WO2024105707A1

WO2024105707A1 - Self-powered multifunction emergency lighting device

Info

Publication number: WO2024105707A1
Application number: PCT/IT2023/050245
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gian Pietro Beghelli
Original assignee: Beghelli S.P.A.
Priority date: 2022-11-17
Filing date: 2023-11-06
Publication date: 2024-05-23

Abstract

A self-powered multifunction emergency lighting device, comprising an external housing (10A), made of plastic material, which includes an electronic portion, an optical portion comprising one more reflectors or lenses and one or more batteries (B1, B2, B3), wherein the electronic portion includes a single printed circuit board (10) with electronic components (11 ), a series of connectors (13, 14, 15) for connecting to an electrical connection system and at least two LED strings (12A, 12B) of respective independent M and NM circuits. The housing (10A) comprises a junction box (16), which has on the outside a bracket for the mechanical fixing of a light source of the emergency lighting device and which has, on the inside, a removable plate or base (17) for fixing and positioning a modular terminal block (18), to which the installer connects the electrical cables (20) coming from an electrical system. The terminal block (18) is fitted inside the junction box (16) by means of a series of retaining hooks (23), a series of spacing shims (21 ) for having a correct vertical positioning of the terminal block (18) and a series of insulating walls (24) to avoid short circuits with the electrical cables (20) of the electrical system.

Description

SELF-POWERED MULTIFUNCTION EMERGENCY LIGHTING DEVICE

The present invention fits into the technical field of emergency lighting devices and relates to a multifunction autonomous battery-operated emergency lighting device which features several innovative constructive and functional elements for reducing the production cost thereof and increasing its flexibility of application and performance.

An emergency lighting device usually comprises a battery, a light source, a battery charger, and an electric switching part that controls the light source.

Traditionally, devices of the NM type (non-maintained, emergency only) simply require an electronic switch that enables the light source in the event of a blackout, whereas devices of the M type (maintained, always on) require a switching circuit that connects the light source to the AC/DC power supply when mains electricity is available, and promptly connects the source to the battery in the event of a blackout, disconnecting the source itself from the main AC/DC power supply.

The construction of these circuits, though simple in principle, requires the use of many electronic components to manage all the operating conditions and the different battery voltages in play, which are a function of the battery charge status.

In order to simplify such circuits, thanks to the availability of low-cost LED components, a solution has been conceived in which the light source consists of two groups of LEDs connected in two circuits that are electrically independent but physically arranged in an alternating manner and adjacent to each other, so that the two sets share the same optical structure (lens and reflector) and so that the switching on of one circuit is not easily distinguishable from that of the other. In this manner, each LED circuit relates to one of the two functions of the product: a first circuit constitutes the NM LED circuit, connected solely to the battery, whereas the other circuit constitutes the M LED circuit, connected solely to the AC/DC power supply. A simplification of the switching members is thus achieved, with the advantage of simplicity of construction, greater reliability, and lower cost.

Another aspect that leads to circuit complexity regards the adaptation of the battery voltage to the working voltage of the light source.

In general, switching power electronic converters are used to power white LEDs characterised by working voltages of 2.8-3.0 V, starting from batteries whose voltages can be a function of the chemistry used (1.2V, 2V, 2.4V, 3.2V, 3.7V and multiples thereof). One can use, for example, switching converters of the boost type, which raise the voltage of single cell battery configurations, for example 3.7V lithium- ion batteries, to drive for example 2 LEDs connected in series, thereby raising the voltage to 5.6-6.0V. Or use is made of batteries consisting of a several cells in series, starting from higher battery voltages (for example 4.8V of a NiMH battery consisting of 4 cells in series) and switching converters of the buck type are used to drive individual 2.8-3.0V LEDs.

In order to simplify and minimize the cost of the LED driver circuit, use has also been made of single cells of LiFePO4 batteries with a rated voltage of 3.2V to drive groups of LEDs all connected in parallel, hence with a voltage of 2.8-3.0V; a simple current limiter, conveniently made with a low-dropout linear electronic regulator, has been adopted, with the advantage of a low power dissipation, thanks to the small difference between the battery voltage and that of the LED. The advantage is that of using low-cost (single cell) batteries and minimizing the cost of the current regulator.

In order to simplify the installer’s job of starting-up and configuring the emergency lighting device, according to the prior art, a modular battery connection system has been conceived which provides the possibility of automatically increasing the luminous flux of the device by adding a supplementary battery without other additional operations. A similar mechanism allows the emergency lighting device to be automatically transformed into an ordinary lighting device with a higher luminous flux by removing all the batteries without other additional operations.

Another problem to be solved, typical of installation, regards the fixing of the emergency lighting device to a wall or a ceiling and the electrical connection to the electrical system.

The devices usually have a thickness which enables both the creation of systems with concealed cables and with external electrical ducting. In the former case one accesses the device from the bottom, whilst in the latter case one has access from the sides of the device. This implies a large thickness of the device, which leads to compromises on an aesthetic level. In order to improve the task of installation, according to the invention, a mechanical fixing and electrical connection system of a modular type has been conceived, based on a junction box that enables both installation flush with the wall (in the case of a “concealed” electrical system), with a minimized thickness of the device, and installation with slightly greater projection (in the case of an electrical system with external ducting). For the electrical connections to the system, the junction box houses a terminal block for the connection, by the installer, of the NM and M power supply circuits and the communication/control circuits. This terminal block can be larger or smaller, according to the models, and in general the necessary connections are the following:

- 2 terminals for the NM line (230Vac, phase and neutral);

- 2 terminals for the M line (230Vac, phase and neutral);

- 2 terminals for the REST MODE control line (+ and - for inhibiting the device) or for the remote control bus (DA, DA).

The result is a 6-pole terminal block which can be extended to 7-8 poles in the event that a protective earth connection is necessary. The terminal block must be able to be moved easily by the installer into one of the two parts making up the junction box, depending on the installer’s choice to carry out flush or projecting wall mounting. In order to avoid connection errors, according to the invention, a fast insertion terminal block, mechanically coded, has been conceived, which simplifies the job of wiring and positioning in a fail-safe manner. This block also makes it possible to organise a modular terminal block, for example with terminals arranged two by two, which makes it easy to create several models of devices with incomplete terminal blocks (for example, a device with solely an NM function, which does not have remote control, requires only two terminals).

A further aspect of emergency (or safety) lighting is tied to the technical lighting design of the system, whereby every device has a specific function depending on the position in which it is positioned (corridors, large areas, etc.). In general, different devices with different optical systems are used according to the installation position. Also known is a device with 4 integrated optical systems, each with a different photometric solid and each controlled independently by a microprocessor, to enable the device to be configured in an optimal manner according to the installation position. In this manner, a single device covers, in an optimal manner, all the technical lighting needs of the “emergency lighting”. The installer can configure the device via software during installation.

Further emergency lighting systems, in particular for the evacuation of buildings, are based on the use of “dynamic” and “variable” luminous signs; the signs can change the illuminated pictograms according to the evacuation conditions, modifying them over time, and the aforesaid pictograms can flash or change light intensity dynamically. For this purpose, according to the invention, it is possible to use electronic driver circuits to drive 2, 3 or 4 independent LED strings, which enable the function for dynamic and variable signs to be obtained in every new emergency lighting device. The same circuit can be applied to control the device with several optical sections with different photometric solids.

Moreover, from the viewpoint of application, the most recent regulations for the application of emergency lighting require high levels of luminance in luminous evacuation signs in the presence of ambient light of high intensity; however, such high levels could create bother in public entertainment venues or in restaurants, when the lights are reduced in intensity. Therefore, according to the invention, it is possible to insert, in an emergency lighting device for luminous signs, a suitable ambient light sensor that reduces the luminance of the sign when the ambient light is reduced and increases it accordingly when the ambient light increases again.

With regard to the application-related aspects of maintenance and control of emergency lighting systems, wireless systems are already widely disseminated. According to the invention, some particularities have been introduced to facilitate the management of the devices; these regard the need to make local management simpler through smartphones and the need to solve the problem of battery maintenance.

In particular, the insertion, into every device, of a microprocessor with integrated Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) radio for a direct connection to smartphones and tablets allows the creation of meshed wireless networks, which enable an exchange of data and commands between multitudes of self-controlled luminaires without the need for gateways and central control units. Through the meshed wireless network, the luminaires share the results of periodic self-diagnostic operations and checks, so that the user can access them and download them by means of a smartphone from any point of the system , on the occasion of any system inspection.

According to the invention, it is also possible to carry out predictive diagnostics on the battery by means of machine learning (automatic learning) algorithms, thanks to the wireless communication system; in the event that the system is also endowed with a gateway (control unit for data remotization), the devices transmit the data related to their own experience (training data set) to a remote (cloud-based) control system, thereby continuously enriching the database of that device model, together with all the other operational devices of the same type installed in other systems. The diagnostic system thus continuously expands its database and refines the predictive regression models; these models are periodically updated at the central (cloud) level and the cloud system then periodically updates all the emergency devices of the same type, sending the appropriate information back to them thanks to the wireless system. In this manner, the predictive system continuously improves its precision, consolidating it over time based on the experience of the whole set of devices of the same type installed in the world. In this manner, the accuracy of the diagnostics improves continuously as the pool of installed functioning devices is expanded. The manager of every emergency lighting system will thus find diagnostic tools that are always finely tuned in an optimal manner.

The object of the present invention is thus to provide an emergency lighting device featuring original circuit and electromechanical solutions for simplifying its installation and reducing its production costs compared to the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an emergency lighting device with greater simplicity of installation and configuration, compared to the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an emergency lighting device, wherein it is possible to produce variable and dynamic luminous signs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an emergency lighting device with a photometric solid that can be configured via software.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an emergency lighting device communicating with other devices via radio waves, in a meshed wireless network, in order to share the results of the periodic self-diagnostic actions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an emergency lighting device that can be interrogated from any point of the system, by means of a smartphone or tablet, without the need for gateways or additional control units.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an emergency lighting device with an internal predictive battery life diagnostic system.

Finally, a last object of the present invention is to provide an emergency lighting device which enables an automatic correction of the battery charging and discharging modes according to the evolution of the overall reliability forecasts. These and other objects are achieved by an emergency lighting device according to the appended independent claim; further detailed technical features are disclosed in the appended dependent claims.

Advantageously, the invention enables a range of new autonomous battery- operated emergency lighting devices to be produced, wherein all the devices in the range have the following elements:

- a modular terminal block on an extractible fitted base,

- a single printed circuit board (PCB), which houses all the components (LEDs and electronic components), without the need for wiring.

The simpler, “low-end” emergency lighting devices feature the following elements:

- a low-cost circuit solution,

- physically alternated NM/M LEDs connected to two mutually independent circuits,

- 230VAC/6VDC CV/CC isolated regulator,

- LIFePO4 3.2V single cell battery,

- low-drop linear regulator for directly driving the LEDs,

- possibility of automatically increasing the light intensity emitted under blackout conditions if the device is configured by connecting an additional battery,

- automatic transformation of the emergency device into an ordinary lighting device with a higher luminous flux if it is configured by disconnecting all the batteries.

The “high-end” emergency lighting devices feature the following elements:

- 2, 3 or 4 independent output channels for driving different sets of lenses or separate optical parts,

- luminous sign divided into areas side by side that can be switched on one independently of the other so as to have “dynamic” pictograms,

- multi-lenses, 4 sets of LEDs, one for each lens type,

- optical ambient brightness sensor for automatically adjusting the light intensity of the emergency sign according to the ambient light, in order to avoid “glare” under conditions of low ambient brightness, and immediately adapt to high ambient brightness by increasing the luminance,

- microprocessor with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) radio and an integrated antenna on the main PCB together with the LEDs,

- continuous measurement of all battery parameters with a predictive diagnostic system based on a machine learning (Al - artificial intelligence) algorithm based on the continuous sharing of information gathered from many devices of the same type operating in the field.

As mentioned, the new emergency lighting devices use original circuit and electromechanical solutions to simplify installation and reduce the costs of producing the devices themselves.

In particular, the terminal block is modular and can be assembled on a fitted base and can be removed from its seat to facilitate wiring. Reinsertion into the mechanical seat is mechanically coded to avoid possible errors.

The optical source of the simpler devices consists of two electrically independent LED strings which are physically alternated so that both strings contribute in the same way to forming the photometric solid of the device and so that, therefore, the contribution of each string is related only to the overall light intensity and not to the morphology of the light emission. In this case one of the two strings is driven by the NM (non-maintained) circuit, the other by the M (maintained) circuit. The corresponding driver circuits are:

- in the former case (NM), a low-dropout current regulator circuit which is connected to the battery and drives all the LEDs of the string connected in parallel with each other, at the characteristic working voltage determined by the Vf of the LEDs (about 2.8-3.0 V);

- in the latter case (M), the battery charger circuit that drives the LEDs of the string connected in parallel in series of two, thus obtaining the characteristic working voltage of 2*Vf (about 5.6-6.0 V). In this manner, the charger has sufficient voltage to charge the 3.2 V LiFePO4 battery and, at the same time, to drive the 6 V string correctly.

The circuits connected to the batteries are constructed in such a way as to monitor the connection of the connectors themselves and act by suitably configuring the operation of the circuits of the emergency lighting device.

The optical source of the more complex devices consists of 3 or 4 independent LED strings which can be configured in two different alternative ways, based on the type of device:

- each string controls a part of the light emission surface of a luminous sign so as to switch on several areas of pictograms separately and independently,

- each string controls one or a set of specific optical elements; every optical element consists of a lens or a set of lenses of the same type, each set of lenses is illuminated by a same set of LEDs and every set of LEDs is driven by a circuit that is independent from the others. A microprocessor governs each circuit, adjusting the intensity to a predetermined value which is selected at the time of installation. The mix of drivers (combinations and respective intensities) of the various optical systems produces an enumerable variety of photometric solids differing from each other.

The ambient brightness optical sensor is facing from the front surface of the light source so as to measure the ambient light in the place where it is installed. The microprocessor that manages the driving current of the LED strings automatically adjusts the light emission, increasing the intensity thereof if the ambient light increases and vice-versa.

The microprocessor that governs the operation of the more complex emergency lighting devices is inside an SOC (System-on-Chip) which comprises a digital radio capable of implementing the standard BLE and Bluetooth mesh protocols. When the BLE protocol is used, a proprietary mesh protocol is also implemented; the latter is capable of interconnecting several emergency lighting devices with each other and, optionally, with one or more gateways for the remote control of the devices themselves. The SOC is assembled on a single printed circuit board (PCB), together with the antenna, the LEDs, and the other electronic components of the device, thereby constituting a single semi-finished product that is simple to assemble inside the housing of the device itself.

The microprocessor continuously measures the battery level, recording the voltage, temperature, and charging or discharging current; all these data are temporarily stored in the device and periodically transmitted, together with the device identifier (model and serial number), to the cloud-based control system. The device history is thus recorded and goes to form a database that is enriched day by day and contributes to training the model which describes the aging of that type of battery. The control system, again on a periodic basis, updates the devices in reverse (that is, by sending the processed information to the devices), fine-tuning the predictive model based on the improvement consisting of the training performed on the basis of the new information coming from all operating devices of the same type. In this manner the devices increasingly refine their local diagnostic capacity and are able to predict, also locally, the state of their battery in a more and more precise manner with the passing of time and based on the experience acquired for that model.

In short, the emergency lighting device according to the invention makes it possible to reduce, compared to the prior art, production and installation costs and to increase functionality, ease of configuration and management, and reliability.

In particular, the emergency lighting device according to the invention can be produced at reduced costs thanks to the circuit solutions adopted in the drivers of the NM and M LEDs, automatically configures its performance through the addition or removal of batteries, is provided with several independent LED strings (2, 3 or 4) driven by the microprocessor to create variable and dynamic signs, is of the multilens type and automatically adapts to the photometric conditions of installation by means of a software configuration.

The emergency lighting device according to the invention integrates, in the same circuit, a BLE radio transceiver, which allows the performance of local direct control functions by means of smartphones and tablets, and remote control functions via meshed wireless networks and any optional gateways.

Finally, the emergency lighting device according to the invention integrates mechanisms based on automatic machine learning techniques for predictive diagnostics of the battery efficiency.

The present invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example according to some preferred embodiments thereof, and with the aid of the appended figures, in which:

- figure 1A is a top perspective view of a self-powered multifunction emergency lighting device according to the present invention;

- figure 1 B is a bottom perspective view of the emergency lighting device in figure 1A according to the present invention;

- figure 1 C is a top perspective view of the emergency lighting device in figure 1 A, with the front portion of the reflector, light source and lenses removed;

- figures 2A and 2B are two perspective views of a printed circuit board used in the emergency lighting device according to the invention;

- figures 3 and 4 show an overall perspective view and a detailed perspective view of a lens used in the emergency lighting device according to the invention;

- figure 5 is a perspective view of an electrical connection system used for the operation of the emergency lighting device according to the present invention; - figures 6 and 7 show two detailed perspective views of the terminal block used in the electrical connection system in figure 5;

-figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connection system in figure 5;

- figure 9 is a top plan view of the electrical connection system in figure 5;

- figure 10 shows a diagram of a first embodiment of the electronic operating circuit of the emergency lighting device according to the present invention;

- figure 11 shows a Cartesian diagram relating to the discharge pattern of the battery of the electronic circuit in figure 10;

- figure 12 shows a diagram of another embodiment of the electronic operating circuit of the emergency lighting device according to the present invention;

- figure 13 shows a diagram of a further embodiment of the electronic circuit driving the various independent LED strings of the emergency lighting device according to the present invention;

- figure 14 shows a driver circuit diagram of the MOSFETS used in the electronic circuit in figure 13;

- figures 15 and 16 show respective block diagrams illustrating the electrical interconnections of modules with additional functions added to the emergency lighting device according to the invention;

- figure 17 shows a way of inserting the modules as per figures 15 and 16 into the connector located on the rear of the emergency lighting device according to the present invention.

With reference to the mentioned figures, the emergency lighting device according to the present invention comprises an external housing 10A made of plastic material (fig. 1A-1 B), which comprises the electronic portion, the reflectors, and the optical portion of the emergency lighting device and the batteries.

The electronic portion is based on a single printed circuit board 10 (PCB), which houses all the electronic components and the light sources or LEDs 12A, 12B (fig. 1 C, 2A); in the illustrated example embodiment, the twelve LEDs of the M circuit are indicated by 12B and the twenty-four LEDs of the NM circuit by 12A; the latter are physically alternated with the twelve LEDs of the M circuit according to the arrangement 1 M LED, 3 NM LEDs, 1 M LED, 2 NM LEDs, 1 M LED, 2 NM LEDs, ... , 1 M LED, 3 NM LEDs, 1 M LED. On the side of the LEDs 12A, 12B, the printed circuit board 10 also houses the SMD (surface-mount device) circuit components 11 , which, being of small thickness, do not occupy space in height, thus enabling the correct coupling of this part of the circuit to a front portion of the emergency lighting device.

On the opposite side (fig. 2B), the printed circuit board 10 houses the traditional components (through-holes), connectors for the batteries 13, configuration bridges 14 and pins 19, which couple to the electrical connection system.

The LEDs 12A, 12B are coupled to a “linear” lens 16A, which allows for shaping the light and determining the photometric diagram based on the geometric distribution of the desired light. Figs. 3 and 4 show the lens 16A mounted directly on the printed circuit board 10, with the LEDs 12A, 12B facing.

The lens 16A also allows for mitigating in part the effect of separation between the NM LEDs 12A and the M LEDs 12B.

Fig. 5 shows, in detail, the electrical connection system of the emergency lighting device according to the invention.

The connection system comprises a junction box 16, which has a bracket for mechanically fixing the light source of the emergency lighting device and, inside, a removable plate or base 17 for fixing and positioning a terminal block 18, which is fitted into the box 16 in a working position.

The terminal block 18, to which the installer connects the electrical cables inserted in the terminals 20 and coming from the electrical system, is modular and can be assembled on the fitted plate and can be removed from its seat to facilitate wiring. The plate 17 is also removable from its seat, thanks to a lateral elastic lever 22 with which it is provided.

Reinsertion into the mechanical seat is mechanically coded to avoid possible errors.

The plate 17 has a series of hooks 23 for fitting the terminal block 18 onto the plate 17, spacing shims 21 for the correct vertical positioning of the terminal block 18 and a series of insulating walls 24 to avoid short circuits in the case where electrical cables of the electrical system inserted in the holes of the terminals 20 with copper strands are not properly separated.

When the emergency lighting device is fixed to the junction box 16, which also acts as a bracket, the terminal block 18 is automatically fitted over the pins 19 welded on the printed circuit board 10 of the emergency lighting device, thereby creating the necessary electrical connections.

Fig. 6 shows, in detail, the terminal block 18 fitted onto the removable plate 17, with the elastic lever 22, which can be used to remove it temporarily from the junction box 16, thus facilitating the wiring operations.

The plate 17 fitted into the junction box 16 is shown in figs. 8 and 9, and shown in particular are the retaining guides 25, which constitute the particular elements for hooking the plate 17 to the box 16.

The position is obliged by the retaining guides 25 and, moreover, the symbols 26 of the electric signals corresponding to the various connection positions are printed on the plate 17. As the fittings are constrained and mechanically polarized, it is sufficient to follow the indications printed on the plate 17 to avoid wiring errors; if such indications are correctly abided by, it will not be possible to connect the terminal block 18 incorrectly.

Furthermore, the terminal block 18 is modular; it is possible to mount only a section thereof, for example consisting of 2 poles, or 4 poles (as in fig. 9), or it is possible to compose an 8-pole one with two 4-pole sections side by side. The choice is made based on the functions of the model of emergency lighting device that is constructed, thus maximizing savings in electrical connection parts.

The simplified diagram in fig. 10 illustrates the electronic operating circuit of a first embodiment of the emergency lighting device, according to the invention, according to which the device has the features of a low-cost circuit solution, with NM/M LEDS 12A, 12B physically alternated and connected to two mutually independent circuits, with an isolated AC/DC230VAC/6VDC regulator (reference 27), single cell LIFePO4 3.2V battery B1 and low-drop linear regulators REG1 and REG2 for directly driving the LEDs 12A, 12B.

The emergency device automatically increases the intensity of the light emitted under blackout conditions if configured by connecting an additional battery B2.

Furthermore, the emergency device is automatically transformed into an ordinary lighting device with a higher luminous flux if it is configured by disconnecting all the batteries B1 , B2.

As illustrated in the circuit diagram in fig. 10, there are two pairs of input terminals: - N_NM and F_NM, relating to the “Non-Maintained” AC mains power input, said terminals being connected to an AC/DC voltage converter 27 with a low-voltage (VDC) output of about 6.5V and characteristic of a CV/CC output;

- N_M and F_M, relating to the “Maintained” AC mains power input, which is connected to a “MAINS SENS” circuit 28 for detecting the presence of AC voltage on such terminals; this circuit is provided with a P_ NETWORK output, active when there is AC voltage between N_M and F_M.

The AC input voltage is that of civilian power grids (230VAC in Europe, 110VAC in America and other countries).

The device can accommodate two batteries B1 , B2, connectable respectively to the connectors CN1 , CN2.

Each battery B1 , B2 consists of a lithium-ion cell C1 , C2, preferably LiFePO4 (lithium-iron-phosphate), with a characteristic operating voltage of 3.2V. Each battery B1 , B2 comprises, in addition to the electrochemical cell C1 , C2, a PCM (Protection Circuit Module) electronic protection device, which automatically protects the battery B1 , B2 against over-discharge and under-discharge and short circuit conditions by means of an internal electronic switch QB1 , QB2.

The two groups of LEDs 12A, 12B relate to the two main functions of the device:

- the NM_LEDs 12A are all connected in parallel with each other and operate at a characteristic voltage Vf of about 2.8-3.0V;

- the M_LEDs 12B are connected in parallel, in series of two, and operate at a characteristic voltage 2*Vf of about 5.6-6.0V.

The electronic circuit further includes two current regulators for controlling the current in the NM_LEDs 12A, that is, a first regulator REG1 with the components Q1 , R1 and a second regulator REG2 with the components Q2, R2.

Each regulator REG1 , REG2 consists of an operational amplifier, with an internal voltage reference that controls its transistor Q1 , Q2, modulating the conductivity thereof in such a way as to maintain the delivered current, as measured by the shunt resistors R1 , R2, constant at the desired value, fixed by an internal voltage reference. Specifically, the transistors Q1 , Q2 and the resistors R1 , R2 are chosen in such a way as to introduce a very low voltage drop across them (about a hundred mV overall), with operating currents suitable for driving the NM_LEDs 12A at the desired power. Each regulator REG1 , REG2 is controlled by switching inputs EN, which enable or inhibit its operation, by switching on or off its portion of current circulating in the NM_LEDs 12A. The current in the NM_LEDs 12A can thus take on the following 4 values:

Finally, the circuit comprises two signalling LEDs (Red and Green) 29, 30 controlled by a simple control circuit which selects the switching alternatively by means of the signal R/G.

The operation of the circuit is the following.

When there is AC mains voltage on the inputs IN AC, the AC/DC converter 27 supplies VDC voltage (about 6.5V), which powers:

- the M_LEDs 12B via RSA and QSA (the QSA transistor is switched on by the mains power sensor MAINS SENS 28, which detects the presence of AC mains power at the input IN AC M and the current intensity in the M_LEDs 12B is determined by the resistor RM);

- the batteries B1 , B2 by means of the current limiting resistor RB, which limits the battery charging current (the voltage of the cells during charging ranges from about 3V to 3.65V and the resistor RB is suitably dimensioned to limit the overall charging current for the batteries B1 , B2 to the desired value);

- the red and green signalling LEDs 29, 30.

In the presence of the mains power supply, the two regulators REG1 and REG2 are inhibited by the presence of the VDC voltage on the enabling inputs EN (which work according to negative logic) and the current in the NM_LEDs 12B is zero.

Again in the presence of the mains power supply, if the battery B1 is not connected, there being no short circuit between the terminals b and c of CN1 , the signal R/G is at the potential VDC, the transistor QHT switches on, and the current in the M_LEDs 12A is limited no longer by RSA, but by the maximum value deliverable by the AC/DC converter 27; the converter 27 is constructed in such a way as to supply a constant maximum current adjusted to a value designed for this operating condition.

In this condition (batteries B1 , B2 not connected), the lighting device behaves like an ordinary lighting device: all the current available from the AC/DC converter 27 is used to drive the M_LEDs 12B, there are no batteries and the portion of current in the batteries B1 , B2 is thus zero and the NM_LEDs 12B are always off. In order to configure this operating mode, it is sufficient to disconnect the batteries B1 , B2 and in particular B1 , thereby disconnecting CN1. In this manner, the device is automatically transformed from an emergency lighting device to an ordinary lighting device with an increased luminous flux.

In the absence of the AC mains power supply on the input IN AC NM, the absence of the VDC voltage causes the activation (by means of the input EN) of the current regulator REG1 , which supplies IREG_1 to the NM_LEDs 12A. The regulator REG1 is of the low-drop type and keeps the current in the NM_LEDs 12A regulated at the desired value with a very low voltage drop. For example, it is possible to dimension the regulator REG1 in such a way that IREG1 = 1A, with V (NM_LEDS) = 2.8V. The battery voltage VB varies during discharging, for example from 3.3V a 2.5V. As the minimum voltage drop on the regulator is 0.1V (at the regulated current), one thus obtains that the current is kept regulated at 1 A until the battery voltage is sufficient to maintain V (NM_LEDS) + 0.1V. For progressively decreasing battery voltages, the current falls monotonically depending on the l-V characteristics of the LED.

The diagram in fig. 11 illustrates by way of example the voltage and current patterns during the discharging of the battery B1 over time in the absence of the mains power supply. In this example, for the first 60 minutes of discharging (corresponding to the nominal autonomy of an emergency luminaire), the current IREG1 in the NM_LEDs 12B is kept constant at the design value of 1A. Subsequently, in another 30 minutes, it progressively decreases until arriving at about 50% of the nominal value at the 90th minute.

Advantageously, the electronic regulating circuit illustrated in fig. 10 has the following features: • it is extremely simple and economical, since it comprises a low-cost operational amplifier, a MOSFET transistor, a current measuring resistor and a voltage reference;

• it has a very high performance, since the input voltages (battery B1 , about 3.2V) and output voltages (LEDs 12B, about 2.8-2.9V) differ by only a few hundred mV;

• it does not used high-frequency switching converters and thus does not produce electromagnetic noise;

• it enables the nominal current and thus the nominal luminous flux of the device to be maintained throughout the nominal intervention time (for example 1 hour);

• it enables the residual energy present in the battery B1 to be exploited after the nominal time to keep the NM_LEDs 12B on for another 30 minutes, albeit with a gradually decreasing luminous flux (+50% of duration), in any case maintaining a luminous flux greater than 50% of the nominal value; this characteristic extends the duration of the emergency lighting function by at least 50%, offering customers an extension of the safety lighting conditions, by progressively, but slowly, reducing the brightness, in a manner that is not perceptible to the user.

If the battery B2 is also mounted and connected to CN2, the short circuit between the “e” and “g” terminals of CN2 will bring about the enabling of the second input EN of REG2. Again in the absence of the AC mains power supply on the input IN AC NM, the other input EN of REG2 will be active due to the lack of VDC voltage connected to that input. The current regulator REG2, whose current IREG2 is added together with the current IREG1 in driving the NM_LEDs 12A, will thus also be activated. Advantageously, simply inserting the wire of the second battery B2 into the connector CN2 allows the emergency device to be reconfigured so as to increase the current in the NM_LEDs 12A and consequently increase the luminous flux under blackout (emergency) conditions. The addition of the second battery B2, having a suitably dimensioned energy capacity, increases the luminous flux without decreasing the duration of emergency operation. For example, by adding a battery B2 with half the capacity of the main battery B1 , the circuit can be dimensioned to increase the current by 50% and one thus obtains a 50% increase in the luminous flux without changing the autonomy of the emergency device. In this manner, the same electronic circuit, without any modification, allows the customer to define, during installation of the device, whether to have a device with a single battery B1 and “basic” luminous flux or a device with a supplementary battery B2 and a luminous flux that is increased, for example by 50%. The customer simply connects the battery B2 to CN2 in order to “boost” the device, or otherwise leaves only the battery B1 connected to CN1.

Finally, the circuit offers automatic diagnosis of the correct connection of the main battery B1. In the presence of the mains power supply, the short circuit between the terminals b and c of CN1 drives the signal R/G to 0 and the green signalling LED 29 turns on. If, on the contrary, B1 is not connected to CN1 , the absence of the short circuit between the terminals b and c of CN1 takes the signal R/G to the VDC potential and the red signalling LED turns on, indicating a fault.

The simplified circuit diagram in fig. 12 illustrates another version of the electronic operating circuit of the emergency lighting device, which has the following features and performances:

- 2, 3 or 4 independent output channels (only 3 are indicated by way of example in the diagram in fig. 12, whilst the diagram in fig. 13 illustrates a case with 4 channels, again by way of example) for driving different sets of lenses or separate optical parts;

- luminous sign divided into adjacent areas that can be switched on one independently of the other in order to have “dynamic” pictograms;

- multi-lenses, 3 or 4 sets of LEDs, one for each lens type;

- ambient brightness optical sensor for automatically adjusting the light intensity of the emergency sign according to the ambient light, in order to avoid “glare” under conditions of low ambient brightness and immediately adapt to high ambient brightness by increasing the luminance;

- microprocessor with BLE radio and integrated antenna on the main printed circuit board together with the LEDs;

- continuous measurement of all battery parameters with a predictive diagnostic system based on a machine learning (Al artificial intelligence) algorithm based on the continuous sharing of information gathered from many devices of the same type operating in the field.

As illustrated in the circuit diagram in fig. 12, there are 3 pairs of input terminals: - N_NM and F_NM, relating to the “Non-Maintained” AC mains power input, said terminals being connected to an AC/DC voltage converter 27 with a low-voltage (VDC) output of about 6.5V and a communication signals transceiver CBL (as described in patent 102019000004351 );

- N_M and F_M, relating to the “Maintained” AC mains power input, which is connected to a circuit 28 for detecting the presence of AC voltage on such terminals; this circuit is provided with a P_ MAINS output, active when there is AC voltage between N_M and F_M;

- DA, DA, which constitute the terminals for connecting a low-voltage wired communication bus, such as, for example, a DALI or a Beghelli® LG bus.

The circuit is controlled by an SOC (System-on-Chip) microprocessor, which comprises, in the same device, a digital radio transceiver that can be configured so as to operate according to at least the following standard protocols in the 2.4GHz band:

IEEE 802.25.4

• Thread

• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

• Bluetooth mesh

The antenna 31 is integrated onto the printed circuit board of the emergency lighting device, since, as the housing 10A of the emergency device is made of plastic material, there are no problems of electromagnetic shielding.

The device can accommodate up to three batteries B1 , B2, B3, connectable respectively to the connectors CN1 , CN2, CN3. Each battery B1 , B2, B3 consists of a lithium-ion cell C1 , C2, C3, preferably LiFePO4 (lithium-iron-phosphate), with a characteristic operating voltage of 3.2V. Each battery B1 , B2, B3 comprises, in addition to the electrochemical cell C1 , 02, a PCM (Protection Circuit Module) electronic protection device, which automatically protects the battery B1 , B2, B3 against over-discharge and under-discharge and short circuit conditions by means of an internal electronic switch QB1 , QB2, QB3. Each battery B1 , B2, B3 is provided with a “third wire”, read by the SOC microprocessor, which is thus able to detect the presence thereof.

There are four groups of LEDs: - Emergency LEDs, divided into 3 independent groups LEDs_A, LEDs_B and LEDs_C; each group has all the LEDs of the group connected in parallel with each other, and operating at the characteristic voltage Vf of about 2.8-3.0V;

- M_LEDs 12B, connected in parallel in series of two and operating at the characteristic voltage 2*Vf of about 5.6-6.0V.

The three groups of emergency LEDs, LEDs_A, LEDs_B, LEDs_C are driven by three mutually independent current regulators REGA (with the components QA, RA), REGB (with the components QB, RB) and REGC (with the components QC, RC).

Each regulator REGA, REGB, REGC consists of an operational amplifier, which controls the transistor thereof QA, QB, QC, modulating its conductivity, so as to maintain the delivered current, measured by the resistor RA, RB, RC, constant at the value fixed by the voltage generated by the SOC microprocessor by means of the PWM signal; for each of the 3 regulators, the PWM signal drives a low-pass filter (inside the regulator REG), whose output (the average value of the PWM signal itself) constitutes the voltage reference of the current regulator. In this manner the SOC microprocessor, by determining the duty cycle of the PWM signal, enables the current of each regulator REGA, REGB, REGC to be regulated with continuity from 0 to the maximum possible value. The transistors QA, QB, QC and the resistors RA, RB, RC are chosen in such a way as to introduce a very low voltage drop across them (about a hundred mV overall), with operating currents suitable for driving the emergency LEDs LED_A, LED_B, LED_C at the desired power.

The M_LEDs 12B are controlled by the SOC microprocessor via an M output, which can take on the logical values 0, 1 and can also be modulating with PWM, in order to determine intermediate average brightness values of the M_LEDs 12B. The resistor RM limits the maximum current admissible in the M_LEDs 12B.

As in the simple devices as per the previous operating circuit (fig. 10), the AC/DC converter 27 produces an output voltage of about 6.5V, which allows both for powering the M_LEDs 12B and charging the batteries B1 , B2, B3 with the current limited by the resistors R_CH and RF_CH. The resistor RF_CH allows the recharging current to be increased under the control of the SOC microprocessor, in order to carry out the fast charging function, by means of the signal FAST_CH (Fast Charge). The SOC microprocessor is also capable of measuring the currents set on the LEDs by reading the voltages across the resistors RA, RB, RC, RSA, for diagnostic purposes.

The SOC microprocessor controls two local signalling LEDs, a green one 29 and a red one 30, to indicate the operating status of the emergency lighting device.

The circuit also includes a light sensor (photodiode or phototransistor) 32, which is read directly by means of an input AD of the SOC microprocessor.

The SOC microprocessor measures the charging current and the battery voltage by means of the VB and VDC signals, connected to two AD inputs. The battery charging current is measured by means of the voltage drop on the resistors R_CH and RF_CH, obtained as the difference between VDC and VB.

The discharge current of the batteries B1 , B2, B3 is calculated by adding the currents in the LEDs read on RA, RB and RC, duly corrected by adding the portion tied to the consumption of the SOC microprocessor itself and of the control part. A suitable a priori characterization of the circuit enables the total consumption to be determined with excellent precision.

The circuit includes configuration dip-switches, read by the SOC microprocessor, and two serial interfaces.

A first serial interface (TX_CBL, RX_CBL) controls the block CBL, which constitutes a communication interface that uses the AC NM power supply line of the luminaire to exchange data with a remote control unit situated at the other end of the power supply line itself (N_NM and F_NM). The technique used consists in the use of the power supply line of the emergency lighting device to communicate in baseband with the control unit, in the absence of the 230VAC mains power supply, as described in patent IT2019000004351 .

A second serial interface (TX, RX) is connected to an EDGE connector, which makes it possible to insert any special communication modules, such as, for example, a DALI module, a Beghelli® LG “FM” radio module, or a Beghelli® LG module.

In this manner, the device can be configured to have remote control by means of multiple communication technologies, chosen by the customer based on the specific needs, case by case.

The signals (DA, DA) of the communication bus coming from the terminal block 18 of the device are also provided on the EDGE connector, so that any communication module connected to the EDGE connector can complete all the connections. Advantageously, the customer must thus only insert the communication module in the EDGE connector and wire the communication bus on the main terminal block 18 of the emergency lighting device.

The lines of the NM and M ports (N_NM, F_NM, N_M and F_M) are also provided on the EDGE connector in order also to be able to produce different modules that may require AC voltages.

The operation of the electric circuit in fig. 12 is the following.

- the SOC microprocessor by means of the post regulator REG, which brings the voltage from 6.5V to the operating voltage of the microprocessor (2-3 V);

- the M_LEDs 12B via RSA, if the SOC microprocessor controls the M output (the intensity of the current in the M_LEDs 12A is determined by the resistor RM and the light intensity perceived is proportional to the duty cycle of the M PWM signal);

- the batteries B1 , B2, B3 via the resistor R_CH for limiting the battery charging current (the voltage of the cells during charging ranges from about 3V to 3.65V and the resistor RB is suitably dimensioned to obtain the overall battery charging current; it is also possible to carry out a fast charging, which may be enabled by the SOC microprocessor by switching on the signal FAST_CH, brings about the parallel of the resistors RF_CH and R_CH);

- supplies to the SOC microprocessor the signal indicating the presence of the AC power supply on the input IN AC NM.

When there is an AC mains power supply, measured at the output of the AC/DC converter 27 (VDC), the SOC microprocessor keeps the current regulators REGA, REGB, REGC of the LEDs related to the NM part (LED_A, LED_B and LED_C) off, maintaining the PWMA, PWMB and PWMC outputs at 0. The emergency LEDs are thus off.

The M_LEDs 12B are switched on according to the presence of mains power on the input IN AC M or the configuration of the configuration dip-switches in order to perform the typical emergency lighting functions. The SOC microprocessor controls the M output with a PWM signal at a few hundred Hz, thereby modulating the average intensity of the light emitted and thus enabling the M luminous flux to be adjusted to the intensity desired by the user, which may possibly be configured by the user himself.

The SOC microprocessor reads the light sensor 32, which can for example be a photodiode or phototransistor, and can adjust the average intensity of the light emitted by the M_LEDs 12B based on the intensity measured by the light sensor 32. When the lighting device is used as a luminous emergency sign (EXIT SIGN), the light intensity of the sign can advantageously be adapted to the lighting context of the environment in which the device is inserted; for example, if the ambient brightness is high, the EXIT SIGN must also emit high intensity light, in order to be visible with good contrast in relation to the very bright environment. If, by contrast, the environment is dimly lit (such as, for example, in a theatre or a public entertainment venue), the EXIT SIGN will not require a high light intensity in order to be correctly identified and indeed a high brightness would disturb the functions of the venue. Therefore, the light sensor 32 allows the brightness of the M_LEDs 12B to be adapted to the ambient brightness, by lowering the intensity emitted when the light sensor 32 measures low intensities and vice-versa.

In the absence of the mains power supply, detected by the SOC microprocessor via the mains power sensor 28 or through the absence of the VDC voltage, (depending on the product’s configuration), the SOC microprocessor will switch on the emergency LEDs (LED_A, LED_B and LED_C) by means of the regulators REGA, REGB, REGC, controlling the PWMA, PWMB and PWMC outputs accordingly.

Each one of these outputs can be independently controlled, according to the characteristic configuration of the device:

• device with a single optical “output”; in this case, the three sets of LEDs (LED_A, LED_B and LED_C) are controlled in the same manner by adjusting the intensity to the desired value equal for all and the control signals are identical (PWMA = PWMB = PWMC);

• device with several optical “outputs”, for example a device where every different set of LEDs illuminates a different lens or a different portion of a luminous sign; in this case, the three sets of LEDs (LED_A, LED_B and LED_C) are each adjusted to the desired value in order to obtain the specific optical function and the control signals PWMA, PWMB and PWMC are all different from each other; some LEDs can be switched off and others switched on, or the intensity can be determined in order to obtain suitable distributions of emitted light modulated to predefined levels on three optical systems present.

Furthermore, the SOC microprocessor, by reading which batteries are connected (by identifying the short circuit of the third wire of the battery connectors), can automatically determine the intensity of the regulator current and adapt the overall current to the batteries present, in such a way as to always have the desired nominal autonomy of the emergency lighting device.

The SOC microprocessor, which comprises the Bluetooth BLE digital radio, makes it possible to control the emergency lighting device directly with a smartphone or tablet to configure the functionality and verify the status, included the results of the incorporated self-diagnostic system.

In particular, an innovative aspect in the sector is that the SOC microprocessor comprises an estimator of the residual life period of the battery; the lighting device displays information regarding the state of the battery and its expected life, on being interrogated by a specific smartphone or tablet application APP via the Bluetooth BLE interface. The estimator is based on a forecast model whose parameters are modifiable and are obtained by machine learning and/or IA (artificial intelligence) algorithms, by training the forecast model on large databases coming from all constructed lighting devices of the same type. The user can thus interrogate the device with a smartphone and obtain the estimated battery replacement data and thus plan maintenance operations sufficiently in advance. The user can also define a value of the advance with which he wishes to receive from the device an indication as to the predicted end of the life of the battery; for example, the user could request to receive notice 1 month, 6 months, or 1 year in advance.

The SOC microprocessor creates an astronomical clock which measures time, once initialized via a BLE connection during installation.

The SOC microprocessor also comprises a temperature sensor, which measures the temperature of the entire device and records it, together with the battery voltage and current, in a permanent internal memory, according to a time series constituting the evolution over time of the state of the battery (voltage, current and temperature). In particular, the battery charging current is measured as the voltage difference between VCD and VB divided by the resistance R_CH or RF_CH//R_CH, according to the state of the charger. The discharge current is estimated by adding together the currents read on REGA, REGB, REGC and the value consumed by the control system.

The SOC microprocessor directly measures the voltages on the resistors RA, RB and RC and calculates the respective discharge currents, adding the estimated fixed portion. The SOC microprocessor records the three values Vbatt, Ibatt, Temp, for example every minute, or every 10 minutes, or in an appropriate manner so as to minimize the amount of data and provide the most significant information, and memorizes the values together with the respective time instant (time_stamp). The device periodically transmits (for example daily or monthly) the accumulated data to the control centre, where the collection of said information takes place in order to form the historical database.

The data gathered from every device are grouped together, in the remote control centre, by device type and model, and form the database of that model. The “database” will constitute the “training set” of the IA (artificial intelligence) algorithms, which will make it possible to gradually refine the forecast model of battery performance.

The remote control centre has two feedback functions on every single device:

1 ) based on the evolution and refinement of the forecast model, the control centre periodically sends the new forecast parameters to the device; thanks to these new characteristic parameters of the forecast model and the local data on the state of the battery, the device is thus able to locally process the new data on the end of the life of its battery thanks to the internal estimator;

2) based on the experience acquired through the evolution of aging, the control centre periodically sends the device new instructions to modify the operation of the battery charger, for example by changing the recharging current values (by acting on the modulation or on the voltage of the signal FAST_CH), or the charging mode and the charging time intervals, so as to optimize operation and extend the life of the battery. Compatibly with the functional limits of the device, the discharge mode during the mandatory tests can also be modified so as to optimize the life period of the battery, according to the forecasts of the model developed thanks to the self-learning of the system made possible by the gathering of data of all the devices.

The simplified circuit diagram in fig. 13 illustrates a second version of the LED driver part of the electronic circuit in fig. 12. This LED driver diagram allows the light intensities of four distinct LED strings S1 (with the LEDs LD1 , LD2, LD3), S2 (with the LEDs LD4, LD5, LD6), S3 (with the LEDs LD7, LD8, LD9) and S4 (with the LEDs LD10, LD11 , LD12) to be adjusted using a single current regulator comprising the converter CONV and the operational 01. The SOC microprocessor, which also includes the digital radio, governs the operation of the LEDs according to the following modes.

The converter CONV is for example of the boost or buck-boost type and raises the voltage of the battery at its input, for example 3.2V for a LiFePO4 battery, to the value necessary to power the LED strings of series S1 , S2, S3 and S4, by about 9-1 OV. The high-frequency switching converter CONV, whose magnetic conversion element is the inductor L1 , has the feedback input FB controlled by the operational amplifier 01 . The latter processes an error signal which compares the voltage on the resistor R2 with the control voltage generated by the SOC microprocessor on the non-inverting input of the operational 01 by means of the low-pass filter R1 , C2 via the signal (pulse modulation) PWM_L. A feedback system is thus created in which the controlled variable is the current flowing through the resistor R2 (which corresponds to the current flowing through the set of strings S1 , S2, S3 and S4, in the case in which all the MOSFETs M1 , M2, M3, M4 are on).

The circuit thus creates a current generator which imposes the current set by the microprocessor: ILED = Average(V(PWM_L))/R1 in the LEDs.

The SOC microprocessor thus adjusts the intensity of the current ILED with continuity from 0 to the maximum possible value by modifying the duty cycle of the PWM signal.

The SOC microprocessor can also switch off the converter CONV via the signal EN (enable), thereby bringing the current in the LEDs to zero.

The MOSFET transistors M1 , M2, M3, M4 control the distribution of the current ILED in the four strings S1 , S2, S3, S4 according to the innovative technique described below.

The MOSFETs M1 , M2, M3, M4 are driven by the signals P1 , P2, P3, P4 of the SOC microprocessor in sequence according to the cycle illustrated in fig. 14.

The converter CONV operates at the switching frequency of several hundred kHz, for example of 500kHz.

The period T is in the order of 1 ms (for example, T = 1 ms). The sequence is determined in so that there are never interruptions of the overall current flowing through R2 and so that, in every instant of time, only one MOSFET transistor (M1 , M2, M3, M4) is on at a time; the current ILED passes from M1 , which conducts in the interval t1 , to M2, which conducts in the interval t2, to M3, which conducts in the interval t3, to M4, which conducts in the interval t4, so that t1 + t2 + t3 + t4 = T. The current ILED thus flows without interruption during the whole period T. The SOC microprocessor regulates the different intervals of time always maintaining unchanged the sum of the times and thus distributing the current and hence the relative brightness intensity of the four strings S1 , S2, S3, S4.

The MOSFETs M1 , M2, M3, M4 have very brief switching times, which do not alter the operation of the current feedback, maintaining the overall current ILED at the desired value.

In fact, the switching of the MOSFETs M1 , M2, M3, M4 takes place in times of less than a ps (1 MHz), at frequencies greater than the pass-band of the feedback system, which is dimensioned for a slightly slower control. The passage of current from one MOSFET to the other thus does not alter the current feedback dynamics which maintain the current ILED at the value set by the SOC microprocessor for the whole period T without variations.

For example, if t1 =100ps, t2=300ps, t3=400ps, t4=200ps, the average intensity of the four currents in the four strings will be, respectively, 10% (S1 ), 30% (S2), 40% (S3) and 20% (S4). In this manner, it is possible to dose the relative intensity of the various strings S1 , S2, S3, S4 as desired.

The overall absolute current intensity is regulated by the PWM signal_L, as previously described.

It is also possible to switch on only a single string or a subset of strings, while always maintaining the control scheme according to which only MOSFET is switched on at a time and the switching cycle is sequential without interruptions in current. For example, to switch on a single string, only one MOSFET (with t1 = T, maintained) is switched on, to switch on the two strings S1 , S2, M1 , M2 are switched on in sequence so that t1 +t2 = T, to switch on the three strings S1 , S2, S3, M1 , M2, M3 are switched on in sequence so that t1 +t2+t3 = T.

The pass-band of the feedback control system of the converter CONV is selected so as to have a control of the following types:

• slow enough not be sensitive to variations in the current ILED in times in the order of several ps, T1

• fast enough to enable the modulation, by the SOC microprocessor, of the current ILED at a frequency of several Hz.

The circuit thus allows the relative brightness of the four strings S1 , S2, S3, S4 to be regulated independently with broad discretion, with the simplicity of a single switching power converter CONV and four simple MOSFET switches M1 , M2, M3, M4 controlled by the SOC microprocessor.

Suitable MM modules, such as a DALI module, an “FM” Beghelli® LG radio module, or a Beghelli® LG module can be connected to the EDGE connector of the devices.

Such MM modules add the respective functions to the emergency device.

The connections of a DALI module or a Beghelli® LG module are schematized in fig. 15; in this case the wires of the communication bus DA, DA are brought from the MM module connected to the EDGE connector to the terminal block 18 of the emergency lighting device, so that the user makes all the connections in the main terminal block 18 after having simply inserted the module into the EDGE connector inside the device.

Finally, fig. 16 shows a connection diagram of an LG radio module, whilst fig. 17 illustrates the possibility of inserting MM modules, alternatively to each other, into the EDGE connector of the device.

From the description provided, the features of the self-powered multifunction emergency lighting device of the present invention are clear, as are the advantages thereof.

Finally, it is clear that numerous other variants can be introduced to the device in question without going beyond the principles of novelty inherent in the inventive idea, just as it is clear that, in the practical implementation of the invention, the materials, shapes and sizes of the details illustrated may be any whatsoever according to needs and the same may be replaced with other equivalent ones.

Where the features and techniques mentioned in any claim are followed by reference indications, such reference indications have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and, accordingly, such reference indications have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference indications.

Claims

1. A self-powered multifunction emergency lighting device, comprising an external housing (10A), made of plastic material, which includes an electronic portion, an optical portion comprising one or more reflectors or lenses and one or more batteries (B1 , B2, B3), wherein said electronic portion comprises a single printed circuit board (10) with electronic components (11 ), a series of connectors (13, 14, 15) for connecting to an electrical connection system and at least two LED strings (12A, 12B) of respective independent NM and M circuits, with the LEDs of an M circuit connected in parallel with each other and physically alternated with the LEDs of an NM circuit, said LEDs of the NM circuit being also connected in parallel with each other, said LEDs (12A, 12B) being coupled to a lens (16A) and said lens (16A) being mounted directly on said printed circuit board (10), characterized in that said housing (10A) comprises a junction box (16), which has on the outside a bracket for the mechanical fixing of a light source of said emergency lighting device and which has, on the inside, a removable plate or base (17) for fixing and positioning a modular terminal block (18), to which the installer connects the electrical cables coming from an electrical system through a series of terminals (20), said modular terminal block (18) being fitted inside the junction box (16) by means of a series of retaining hooks (23), a series of spacing shims (21 ) for having a correct vertical positioning of the terminal block (18) and a series of insulating walls (24) to avoid short circuits with said electrical cables of the electrical system connected to said terminals (20).

2. An emergency lighting device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said plate (17) is hooked to said junction box (16) by means of retaining guides (25) and is removable from the junction box (16) by means of an elastic lever (22).

3. An emergency lighting device as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of symbols (26) of electrical signals corresponding to the various connecting positions are printed on said plate (17).

4. An emergency lighting device as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electronic portion comprises at least one 3.2V single cell battery (B1 , B2) with an electronic protection device (PCM, QB1 , QB2), low-drop linear current regulators (REG1 , Q1 , R1 , REG2, Q2, R2) for directly driving said LEDs (12A, 12B), a voltage converter (27) connected to the AC input terminals of said NM circuit, a circuit (28) for detecting voltage on the AC input terminals of the M circuit and two signalling LEDs (29, 30) which are controlled by a control circuit.

5. An emergency lighting device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said electronic portion comprises an isolated regulator (27), which is able to supply a current, regulated at a prefixed value, when there is an AC mains power supply and when batteries (B1 , B2) are not connected, said current being available to drive said LEDs of the M circuit (12B) and said LEDs of the NM circuit (12A) being off.

6. An emergency lighting device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, in the absence of the mains power supply AC, said current regulators (REG1 , Q1 , R1 , REG2, Q2, R2) are configured to regulate, at a prefixed value, the current flowing across the LEDs of the NM circuit (12A), said value being dependent on the presence or absence of said at least one battery (B2) and on the consequent activation of one of said current regulators (REG2), with a very low voltage drop.

7. An emergency lighting device as claimed in at least one of claims 1 -4, characterized in that said electronic portion comprises a series of driving channels for different sets of lenses or separate optical parts, a luminous sign divided into areas side by side that are switched on one independently of the other, an optical ambient brightness sensor configured to automatically adjust the light intensity of said sign according to the ambient light, a microprocessor (SOC) with BLE radio and an integrated antenna (31 ), means for continuously measuring the parameters of said at least one battery (B1 , B2, B3), a predictive diagnostic system based on a machine learning algorithm, means (DA) for connecting a low-voltage wired communication bus, a series of emergency LEDs (LED_A, LED_B, LED_C) divided into independent groups, in which each group has all the LEDs connected in parallel with each other, said groups of emergency LEDs (LED_A, LED_B, LED_C) being driven by respective independent current regulators (REGA, QA, RA, REGB, QB, RB, REGC, QC, RC), which are configured to regulate the current of said LEDs of the NM circuit with continuity from 0 to a predetermined maximum value and said microprocessor (SOC) being configured to control said LEDs of the M circuit (12B), in order to drive said two signalling LEDs (29, 30) and to measure the charging and discharging current and voltage of said at least one battery (B1 , B2, B3).

8. An emergency lighting device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said electronic portion comprises a light sensor (32) and configuration dip-switches read by said microprocessor (SOC), and two serial interfaces, wherein a first serial interface (TX_CBL, RX_CBL) is configured to perform a data communication with a remote control unit and a second serial interface (TX, RX) is connected to a connector (EDGE) for positioning specific communication modules (MM).

9. An emergency lighting device as claimed in at least one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that, when there is an AC mains power supply, said voltage converter (27) supplies voltage which powers said microprocessor (SOC), the LEDs of the M circuit (12B) and said at least one battery (B1 , B2, B3), said microprocessor (SOC) being configured to keep said current regulators (REGA, REGB, REGC) of the LEDs of the NM circuit (12B) and said emergency LEDs (LED_A, LED_B, LED_C) turned off, while, in the absence of said AC mains power supply, said microprocessor (SOC) turns on said emergency LEDs (LED_A, LED_B and LED_C), by means of said current regulators (REGA, REGB, REGC) of the LEDs of the NM circuit through different commands for adjusting the light intensity on different sets of LEDs and/or lenses and/or portions of luminous signs.

10. An emergency lighting device as claimed in at least one of claims 7-9, characterized in that said microprocessor (SOC) comprises means for estimating the residual life period of said at least one battery (B1 , B2, B3), said estimating means being based on data communicated to a remote control centre and on forecast models whose parameters can be modified and obtained by machine learning and/or artificial intelligence algorithms, said microprocessor (SOC) also comprising an astronomical clock which measures time, once initialized via a BLE connection during its installation.

11. An emergency lighting device as claimed in at least one of claims 7-10, characterized in that said microprocessor (SOC) comprises a temperature sensor which measures the temperature values of the emergency lighting device and records said values in a permanent memory, according to a prefixed time series corresponding to the evolution over time of the state of said at least one battery (B1 , B2, B3).

12. An emergency lighting device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said remote control centre sends to said emergency lighting device the parameters of said forecast model and the data related to the state of said at least one battery (B1 , B2, B3) and further instructions for modifying the operation of the charging means and the discharge modes of said at least one battery (B1 , B2, B3), in order to optimize the operation and extend the life of said at least one battery (B1 , B2, B3).

13. An emergency lighting device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that four LED strings (S1 , S2, S3, S4) driven by a current regulator are provided, said current regulator including a high frequency switching converter (CONV) and an operational amplifier (01 ) and being managed by a microprocessor (SOC) with digital radio, in order to create a feedback system in which the controlled variable is the current flowing through said four LED strings (S1 , S2, S3, S4), said microprocessor (SOC) being configured to regulate the intensity of said current continuously from 0 to a predefined maximum value and said current being distributed in said four LED strings (S1 , S2, S3, S4) by means of respective MOSFET transistors (M1 , M2, M3, M4) driven by said microprocessor (SOC) in a sequence that is determined so that there are never interruptions in the overall current and so that, in every instant of time, only one MOSFET transistor (M1 , M2, M3, M4) is on at a time.