JP2015138575A - Illumination control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a tunnel entrance illumination control system to be introduced, in a step-by-step manner while suppressing a construction cost, as a new system capable of using a platform used in a conventional system and performing efficient light control.SOLUTION: An illumination control system 1 comprises: a plurality of illumination fixtures 2 which are disposed in a tunnel and whose light control level is variable; a control device 3 for performing light control on the illumination fixtures 2; and a luminance sensor 4 for detecting luminance at an entrance of the tunnel. The control device 3 includes: a control unit 31 for generating a light control controlling signal for defining a light control level of each illumination fixture 2; and a power line carrier unit 32 for transmitting the light control signal by power line communication. The illumination control system 1 further comprises a media signal conversion unit 6 for converting luminance data generated by a plurality of number of stages depending on detected luminance from the luminance sensor 4 to a media signal according to a light control level conversion table used for the control unit 31 generating the light control controlling signal.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting control system used for lighting of a tunnel entrance on a motorway.

  When a driver driving in a car in a bright field during the daytime looks at the tunnel wellhead in front of the traveling direction, the inside of the tunnel may appear dark, and the preceding vehicle that has advanced into the tunnel may be lost. Such a phenomenon is called a black hole phenomenon and causes an accident or traffic jam on an expressway or the like. In order to suppress such a black hole phenomenon, in the section at a certain distance from the tunnel entrance, gradually adjust the illumination dose from the brightness corresponding to the outdoor brightness on the entrance side to the brightness of the basic illumination on the back side of the tunnel. There is known an illumination control system that performs dimming so as to drop the light (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, this type of lighting control system 101 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 102 arranged in a tunnel T, a control device 103 that performs dimming control of the lighting fixtures 102, and an outdoor side on the tunnel entrance side. And a luminance sensor 104 disposed at the same position. Each lighting fixture 102 is attached to a wire 105 connected to the control device 103. The brightness sensor 104 detects the road surface brightness at the tunnel entrance. Further, the luminance sensor 104 is connected to a selection unit 141 that outputs a control command for each of a plurality of stages according to the detected luminance. The control device 103 includes a control unit 131 that receives control commands from the selection unit 141 and the like, and a distribution board 132 that opens and closes the power supply to the luminaire 102 according to the control unit 131. The number of lines of the wire 105 is determined by the number of dimming stages. For example, if the number of dimming stages is 4, the number of lines is 2; As shown in FIG. 4, when the control device 103 and each lighting fixture 102 are connected by four wires 105, each lighting fixture 102 can be dimmed and controlled in 16 stages.

JP 2013-45538 A

  However, in the above lighting control system, in order to effectively suppress the black hole phenomenon and improve the brightness in the tunnel to save energy, each lighting fixture 102 is controlled with fine dimming levels in multiple stages. There is a need. However, in order to perform multistage dimming control, the number of wires connecting the control device 103 and each lighting fixture 102 increases. In a tunnel such as an expressway, the wire extension may reach several hundred meters, and when the number of wires increases, the construction cost associated with the introduction of the lighting control system increases.

  Further, in a conventional general tunnel illumination control system, a luminance sensor having four dimming steps is used. However, in order to replace all of the brightness sensor, the control device, and the wiring connecting them at once, in order to introduce a new system with a larger number of dimming steps into the lighting control system for which the conventional platform is built, Existing platforms are wasted.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and can introduce a new system capable of using the platform used in the conventional system and capable of efficient dimming step by step while suppressing the construction cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting control system that can be used.

  In order to solve the above problems, an illumination control system according to the present invention includes a plurality of lighting fixtures arranged in a tunnel and having a dimming level variable, a control device for dimming control of the lighting fixtures, and a tunnel entrance. A brightness sensor for detecting brightness, wherein the control device generates a dimming control signal that defines each dimming level of the lighting fixture; and the dimming control signal A power line transport unit that transmits the brightness data generated by a plurality of stages according to the brightness detected from the brightness sensor, and the control unit generates the dimming control signal. It is further characterized by further comprising a media signal conversion unit for converting into a media signal corresponding to the dimming level conversion table to be used.

  In the illumination control system, the control device preferably includes a media signal transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives various media signals.

  In the lighting control system, the media signal transmission / reception unit preferably transmits / receives a media signal to / from a system external terminal.

  In the lighting control system, it is preferable that the system external terminal is connected to the media signal transmission / reception unit via the Internet.

  The illumination control system further includes a luminance camera that captures an image around the tunnel wellhead and detects the luminance of the tunnel entrance from the captured image, and the media signal generated according to the luminance detected by the luminance camera is the media signal. It is preferably transmitted to the transmission / reception unit.

  The illumination control system preferably further includes a dimming signal conversion unit that converts the dimming control signal transmitted from the power line transport unit by power line communication into a control signal according to a dimming mode of the lighting fixture. .

  The lighting control system preferably further includes an information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information in the tunnel, and the information acquisition unit is connected to the control device by power line communication via the power line transport unit.

  According to the present invention, by transmitting a dimming control signal from the control device to each lighting fixture by power line communication, each lighting fixture is controlled at a fine dimming level over multiple stages, and the black hole phenomenon is suppressed. In addition, it is possible to save energy by increasing the brightness in the tunnel. In addition, since the number of wires connecting the control device and each lighting fixture does not increase, it is possible to reduce the construction cost associated with the introduction of the system. Further, even if the luminance sensor is a conventional type that generates luminance data for each of a plurality of stages according to the detected luminance, the media signal conversion unit uses the luminance data to generate the dimming control signal. Since the media signal is converted according to the light level conversion table, a platform used in the conventional system can be used, and a new system capable of efficient dimming can be introduced in stages.

The schematic block diagram of the illumination control system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The schematic block diagram of the illumination control system which concerns on the modification of the said embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the tunnel image imaged with the brightness | luminance camera used with the said illumination control system. The schematic block diagram of the conventional illumination control system.

  An illumination control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The lighting control system 1 according to the present embodiment detects a plurality of lighting fixtures 2 arranged in the tunnel T, a switchboard (hereinafter referred to as a control device 3) that performs dimming control on the lighting fixture 2, and brightness of the tunnel T entrance. Luminance sensors 4 and 4 '. The illumination control system 1 is preferably used for entrance illumination of a tunnel T in which daylight is not inserted into the tunnel and the tunnel extension is 100 m or more. The lighting fixture 2 is arrange | positioned in the ceiling part or corner part of the tunnel T at predetermined intervals along a vehicle running direction. The control device 3 is provided in a tunnel management building (not shown) or the like constructed near the tunnel T wellhead. Each lighting fixture 2 and the control device 3 are connected by a power line 5. The brightness sensors 4 and 4 ′ are provided in the vicinity of the tunnel T tunnel and detect the road surface brightness at the entrance of the tunnel T tunnel.

  The lighting fixture 2 can arbitrarily control each dimming level based on the dimming control signal from the control device 3. The lighting fixture 2 includes various light sources 21 and an illumination control unit 22 that controls lighting of the light sources 21. As the light source of the luminaire 2, for example, an LED that can change the light output according to a dimming signal (for example, an on-duty ratio of a PWM signal) output from the control device 3 is preferably used. The luminaire 2 only needs to be arranged so that at least the road surface in the tunnel T can be effectively illuminated. Even if the light distribution is symmetric with respect to the road lateral axis, the vehicle traveling direction (pro beam illumination) Even in the opposite direction (counter beam illumination) may be used. The illumination control unit 22 is composed of a general-purpose microcomputer or the like, and turns on the light source 21 at a dimming level commanded by a predetermined control signal.

  The control device 3 includes a control unit 31 that generates a dimming control signal that defines each dimming level of the lighting fixture 2, and a power line transport unit 32 that outputs the dimming control signal through power line communication (PLC). The control device 3 also includes a media signal transmission / reception unit 33 that transmits and receives various media signals. The control unit 31 includes a general-purpose CPU, a memory, and the like, and various data tables for formulating address information and dimming levels of each lighting fixture 2 are recorded in the memory.

  The media signal transmission / reception unit 33 includes an Ethernet® chip (not shown) that processes a physical layer of a media signal such as an Ethernet® signal, and demodulates an electrical signal included in the media signal to control the control unit 31. The digital signal input to is obtained. The power line carrier unit 32 has a PLC chip that processes the captured digital signal and modulates it into an analog signal to be carried by the power line 5 to generate a PLC signal. The PLC signal is appropriately subjected to waveform processing and noise processing. Applied to the power line 5.

  The lighting fixture 2 receives the dimming control signal transmitted by the power line communication from the power line transport unit 32, and converts the received dimming control signal into a control signal according to the dimming mode of the lighting fixture 2. It is connected to the power line 5 via a converter (hereinafter referred to as an adapter 51). By using this adapter 51, the lighting fixture 2 used in the platform of the conventional system can be used as it is, and the construction cost accompanying the introduction of the lighting control system 1 can be suppressed. Note that the lighting control system 1 may use a lighting fixture 2 </ b> A incorporating the adapter 51. It is desirable that the luminaire 2A be sequentially replaced when the service life of the conventional luminaire 2 itself has elapsed.

  The luminance sensor 4 is connected to a selection unit 41 that outputs a control command for each of a plurality of stages according to the detected luminance. For example, as shown in the figure, four wires 42 are derived from the selection unit 41, and 16 levels of luminance data are generated according to the luminance detected by the luminance sensor 4.

  The illumination control system 1 of the present embodiment further includes a media signal conversion unit 6 that converts the media signal according to the dimming level conversion table used by the control unit 31 of the control device 3 to generate the dimming control signal. The wire 42 led out from the selection unit 41 is connected to a sequencer (hereinafter, media signal conversion unit 6) via an HC relay (not shown). The media signal conversion unit 6 receives the luminance data from the selection unit 41, and generates an input conversion unit 61 that generates a media signal based on the input luminance data, and a serial output unit 62 that outputs the generated media signal. . The input conversion unit 61 is provided with a plurality of wire connection terminals (not shown). Note that since a 16-level luminance sensor is used in a highway tunnel lighting control system constructed in recent years, the input conversion unit 61 is provided with wire connection terminals corresponding to at least four lines.

  According to this configuration, the dimming control signal from the control device 3 is transmitted to each luminaire 2 by power line communication, whereby each luminaire 2 is controlled at a fine dimming level in multiple stages, and the black hole phenomenon is controlled. It is possible to reduce energy consumption by suppressing the brightness in the tunnel. Moreover, since the number of wires which connect the control apparatus 3 and each lighting fixture 2 does not increase in performing multistage dimming control, the construction cost accompanying introduction of this lighting control system 1 can be suppressed. Further, even if the luminance sensor 4 is a conventional type that generates luminance data for each of a plurality of stages according to the detected luminance, the media signal conversion unit uses the luminance data to generate a dimming control signal. The media signal is converted according to the dimming level conversion table to be used. Therefore, a new system that can utilize the platform used in the conventional system and can perform efficient dimming can be introduced in stages.

  The media signal transmission / reception unit 33 transmits / receives a media signal to / from the external terminal 7 arranged outside the system. Examples of the external terminal 7 include a computer and a host server installed in a tunnel monitoring control center (not shown) located at a position away from the tunnel in which the present system is introduced. Such an external terminal 7 is connected to the media signal transmission / reception unit 33 from various network devices 71 (Internet router or hub) via the Internet IT. When the external terminal 7 is a notebook PC or tablet terminal, it may be connected to the media signal transmission / reception unit 33 by a wireless LAN or the like.

  Thus, by connecting the media signal transmission / reception unit 33 to various external terminals 7, for example, the luminance data detected by the luminance sensor 4 is monitored by the tunnel monitoring control center, or the lighting fixtures 2 and 2A are turned on. Can be remotely controlled. In addition, for example, various applications can be applied such that an operator can input an inspection status of the lighting fixture 2 with an external terminal 7 such as a tablet terminal and the input information can be confirmed with a tunnel monitoring control center.

  The lighting control system 1 includes a conversion unit 43 having substantially the same function as the media signal conversion unit 6 so that a media signal based on luminance data can be directly transmitted to the media signal transmission / reception unit 33. A configured luminance sensor 4 ′ may be used. The brightness sensor 4 'is preferably replaced when the useful life of the conventional brightness sensor 4 has elapsed. In the example shown in the figure, both the conventional luminance sensor 4 and the luminance sensor 4 'for transmitting a media signal are shown, but at least one of them may be used.

  An illumination control system according to a modification of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The illumination control system 1 according to the present modification further includes a brightness camera 8 that captures an image around the tunnel entrance of the tunnel T and detects the brightness of the tunnel entrance from the captured image. The luminance camera 8 converts the obtained luminance data into a media signal corresponding to a dimming level conversion table used for generating a dimming control signal, and an image processing unit 81 that obtains luminance data from the captured image. A media conversion unit 82 for generating a media signal.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the luminance camera 8 captures a digital image around the tunnel entrance of the tunnel T. The image processing unit 81 calculates brightness data of the tunnel entrance from the brightness distribution around the tunnel well opening T0 in this digital image. As shown in Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-157215 by the applicant of the present application, the equivalent light screen luminance and the road surface luminance can be calculated from the digital image. Further, the digital image is zoomed, and the value obtained by dividing the distance between the luminance camera 8 and the tunnel T's wellhead by the zoom ratio is simulated as the viewing distance position, and the distance at each viewing distance position away from the tunnel T's wellhead is determined. Equivalent screen brightness and adaptation brightness may be calculated. The media signal generated according to the brightness detected by the brightness camera 8 is transmitted to the media signal transmitting / receiving unit 33.

  According to this embodiment, since luminance data is obtained from a digital image around the tunnel entrance of the tunnel T, appropriate luminance can be obtained according to a change in the surrounding environment of the tunnel in which the illumination control system is introduced. Further, since this luminance data is transmitted as a media signal to the media signal transmitting / receiving unit 33, a digital image around the tunnel T can be confirmed also from the tunnel monitoring control center where the external terminal 7 is installed. Become.

  Moreover, the illumination control system 1 which concerns on this modification is provided with the lighting fixture 2B which has several LED21a, 21b, 21c from which luminescent color differs as a light source. According to this structure, the color of the illumination light irradiated from the lighting fixture 2B can be changed by controlling the output of each LED21a, 21b, 21c separately. When the LEDs 21a, 21b, and 21c are configured to emit white light, red light, and yellow light, respectively, for example, normally, white light and yellow light are mainly lit, and red light blinks when speed is limited. Let Accordingly, various traffic information can be provided to the driver traveling in the tunnel using the lighting.

  Moreover, the illumination control system 1 according to this modification further includes an information acquisition unit 9 that acquires environment information in the tunnel. The information acquisition unit 9 is connected to the control device 3 by power line communication via the power line transport unit 32. The information acquisition unit 9 is, for example, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a heat quantity sensor, or the like, and is connected to the power line 5 via the adapter 91.

  According to this configuration, the environment information acquired by the information acquisition unit 9 can be confirmed also from the tunnel monitoring control center where the external terminal 7 is installed. In addition, for example, a dimming level conversion table corresponding to various environment information can be stored in the memory of the control unit 31, and the lighting state of the lighting fixture 2B can be changed according to the situation in the tunnel T. These are realized by an application installed in the control unit 31, the illumination control unit 22 of the lighting fixture 2B, or the control unit (not shown) of the information acquisition unit 9. Various applications can be installed from the external terminal 7 installed in the tunnel monitoring control center where the external terminal 7 is installed via the media signal transmission / reception unit 33.

  In addition, this invention is not restricted to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible. In the above embodiment, the 16-level luminance sensor is exemplified, but the luminance sensor 4 may be, for example, 2, 4, 8, or 32 levels, and the media signal conversion unit 6 is a general-purpose luminance sensor. 4 has a wire connection terminal for connecting to the luminance sensor 6 so that most of the cover 4 can be covered. Further, the media signal conversion unit 6 may be connected to the external terminal 7 or the network device 71.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lighting control system 2 Lighting fixture 3 Control apparatus 31 Control part 32 Power line conveyance part 33 Media signal transmission / reception part 4 Brightness sensor 5 Power line 51 Adapter (dimming signal conversion part)
6 Media signal converter 7 External terminal (system external terminal)
8 Luminance camera 9 Information acquisition part T Tunnel IT Internet

Claims (7)

A lighting control system comprising a plurality of lighting fixtures arranged in a tunnel and having a dimming level variable, a control device for dimming control of the lighting fixtures, and a luminance sensor for detecting the luminance at the entrance of the tunnel. And
The control device includes a control unit that generates a dimming control signal that defines each dimming level of the lighting fixture, and a power line carrier unit that transmits the dimming control signal through power line communication.
Media for converting luminance data generated for each of a plurality of stages according to the detected luminance from the luminance sensor into a media signal corresponding to a dimming level conversion table used by the control unit to generate the dimming control signal A lighting control system further comprising a signal conversion unit.   The illumination control system according to claim 1, wherein the control device includes a media signal transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives various media signals.   The illumination control system according to claim 2, wherein the media signal transmission / reception unit transmits / receives a media signal to / from a system external terminal.   The lighting control system according to claim 3, wherein the system external terminal is connected to the media signal transmission / reception unit via the Internet. It further includes a luminance camera that captures an image around the tunnel wellhead and detects the luminance of the tunnel entrance from the captured image,
The illumination control system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a media signal generated in accordance with luminance detected by the luminance camera is transmitted to the media signal transmission / reception unit.   The dimming signal conversion unit that converts the dimming control signal transmitted from the power line transport unit by power line communication into a control signal according to a dimming mode of the lighting fixture. The lighting control system according to claim 5. It further includes an information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information in the tunnel,
The lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information acquisition unit is connected to the control device by power line communication via the power line transport unit.

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