GB2483316A

GB2483316A - Lighting power supply with ingress protection

Info

Publication number: GB2483316A
Application number: GB201100205A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicola S Sua Rez Lencina
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-08-31
Filing date: 2011-01-07
Publication date: 2012-03-07
Also published as: ES2382424B1; ES2382424A1; GB201100205D0

Abstract

A power supply for a lighting device 6 includes a unit for accepting grid supply 1, a converter 2, a battery charger 3 of slow-charging type, batteries 4 which are preferably Ni-Cd, and switching unit 5 with relay 5â . The power supply has IP55 protection or greater.

Description

LIGHTING ELEM ENT CONVERTER/POWER SUPPLY DEVICE WITH ACCU MU LATORS

DESCRIPTION

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lighting element converter/power supply device with accumulators, whose evident purpose is that of constituting a means for the charging of batteries or accumulators, with slow charging and TO establish the switching of power states, comprising an electronic circuit board with the appropriate components and a casing of reduced size, which may be plastic or metal, and with a high degree of protection, resistant to external agents surrounding it, and in particular, to aggressive environments, enhancing its durability and efficacy and, in consequence, the useful life of the product.

The device is preferably and fundamentally provided to be applied in any public place, where its risk of damage is higher, without discarding its application or use in private places.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Uninterrupted power supply devices or systems are known with alternating current or direct current output current for one or more charges, i.e. applicable to the charging of accumulators, even though the systems as a whole are extremely large, with fast charging units and based on lead accumulators.

As a consequence of the fact that the charging is fast and they are made of lead, the useful life of the device and the system in general are drastically reduced.

On the other hand, it is necessary to consider that the use of lead accumulators entails a high degree of toxicity, for which reason their use has been changed to Ni-Cd accumulator batteries.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device claimed has been devised to resolve the aforementioned problems, based on a simple and effective solution.

More specifically, the device of the invention comprises four main operating blocks conveniently associated to one another, and which correspond to a universal power unit; to an electronic voltage converter; to a state switching unit, and to an accumulator charging unit, the whole unit or board comprising said conponents being positioned on a base support with 1P55 protection or greater, and with a slow charging technology.

The 1855 protection or greater will avoid the action of external agents that may seriously harm the device's operation, agents that may be humidity, dust or possible water drops, providing with this for the use of the device in places with intense transit and continuous use.

In terms of the universal power unit, it receives voltage from an alternating current or direct current power supply, from 85 V until 265 V, approximately, this being the external power range, with the special characteristic that the power circuit is designed to admit two types of current (alternating current or direct current), although direct current is recommended to optimize its operation.

The output from said universal power unit shall be direct current, powering the other circuit units, i.e. the electronic voltage converter, the state switching unit and the accumulator charging unit.

The unit corresponding to the electronic voltage converter is provided to raise the voltage of the Ni'-Cd accumulators, making it possible to operate external devices.

For its part, the state switching unit is provided to establish the power state change, direct with voltage in a range of the universal input in the power supply and external bearing in mind the supply of the batteries or accumulators.

Finally, the accumulator charging unit, as is evident, is equipped for charging the accunulators slowly, this type of charging having the advantage of preserving the useful life of the power accumulators.

The power supply of the device shall be conveniently protected against voltage surges, network oscillations, polarity reversal, short-circuits, etc. It should also be highlighted that the device can adopt a standard or modular configuration, i.e. more than one charger/power supply with surrounding protection.

For its part, the base support as protective covering and mounting of the board with all electronic components forming the device, is provided with a protection against dust and hunidity greater than 1254.

Depending on the specific state of the light or charge, i.e. of the lighting element, it shall use a combined direct current power system (optimizing losses) and another parallel power system by storage cells external to the network; with the special characteristic that the device can connect to one or several Ni-Cd battery cells, until obtaining the desired power, only varying the charge type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description being made and in

order to aid towards a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, where, with illustrative and non-limiting character, the following has been represented: Figure 1 ows a representation corresponding to the flow diagram of the device of the invention, with the corresponding blocks that form said device.

Figure 2 ows the basic electric diagram of the device of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE tNVENT ION As can be seen in the figures, the device of the invention comprises a power supply (1), an electronic voltage converter (2), a charging unit (3) of accumulators or batteries (4) and a state switching unit (5), all to perform the charging of a lighting element (6).

The power unit (1) receives grid voltage and is provided to admit two types of current (DC or AC).

For its part, the unit that the electronic voltage converter (2) consists of is provided to raise the voltage of the Ni-Cd accumulators (4), making the operation of external devices possible.

The switching unit (5) is provided to make the power state change, that change of direct state being possible if voltage is obtained within the universal input range of the power supply (1), or external bearing in mind the accumulator (4) powering.

Finally, the charging unit (3) is logically provided to slowly charge the accumulators (4).

Based on the flow diagram represented in figure 1, point (7) indicates the voltage input to the power supply (1), so that it is universal, which allows obtaining the desired output for the correct operation of the lighting element (6), with a voltage input between 85 V and 265 V1 both alternating current and direct current.

In said diagram of figure 1, point (8) corresponds to the DC voltage output of the power supply (I), as well as the corresponding input to the electronic voltage converter (2) Point (9) corresponding to that flow diagram of figure 1 shows the output of the electronic voltage converter (2), obtaining therein a high voltage necessary for the operation and continuity of the charging circuit (3).

Point (10) of that figure 1 corresponds to the output of the electronic voltage converter (2), for the operation and the continuity of the circuit in the switching unit (5).

Point (11) corresponds to the input to the charging unit (3) of the accumulators (4), which charging unit (3) will be in charge of managing the homogeneous distribution of the power in the Ni-Cd accumulators (4).

Point (12) corresponds to the two-way communication between the state switching unit (5) with the array of battery cells or accumulators (4) and vice-versa, so that this type of communication must exist at all times to balance the charges of the cells in real time and keep the accumulated power stable, and since the batteries or Ni-Cd accumulators are very sensitive, a round-trip communication channel as just commented is essential.

In the basic electric diagram represented in figure 2 the grid voltage input (L and N) is observed, with the power supply (1) towards the electronic voltage converter (2), wherein there is an increase in voltage, although reduced to the necessary cooling of the circuit, and wherein the state switching unit (5) is formed by an electromechanical relay (5') as state changing element of the charger.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Lighting element converter/power supply device.with accumulators, which with the possibility of being autonomous or not, and being devised for its use preferably in private, public or semi-public places and offering a high degree of reliability for a correct feedstock of the different lighting elements (6) with autonomy of accumulators (4) with Ni-Cd technology, is characterized in that it is formed from an electronic circuit board comprising a universal power supply (1), an electronic voltage converter (2), a state switchingunit (5) and a charging unit (3) from the respective Ni-Cd accumulators (4), all disposed on the interior of a base support with IP 55 protection or greater with a slow charging technology.
2. Lighting element converter/power supply device with accumulators, according to claim 1, characterized in that the power supply (I) situated, as with the other units, inside the base support with IPSS protection or greater, is associated to means of protection against voltage surges, network oscillations, polarity reversal, short-circuit or similar.
3. Lighting element converter/power supply device with accumulators, according to preceding claims, characterized in that it can adopt a, standard or modular configuration.
4. Lighting element converter/power supply device with accumulators, according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly base support of the different electronic components is provided with a protection against dust and humidity greater than 1P54.
5. Lighting element converter/power supply device with accumulators, according to preceding claims, characterized in that it uses, optionally, a combined direct current power system, and a parallel power system by storage cells external to the network, depending on the specific state of the lighting element (6) or planned charge.
6. Lighting element converter/power supply, device with accumulators, according to preceding claims, characterized in that it optionally uses several Ni-Cd battery cells or accumulators (4), until obtaining the desired power, only varying the charging time.
7. Lighting element converter/power supply device with accumulators described and adapted substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.