the management system 300 and the signaling device 400 can originate from a failure of the management system 300 or from a break in the communication network 110. It is not necessary that the signaling 400 has an address where an own identifier, such as the safety lighting blocks 201, 202, 203, because the signal sent by the management system 300 is designed in such a way only he can read it. The communication frame sent by the management system 300 to the signaling device 400 is therefore specifically coded appropriately. The management system 300 is also able to transmit the signal representative of the state of the installation to a relay (not shown) which communicates with the outside in all possible ways (sending SMS, mails, etc.) . According to the first embodiment of the installation 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the signaling device 400 comprises on its front face 20 facing the user, a visual communication means 401 of the signal representative of the installation. Here, this visual communication means 401 is a light emitting diode (LED) 401. This LED 401 changes color according to the signal representative of the state of the installation 100. It is for example green when the installation 100 is in an operational state of operation and red in color when the installation 100 is in a state of malfunction. Of course, it can be provided, according to an alternative embodiment not shown, the visual communication means comprises a series of two different colors of light indicators that light according to the state of the installation to be displayed. It can also be provided according to another embodiment not shown, the visual communication means comprises a single indicator light that flashes when the installation is in a state of default. The signaling device 400 also advantageously comprises means for transmitting an audible signal indicating to the user the state of malfunction of the installation, and means for breaking said sound signal. This means of breaking the audible signal comprises a pushbutton 402. The signaling device 400 also includes a frame 403 which receives an inscription enabling the user to identify the signaling device 400 as such. In said frame 403, for example, the following statement may be read: "Safety lighting" or "Installation status of the emergency lighting blocks". In FIGS. 3 and 4, a second embodiment of FIG. The installation 100 according to the invention which differs from the first embodiment in that it comprises three series S1, S2, S3 of security lighting blocks 201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221 , 222 distributed in three zones Z1, Z2, Z3 of the equipped building. Each zone Z1, Z2, Z3 comprises at its head a filter 200, 210, 220 connected to the single communication network 110 and adapted to pass only the interrogation signals to the safety lighting blocks 201, 202, 203 , 211, 212, 221, 222 of said zone Z1, Z2, Z3. According to the example shown in FIG. 4, three identical signaling devices 410 are provided distributed over the communication network 110 in the three zones Z1, Z2, Z3 of the emergency lighting blocks 201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221, 222. The signaling devices 410 are intended to display the same status signal of the installation 100. In a variant, it is possible to provide that the multi-zone installation comprises only one signaling device. connected to the communication network. The management system 300 has here recorded in its dedicated memory not only the addresses of the safety lighting blocks 201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221, 222 but also the zones Z1, Z2, Z3 associated. The communication frame 311 sent by the processor of the interrogation means of the management system 300 on the communication network 110 to each security lighting block, comprises eight additional bits 313 which characterize the area in which each block interrogated (see Figure 7).

Each communication frame 311 is filtered by the corresponding filter 200, 210, 220 provided at the zone head. The responses or non-responses received by the management system 300 also include the eight additional zone bits. Thus, when the management system 300 transmits a fault signal to each signaling device 410, this signal comprises the eight characteristic zone bits 313 of the zone where the emergency lighting unit is located in a state of malfunction or the area that has an off-grid lighting fixture. Each signaling device 410 is then able to display on the front of the zone Z1, Z2, Z3 where the installation fault is located. As shown more particularly in FIG. 3, the signaling device 410 comprises a dialogue interface 411 adapted to visually communicate to the user the operating or malfunctioning state of each zone Z1, Z2, Z3 of the installation. 100.

Here, the dialogue interface 411 is a liquid crystal display 412 comprising at least three zone frames 413 displaying the name of each zone Z1, Z2, Z3, for example "1st floor", "Workshop", "Restaurant". When the installation 100 is in a state of dysfunction, the bottom of the zone frame 413 corresponding to the zone Z1, Z2, Z3 in malfunction, changes color and an indication 414, for example an exclamation mark, appears on the screen. 412 liquid crystal screen near a side edge 415 of the frame 413 Z1 zone, Z2, Z3 fault. FIG. 5 shows a timing diagram of the monitoring method 500 implemented by the installation 100 according to the invention.

This method comprises the steps according to which: a) the management system 300 transmits an interrogation signal 503 to a security lighting block among the security lighting blocks of the installation; b) the management system 300 receives and records a response sent by said block and / or records the absence of response of said block; c) the management system 300 performs a determined number N of interrogations 503, of reception 504 and of records 505 in accordance with steps a) and b), d) the management system 300 sends a signal 507 resulting from the recordings 505 made , representative of the state of the installation 100, intended for at least one signaling device 400; 410 which sends to the user a representative signal 508 of the state of the installation 100. Advantageously, in step a), the management system 300 interrogates the security lighting blocks of the installation 100 following a predetermined order. For this, it transmits on the communication network 110 a communication frame 301; 311 which comprises a series of values "0" or "1" for the interrogation-response message 302, and a series of values "0" or "1" for the identification message 303 of the emergency lighting unit to interrogate (see Figures 6 and 7). In return, the management system 300 waits for a response signal from the interrogated security lighting unit. This response signal comprises a series of values "0" or "1" for the interrogation-response message, the eight address bits, and the status message with the series of values "0" or "1". representative of the state of the security lighting block being interrogated. The status message 304 is derived from the test performed by the Integrated Automatic Test System of the emergency lighting unit. When the management system 300 receives a response signal, it records in a dedicated memory the values of the status message 304 of the interrogated security lighting unit. When the management system 300 receives no response because the emergency lighting unit is off-grid, it records in the dedicated memory the values of the series of values "0" or "1" corresponding to a defect of the block of corresponding safety lighting.

Preferably, the management system 300 performs ten successive interrogations of security lighting blocks before transmitting its signal 507 representative of the state of the installation to the signaling device 400; 410. For this, the management system 300 comprises a counter N which, initially, is initialized to zero. This counter N is incremented by one unit before each interrogation 503 carried out in step a). After each record 505 made in step b), the counter N is compared with the number 10. As long as the counter N is less than or equal to 10, the management system 300 performs a new interrogation 503.

After the tenth interrogation, the management system sends its signal 507 to the signaling device 400; 410. This signal 507 includes a status message that takes a series of "0" or "1" values determined as soon as a defect is recorded for a security lighting unit or a response has not been received. received, and another set of "0" or "1" values if no light block faults were recorded and all blocks queried responded. The signaling device 400; 410 which receives the signal 407 displays on the front a visual signal representative of the state of the installation. It can also, advantageously, emit an audible signal when the installation is in a state of malfunction. In addition, the signaling device 400; 410 emits a fault signal from the installation 100 when no signal 507 representative of the state of the installation reaches it from the management system 300. When the emergency lighting blocks are divided into several distinct zones 20, each communication frame 311 sent by the management system 300 to each security lighting block, comprises eight additional bits 313 which characterize the area in which each interrogated block is located. Each communication frame 311 is filtered by the corresponding filter 200, 210, 220 provided at the zone head Z1, Z2, Z3. The responses received by the management system 300 also include the eight additional zone bits. When the management system 300 receives no response because the interrogated safety lighting unit is off-grid, it records in the dedicated memory the series of "0" or "1" values associated with the eight additional zone bits 313. , corresponding to a block fault in the zone Z1, Z2, Z3 where it is located. Thus, when the management system 300 sends a fault signal 507 to the signaling device 410, this signal 507 comprises the eight area bits 313 characteristic of the zone Z1, Z2, Z3 where the light block of safety in the state of malfunction or zone Z1, Z2, Z3 which includes an off-grid lighting unit. The signaling device 410 is then able to display on the front panel the area where the installation fault is located.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but the skilled person will be able to make any variant within his mind. In particular, it can be provided that the communication frames transmitted by the management system comprise sequences of a number of bits different from the eight-bit sequences described above.

Claims (17)

REVENDICATIONS1. Installation (100) of security lighting blocks (201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221) comprising a management system (300) adapted to communicate with a plurality of security lighting blocks (201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221) via a communication network (110), characterized in that it comprises at least one signaling device (400; 410) separate from the management system (300), connected to said communication network (110). ) to communicate with the management system (300) to signal to the user a malfunction of at least one of said security lighting blocks (201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221). 2. Installation (100) according to claim 1, wherein the management system (300) comprises interrogation means for interrogating, at regular time, the security lighting blocks (201, 202, 203, 211). , 212, 221), reception means for receiving the responses of said interrogated emergency lighting blocks (201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221) and transmission means for regularly sending a signal representative of the state of the installation at the signaling device (400; 410). 3. Installation (100) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the signaling device (400; 410) comprises means for detecting an absence of communication with the management system (300). 4. Installation (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the receiving means is adapted to detect that a security lighting block (201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221) is out network. 5. Installation (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the management system (300) comprises means for recording signals representative of the states of said lighting blocks (201, 202, 203, 211 , 212, 221) questioned. 6. Installation (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the signaling device (400; 410) comprises a visual communication means 30 of the signal representative of the state of the installation (100). 7. Installation (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the signaling device (400; 410) comprises means for transmitting an audible signal indicating the user the malfunction status of the user. installation (100), and means for cutting off said sound signal. 8. Installation (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the installation comprises a plurality of zones (Z1, Z2, Z3) security lighting blocks (201, 202, 203, 211, 212). , 221) and, at the input of each zone (Z1, Z2, Z3), a filter (200, 210, 220) connected to the communication network (110) and adapted to pass the interrogation signals to the safety lighting units (201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221) of said zone (Z1, Z2, Z3). 9. Installation (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the signaling device (410) is equipped with a dialogue interface (411) which allows the user to locate the area (Z1, Z2 , Z3) corresponding to said one or more safety lighting blocks (201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221) in the state of default or in the off-grid state. 10. A method of monitoring (500) an installation (100) of security lighting blocks (201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221) according to one of claims 1 to 9, which comprises the steps of which: a) the management system (300) transmits an interrogation signal (503) to a security lighting block (201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221) among the lighting blocks safety device (201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221) of the installation (100); b) the management system (300) receives and records a response transmitted by said block and / or records (505) the absence of response of said emergency lighting unit (201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221) ; c) the management system (300) performs a determined number (N) of interrogations (503) and records (505) according to steps a) and b), d) the management system (300) transmits a signal (507) from the recordings (505) made, representative of the state of the installation (100), to a signaling device (400; 410) which transmits (508) to the user a signal representative of the state of the installation (100). 11. The monitoring method (500) according to claim 10, wherein the signaling device (400; 410) emits a visual signal representative of the state of the installation (100). 12. Monitoring method (500) according to one of claims 10 and 11, wherein the signaling device (400; 410) emits an audible signal when the installation (100) is in a state of dysfunction. 13. The monitoring method (500) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the signaling device (400; 410) transmits a fault signal of the installation (100) when no signal (507) representative of the state of the installation does not reach it from the management system (300). 14. The monitoring method (500) according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the management system (300), in step a), interrogates the security lighting blocks (201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221) in a predetermined order. 15. Monitoring method (500) according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the management system (300) performs ten interrogations and recordings (505) in succession before performing step d). 16. Monitoring method (500) according to one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the signal transmitted in step d) carries the information of the location of the zone (Z1, Z2, Z3) where is the or the emergency lighting blocks (201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 221) in a fault state or in an off-grid state. 17. The monitoring method (500) according to one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the signal emitted by the management system (300) comprises a unique identifier of a security lighting block (201, 202, 203 , 211, 212, 221), which is recognized by said block present on the communication network (110).