JP2011129480A - Lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting system capable of surely transmitting signals while shortening communication time. <P>SOLUTION: The lighting system is provided with a controller 1 equipped with a power line communication part 12 sending and receiving signals by power line carrier communication superposing high-frequency current on a power path 5 using a first carrier frequency, a lighting fixture 3 equipped with a power line communication part 32 sending and receiving signals by power line carrier communication superposing high-frequency current on the power path 5 using a second carrier frequency different from the first, and a group main unit 2 equipped with a power line communication part 22 sending and receiving signals of the first carrier frequency, a power line communication part 23 sending and receiving signals of the second carrier frequency, and a filter part 24 fitted on the way of the power path 5 for passing the signals of the first carrier frequency and shutting off signals of the second carrier frequency. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination system that controls an illumination load by power line carrier communication.

  Conventionally, an illumination system for controlling an illumination load by power line carrier communication has been provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this lighting system, a controller that controls the entire system and a plurality of lighting fixtures that turn on, turn off, or dim a lighting load in accordance with a control signal from the controller are connected via a power line, and the power line has a predetermined frequency. Signals are transmitted and received between the controller and each lighting fixture by superimposing a high-frequency current. In each lighting fixture, the lighting load is turned on, turned off, or dimmed according to a control signal transmitted from the controller.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-63803 (paragraph [0030] -paragraph [0038] and FIG. 1)

  In the illumination system shown in Patent Document 1 described above, if the impedance between the two lines of the power line to the reception side (controller or each lighting fixture) is low, the signal superimposed on the power line is attenuated. Therefore, it is determined by the input impedance of the equipment connected to the power line up to the receiving side. In the illumination system of Patent Document 1, a capacitor and a common mode filter are connected to a lighting circuit (for example, an electronic high-frequency lighting circuit for a fluorescent lamp or a high-voltage AC / DC converter for an LED) included in each lighting fixture as a measure against unnecessary noise. In many cases, since the input impedance of the common mode filter is relatively high, the input impedance of the lighting circuit is determined by the capacitor. And connecting these lighting fixtures in a plurality is equivalent to connecting a plurality of capacitors in parallel, so the impedance between the two wires is reduced, and as a result, the signal to the receiving side is reduced. There was a possibility that it was attenuated and could not be received normally.

  Therefore, in order to improve the reception performance, it is conceivable that the luminaire connected in the middle of the communication path relays the signal. In this case, since the setting of the transmission path of the signal is complicated, it is set manually. In addition, there is a problem that when all the luminaires are relayed, the frequency of communication increases, so that the time required for communication becomes long.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an illumination system capable of reliably transmitting a signal while shortening the communication time.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a controller including a first power line communication unit that transmits and receives a signal by power line carrier communication using a first carrier frequency and superimposing a high-frequency current on a power path, an illumination load, and the illumination load. A lighting circuit unit to be lit, a second power line communication unit that transmits and receives a signal by power line carrier communication in which a high frequency current is superimposed on a power path, using a second carrier frequency different from the first carrier frequency, and the second A signal of the first carrier frequency is transmitted to and received from one or more lighting fixtures including a control unit that controls the lighting state of the lighting load by controlling the output of the lighting circuit unit according to the control signal received by the power line communication unit. A third power line communication unit, a fourth power line communication unit that transmits and receives a signal of the second carrier frequency, and a second carrier frequency that is provided in the middle of the power path and passes the signal of the first carrier frequency. The controller includes one or a plurality of group master units each having a filter unit for blocking the signal, and the controller transmits a control signal for controlling the lighting fixture from the first power line communication unit to the group master unit. Is characterized in that the control signal received by the third power line communication unit is transmitted from the fourth power line communication unit to the luminaire.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, at least two or more group parent devices are provided, and communication between the controller and the group parent device is performed in another group arranged between the group parent device and the controller. The master unit relays the signal.

  The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1 or 2, the second carrier frequency is set to be higher than the first carrier frequency.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fifth power line communication unit that transmits and receives a signal by power line carrier communication using the second carrier frequency and superposing a high-frequency current on the power path. The controller is equipped with a lighting fixture that can be connected to a wiring duct having a power path, and when setting an individual address to the lighting fixture, the wiring duct is in a state where no group parent unit is interposed between the lighting fixture and the controller. For the lighting fixtures connected one by one, an address is set by transmitting and receiving a predetermined signal between the second power line communication unit and the fifth power line communication unit.

  According to the invention of claim 1, since the signal of the second carrier frequency transmitted from the group parent device is blocked by the filter provided in another group parent device, it is connected to another group parent device. Only received by luminaires. Therefore, the number of lighting fixtures controlled by one group parent device can be reduced, and as a result, the signal attenuation width can be reduced, so that the signal transmitted from the controller can be reliably transmitted to the lighting fixture side. Can do. In addition, it is possible to reduce the communication frequency in each carrier frequency band by changing the carrier frequency between the controller and the group parent device, and between the group parent device and the lighting fixture, and as a result, the communication time can be shortened. effective.

  According to the invention of claim 2, when each group parent device communicates with the controller, the other group parent device arranged between the group parent device to be communicated with the controller relays the signal. A signal transmitted and received between the master unit and the controller can be reliably transmitted, and as a result, the reliability of communication is improved.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the filter circuit included in the lighting fixture includes electronic components such as a choke coil and a capacitor, and these electronic components can be made smaller as the carrier frequency is higher. By setting the carrier frequency between the group parent device and the lighting device to a frequency higher than the carrier frequency between the controller and the group parent device, the filter circuit can be made smaller, and the lighting device can be downsized. There is an effect that can be.

  According to the invention of claim 4, communication by the power line communication unit is possible between the controller and the luminaire by connecting the luminaire to the wiring duct in a state where the group parent device is not interposed between the controller and the controller. Thus, since individual addresses can be automatically set for the connected lighting fixtures, workability can be improved, and human errors due to address setting can be prevented.

It is a block block diagram of the illumination system of this embodiment. It is a construction example same as above. It is a system block diagram same as the above. It is a block diagram of the group parent machine used for the same as the above. It is a setting example of a dip switch for setting a relay function provided in the group parent device same as above. It is an example of the controller used for the same as the above.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a lighting system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The illumination system according to the present invention is installed, for example, in an art museum, a museum, a store, or the like, and is used to illuminate exhibits or products.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the lighting system of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a system block diagram of the same. The lighting system includes a controller 1 that controls the entire system and a lighting load according to a control signal transmitted from the controller 1. A plurality (9 in this embodiment) of lighting fixtures 3 that turn on, turn off, or dimm 35, and a plurality of (three in this embodiment) group parent devices 2 that control the plurality of lighting fixtures 3 in groups. The controller 1, the group parent device 2, and the lighting fixture 3 are electrically connected to each other via a power path 5 connected to a commercial AC power source AC. Further, between the commercial AC power supply AC and the controller 1, as shown in FIG. In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish between the group master unit 2 is referred to as Group base unit 2 ₁ to 2 _3, when it is necessary to distinguish the lighting fixture 3 and the lighting apparatus 3 ₁ to 3 ₉ Differentiate by notation.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 1 uses a first carrier frequency and a power line communication unit (first power line communication unit) 12 that transmits and receives signals by power line carrier communication in which a high-frequency current is superimposed on the power path 5; A power line communication unit (fifth power line communication unit) 13 that transmits and receives a signal by power line carrier communication in which a high frequency current is superimposed on the power path 5 using a second carrier frequency different from the first carrier frequency, for example, a switch or an LCD And a control unit 11 configured to control various settings of the present lighting system and the power line communication units 12 and 13 and the setting unit 14. It is used in the state attached to.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the group parent device 2 is connected between a power line communication unit (third power line communication unit) 22 that transmits and receives a signal of the first carrier frequency and a power line communication unit 32 of the lighting fixture 3 described later. Thus, a power line communication unit (fourth power line communication unit) 23 that transmits and receives signals at a second carrier frequency different from the first carrier frequency and a signal at the first carrier frequency are provided in the middle of the power path 5. A wiring duct having a power path 5 as shown in FIG. 2, including a filter section 24 that passes and blocks the signal of the second carrier frequency and a control section 21 that controls the power line communication sections 22 and 23. 6 and 6.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the luminaire 3 includes an illumination load 35 made of, for example, an incandescent lamp, a phase control circuit, and the like, and a lighting circuit unit that controls the dimming level of the illumination load 35 by changing the phase angle. 33, a power line communication unit (second power line communication unit) 32 that transmits and receives a signal of the second carrier frequency, and a control unit 31 that controls the output of the lighting circuit unit 33 according to the control signal received by the power line communication unit 32 And a storage unit 34 that stores individual lighting load information such as a dimming level, and is used as a spotlight, for example, as shown in FIG.

  In the lighting fixture 3, the lighting state of the lighting load 35 is controlled by the control unit 31 controlling the lighting circuit unit 33 according to the individual lighting load information stored in the storage unit 34 and the control signal received by the power line communication unit 32. Is controlled. Here, the above-described control units 11, 21, 31 are constituted by, for example, a microcomputer.

  Here, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the group parent device 2 of the present embodiment, in which the power line communication unit 22 transmits and receives the first carrier frequency signal, and the power line communication unit 23 receives the second carrier frequency signal. In addition, the second carrier frequency is set higher than the first carrier frequency. And since the signal of the 1st carrier frequency passes filter part 24, it is transmitted to all the group main units 2 connected to electric power course 5, but the signal of the 2nd carrier frequency is transmitted to group main unit 2. Since it is interrupted | blocked by the filter part 24 with which it is equipped, it is not transmitted to the lighting fixture 3 matched with the other group main | base station 2. FIG. Here, the filter unit 24 is, for example, a blocking filter that is conventionally inserted into a main power path of a residential distribution board, and it is necessary to pass a commercial frequency of 50/60 Hz for power supply. In the present embodiment, it is preferable to use a low-pass filter whose cutoff frequency is higher than the first carrier frequency and lower than the second carrier frequency.

  The power line carrier communication system includes an amplitude modulation / demodulation system (ASK), a frequency modulation / demodulation system (FSK), and a spread spectrum system (SS) using a wide range of frequencies. In this embodiment, any communication system is used. There may be.

By the way, in this embodiment, when communicating between the controller 1 and the group parent device 2, the other group parent device 2 arranged between the group parent device 2 and the controller 1 relays the signal. Each group base unit 2 is provided with a dip switch 25 (see FIG. 1) for setting whether or not relaying is necessary. In this dip switch 25, bits ₁ to ₈ correspond to group master units 2 ₁ to 28, respectively. If bit n (n = 1 to 8) is ON, a signal to group master unit 2 _n is relayed. If it is OFF, it is set not to relay.

Figure 5 is a setting of the DIP switch 25 provided in the group base unit 2 _1, Group base unit 2 ₁ this case, since the second bit and the third bit of the DIP switch 25 is ON, the group parent machine 2 ₂ or group base unit 2 ₃ relays signals when communicating with the controller 1. The group master unit 2 ₂ 3 bit of DIP switch 25 is turned ON in the same manner, a group base unit 2 ₃ relays signals when communicating with the controller 1. Accordingly, the group master device 2 ₃ is the case in communication with the controller 1, a signal transmitted from the controller 1 is transmitted to the direct group main terminal 2 ₃ via the filter unit 24, the group parent machine 2 ₁ and those once relayed by group base unit 2 ₂ is transmitted to the group master device 2 _3. As a result, the group master device 2 ₃ is away from the controller 1, even if a signal transmitted directly can not be received by the group parent device 2 ₃ is attenuated in the middle, the group master unit 2 ₁ or Group base unit 2 because it can receive a signal transmitted from the _2, it is possible to reliably receive the signals from group base unit 2 ₃ in the controller 1.

  Note that the signal transmitted from the controller 1 includes the address of the transmission destination together with the control contents (such as the dimming level) for the lighting fixture 3, and each group parent device 2 uses its own address as the transmission destination. If it is a signal to itself, the above control contents and the individual address of the target lighting fixture 3 are taken in. If it is a signal to be relayed instead of a signal to itself, other Is transmitted to the group parent device 2.

  Here, since the number of installations of the controller 1 and the group parent device 2 is smaller than that of the lighting fixture 3, the address setting may be performed using a dip switch or the like, but the lighting fixture 3 has a large number of installations, Address setting takes an enormous amount of work time and may cause a setting error. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the address setting of the lighting fixture 3 can be automatically set, and will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, after the controller 1, the group master units 2 ₁ to 2 ₃ and the wiring duct 6 are installed at predetermined positions, the addresses of the controller 1 and the group master units 2 ₁ to 2 ₃ are set by dip switches. For example, the controller 1 is set to the address “0”, and the group parent devices 2 ₁ to 2 ₃ are set to the addresses “1” to “3”, respectively.

Further, the group parent device 2 to be relayed is set by the DIP switch 25 for the group parent devices 2 ₁ to 2 ₃ . For example, the group in the base unit 2 ₁ ON the second bit and the third bit is turned ON Group 3 bit in the base unit 2 _2. Note that the group base unit 2 _3, not present in the group master unit 2 to be relayed, all bits of the DIP switch 25 remains OFF.

Then, although to set the address of the lighting apparatus 3 ₁ to 3 _9, in the present embodiment is adapted to set one by one. The controller 1 and the group master unit 2 wiring duct 6 lying between ₁ (see FIG. 3), the group master unit 2 connects the lighting apparatus 3 ₁ while not interposed between the controller 1, the lighting apparatus 3 _{Since the} address is not set to ₁ , for example, the lighting load 35 is blinked to notify that the address is not set, and an individual address setting request signal is transmitted to the controller 1. In the controller 1, when receiving the individual address setting request signal by the power line communication unit 13, and transmits the individual address "1" to the lighting apparatus 3 _1. Then, the lighting apparatus 3 ₁ stores the individual address "1" received in the storage unit 34, on the other hand, storage in the controller 1, that it is already set individual address "1" in the storage unit (not shown) To do. Similarly, successively individually address luminaire 3 _{2-3 9} "2" to set the "9". At this time, since the controller 1 and the luminaire 3 are directly connected via the power path 5, the second carrier frequency is used for address setting.

Next, the lighting apparatus 3 ₁ to 3 _9, each individual address is set, connected to a predetermined wiring duct 6. For example, in this embodiment, connects the lighting apparatus ₃ 1 to 3 ₄ to the wiring duct 6 between the group master unit _{2 1} and Group base unit _{2 2,} a lighting apparatus ₃ 5-3 ₈ Group base unit _{2 2} connected to a wiring duct 6 between the groups main terminal 2 _3, and further connected luminaire 3 ₉ to the wiring duct 6 groups main terminal 2 ₃ on the downstream side (group base unit 2 ₂ opposite). In the present embodiment, constitute group 1 group base unit _{2 1} and an illumination fixture ₃ 1 to 3 ₄ to form a group 2 with group base unit _{2 2} and an illumination fixture ₃ 5-3 _8, group master unit constitute a group 3 at 2 ₃ and luminaires _{3 9.} The controller 1 is group 0.

Controller 1, the group master unit ₂ 1 to 2 _3, and after placing the luminaire ₃ 1 to 3 _9, when powered on, but the lighting fixture ₃ 1 to 3 ₉ are to transmit the logical address setting request signals, Broadcast transmission is performed because the destination address is unknown. The logical address setting request signal includes an individual address set for itself. Since any one of the group parent devices 2 can receive this logical address setting request signal, the group parent device 2 that has received this signal transmits a logical address to the source lighting device 3. For example, when the address of the group parent device 2 is “3” and the address of the lighting fixture 3 is “4”, the logical address transmitted to the lighting fixture 3 is “3-4”. At this time, the logical address of the group parent device 2 is “3-0”. Here, since there is a risk of interference when a plurality of lighting fixtures 3 transmit a logical address setting request signal at a time, transmission is performed after, for example, (individual address × 1 second) after the power is turned on. do it.

  Next, the operation of the present illumination system will be described. When the setting of the logical address of each lighting fixture 3 is completed, the dimming level of each lighting fixture 3 is subsequently set by the setting unit 14 of the controller 1. Alternatively, when the dimming level is set for each group, the dimming level is set for each group. Thereafter, the set dimming level is transmitted to the luminaire 3 (or group master unit 2) of the corresponding address, and a signal including the set dimming level and the logical address is sent from the power line communication unit 12 to the first line. 1 is transmitted to the corresponding group parent device 2 at a carrier frequency of 1.

For example, if the destination is a group base unit 2 _3, the signal and, once relayed signal group base unit 2 ₁ and Group base unit 2 ₂ which is transmitted directly from the controller 1 through the filter unit 24 DOO There are, by a group main terminal 2 ₃ receives at least one signal, the set dimming level is transmitted. Note that the once relayed signal group base unit 2 ₁ and Group base unit 2 _2, in the case of a group the main terminal 2 of the group number (e.g., Group base unit 2 ₂ which is relayed flag indicating that a relay signal “2”) is added.

In Group base unit 2 ₃ has received one of the signals will be transmitted to the response signal for notifying the reception of the (ACK signal) to the controller 1, it is transmitted directly toward the controller 1 also this return signal and the signal, there is a signal relayed by group base unit 2 ₁ and group base unit 2 _2, will receive at least one signal in the controller 1.

In Group base unit 2 ₃ signals including a dimming level received, but adds the logical address of the corresponding lighting apparatus 3 ₉ of sending the signal, by the power line communication unit 23 at this time second conveyor It will transmit at the frequency. Therefore, since this signal is blocked by the filter unit 24, it is not transmitted to the lighting fixture 3 associated with the other group parent device 2. When the dimming level in units of groups is transmitted, broadcast transmission is performed to the corresponding lighting fixture 3. At this time, a broadcast dedicated logical address (for example, “255” when the logical address is 8 bits) is added and transmitted.

  In the luminaire 3 that has received the signal from the corresponding group parent device 2, the dimming level included in the signal is stored in the storage unit 34, and the lighting load 35 is dimmed at this dimming level. .

Here, FIG. 6 is an example of a controller 1 of this embodiment, the address set by connecting a lighting apparatus 3, one for cable duct 6 arranged between the controller 1 and Group base unit 2 ₁ in the above description However, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the wiring duct 6 may be provided integrally with the controller 1, and the lighting fixtures 3 may be connected to the wiring duct 6 one by one to set the address.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the signal of the second carrier frequency transmitted from the group parent device 2 is blocked by the filter 24 provided in the other group parent device 2, so that another group parent device 2 Are received only by the lighting fixture 3 connected between the two. Therefore, the number of lighting fixtures 3 controlled by one group parent device 2 can be reduced, and as a result, the attenuation width of the signal can be reduced. Therefore, the signal transmitted from the controller 1 can be reliably transmitted to the lighting fixture 3 side. Can be transmitted. Further, by changing the carrier frequency between the controller 1 and the group parent device 2, and between the group parent device 2 and the lighting fixture 3, the communication frequency in each carrier frequency band can be lowered, and as a result, the communication time can be shortened. be able to.

  Furthermore, when each group parent device 2 communicates with the controller 1, the group parent device 2 disposed between the group parent device 2 and the controller 1 to be communicated relays the signal. 2 and the controller 1 can be reliably transmitted, and as a result, there is an advantage that communication reliability is improved. In addition, the filter circuit (not shown) included in the lighting fixture 3 includes electronic components such as a choke coil and a capacitor. These electronic components can be made smaller as the carrier frequency is higher. By setting the carrier frequency (second carrier frequency) between the parent device 2 and the lighting fixture 3 to a frequency higher than the carrier frequency (second carrier frequency) between the controller 1 and the group parent device 2, The filter circuit can be made small, and the luminaire 3 can be downsized.

  Furthermore, by connecting the lighting fixture 3 to the wiring duct 6 in a state where the group parent device 2 is not interposed between the controller 1 and the controller 1, the power line communication units 12, 32 are used between the controller 1 and the lighting fixture 3. Communication is possible, and an individual address can be automatically set for the connected lighting fixture 3, so that workability can be improved and human error due to address setting can be prevented.

  In this embodiment, the case where there are three group master units 2 and nine lighting fixtures 3 has been described as an example. However, the number of group master units 2 and lighting fixtures 3 is not limited to this embodiment. , At least one each is sufficient. Further, the illumination load 35 is not limited to the incandescent lamp, and may be a fluorescent lamp or an LED. In the case of a fluorescent lamp, the lighting circuit unit 33 is configured with a copper-iron ballast and a phase control circuit, and the dimming control is performed by changing the phase angle, and the rectifier circuit that rectifies the commercial AC power supply AC and the input current distortion The lighting circuit unit 33 may be configured with an inverter circuit or the like for the boosting chopper circuit and high-frequency power to be suppressed, and the high-frequency power supplied to the fluorescent lamp may be controlled by changing the operating frequency of the inverter circuit. In the case of an LED, the lighting circuit unit 33 is configured by a PWM circuit or the like that converts a DC voltage into a pulse voltage, and the dimming level is controlled by changing the duty ratio of a pulse applied to the LED. The color of each RGB LED may be dimmed to control the color of the RGB composite light.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the address of the lighting fixture 3 was set by power line carrier communication, you may set an address using a dedicated communication line, for example. Moreover, you may provide LED etc. which are displayed when the address of the lighting fixture 3 is not set. Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the case where the power supply supplied via the electric power path 5 was commercial AC power supply AC was demonstrated to the example, direct current power supply may be sufficient.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Controller 2 Group main | base station 3 Lighting fixture 5 Electric power path 12 Power line communication part (1st power line communication part)
22 Power line communication unit (third power line communication unit)
23 power line communication unit (fourth power line communication unit)
24 filter unit 32 power line communication unit (second power line communication unit)

Claims (4)

A controller including a first power line communication unit that transmits and receives a signal by power line carrier communication using a first carrier frequency and superimposing a high-frequency current on a power path;
Illumination load, lighting circuit unit for lighting the illumination load, second power line communication that uses a second carrier frequency different from the first carrier frequency and transmits / receives a signal by power line carrier communication in which a high-frequency current is superimposed on the power path And one or more lighting fixtures comprising a control unit that controls the lighting state of the lighting load by controlling the output of the lighting circuit unit according to the control signal received by the second power line communication unit,
A third power line communication unit that transmits and receives a signal of the first carrier frequency, a fourth power line communication unit that transmits and receives a signal of the second carrier frequency, and a signal of the first carrier frequency provided in the middle of the power path Including one or more group master units each having a filter unit that allows the second carrier frequency signal to pass therethrough and blocks a signal of the second carrier frequency,
The controller causes a control signal for controlling the lighting apparatus to be transmitted from the first power line communication unit to the group parent device, and the group parent device transmits the control signal received by the third power line communication unit to the fourth power line communication unit. A lighting system characterized in that a lighting system is transmitted to a lighting fixture.   The apparatus includes at least two or more group parent devices, and communication between the controller and the group parent device is performed by another group parent device arranged between the group parent device and the controller relaying a signal. The lighting system according to 1.   The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the second carrier frequency is set to a frequency higher than the first carrier frequency.   The controller includes a fifth power line communication unit that transmits and receives a signal by power line carrier communication that superimposes a high frequency current on the power path using the second carrier frequency, and the lighting fixture can be connected to a wiring duct having a power path. When setting individual addresses for the lighting fixtures, the second power line communication unit is connected to the lighting fixtures connected to the wiring duct one by one with no group parent unit interposed between them and the controller. The lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the address is set by transmitting and receiving a predetermined signal to and from the fifth power line communication unit.

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