GB2306633A - Lighting system - Google Patents
Lighting system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2306633A GB2306633A GB9521411A GB9521411A GB2306633A GB 2306633 A GB2306633 A GB 2306633A GB 9521411 A GB9521411 A GB 9521411A GB 9521411 A GB9521411 A GB 9521411A GB 2306633 A GB2306633 A GB 2306633A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- lighting fixture
- main lighting
- light sources
- control device
- light
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V23/00—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
- F21V23/04—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V19/00—Fastening of light sources or lamp holders
- F21V19/04—Fastening of light sources or lamp holders with provision for changing light source, e.g. turret
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V25/00—Safety devices structurally associated with lighting devices
- F21V25/02—Safety devices structurally associated with lighting devices coming into action when lighting device is disturbed, dismounted, or broken
- F21V25/04—Safety devices structurally associated with lighting devices coming into action when lighting device is disturbed, dismounted, or broken breaking the electric circuit
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
- G02B6/0005—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being of the fibre type
- G02B6/0006—Coupling light into the fibre
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
Abstract
A lighting system presenting at least one main lighting fixture (1) for transmitting the light emitted by a currently operative light source (19) to at least one secondary lighting fixture (16) via an optical fiber conduit (28); the main lighting fixture (1) presenting at least two light sources (19), one acting as a standby for the others, and a support (22) for supporting the light sources (19) and moving the currently operating light source (19) into a preferential operating position.
Description
LIGHTING SYSTEM
The present invention relates to a low-maintenance lighting system.
As is known, for functional reasons, as in the case of church or cemetery lighting systems, or simply for aesthetic reasons, certain lighting system applications require a large number of fairly low-power lighting bodies.
Moreover, the lighting bodies of such systems frequently cover a fairly extensive area, so that a good deal of time and work is involved in servicing and changing the light sources; and the presence of a large number of low-power light sources results in fairly poor efficiency of the system as a whole.
European Patent Application n. 91830528.5 relates to a lighting system designed to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by using a small number of main lighting fixtures with respective light sources, and which, by means of optical fiber conduits, supply part of the emitted light to secondary lighting fixtures with no light sources. As only the main lighting fixtures are provided with light sources of their own, the above solution provides for greatly reducing the overall number of light sources and, hence, overall maintenance of the system.
Using a small number of fairly high-power light sources also provides for improving the overall efficiency of the system.
To extend the interval between one light source replacement and the next, each main lighting fixture in the above patent features a number of fixed light sources, one acting as a standby for the others; and the device electrically supplying the light sources is capable of detecting failure of the source and selectively supplying an operative one.
The above solution presents several drawbacks: using a combination of a number of fixed light sources, the working position of the source depends on its physical size, and is not always the best for making the most use of the light emitted by the source; on the other hand, to achieve a position as close as possible to the ideal working position of the source, the number of sources in the main lighting fixture would have to be reduced.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting system designed to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.
According to the present invention, there is provided a lighting system comprising at least one main lighting fixture in turn comprising:
at least two light sources, one of which is active during normal operation of the lighting fixture; and
a control device for electrically supplying the light sources;
said control device being capable of determining failure of said light sources, and selectively supplying one of the operative said light sources;
characterized in that said main lighting fixture also comprises:
a preferential operating position of said light sources;
a movable support to which said light sources are connected mechanically; and
actuating means controlled by said control device and for moving said support;
said support being so movable as to move the light source currently supplied by said control device into said preferential operating position.
A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the lighting system according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a lighting fixture in Figure 1.
Number 14 in Figure 1 indicates a lighting system comprising: at least one main lighting fixture 1; at least one secondary lighting fixture 16; and at least one control panel 17.
Main lighting fixture 1 in turn comprises: an outer casing 41; a signal portion; and a power portion.
The outer casing 41 of main lighting fixture 1 comprises a supporting base 3; and a shell 4 normally physically contacting base 3, and which provides for protecting the internal components and for externally diffusing the light produced inside.
The signal portion of main lighting fixture 1 comprises: a power supply 24 for transforming, regulating and filtering electric energy, and electrically connected to an electric energy source 15 over an electric line 23; a control device 18 supplied electrically by power supply 24; a television camera 10 communicating optically with the outside of main lighting fixture 1 and connected to a video line 30; a loudspeaker 2 communicating acoustically with the outside of main lighting fixture 1 and connected to an audio line 35; a brightness sensor 11 communicating optically with the outside of main lighting fixture 1 and connected to control device 18; a sensor 13 connected to control device 18 and for indicating physical contact of shell 4 and base 3; and an indicator light 12 communicating optically with the outside and connected to control device 18.
The power portion of main lighting fixture 1 comprises: a support 22 rotating about its axis 21 perpendicular to the bases of support 22 itself; actuating means 20 controlled by device 18 and for rotating support 22 about axis 21; at least two light sources 19 supplied electrically by control device 18, and one acting as a standby for the others; and a concentrating device 25 for picking up light and concentrating it in at least one optical fiber conduit 28.
Secondary lighting fixture 16 comprises: a casing 26 for protecting the internal components and externally diffusing the light produced inside; and a diffuser 27 connected to and for diffusing the light from optical fiber conduit 28.
Control panel 17 comprises: a video control unit 33 connected to at least one video line 30 and to at least one monitor 29; an audio control unit 34 connected to at least one audio line 35 and to an audio signal generating device (not shown), e.g. a microphone or audio cassette player; and a signal control unit 31 connected to each main lighting fixture 1 over a signal line 36, and to an indicator light 32 for each main lighting fixture 1 connected to it.
Figure 2 shows main lighting fixture 1 comprising outer casing 41 in turn comprising base 3 and shell 4.
Shell 4 is defined by the connection of a substantially ellipsoidal first half shell 5 and a substantially ellipsoidal second half shell 6; first half shell 5 presents a first flat surface 7 at the portion contacting second half shell 6; second half shell 6 presents a second flat surface 9 at the portion contacting base 3; first and second flat surfaces 7 and 9 present a number of through holes 8 for externally diffusing part of the light produced inside casing 41; and shell 4 presents a number of seats 37, 38, 39, 40 respectively housing loudspeaker 2, camera 10, brightness sensor 11 and indicator light 12.
Lighting system 14 provides for several functions: lighting, monitoring and sound broadcasting.
The lighting function is achieved using the light emitted by the currently operating light sources 19 of main lighting fixtures 1. In each main lighting fixture 1, the light emitted by the light source 19 currently supplied by control device 18 is partly diffused externally through holes 8 in shell 4 to locally produce the desired type of lighting, and is partly concentrated by device 25 inside optical fiber conduits 28 by which it is transmitted to diffusers 27 and diffused inside casings 26 of secondary lighting fixtures 16; which casing 26 is so formed as to diffuse the light externally of secondary fixture 16 to locally produce the desired type of lighting.
Light sources 19 of main lighting fixtures 1 are turned on and off by control device 18 in predetermined manner, e.g. by a centralized control signal over signal line 36 from control panel 17, or by an external brightness threshold signal from brightness sensor 11.
On receiving the lighting enabling signal, control device 18 provides for supplying a light source 19. For safety reasons, however, light source 19 is only supplied by control device 18 providing physical contact of shell 4 and base 3 is indicated by sensor 13.
Inside main lighting fixture 1, light sources 19 present a preferential operating position for achieving maximum efficiency of the light emitted by source 19. By efficiency is meant the ratio between the amount of useful light and the amount emitted, where the amount of useful light equals the light concentrated by device 25 in optical fiber conduits 28 plus the light diffused externally of main lighting fixture 1.
Control device 18 also provides for determining failure of light sources 19, for selectively supplying an operative source, and for moving the currently supplied source into the preferential operating position by rotating support 22 about axis 21 via actuating means 20.
For programming maintenance, i.e. replacement of faulty light sources 19, control device 18 provides for indicating the condition of sources 19 locally by means of indicator light 12, and also by means of a respective indicator light 32 on control panel 17 via signal line 36 and signal control unit 31.
The monitoring function of lighting system 14 is performed by cameras 10 which transmit video signals over video lines 30 to video control unit 33 on control panel 17, which unit 33 then transmits the video signals to at least one monitor 29 as requested by the operator.
The sound broadcasting function of lighting system 14 is performed by loudspeakers 2 which are supplied with an audio signal over audio line 35 from audio control unit 34 on control panel 17.
In a typical application, such as for lighting a cemetery, the system according to the present invention provides, as compared with known lighting systems, for a 50% reduction in energy consumption, a 90% reduction in the number of light source replacements, and a 60% reduction in the number of operating faults.
This is achieved by virtue of several factors:
- using a small number of main lighting fixtures with light sources, thus reducing the number of replacements required;
- increasing the power of each source and hence the lighting efficiency of the system as a whole;
- providing each main lighting fixture with a number of light sources, one acting as a standby for the others, to extend the interval between one replacement and the next;
- providing a preferential operating position and so greatly increasing the lighting efficiency of each currently operative light source.
Finally, the system according to the present invention provides not only for reducing but also for effectively programming maintenance of the system by indicating the operating condition of the light sources of each main lighting fixture.
Clearly, changes may be made to the lighting system as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.
Claims (14)
1) A lighting system comprising at least one main lighting fixture (1) in turn comprising:
at least two light sources (19), one of which is active during normal operation of the lighting fixture; and
a control device (18) for electrically supplying the light sources (19);
said control device (18) being capable of determining failure of said light sources (19), and selectively supplying one of the operative said light sources (19);
characterized in that said main lighting fixture (1) also comprises:
a preferential operating position of said light sources (19);
a movable support (22) to which said light sources (19) are connected mechanically; and
actuating means (20) controlled by said control device (18) and for moving said support (22);
said support (22) being so movable as to move the light source (19) currently supplied by said control device (18) into said preferential operating position.
2) A system as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said main lighting fixture (1) comprises a substantially cylindrical said support (22) which is rotated about its axis (21) perpendicular to the bases of the support (22) itself; said light sources (19) being located on the lateral surface of said support (22).
3) A system as claimed in any one of the foregoing
Claims, characterized in that said main lighting fixture (1) comprises an indicator light (12) for indicating the operating condition of said light sources (19).
4) A system as claimed in any one of the foregoing
Claims, wherein said main lighting fixture (1) is defined by an outer casing (41) comprising a base (3) and a shell (4) normally physically contacting said base (3); characterized in that said main lighting fixture (1) also comprises a sensor (13) connected to said control device (18) and for indicating to said control device (18) said physical contact of said shell (4) and said base (3); said control device (18) cutting off electric supply to said light sources (19) in the absence of said physical contact.
5) A system as claimed in any one of the foregoing
Claims, characterized in that said main lighting fixture (1) comprises a loudspeaker (2).
6) A system as claimed in any one of the foregoing
Claims, characterized in that said main lighting fixture (1) comprises a television camera (10).
7) A system as claimed in any one of the foregoing
Claims, characterized in that said main lighting fixture (1) comprises a brightness sensor (11) connected to and for transmitting the outside brightness level to said control device (18).
8) A system as claimed in Claims 3, 5, 6 and 7, wherein said main lighting fixture (1) is defined by an outer casing (41) comprising a base (3) and a shell (4); characterized in that said shell (4) comprises: a first seat (37) for housing the loudspeaker (2); a second seat (38) for housing the television camera (10); a third seat (39) for housing the brightness sensor (11); and a fourth seat (40) for housing the indicator light (12).
9) A system as claimed in any one of the foregoing
Claims, characterized in that said main lighting fixture (1) comprises a concentrating device (25) for concentrating in at least one optical fiber conduit (28) part of the light emitted by said currently operating light source (19).
10) A system as claimed in Claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a secondary lighting fixture (16) connected to one of said main lighting fixtures (1) by an optical fiber conduit (28); said main lighting fixture (1) transmitting light to said secondary lighting fixture (16) via said optical fiber conduit (28).
11) A system as claimed in Claim lo, characterized in that it comprises a control panel (17) connected to each of said main lighting fixtures (1).
12) A system as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that said control panel (17) comprises at least one indicator light (32) for each main lighting fixture (1) and for indicating the operating condition of said light sources (19).
13) A system as claimed in Claims 6 and 11, characterized in that said control panel (17) comprises at least one monitor (29) for displaying the images transmitted by said television cameras (10) of said main lighting fixtures (1).
14) A lighting system, substantially as described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9521411A GB2306633A (en) | 1995-10-18 | 1995-10-18 | Lighting system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9521411A GB2306633A (en) | 1995-10-18 | 1995-10-18 | Lighting system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9521411D0 GB9521411D0 (en) | 1995-12-20 |
| GB2306633A true GB2306633A (en) | 1997-05-07 |
Family
ID=10782548
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9521411A Withdrawn GB2306633A (en) | 1995-10-18 | 1995-10-18 | Lighting system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2306633A (en) |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SU901983A1 (en) * | 1980-06-13 | 1982-01-30 | Предприятие П/Я Р-6947 | Projector lighting system |
| US5178446A (en) * | 1990-12-01 | 1993-01-12 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Centralized lighting system for a vehicle having a central light source automatically exchangable in the event of failure |
-
1995
- 1995-10-18 GB GB9521411A patent/GB2306633A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SU901983A1 (en) * | 1980-06-13 | 1982-01-30 | Предприятие П/Я Р-6947 | Projector lighting system |
| US5178446A (en) * | 1990-12-01 | 1993-01-12 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Centralized lighting system for a vehicle having a central light source automatically exchangable in the event of failure |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9521411D0 (en) | 1995-12-20 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |