JP2015109196A - Lighting device, luminaire and illumination control system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting device, a luminaire and an illumination control system using the same capable of controlling illumination light according to various communication systems.SOLUTION: A lighting device 10 includes: a communication unit 12 that has a first communication section 5 for receiving a control signal containing a piece of information to control the illumination light from an external apparatus 31 in a wireless or wired manner and a signal conversion section 6 converting the control signal received by the first communication section 5 into a lighting control signal: and a lighting unit 11 that has a lighting circuit 1 for lighting a light source 33 and a lighting controller 2 for controlling the lighting circuit 1 based on the lighting control signal. The communication unit 12 connected to the lighting unit 11 is capable of communicating with a communication unit which has a different communication system according to the signal mode of the control signal transmitted by the external apparatus 31.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device, a lighting fixture, and a lighting control system using the same.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an illumination control system that performs on / off of a light source in a lighting fixture, dimming control, and the like by controlling an external device provided outside the lighting fixture has been used.

  As this type of lighting control system, there is known a lighting system that includes a lighting device that controls the driving of the discharge lamp 102 via a digital interface on the side of a lighting fixture connected to the control devices 103a and 103b. (See Patent Document 1).

  The lighting device of Patent Document 1 includes an electronic ballast 101 that drives the discharge lamp 102 and control devices 103 a and 103 b that control driving of the predetermined discharge lamp 102. The lighting device includes operating elements 107a and 107b for operating the lighting device. In the lighting device, the control devices 103 a and 103 b use the bus signal line 142 to input a control command to the electronic ballast 101. The control devices 103a and 103b can perform drive control of the discharge lamp 102 including ignition and dimming according to a drive command. In FIG. 8, the boundary that separates the two spaces is indicated by a broken line, and the operation element 107a 'that performs the same function as the operation element 107a is arranged in another space.

JP 2004-349257 A

  By the way, there are various communication methods in the illumination control system, and even if the same dimming control communication signal is transmitted from the external device side, predetermined dimming control may not be performed depending on the communication method. Therefore, the lighting control system may have to configure a lighting fixture corresponding to the communication method for each communication method.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and an object thereof is a lighting device capable of controlling illumination light corresponding to various communication methods, a lighting fixture, and an illumination control system using the same. Is to provide.

  A lighting device according to the present invention includes a communication unit that receives a control signal including information for controlling illumination light from an external device by a wireless method or a wired method, and a signal that converts the control signal received by the communication unit into a lighting control signal. A communication unit having a conversion unit; a lighting unit having a lighting circuit unit that lights a light source; and a lighting control unit that controls the lighting circuit unit based on the lighting control signal; and connected to the lighting unit The communication unit can be exchanged with a communication unit having a different communication method according to a signal method of the control signal transmitted by the external device.

  In this lighting device, the communication unit and the lighting unit include a connection terminal portion that electrically connects the communication unit and the lighting unit and is detachable.

  In this lighting device, the lighting control signal is a PWM signal or a DC voltage amplitude signal.

  The lighting fixture of the present invention includes the above-described lighting device.

  A lighting control system according to the present invention includes the above-described lighting fixture and the external device.

  In the lighting device of the present invention, by providing a replaceable communication unit, it is possible to control the illumination light corresponding to various communication methods.

  In the lighting fixture of this invention, it becomes possible to control illumination light corresponding to a various communication system by providing the lighting device provided with the communication unit so that replacement | exchange was possible.

  In the illumination control system of the present invention, it is possible to control illumination light in accordance with various communication methods by providing an illumination fixture having a replaceable communication unit.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a lighting control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a main part of the illumination control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation in the illumination control system of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a lighting control system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation in the illumination control system of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a lighting control system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a lighting control system according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a conventional lighting control system.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment includes an external device 31 that transmits a control signal including information for controlling illumination light, and a lighting fixture 32 that can receive a control signal from the external device 31. And have. The lighting fixture 32 includes a lighting device 10 for lighting the light source 33.

  In the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, the lighting device 10 includes a communication unit 12 and a lighting unit 11. The communication unit 12 receives a control signal including information for controlling illumination light from the external device 31 by a wireless method or a wired method, and a control signal received by the first communication unit 5 as a lighting control signal. And a signal converter 6 for converting the signal into the signal. The lighting unit 11 includes a lighting circuit unit 1 that lights up the light source 33 and a lighting control unit 2 that controls the lighting circuit unit 1 based on a lighting control signal. The communication unit 12 connected to the lighting unit 11 can be exchanged for a communication unit 12 having a different communication method according to the signal method of the control signal transmitted by the external device 31.

  In the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, the illumination light can be controlled in accordance with various communication methods by exchanging the communication unit 12 according to the signal method of the control signal.

  Below, the illumination control system 30 of this embodiment is demonstrated in detail.

  The lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment connects a plurality of lighting fixtures 32 and an external device 31 that monitors and controls the lighting fixtures 32 via a communication line L1 and a power supply line L2. In FIG. 1, the communication line L1 and the power line L2 are illustrated by one line, but in actuality, they are configured by two electric wires. The lighting control system 30 receives and transmits a communication signal by connecting the external device 31 and the lighting device 10 on the lighting fixture 32 side via the communication line L1, but is not necessarily wired using the communication line L1. There is no need to perform the method, and the communication signal may be transmitted by a wireless method. The communication signal is a control signal including information for controlling the illumination light, but is not limited to the control signal. Note that the illumination control system 30 may be configured to perform communication using radio waves of various frequencies, infrared communication, and visible light communication when transmitting a communication signal by a wireless method.

  When the communication unit 12 transmits a communication signal via the communication line L1 as a wired system, the communication unit 12 can transmit the communication signal by serial communication. Serial communication is a communication system that uses one or two communication lines L1 for transmitting communication signals and continuously transmits and receives data of the communication signals bit by bit, and communication signals are transmitted with a small number of communication lines L1. It becomes possible to transmit. Examples of the communication method using serial communication include RS-485 communication standardized by the American Electronics Manufacturers Association and DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) communication certified by international standards.

  In the lighting control system 30, when RS-485 communication is used, a multipoint connection of up to 32 units can be performed corresponding to a bus type multipoint connection. In the lighting control system 30, when RS-485 communication is used, the maximum length of the communication line L1 can be 1.2 km and the maximum communication speed can be 10 Mbps.

  The lighting control system 30 is a master-slave system when using DALI communication, and a maximum of 64 lighting fixtures 32 serving as slaves can be connected to the external device 31 serving as one master. In the lighting control system 30, when using DALI communication, the maximum distance between the master and the slave can be set to 300 m. When using DALI communication, the lighting control system 30 can perform two-wire, half-duplex 1200 (bit / sec) communication. The lighting control system 30 can also group slaves when using DALI communication. When the DALI communication is used, the illumination control system 30 can perform advanced control such as dimming of 254 gradations, dimming in which fades and 16 types of scenes are set. Further, when using DALI communication, the lighting control system 30 can communicate bidirectionally between the external device 31 and the lighting fixture 32, so that information such as a failure on the side of the lighting fixture 32 and the life of the light source 33 is transmitted to the external device. It can also be collected on the 31st side.

  The lighting fixture 32 can transmit a communication signal using a communication protocol such as ECHONET (registered trademark), for example. ECHONET is a standard for a home network using an indoor power line or radio, and can be connected from the outside via a gateway connected to a communication line. In addition to controlling the lighting fixture 32 from the external device 31 in ECHONET, ECHONET can also control the lighting fixture 32 by remote operation from the outdoor external device 31.

  When transmitting a communication signal by a wireless method, the communication unit 12 can transmit using a wireless communication protocol such as ZIGBEE (registered trademark) or WiFi (registered trademark). In the lighting control system 30, when using ZIGBEE, unlike the case of using WiFi or Bluetooth (registered trademark), the maximum number of lighting fixtures 32 that can be connected can be 65535, and a large-scale network is constructed. be able to. In the lighting control system 30, when ZIGBEE is used, communication signals such as control information are not so large as compared with WiFi and Bluetooth (registered trademark), and it is suitable for intermittent transmission of communication signals.

  For example, the communication unit 12 can use an access control method such as CSMA / CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance) adopted as a communication procedure of the communication standard of the wireless LAN. Even when the same frequency is shared by a plurality of communication units 12, CSMA / CA can avoid collision of communication signals that occur on the communication medium. In the lighting control system 30, the communication procedure is not limited to CSMA / CA as long as it is a means for avoiding collision of communication signals.

  The external device 31 can use, for example, a tablet terminal or a multi-function mobile phone that can use a computer network. The external device 31 may be, for example, a control device or a remote controller provided on an indoor wall surface. In the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, the external device 31 includes a fourth power supply unit 27, a second communication control unit 26 that controls the second communication unit 25, and a second communication unit 25 that communicates with the lighting fixture 32 side. It can be set as the structure provided with.

  The fourth power supply unit 27 is capable of creating a DC power supply from an external power supply 34 such as a commercial AC power supply. The fourth power supply unit 27 can be configured using, for example, an AC-DC converter. The fourth power supply unit 27 feeds power suitable for the second communication control unit 26 to the second communication control unit 26 in order to operate the second communication control unit 26. Further, since the fourth power supply unit 27 operates the second communication unit 25, the fourth power supply unit 27 can also supply electric power suitable for the second communication unit 25 to the second communication unit 25.

  The second communication unit 25 can transmit control information for controlling the illumination light of the specific lighting fixture 32 to the lighting device 10 of the specific lighting fixture 32. Moreover, the 2nd communication part 25 is good also as a structure which receives the status information of the lighting fixture 32 from the lighting fixture 32 side. That is, the second communication unit 25 of the external device 31 can be configured to be able to perform bidirectional communication with the lighting fixture 32 side. The second communication unit 25 is not limited to the one that performs bidirectional communication, and may be configured to perform one-way communication such as only transmitting a communication signal to the lighting fixture 32 side. In the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, the external device 31 is configured to include the fifth power supply unit 28. The external device 31 is configured to include the fifth power supply unit 28, so that the power from the fifth power supply unit 28 can be used as a communication signal. However, if the communication signal can be transmitted from the second communication unit 25, the external device 31 is not necessarily used. Not necessary.

  The second communication control unit 26 can control the second communication unit 25. The second communication control unit 26 can be configured, for example, by mounting an appropriate program on a microcomputer. The program may be stored in advance in a memory (not shown) provided in the microcomputer, for example. The 2nd communication control part 26 performs maintenance management of the lighting control system 30 using the control information transmitted to the lighting fixture 32 side and the status information received from the lighting fixture 32 side by providing an appropriate program. You can also. Although not shown, the second communication control unit 26 may be configured to be electrically connected to various sensors such as an optical sensor and a human detection sensor. The second communication control unit 26 may be configured to receive a signal transmitted from the sensor, convert the signal to a communication signal including control information to the lighting fixture 32, and then transmit the signal from the second communication unit 25. it can. For example, the external device 31 can detect the amount of light outdoors and can control the lighting fixture 32 so that only the lighting fixture 32 near the window is dimmed among the plurality of indoor lighting fixtures 32. It becomes. Moreover, the external device 31 can control the lighting fixture 32 so that, for example, only the lighting fixture 32 in a region where a person detected by the human detection sensor is present among the plurality of lighting fixtures 32 is turned on.

  The second communication control unit 26 receives the state information on the lighting fixture 32 side sent from the communication unit 12 and displays the sent state information on a display monitor such as a liquid crystal display device (not shown). You may comprise as follows. Furthermore, the 2nd communication control part 26 is good also as a structure electrically connected with the alerting | reporting part which is not shown in figure. The external device 31 may be configured such that the second communication control unit 26 notifies the user of the state information of the lighting fixture 32 from the notification unit. As the notification unit, for example, a unit that emits sound such as a speaker or a buzzer, or a unit that performs notification by turning on or blinking a light can be used. For example, if the status information sent from the luminaire 32 side indicates a failure on the luminaire 32 side or the life of the light source 33, the external device 31 notifies the user of an abnormality on the luminaire 32 side using a monitor or a notification unit. It is possible to notify the failure of the light source 33 and the life of the light source 33. The state information on the luminaire 32 side includes not only the abnormality or failure on the luminaire 32 side and the life of the light source 33, but also various information such as the power consumption of the luminaire 32, the cumulative lighting time of the light source 33, and the current dimming level. Can be.

  Moreover, you may comprise the 2nd communication part 25 so that it can communicate with not only the lighting fixture 32 but electric equipments and electronic devices other than the lighting fixture 32. FIG. Examples of electric equipment and electronic equipment other than the lighting fixture 32 include a personal computer and a remote controller. Therefore, in the lighting control system 30 of this embodiment, the user can control the lighting fixture 32 via the external device 31 by operating a remote controller or a personal computer.

  The luminaire 32 includes the lighting device 10 that can turn on the light source 33. The lighting device 10 includes a communication unit 12 that receives a control signal for controlling illumination light from the external device 31 and outputs a lighting control signal. The lighting device 10 includes a lighting unit 11 that controls lighting of the communication unit 12 and the light source 33 based on a lighting control signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the lighting device 10 can be configured such that the communication unit 12 can be detached from the lighting unit 11. In FIG. 2, the communication unit 12 corresponding to the communication method of the external device 31 is configured to be detachable from the lighting unit 11 via the connection terminal portions 9 and 9 (see the one-dot chain line in FIG. 2). In FIG. 2, the communication method between the first external device 31 a that is the external device 31 and the first communication unit 12 a that is the communication unit 12 corresponds, and the second external device 31 b that is the external device 31 and the communication unit. The communication method with the second communication unit 12a, which is 12, corresponds. In FIG. 2, communication signals transmitted from the first external device 31a to the first communication unit 12a are indicated by solid arrows.

  In the lighting fixture 32, the lighting unit 11 is controlled based on the lighting control signal from the communication unit 12. The luminaire 32 can be configured as, for example, a base light that is basic illumination directly attached to a living room, a spotlight that illuminates a single point, a downlight that is embedded in a ceiling, or the like. The lighting fixture 32 can be configured to include, for example, a lighting device 10 that lights an LED module as a light source 33 and a housing that holds the lighting device 10 and the light source 33.

  The lighting unit 11 of the lighting device 10 includes a lighting circuit unit 1 that lights the light source 33, a lighting control unit 2 that controls the lighting circuit unit 1, a first power supply unit 3 that is connected to an external power supply 34, and a first power supply unit. 3 and the 2nd power supply part 4 connected to 3 can be set.

  For example, the first power supply unit 3 converts AC power supplied from an external power supply 34 such as a commercial AC power supply via the power supply line L2 into DC power suitable for the lighting circuit unit 1 and outputs the DC power. That is, the first power supply unit 3 supplies the lighting circuit unit 1 with power for lighting the light source 33.

  For example, the second power supply unit 4 converts the DC power supplied from the first power supply unit 3 into power suitable for the lighting control unit 2 and outputs it. The second power supply unit 4 functions as a power supply for operating the lighting control unit 2. The second power supply unit 4 may be configured to supply power to the signal conversion unit 6 in the communication unit 12. The second power supply unit 4 can supply power to the signal conversion unit 6 through the second connection terminal 9c on the communication unit 12 side connected to the first connection terminal 9a on the lighting unit 11 side.

  As the light source 33, for example, a discharge lamp such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or a fluorescent lamp, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) element, or the like can be used. When the light source 33 uses an LED, for example, an LED module can be configured. Although not shown, the LED module can be configured by mounting the LED on a mounting board. The LED module can have a configuration in which a plurality of LEDs are connected in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel.

  The first power supply unit 3 of the lighting unit 11 receives commercial AC power from the external power supply 34 via, for example, the power supply line L2. The first power supply unit 3 includes a rectifier circuit that rectifies AC power, a smoothing capacitor that smoothes the output from the rectifier circuit, a power factor correction circuit that includes a chopper circuit that converts the output to a desired voltage, and the like. be able to. The lighting circuit unit 1 includes, for example, a switching element electrically connected between both ends of the first power supply unit 3 and a series circuit of a diode. The lighting circuit unit 1 includes an inductor that is electrically connected to a connection point between the switching element and the diode, and a smoothing capacitor that is electrically connected to the inductor and smoothes the output. Thereby, the lighting circuit unit 1 can constitute a step-down DC-DC converter. The lighting unit 11 may electrically connect the LED module as the light source 33 to the output side of the DC-DC converter. As the rectifier circuit, for example, a diode bridge composed of four diodes can be used. As the DC-DC converter, for example, a flyback switching power supply circuit can be used.

  The lighting control unit 2 controls on / off of the switching element so that the current value of the switching element provided in the lighting circuit unit 1 becomes a predetermined value. The lighting control unit 2 outputs a lighting control signal for controlling on / off of the switching element. The lighting control unit 2 can output, for example, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal as the lighting control signal. In the lighting circuit unit 1, the switching element is turned on / off according to the lighting control signal from the lighting control unit 2.

  The lighting control unit 2 can be configured, for example, by mounting an appropriate program on a microcomputer. The program may be stored in advance in a memory (not shown) provided in the microcomputer, for example. In the lighting unit 11, the current flowing through the light source 33 can be made more constant by appropriately adjusting the frequency or pulse width of the lighting control signal output from the lighting control unit 2.

  The lighting control unit 2 of the lighting unit 11 is connected to the signal conversion unit 6 of the communication unit 12. The signal conversion unit 6 outputs a lighting control signal to the lighting control unit 2 based on control information for controlling the illumination light from the external device 31 received by the communication unit 12. The lighting control unit 2 outputs a signal indicating the output voltage of the DC-DC converter in the lighting circuit unit 1 based on the lighting control signal. In other words, the external device 31 can perform dimming control of the LED module that is the light source 33 electrically connected to the lighting device 10 of the lighting fixture 32 via the communication unit 12.

  The lighting unit 11 sets the ON time of the switching element in the lighting circuit unit 1 based on the communication signal from the external device 31 so that the lighting control unit 2 satisfies a predetermined dimming curve according to the characteristics of the light source 33. Control. In the lighting fixture 32, the lighting control unit 2 controls the ON time of the switching element of the lighting circuit unit 1 according to the communication signal from the external device 31, so that the dimming level of the light source 33 can be adjusted.

  The lighting control unit 2 receives the control information sent from the communication unit 12 and controls the lighting circuit unit 1. The control information includes control information for controlling the illumination light of the luminaire 32 such as full lighting when the output of the light source 33 is 100%, extinguishing when the output of the light source 33 is 0%, dimming control and blinking operation. ing. In the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment, the lighting unit 11 includes the second power supply unit 4. The second power supply unit 4 can be configured to include a DC-DC converter that converts DC power from the first power supply unit 3 into power suitable for driving the lighting control unit 2.

  The communication unit 12 can be configured to include the first communication unit 5 and the signal conversion unit 6. The communication unit 12 has a function that can be detachably and electrically connected to the lighting unit 11 of the lighting fixture 32. In the lighting control system 30, if the communication unit 12 that conforms to the communication method according to the signal method of the control signal transmitted by the external device 31 is connected to the lighting device 32, the connection between the external device 31 and the lighting device 32 is performed. The lighting fixture 32 can be controlled regardless of the communication method.

  The lighting unit 11 and the communication unit 12 may be connected to each other by providing the connection terminal portion 9 or may be connected electrically by wiring using a cable or the like. In the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment, the communication unit 12 supplies power to the signal conversion unit 6, so that the second connection is connectable to the first connection terminal 9 a on the lighting unit 11 side connected to the second power supply unit 4. A terminal 9c is provided. Further, the communication unit 12 has a fourth connection that can be connected to the third connection terminal 9 b on the lighting unit 11 side connected to the lighting control unit 2 because the signal conversion unit 6 outputs a lighting control signal to the lighting control unit 2. A terminal 9d is provided. The lighting unit 11 can constitute the connection terminal portion 9 with, for example, the first connection terminal 9a and the third connection terminal 9b. The communication unit 12 can configure the connection terminal portion 9 with, for example, the second connection terminal 9c and the fourth connection terminal 9d so as to be detachable from the lighting unit 11. Furthermore, since the 1st communication part 5 receives the communication signal from the external apparatus 31 side, the communication unit 12 can connect with the 5th connection terminal 9f by the side of the lighting fixture 32 connected with the communication line L1. A terminal 9e is provided. The communication unit 12 and the lighting fixture 32 side can be connected by a connection terminal portion provided on the communication unit 12 and a connection terminal portion provided on the lighting fixture 32 side. In addition, you may connect the communication unit 12 and the lighting fixture 32 side by wiring using a cable etc. Therefore, a connection terminal part is not necessarily required between the communication unit 12 and the lighting fixture 32 side.

  The first communication unit 5 can receive and transmit communication signals with the external device 31. Therefore, the 1st communication part 5 can be set as the structure provided with the signal receiver and the signal transmitter, for example. You may comprise the 1st communication part 5 so that communication with the lighting fixture 32 different from the lighting fixture 32 connected with the communication unit 12 can be performed.

  The signal converter 6 can be configured to have a signal conversion function for converting a communication signal into a lighting control signal. The signal converter 6 can be configured to determine the control content performed by the signal converter 6 itself from the communication signal. The signal conversion unit 6 is configured to include a transmitter so that the control signal included in the communication signal can be converted and output to the lighting control unit 2. The signal converter 6 can generate a lighting control signal using a transmitter based on the control signal. In the illumination control system 30 according to the present embodiment, the signal conversion unit 6 and the lighting control unit 2 can transmit information of a communication signal by serial communication.

  The signal conversion unit 6 may include a storage unit that stores characteristic information of the lighting fixture 32. The storage unit can be configured using, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) which is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The memory | storage part can memorize | store the characteristic information of the some general purpose lighting fixture 32 previously. In the storage unit, the dimming characteristics indicating the relationship between the light output of the light source 33 and the dimming signal according to the characteristics of the light source 33 connected to the luminaire 32 can be included as the characteristic information of the luminaire 32. Therefore, the illumination control system 30 can adjust the dimming level according to the dimming characteristics of the light source 33.

  Next, the setting operation of the lighting fixture 32 in the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the communication unit 12 of the lighting device 10 receives a communication signal from the external device 31 by the first communication unit 5 via the communication line L1. In the illumination control system 30, the external device 31 transmits a first signal 41, which is a communication signal by serial communication, to the communication unit 12 via the communication line L1, for example. That is, the first signal 41 can be a serial signal such as RS-485 communication.

  The signal converter 6 determines what communication signal the first signal 41 sent from the external device 31 is. For example, the signal conversion unit 6 determines whether the first signal 41 is control information indicating control of illumination light of the lighting fixture 32 such as full lighting, extinguishing of light source 33, and dimming control. Further, for example, the signal conversion unit 6 determines whether the information indicating that the lighting device 32 side light source 33 lighting state has reached a preset lifetime is transmitted to the external device 31 side. Determine. The signal conversion unit 6 determines, for example, whether the information is a request for transmitting state information indicating whether an abnormality or failure has occurred in the lighting fixture 32 to the external device 31 side. Further, the signal conversion unit 6 is, for example, a predetermined unit adapted to the characteristics of the lighting fixture 32 connected to the communication unit 12 from the characteristic information of the storage unit in which the characteristic information for each of the plurality of types of lighting fixtures 32 is stored. It is determined whether the selection information is for selecting characteristic information.

  In the signal converter 6, when the communication signal is selection information, the type of the lighting fixture 32 to which the communication unit 12 is connected is confirmed. In the lighting control system 30, the communication signal transmitted from the external device 31 side can include selection information for selecting characteristic information suitable for the type of the lighting fixture 32 to which the communication unit 12 is connected. In the lighting control system 30, examples of the lighting fixture 32 include a lighting fixture 32 that turns on an incandescent bulb as the light source 33 and a lighting fixture 32 that turns on a fluorescent lamp as the light source 33. In the lighting control system 30, examples of the lighting fixture 32 include a lighting fixture 32 that turns on an LED as a light source 33, and a lighting fixture 32 that turns on an organic EL element as a light source 33.

  After confirming the type of the lighting fixture 32, the signal conversion unit 6 reads characteristic information corresponding to the lighting fixture 32 connected to the communication unit 12 from the storage unit. In the lighting control system 30, as the characteristic information of the lighting fixture 32, for example, the rated power of the lighting fixture 32, the dimmable range of the light source 33, the relationship between the light output and the dimming signal in the lighting fixture 32, and the like are shown. Can be mentioned. Note that the dimmable range refers to a range indicating at least what percentage of the light source 33 can be lit with respect to all lighting in which the output of the light source 33 is 100%.

  In the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, the communication unit 12 outputs the light source 33 with a predetermined light output when the first signal 41 from the external device 31 indicates dimming control. The information of the first signal 41 is transmitted to the lighting control unit 2. In the lighting control system 30 according to the present embodiment, the signal conversion unit 6 converts the first signal 41 received by the first communication unit 5 into a second signal 42 as a lighting control signal corresponding to the characteristic information of the lighting fixture 32 and lights up. Output to the control unit 2. The second signal 42 can be, for example, a PWM signal or a DC voltage amplitude signal.

  In the illumination control system 30 according to the present embodiment, the signal conversion unit 6 and the lighting control unit 2 transmit information on the communication signal using the second signal 42 of the PWM signal. In the illumination control system 30, the lighting control unit 2 controls the lighting circuit unit 1 by the signal conversion unit 6 changing the on-duty of the PWM signal in accordance with the communication signal for dimming control. The on-duty of the PWM signal indicates the ratio of the on-time in a predetermined cycle of the PWM signal. In the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment, the lighting control unit 2 sends the lighting control unit 2 to the lighting circuit unit 1 as a third signal 43 using a PWM signal with a duty suitable for the lighting circuit unit 1 or an amplitude signal of a DC voltage. Output.

  For example, when an LED is used as the light source 33, the lighting circuit unit 1 controls the direct current according to the pulse width of the PWM signal and inputs the light output of the light source 33 when the third signal 43 of the PWM signal is input. In accordance with a dimming curve designed in advance. In other words, the lighting circuit unit 1 outputs a fourth signal 44 of a direct current having a predetermined output waveform to the light source 33. In the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, the signal conversion unit 6 and the lighting control unit 2 transmit information of the communication signal by the PWM signal, so that the signal conversion unit 6 of the communication unit 12 has a relatively simple configuration. It becomes possible. In the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, the one using the PWM signal is shown, but is not limited to the one using the PWM signal. The signal conversion unit 6 and the lighting control unit 2 can also transmit communication signal information using an amplitude signal of a DC voltage. The illumination control system 30 may use, for example, an amplitude signal of a DC voltage such as 1V to 10V in order to transmit communication signal information. In the illumination control system 30, when the signal conversion unit 6 and the lighting control unit 2 transmit information of a communication signal using a DC voltage amplitude signal, the signal conversion unit 6 of the communication unit 12 has a relatively simple configuration. be able to.

  By the way, in the existing lighting control system, various communication methods are used for transmission of a communication signal to the lighting fixture. However, when an LED is used as the light source 33 of the lighting fixture, the signal input to the lighting circuit unit 1 often uses a PWM signal. Therefore, in the lighting control system, lighting fixtures must be developed individually corresponding to the communication method.

  In the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, no matter what communication method control signal is transmitted from the external device 31, the illumination light is exchanged with the communication unit 12 that can receive the control signal of the corresponding communication method. It becomes possible to perform the illumination control. Therefore, in the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, the overall configuration of the illumination control system 30 can be simplified. The lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment can add a communication function later by connecting the communication unit 12 to the lighting device 10 of the lighting fixture 32 that does not have a communication function with the external device 31. It becomes. The communication unit 12 can also be referred to as a communication expansion function unit that provides a communication function to the lighting device 10 that does not have a communication function with the external device 31. Therefore, in the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment, the configuration of the lighting device 10 in the lighting fixture 32 can be simplified. In other words, the lighting device 10 can add a communication function to the retrofit lighting fixture 32, and the lighting unit 32 and the communication unit 12 can be configured separately to shorten the development period of the lighting fixture 32. It becomes possible.

(Embodiment 2)
The lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 4 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and uses a power line L2 instead of transmitting a communication signal using the communication line L1. The difference is that the lighting fixture 32 is controlled. In the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, instead of receiving and transmitting communication signals using the communication line L1, illumination is performed by PLC (Power Line Communication) using the power line L2. The instrument 32 is controlled.

  Below, the setting operation | movement of the lighting fixture 32 in the illumination control system 30 of this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG.

  First, the communication unit 12 of the lighting device 10 receives the communication signal from the external device 31 by the first communication unit 5 via the communication line L1 that is also used as the power line L2. In the illumination control system 30, the external device 31 transmits the fifth signal 45, which is a communication signal, to the communication unit 12 via the power line L2, for example. The fifth signal 45 is, for example, an analog signal obtained by adding an amplitude voltage to the power supply voltage.

  The signal conversion unit 6 determines what kind of communication signal the fifth signal 45 sent from the external device 31 is. For example, the signal conversion unit 6 determines whether the fifth signal 45 is control information indicating control of illumination light of the lighting fixture 32 such as full lighting, extinguishing, and dimming control of the light source 33. Further, for example, the signal conversion unit 6 determines whether the information indicating that the lighting device 32 side light source 33 lighting state has reached a preset lifetime is transmitted to the external device 31 side. Determine. The signal conversion unit 6 determines, for example, whether the information is a request for transmitting state information indicating whether an abnormality or failure has occurred in the lighting fixture 32 to the external device 31 side. Further, the signal conversion unit 6 is, for example, a predetermined unit adapted to the characteristics of the lighting fixture 32 connected to the communication unit 12 from the characteristic information of the storage unit in which the characteristic information for each of the plurality of types of lighting fixtures 32 is stored. It is determined whether the selection information is for selecting characteristic information.

  When the fifth signal 45 from the external device 31 indicates dimming control, the communication unit 12 informs the lighting control unit 2 of the fifth signal 45 so that the light source 33 is output with a predetermined light output. Is transmitted. In the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment, the signal conversion unit 6 converts the fifth signal 45 received by the first communication unit 5 into a second signal 42 as a lighting control signal corresponding to the characteristic information of the lighting fixture 32 and lights up. Output to the control unit 2. The second signal 42 can be, for example, a PWM signal or a DC voltage amplitude signal.

  In the illumination control system 30 according to the present embodiment, the signal conversion unit 6 and the lighting control unit 2 transmit information on the communication signal using the second signal 42 of the PWM signal. In the illumination control system 30, the lighting control unit 2 controls the lighting circuit unit 1 by the signal conversion unit 6 changing the on-duty of the PWM signal in accordance with the communication signal for dimming control. In the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment, the lighting control unit 2 sends the lighting control unit 2 to the lighting circuit unit 1 as a third signal 43 using a PWM signal with a duty suitable for the lighting circuit unit 1 or an amplitude signal of a DC voltage. Output.

  For example, when the LED is used as the light source 33, the lighting circuit unit 1 controls the output waveform of the direct current according to the pulse width of the PWM signal and receives the third signal 43 of the PWM signal to thereby control the light source 33. Is changed according to a dimming curve designed in advance. That is, the lighting circuit unit 1 outputs a fourth signal 44 having a direct current output waveform to the light source 33.

  Note that the PLC is a technology that uses the power line L2 as a communication line, and the lighting control system 30 can also perform dimming control or the like at a speed of several Mbps to several hundred bps by the PLC.

  The lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment can be configured by simply replacing the communication unit 12 of the first embodiment with a communication unit 12 corresponding to the communication method in the external device 31 of the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment. .

(Embodiment 3)
The lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 6 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the communication unit 12 includes a third power supply unit 7 that supplies power to the signal conversion unit 6. The point is mainly different. In the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the communication unit 12 is a third communication unit power supply unit that converts power supplied from the outside into power suitable for the signal conversion unit 6 and supplies power. A power supply unit 7 is provided. That is, in the communication unit 12, the third power supply unit 7 supplies power to the signal conversion unit 6.

  Thereby, the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment can secure power for driving the communication unit 12 separately from the lighting fixture 32. Therefore, the lighting fixture 32 may not be designed in consideration of power consumption other than the lighting fixture 32 that turns on the light source 33 in designing the first power supply unit 3 and the second power supply unit 4.

  In the illumination control system 30 according to the present embodiment, the AC power supplied from the external power supply 34 via the power supply line L2 is converted into predetermined DC power by the third power supply unit 7 and supplied to the signal conversion unit 6. Yes. The 3rd power supply part 7 can be comprised using an AC-DC converter, for example. In addition, the communication unit 12 is configured such that the second connection terminal 9c of the communication unit 12 and the eleventh connection terminal 9g from the lighting fixture 32 connected to the power line L2 side are electrically connected and detachable.

  In the lighting control system 30 of the first embodiment, it is necessary to design the first power supply unit 3 and the second power supply unit 4 in the lighting unit 11 in consideration of the power supply capacity supplied to the communication unit 12. In the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment, since the third power supply unit 7 is provided in the communication unit 12, it is not necessary to consider the power supply capacity of the communication unit 12 in the lighting fixture 32. Therefore, in the lighting control system 30 according to the present embodiment, compared with the lighting control system 30 according to the first embodiment, it is not necessary to design the lighting fixture 32 with a power supply capacity considering the communication unit 12. However, it becomes easier. In the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment, since the third power supply unit 7 exists in the communication unit 12, communication with the external device 31 side can be performed without designing the power supply capacity in the lighting fixture 32. A communication function can be added. Therefore, the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment can be simplified in design, and it is not necessary to design the lighting fixture 32 individually for each type of the lighting fixture 32, and the development period of the lighting fixture 32 itself is shortened. It is also possible to make it easier.

  Note that the lighting control system 30 according to the present embodiment may appropriately apply the configurations described in the first or second embodiment.

(Embodiment 4)
The illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 7 has the same configuration as that of the third embodiment, and is mainly different in that the third power supply unit 7 creates a power supply from the communication line L1. In the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment, the same components as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the fourth power supply unit 27 as the controller power supply unit uses the power supplied from the external power supply 34 as the second communication control unit 26 and the communication power supply unit. Power is supplied to the fifth power supply unit 28. Further, the third power supply unit 7 as the communication unit power supply unit changes the power supplied from the fifth power supply unit 28 to the power suitable for the signal conversion unit 6 via the communication line L1 that receives and transmits the communication signal. Convert and supply power.

  In the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment, the DC power supplied from the fifth power supply unit 28 is converted into predetermined DC power by the third power supply unit 7 via the communication line L1 and supplied to the signal conversion unit 6. doing. In other words, the third power supply unit 7 constitutes a bus power supply unit 7a that performs bus power supply using the communication line L1. The 3rd power supply part 7 can be comprised using a DC-DC converter, for example. Moreover, the communication unit 12 can electrically connect the 2nd connection terminal 9c of the communication unit 12, and the 12th connection terminal 9h of the lighting fixture 32 from the communication line L1 side, and can be comprised so that attachment or detachment is possible. .

  In the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment, the third power supply unit 7 converts the DC power supplied from the fifth power supply unit 28 into low-voltage DC power compared to the external power supply 34, so that the AC power It is not necessary to adopt a configuration for converting between DC and DC or a configuration for an insulated power source. Therefore, the illumination control system 30 according to the present embodiment is compared with the illumination control system 30 according to the second embodiment that directly converts the AC power of the external power supply 34 into DC power and supplies the signal to the signal converter 6. The size of the three power supply unit 7 can be further reduced. In general, an isolated power source controls the output voltage and insulates the secondary output and feeds it back to the primary side. Therefore, the insulated power supply tends to be difficult to reduce in size due to an increase in the number of parts.

  Moreover, since the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment does not directly convert AC power from the external power supply 34 fed via the power line L2 into power of the signal conversion unit 6, as in the second embodiment, There is no need for a structure for converting between AC and DC or an isolated power source. Therefore, in the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, the configuration of the third power supply unit 7 can be made relatively simple compared to the third embodiment. In addition, since the third power supply unit 7 is supplied with DC power via the communication line L1, it is possible to reduce the number of components and to be configured relatively inexpensively as compared with the third embodiment.

  Note that the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment may appropriately apply the configurations described in the first to third embodiments.

(Embodiment 5)
The lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and although not shown, serial communication is used as a means when the signal conversion unit 6 transmits information to the lighting control unit 2. Is mainly different. In addition, the illumination control system 30 of this embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol to the component similar to Embodiment 1, and abbreviate | omits description suitably.

  In the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, the signal conversion unit 6 and the lighting control unit 2 transmit communication signal information by serial communication.

  By using serial communication, the signal conversion unit 6 can transmit and receive information to and from the lighting control unit 2 relatively easily. The illumination control system 30 includes, for example, control information indicating control of illumination light of the lighting fixture 32 such as full lighting, extinguishing, dimming control, and blinking operation of the light source 33 as transmission to the lighting control unit 2.

  Between the lighting unit 11 and the communication unit 12, the signal conversion unit 6 transmits a lighting control signal for controlling the lighting circuit unit 1 to the lighting control unit 2. In addition, between the lighting unit 11 and the communication unit 12, the lighting control unit 2 has the lighting device 32 side such as the non-lighting of the light source 33, the power consumption of the lighting device 32, the cumulative lighting time of the light source 33 and the current dimming level. Is transmitted to the signal converter 6.

  For example, the lighting control unit 2 can determine whether or not an abnormality or a failure has occurred in the light source 33 based on a current value flowing through the light source 33 or an applied voltage value. Here, although the abnormality and failure of the light source 33 are illustrated, even if the lighting circuit unit 1 is abnormal or failed, it can be confirmed in the same manner.

  In the lighting control system 30 of this embodiment, the power consumption value on the side of the lighting fixture 32 is obtained by adding the current value flowing through the light source 33, the applied voltage, and the control power of each part of the lighting fixture 32. It is possible to calculate. The power consumption may be simply calculated by multiplying the power consumption of the lighting fixture 32 and the current dimming level of the light source 33. In the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, the cumulative lighting time of the light source 33 can be calculated by counting the time when the lighting circuit unit 1 is energized and the lighting time of the light source 33. Note that the lighting fixture 32 may be configured to include a timer unit (not shown) in the lighting unit 11 in order to calculate the cumulative lighting time of the light source 33, for example. In the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment, the lighting control unit 2 can perform dimming control of the light source 33 based on information transmitted from the signal conversion unit 6.

  In the illumination control system 30, not only the calculation of power consumption, the calculation of the cumulative lighting time of the light source 33, etc., can be performed by the signal converter 6 of the communication unit 12, but also by the signal converter 6 of the communication unit 12.

  In the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment, for example, the signal conversion unit 6 constantly obtains the state information of the lighting fixture 32 by outputting the state information of the lighting fixture 32 from the lighting control unit 2 periodically. Is possible. In the lighting control system 30, the timing for obtaining the state information of the lighting fixture 32 is not limited to that obtained periodically, and may be obtained only when requested by the signal conversion unit 6.

  The communication unit 12 transmits the communication signal including the state information of the luminaire 32 from the first communication unit 5 via the communication line L1, so that the state information of the luminaire 32 is transmitted to the external device 31. Can be output. The external device 31 obtains information on the current state of the lighting fixture 32 and the power consumption amount on the side of the lighting fixture 32, such as an abnormality or failure on the side of the lighting fixture 32, the lifetime of the light source 33 estimated from the cumulative lighting time of the light source 33. Can do. Therefore, the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment can perform maintenance management of the lighting control system 30 using the state information of the lighting fixture 32.

  Since the illumination control system 30 of the present embodiment transmits information using serial communication, the signal conversion unit 6 and the lighting control unit 2 can transmit and receive information and have a function of lighting the light source 33. It is easy to add a separate function to the lighting fixture 32.

  Note that the lighting control system 30 of the present embodiment may be applied to the configuration described in the first to fourth embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lighting circuit part 2 Lighting control part 5 1st communication part (communication part)
6 Signal Conversion Unit 9 Connection Terminal Unit 10 Lighting Device 11 Lighting Unit 12 Communication Unit 30 Lighting Control System 31 External Device 32 Lighting Fixture 33 Light Source

Claims (5)

A communication unit having a communication unit that receives a control signal including information for controlling illumination light from an external device by a wireless method or a wired method, and a signal conversion unit that converts the control signal received by the communication unit into a lighting control signal When,
A lighting unit having a lighting circuit unit for lighting a light source and a lighting control unit for controlling the lighting circuit unit based on the lighting control signal;
With
The lighting device, wherein the communication unit connected to the lighting unit is replaceable with a communication unit having a different communication method according to a signal method of the control signal transmitted by the external device.   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit and the lighting unit include a connection terminal portion that electrically connects the communication unit and the lighting unit and is detachable.   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting control signal is a PWM signal or an amplitude signal of a DC voltage.   A lighting fixture comprising the lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   An illumination control system comprising the lighting apparatus according to claim 4 and the external device.

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