JP7477425B2 - Lighting equipment - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a lighting device equipped with two lighting units.

Patent Document 1 discloses a torchlight equipped with a first lamp that brightly illuminates a specific location and a second lamp that illuminates a wide area. In this torchlight, the base of the irradiation unit is attached in a state in which it can rotate around a rotation axis provided at the end of the grip, and the first lamp is provided at the base of the irradiation unit. Also in this torchlight, a long and thin tip of the irradiation unit is attached to the base of the irradiation unit, and the second lamp is provided at the tip of the irradiation unit.

Patent document 2 discloses a lighting device that adjusts the output voltage to the light source unit so that the light source unit starts to dim when the input voltage from the battery pack falls below the dimming start voltage.

JP 2015-185454 A JP 2013-191304 A

At construction sites where there is no outside light, lighting devices are used to illuminate the work area when workers perform tasks such as wiring. It is preferable that lighting devices used in such dark environments not only illuminate the work area, but also illuminate areas where work tools and luggage are placed, for example. The torchlight disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a first lamp and a second lamp, but since the relative positions of the two lamps are fixed, it is difficult to simultaneously illuminate two different desired locations. In addition, since the second lamp is located opposite the grip, there is a problem in that the grip casts a shadow when the second lamp is used to illuminate the area around the torchlight.

Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, when the battery voltage of the battery pack drops, the lighting of the light source unit is controlled to reduce power consumption. However, lighting control when the battery voltage drops in a lighting device equipped with two lighting units has not been considered.

This disclosure has been made in light of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a lighting device that is equipped with two lighting sections and is easy for users to use.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to a lighting device that includes a first lighting unit for concentrating illumination in a predetermined direction, a second lighting unit for illuminating the surroundings, a grip unit that is held by a user, and an attachment unit for attaching a battery pack, and that assumes an upright posture by bringing the bottom surface of the battery pack attached to the attachment unit into surface contact with a placement surface. The lighting device further includes a control unit that controls the lighting of the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit. When the battery voltage of the battery pack falls below a predetermined value while the first lighting unit is on, the control unit reduces the light intensity of the first lighting unit or turns off the first lighting unit and turns on the second lighting unit.

In addition, any combination of the above components, or conversion between expressions of this disclosure as methods, devices, systems, computer programs, or recording media on which computer programs are recorded, are also valid aspects of this disclosure.

This disclosure provides a lighting device that is easy for users to use.

4A is a front view of the lighting device, and FIG. 4B is a rear view of the lighting device. 4A is a left side view of the lighting device, and FIG. 4B is a right side view of the lighting device. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the lighting device, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the lighting device with the battery pack removed from the main body thereof. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of multiple chip LEDs. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a state in which a first illumination unit is rotated around a first axis. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the first illumination unit is rotated around a second axis. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks for performing lighting control. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for lighting control when the battery voltage is low.

Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the lighting device of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
Fig. 1(a) shows a front view of the lighting device, and Fig. 1(b) shows a rear view of the lighting device. Fig. 2(a) shows a left side view of the lighting device, and Fig. 2(b) shows a right side view of the lighting device. Fig. 3(a) shows a perspective view of the lighting device, and Fig. 3(b) shows a perspective view of the lighting device with a battery pack removed from the main body of the lighting device. In the embodiment, the front-rear direction of the lighting device 1 is defined as the side where the second lighting unit 14 is provided as the front side, and the side where the grip unit 16 to be gripped by the user is provided as the rear side.

The lighting device 1 comprises a main body 10, a first lighting section 12, and an adjustment mechanism 40 that connects the first lighting section 12 and the main body 10 so that the relative position can be changed. The main body 10 comprises a base 20, a pillar section 22 erected from the front end side of the base 20, a grip section 16 erected from the rear end side of the base 20, and a connection section 24 that connects the upper end of the pillar section 22 and the upper end of the grip section 16. An attachment section 18 for attaching a battery pack 2 is provided below the grip section 16, specifically on the back surface of the base 20.

The battery pack 2 has a built-in secondary battery and is provided with an attachment section 3 on its top surface that is detachable from the attachment section 18 of the base 20. The attachment section 3 of the battery pack 2 is mechanically attached to the attachment section 18 provided on the back surface of the base 20. The attachment section 3 of the battery pack 2 and the attachment section 18 of the base 20 may be attached to each other by sliding them relative to each other in an engaged state. The attachment section 3 of the battery pack 2 and the attachment section 18 of the base 20 may also be attached to each other by being pushed in a facing direction in an engaged state.

As shown in the figure, the lighting device 1 can be in an upright position by bringing the bottom surface of the battery pack 2 attached to the mounting portion 18 into surface contact with a placement surface. Here, the placement surface is a surface that is substantially parallel to a horizontal plane, and may be, for example, a floor or a workbench at a construction site. The lighting device 1 of the embodiment is used in a state where it is upright on the placement surface with the bottom surface of the battery pack 2 facing down, by turning on the first lighting unit 12 to brightly illuminate a work area where wiring work is performed, and by turning on the second lighting unit 14 to illuminate work tools and luggage placed around the lighting device 1. In another embodiment, the lighting device 1 may be used with a worker holding the grip portion 16.

The first lighting unit 12 has a head 12a constituting an LED (light emitting diode) spotlight for concentrating illumination in a specific direction, and a base 12b supporting the head 12a. The LED spotlight has a single-bulb LED module and a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the LED module toward the outside. The reflector may be made of aluminum or a metal film evaporated onto a resin. The first lighting unit 12 preferably has an LED module that emits a high amount of light so that it can brightly illuminate a work area, for example, 20 m away, in a dark environment. The first lighting unit 12 of the embodiment is equipped with an LED module that emits a maximum amount of light of approximately 1500 lumens. The LED module and reflector provided inside the head 12a are covered by a translucent cover 12c that transmits light.

The base 12b is provided with a heat sink for cooling the LED module and a cooling fan. The cooling fan is controlled to operate when the LED module is turned on.

The second lighting section 14 has multiple chip LEDs for illuminating the surroundings of the lighting device 1. The multiple chip LEDs are arranged on the mounting surface 14c facing the front of the lighting device 1 and are covered by the light-transmitting case 14a. The second lighting section 14 emits light with a brightness that allows a worker to recognize work tools and the like placed around the lighting device 1 in a dark environment. Therefore, the maximum light amount emitted by the second lighting section 14 may be lower than the maximum light amount of the first lighting section 12, and the maximum light amount may be about 500 lumens, for example.

Figure 4 shows an example of the arrangement of multiple chip LEDs mounted on the second illumination unit 14. Multiple chip LEDs 14b are arranged in multiple rows on a flat mounting surface 14c facing forward. In this example, two chip rows are provided in which 10 chip LEDs 14b are arranged at equal intervals in the vertical direction. Each chip LED 14b may have an irradiation angle of, for example, 120 degrees. In the embodiment, the maximum light intensity of all chip LEDs 14b is set to approximately 500 lumens, and therefore the maximum light intensity of each chip LED 14b is approximately 25 lumens.

By configuring the second lighting section 14 with small chip LEDs 14b, the amount of heat generated in the second lighting section 14 can be reduced. Therefore, there is no need to provide a cooling fan to cool the second lighting section 14, which contributes to making the lighting device 1 lighter and more compact. The mounting surface 14c on which the multiple chip LEDs 14b are attached is covered by a light-transmitting case 14a that transmits light. The light-transmitting case 14a serves to diffuse the light emitted by the chip LEDs 14b, and the second lighting section 14 can illuminate an area in front of it at a horizontal angle of approximately 180 degrees.

In the lighting device 1, the first lighting unit 12 is provided above the grip portion 16, and the second lighting unit 14 is provided in front of the grip portion 16. With this arrangement, the lighting direction of the first lighting unit 12 and the second lighting unit 14 is directed toward a direction in which the grip portion 16 is not present, and the light emitted from the first lighting unit 12 and the second lighting unit 14 does not illuminate the grip portion 16. Therefore, while the first lighting unit 12 and the second lighting unit 14 are turned on, the grip portion 16 does not cast a shadow, and the necessary areas can be effectively illuminated.

In the lighting device 1, a movable part that changes the relative position of the first lighting unit 12 and the second lighting unit 14 is provided between the first lighting unit 12 and the second lighting unit 14. By providing a movable part between the first lighting unit 12 and the second lighting unit 14, the lighting direction of the first lighting unit 12 and the lighting direction of the second lighting unit 14 can be set independently.

In the lighting device 1, the relative positional relationship between the second lighting unit 14 and the grip unit 16 is fixed, while the relative positional relationship between the first lighting unit 12 and the grip unit 16 is variable by a movable unit. This allows the user to freely determine the lighting direction of the first lighting unit 12 with reference to the grip unit 16.

In the embodiment, the movable part includes an adjustment mechanism 40 for adjusting the lighting direction of the first lighting part 12 relative to the main body part 10. By adjusting the lighting direction of the first lighting part 12 with the adjustment mechanism 40 while the lighting device 1 is in an upright state, the spot lighting light of the first lighting part 12 can be directed to a desired location.

The adjustment mechanism 40 has a first rotation mechanism 42 that allows the first lighting unit 12 to rotate around a first axis, and a second rotation mechanism 44 that allows the first lighting unit 12 to rotate around a second axis different from the first axis. When the lighting device 1 is in an upright position, the first rotation mechanism 42 allows the first lighting unit 12 to rotate around a first axis in the vertical direction, and the second rotation mechanism 44 allows the first lighting unit 12 to rotate around a second axis in the horizontal direction.

Specifically, the first rotation mechanism 42 allows the support member 46 supporting the first illumination unit 12 to rotate around the first axis 42a relative to the main body 10. The second rotation mechanism 44 allows the first illumination unit 12 to rotate around the second axis 44a relative to the support member 46. Rotational resistance acts on the rotation around the first axis 42a and the second axis 44a, and when a force of a predetermined magnitude or more is applied in the rotational direction, rotation around the first axis 42a and the second axis 44a occurs, and it is preferable that the posture at that time is maintained when the force is released. This makes it possible to set the rotation angle around the first axis 42a and the second axis 44a to a desired value.

In this embodiment, the first rotation mechanism 42 rotatably supports the support member 46 with respect to the main body 10 behind the connection portion 24. With reference to FIG. 2(a) or 2(b), the first axis of the first rotation mechanism 42 that rotatably connects the first lighting unit 12 and the main body 10 exists above the battery pack 2 in the vertical direction. The second rotation mechanism 44 also rotatably supports the base 12b around the second axis so that the head 12a is located on the forward side. This structure enables the lighting device 1 to stably maintain an upright posture.

Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show the first lighting unit 12 rotated around the first axis 42a of the first rotation mechanism 42. When the lighting device 1 is in an upright position, the first lighting unit 12 can rotate around the first axis 42a in the vertical direction. The first rotation mechanism 42 of the embodiment can rotate the lighting direction of the first lighting unit 12 up to 90 degrees left or right based on the front direction.

Figures 6(a) and 6(b) show the state in which the first lighting unit 12 has been rotated around the second axis 44a of the second rotation mechanism 44. When the lighting device 1 is in an upright position, the first lighting unit 12 can be rotated around the second axis 44a in the horizontal direction. The second rotation mechanism 44 of the embodiment can rotate the lighting direction of the first lighting unit 12 up to 90 degrees upward and up to 20 degrees downward, based on the horizontal direction.

In the lighting device 1, a USB connector 30 for power supply is provided on the side of the main body 10. The USB connector 30 is used to connect another electronic device with a USB cable and charge the electronic device with power from the battery pack 2. The USB connector 30 may be provided on the side of the column 22 on which the second lighting unit 14 is provided. By providing the USB connector 30 near the second lighting unit 14, the user can easily recognize the position of the USB connector 30 by the illumination of the second lighting unit 14.

A brightness adjustment dial 28 for adjusting the light intensity of the first lighting section 12 and/or the second lighting section 14 is provided above the grip section 16. In the embodiment, a rotatable brightness adjustment dial 28 is provided on the back of the connection section 24 that is connected to the upper end of the grip section 16, and the user can operate the brightness adjustment dial 28 with their thumb while holding the grip section 16. In the embodiment, the brightness adjustment dial 28 is used to simultaneously set the light intensity ratio (relative to the maximum light intensity) of both the first lighting section 12 and the second lighting section 14, and the light intensity of each can be adjusted between 10% and 100% of the maximum light intensity.

An operation switch 26 for switching the lighting mode of the first lighting unit 12 and the second lighting unit 14 is provided on the front surface of the grip unit 16. The operation switch 26 is a push-down switch, and the user can operate the operation switch 26 with the index finger while holding the grip unit 16.

In the lighting device 1 of the embodiment, multiple lighting modes are provided for the first lighting section 12 and the second lighting section 14, and the lighting states of the first lighting section 12 and the second lighting section 14 change cyclically when the operation switch 26 is operated.

Figure 7 shows functional blocks for controlling the lighting of the first lighting unit 12 and the second lighting unit 14. In terms of hardware, the control unit 50 can be configured with circuit blocks, memory, and other LSIs, and in terms of software, it is realized by programs loaded into memory, etc. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms using only hardware, only software, or a combination of both, and are not limited to any one of them.

The control unit 50 turns on the first lighting unit 12 and the second lighting unit 14 at a ratio (light intensity ratio) of the maximum light intensity set by the brightness adjustment dial 28. As described above, the light intensity ratio set by the brightness adjustment dial 28 is a value between 10% and 100% of the maximum light intensity.

The control unit 50 controls the lighting of the first lighting unit 12 and the second lighting unit 14 in one of a plurality of lighting modes in response to the operation of the operation switch 26. The plurality of lighting modes include at least a lighting mode in which the first lighting unit 12 is turned on and the second lighting unit 14 is turned off, and a lighting mode in which the first lighting unit 12 is turned off and the second lighting unit 14 is turned on. In this way, by providing a mode in which either the first lighting unit 12 or the second lighting unit 14 is turned on independently, it becomes possible to use only the lighting that is required.

The lighting device 1 of the embodiment has the following all-off mode and a plurality of on modes.
(All-off mode) The first illumination unit 12 and the second illumination unit 14 are both off. (First illumination mode) Only the first illumination unit 12 is on. (Second illumination mode) Both the first illumination unit 12 and the second illumination unit 14 are on. (Third illumination mode) Only the second illumination unit 14 is on.

When the first lighting unit 12 and the second lighting unit 14 are both turned off (all-off mode), if the user operates the operation switch 26, the control unit 50 switches the all-off mode to the first lighting mode in which the first lighting unit 12 is turned on and the second lighting unit 14 is turned off. In the first lighting mode, only the first lighting unit 12 is turned on, allowing the user to aim the spotlight at a specific location far away. In the first lighting mode, the control unit 50 operates the cooling fan 48 to cool the first lighting unit 12.

When the operation switch 26 is operated while the first lighting mode is set, the control unit 50 switches the first lighting mode to the second lighting mode in which the first lighting unit 12 and the second lighting unit 14 are turned on. Since the first lighting unit 12 is turned on even in the second lighting mode, the user can aim the spotlight at a specific location far away and illuminate the area around the lighting device 1 with the second lighting unit 14. Even in the second lighting mode, the control unit 50 operates the cooling fan 48 to cool the first lighting unit 12.

When the operation switch 26 is operated while the second lighting mode is set, the control unit 50 switches from the second lighting mode to a third lighting mode in which the first lighting unit 12 is turned off and the second lighting unit 14 is turned on. Since the second lighting unit 14 is turned on even in the third lighting mode, the surroundings of the lighting device 1 can be kept bright.

When the operation switch 26 is operated while the third lighting mode is set, the control unit 50 switches the third lighting mode to the all-off mode. In the embodiment, the first lighting unit 12 is continuously lit in the successive first and second lighting modes, and the second lighting unit 14 is continuously lit in the successive second and third lighting modes. By setting the order in which the lighting modes are switched in this manner, there is an advantage that the first lighting unit 12 and the second lighting unit 14 do not need to be repeatedly turned on and off each time the lighting mode is switched. In addition, there is an advantage that the cooling fan 48 does not need to be repeatedly turned on and off because the first lighting unit 12 does not repeatedly turn on and off each time the lighting mode is switched.

The control unit 50 of the embodiment also has a function of controlling the lighting of the first lighting unit 12 and the second lighting unit 14 according to the battery voltage of the battery pack 2. The lighting control described below is based on the premise that the first lighting unit 12 is turned on, that is, either the first lighting mode or the second lighting mode is set.

Figure 8 is a flow chart showing the procedure for lighting control when the battery voltage drops. The battery voltage monitoring unit 52 monitors whether the battery voltage of the battery pack 2 falls below a predetermined threshold (S10). The predetermined threshold may be set to, for example, 90% to 95% of the rated voltage. If the battery voltage is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold (Y in S10), the control unit 50 turns on the first lighting unit 12 and/or the second lighting unit 14 according to the set lighting mode and light intensity ratio.

When the battery voltage falls below a predetermined threshold while the first illumination unit 12 is on (N in S10), the control unit 50 controls the illumination of the first illumination unit 12 and the second illumination unit 14 so as to reduce power consumption by the first illumination unit 12 and the second illumination unit 14.

Specifically, the control unit 50 turns off the first illumination unit 12 to reduce overall power consumption (S12). At the same time, the control unit 50 turns on the second illumination unit 14 to avoid a situation where the second illumination unit 14 is completely turned off. Note that the control unit 50 may reduce overall power consumption by reducing the amount of light emitted by the first illumination unit 12 without turning it off.

As described above, this lighting control is performed in the first lighting mode or the second lighting mode. In the first lighting mode, the second lighting unit 14 is turned off, so the control unit 50 turns on the second lighting unit 14 instead of the first lighting unit 12 to ensure brightness around the lighting device 1. In the second lighting mode, the second lighting unit 14 is already turned on, so the control unit 50 continues to keep the second lighting unit 14 turned on to ensure brightness around the lighting device 1.

The control unit 50 may blink the second illumination unit 14 a predetermined number of times immediately after or simultaneously with turning off or dimming the first illumination unit 12 (S14). By the control unit 50 blinking the second illumination unit 14, the user can recognize that the first illumination unit 12 has been turned off or dimmed due to a drop in battery voltage. This blinking may be performed, for example, about three times. Note that in order to inform the user that the battery voltage has dropped, the control unit 50 may blink the second illumination unit 14 at maximum light intensity, regardless of the light intensity ratio set by the brightness adjustment dial 28. This allows the user to reliably recognize that the second illumination unit 14 is blinking.

After the second illumination unit 14 blinks, the control unit 50 reduces the light intensity of the second illumination unit 14 and turns on the second illumination unit 14 for a predetermined time (S16). That is, the control unit 50 turns on the second illumination unit 14 for a predetermined time with a lower light intensity than when it blinked. This lighting time is set to allow the user time to replace the battery pack 2 or to move to a bright place, and may be, for example, 10 minutes. During this period, the control unit 50 may reduce the light intensity of the second illumination unit 14 to the minimum light intensity (10%). After the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 50 turns off the second illumination unit 14 (S18).

The second illumination unit 14 may include a light-storing unit that stores light emitted from the light source of the second illumination unit 14. For example, the light-storing unit is preferably provided on the outer portion of the light-transmitting case 14a so that it can emit light even after the second illumination unit 14 is turned off to provide light to the user.

The present disclosure has been described above based on an embodiment. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

The outline of the present disclosure is as follows.
A lighting device (1) according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first lighting section (12) for concentrating illumination in a predetermined direction, a second lighting section (14) for illuminating the surroundings, a grip section (16) to be held by a user, and an attachment section (18) for attaching a battery pack (2), and the lighting device (1) assumes an upright posture by bringing a bottom surface of the battery pack attached to the attachment section into surface-to-surface contact with a placement surface, and further includes a control section (50) for controlling the lighting of the first lighting section (12) and the second lighting section (14), and when the battery voltage of the battery pack (2) falls below a predetermined value while the first lighting section (12) is on, the control section (50) reduces the amount of light of the first lighting section (12) or turns off the first lighting section (12) and turns on the second lighting section (14).

The control unit (50) controls the lighting of the first lighting unit (12) and the second lighting unit (14) so as to reduce power consumption by the first lighting unit (12) and the second lighting unit (14) when the battery voltage of the battery pack (2) falls below a predetermined value. The control unit (50) may blink the second lighting unit (14) a predetermined number of times when the battery voltage of the battery pack (2) falls below a predetermined value. After blinking the second lighting unit (14), the control unit (50) may turn it on with a light intensity lower than the light intensity when it was blinking. The control unit (50) may blink the second lighting unit (14) with a maximum light intensity. The control unit (50) may turn off the second lighting unit (14) when a predetermined time has elapsed since the battery voltage of the battery pack (2) fell below a predetermined value. The lighting device (1) may further include a light-storing unit that stores light irradiated from the light source of the second lighting unit (14).

1: lighting device, 2: battery pack, 3: attachment portion, 10: main body, 12: first lighting portion, 12a: head, 12b: base, 12c: light-transmitting cover, 14: second lighting portion, 14a: light-transmitting case, 14b: chip LED, 14c: mounting surface, 16: grip portion, 18: mounting portion, 20: base, 22: column portion, 24: connection portion, 26: operation switch, 28: brightness adjustment dial, 30: USB connector, 40: adjustment mechanism, 42: first rotation mechanism, 42a: first axis, 44: second rotation mechanism, 44a: second axis, 46: support member, 48: cooling fan, 50: control portion, 52: battery voltage monitoring portion.

Claims (6)

A lighting device comprising a first lighting section for concentrating illumination in a predetermined direction, a second lighting section for illuminating the surroundings, a grip section for being held by a user, and an attachment section for attaching a battery pack, the lighting device being adapted to assume an upright posture by bringing a bottom surface of the battery pack attached to the attachment section into surface contact with a placement surface,
A control unit that controls turning on the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit is further provided.
When the battery voltage of the battery pack falls below a predetermined value while the first illumination unit is turned on, the control unit reduces the amount of light of the first illumination unit or turns off the first illumination unit, and blinks the second illumination unit a predetermined number of times to notify a user that the battery voltage has dropped.
A lighting device characterized by: the control unit controls turning on the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit so as to reduce power consumption by the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit when a battery voltage of the battery pack falls below a predetermined value.
2. The lighting device according to claim 1 . The control unit, after blinking the second illumination unit, lights the second illumination unit with a light amount lower than the light amount when the second illumination unit was blinked.
3. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2 . The control unit causes the second illumination unit to blink at a maximum light intensity.
4. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a light source. the control unit turns off the second illumination unit when a predetermined time has elapsed since the battery voltage of the battery pack fell below a predetermined value.
5. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a light source. Further comprising a light storing unit that stores light irradiated from a light source of the second illumination unit.
6. The lighting device according to claim 1,

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