WO2007108019A1

WO2007108019A1 - Lighting device with on-off sensor

Info

Publication number: WO2007108019A1
Application number: PCT/IT2006/000172
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pierpaolo Seguso
Original assignee: Pierpaolo Seguso
Priority date: 2006-03-21
Filing date: 2006-03-21
Publication date: 2007-09-27

Abstract

New outdoor and indoor lighting device comprising one or more bulbs (N) and one or more movement and presence and/or twilight and/or noise sensors (M), which cause switch-on/switch-off of said bulb (N). Said sensors (M) can be integral with said bulb (N), extractable and/or positioned at a distance and emit signals (O), such as radio waves, infrared waves, or other remote communication signals, received by at least one receiver (R) integral with the bulb (N), suitable for causing switch-on/switch-off of said bulb (N).

Description

TITLE LIGHTING DEVICE WITH ON-OFF SENSOR

DESCRIPTION

The present patent relates to lights for lighting indoor and outdoor environments and in particular concerns a new lighting device with automatic switch-on/switch- off, with sensors integral with the lighting body, extractable and/or with remote communication.

Currently it is very important to limit energy consumption by adopting technologies, such as those described and claimed below, suitable for obtaining the greatest advantages both in overall environmental terms and in economic terms for the individual users.

Lighting systems connected to one or more timers, i.e. to time switches, are known, which are programmed to switch on and/or switch off the bulbs at pre-set times. Movement or presence sensors are also known, used in particular for outdoor lighting systems and public premises which, when connected to an electronic control unit, cause switch-on of all or part of the bulbs, when said sensors detect the presence of movement in the vicinity, whereas they cause switch-off when they no longer detect any presence, after a set interval of time. Twilight sensors are also known which cause switch-on of the lighting bodies connected to them, when said sensors detect a certain light intensity or light flow value.

In other words, when said luminosity parameters detected are below pre-set values, the circuit connected to the twilight sensor closes, determining switch-on of the lights.

Vice versa, said circuit opens when the sensors detect luminosity parameters above the pre-set values. Noise sensors are also known which, by detecting sound emissions with intensity above pre-set minimum values, cause switch-on of the lights. High efficiency bulbs are also known which have a longer life and lower consumption with respect to the normal incandescent bulbs.

To obtain greater energy saving, the use of low consumption technologies must be combined with behaviour aimed at reducing waste, for example not lighting rooms or areas unnecessarily, indoor and outdoor. On the other hand, the production of new "intelligent" lighting systems, i.e. provided with said sensors and said timers, often requires costly manufacturing processes and skilled labour, in particular due to the complexity of the electrical connections, which in turn require costly maintenance and the periodic intervention of skilled labour. The object of the present invention is a new lighting device with automatic switch-on/switch-off for lighting indoor and outdoor environments, with movement and/or noise and/or twilight sensors, integral with the lighting body, extractable and/or with remote communication.

The main aim of the present invention is to automatically regulate switch- on/switch-off of one or more lights. A further aim of the present invention is to determine switch-on of the light or lights only when necessary.

A further aim of the present invention is to reduce energy consumption and waste. A further aim of the present invention is to propose a lighting device that can be used in any environment, also domestic, without requiring costly complex installation work or the need for skilled personnel.

A further aim of the present invention is to propose a lighting device that can be used for lighting rooms temporarily, so that expenses for the execution and/or modification of the electricity network and connections are not required.

A further aim of the present invention is to avoid the need for costly and complex electrical connections between sensors and bulbs.

A further aim of the present invention is to permit maximum freedom in arrangement of both the sensors and lighting bodies.

These and further aims, direct and complementary, are achieved by the new lighting device with automatic switch-on/switch-off for lighting indoor and outdoor environments, with movement and/or noise and/or twilight sensors, integral with the lighting body, extractable and/or with remote communication. The present invention comprises at least one lighting body, or light, which can be incandescent, neon, LED etc., i.e. provided with a lamp base for connection to the socket of the electrical power supply circuit and at least one bulb for diffusion of the light, with related electric lighting devices. For example, in the incandescent lights of known type, the tungsten wire through which the current travels is directly connected to said lamp base by means of electric wires.

The present invention also comprises one or more movement sensors and/or one or more noise sensors and/or one or more twilight sensors.

One or more of said sensors will be integral with the light body. Said sensors, in particular, are fixed permanently to the light body. According to a further solution, said sensors are extractable, i.e. fixed to the light body in a removable manner.

Said sensors can therefore be removed from the light body, for example to be replaced or to be positioned at a distance from the light.

In said case, the new lighting device also comprises at least one device for receiving the signals emitted by said sensors, and in which said receiver device is integral with the body of said light and connected to it.

The bulbs of the new lighting device are therefore provided with automatic switch-on/switch-off, since they are connected, directly and/or in remote mode, to said sensors, which cause connection or interruption of the bulb connection to the electrical power supply circuits.

In the case of an extractable sensor or sensor positioned at a distance from the light, said sensor emits signals to communicate with said receiver device, which causes switch-on of the light.

On the contrary, if said movement sensor does not detect any presence in the room or in the environment lit, said sensor causes switch-off of the light, interrupting the electrical connection. In the case of an extractable sensor or a sensor positioned at a distance from the light, the sensor does not transmit any signal and the receiver device causes switch-off of the light, interrupting the electrical connection to the light. Alternatively or preferably in combination with said movement sensor, a twilight sensor is used, which detects the luminosity parameters, comparing them with pre-set values.

If said luminosity parameter values detected are below said pre-set values, said sensor, transmitting signals to the receiver integral with the light, causes switch- on of the light. If on the other hand the values detected are above the pre-set values, the transmission of signals by the sensor is interrupted and the light switches off.

Alternatively or in combination with said movement sensor and/or said twilight sensor, the use of noise sensors is envisaged which cause electrical connection/interruption of the electrical connection to the light when they detect/do not detect sound emissions with intensity above a set minimum value. Said emitter devices and/or said receiver devices are also designed to be connected to timers, which prevent interruption of the electrical connection to the lights for a set interval of time. In particular the incorporated use of said twilight sensors is envisaged for outdoor lighting such as gardens, drives, car parks etc., i.e. where it is preferable to have adequate lighting also after dark. For example the new lighting device with automatic switch-on/switch-off can comprise at least one movement and/or noise sensor or at least one twilight sensor, where said sensors are electrically interconnected in series or in parallel. Furthermore, the use of one or more electric or electronic switching cards is envisaged for activation of said sensors in series or in parallel, or for alternative activation of one of said sensors.

Use of the new lighting device with automatic switch-on/switch-off optimises consumption and reduces waste, as the lights are switched on only when necessary, for example when there is someone in the room or in the area to be lit. One of the most important advantages consists in the fact that installation of the present invention does not require complex work by skilled personnel, as the sensors are already installed on the light and, if of the extractable type, they can be removed or shifted if necessary without requiring complex circuits and electrical connections, since the connection is via radio or infrared signals and is therefore wireless. The most immediate application of this solution is therefore in existing lighting systems.

For this reason, it is not necessary to make channels in the walls or in the floor/ paving, or other masonry work for installation or for any other maintenance operation. Moreover, wireless communication also allows each sensor and each light to be located in any position, without any constraint imposed by the shape of the room or the environment, while respecting the limits imposed by the operating ranges of the sensors and receivers.

The characteristics of the present invention will be better clarified by the following description with reference to the drawing, attached as a non-limiting example. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the new invention, comprising a neon bulb (N) and a sensor (M), for example a movement sensor.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment comprising a bulb (N) and an extractable sensor

(M).

Figure 3 shows an embodiment with bulb (N) and external sensor (M) with remote communication.

The new lighting device comprises at least one bulb (N) connected to at least one electrical power supply circuit. Said bulb (N) can be, for example, incandescent, neon, LED, etc.

According to a first embodiment, shown in figure 1, at least one sensor (M) is integral with said bulb (N) connected to it and suitable for causing switch-on or switch-off.

In particular, said sensor (M), for example of the movement type, causes the switch-on of said bulb (N) when it detects the presence of one or more persons in the vicinity. According to an alternative embodiment, shown in figure 2, the new lighting device comprises in addition to said bulb (N), also at least one extractable sensor

(M), i.e. suitable for being fixed in a removable manner to the body of said bulb

(N).

For example said sensor (M), having an annular form, is designed to be screwed to the body of the bulb (N).

Said sensor (M) can therefore be removed and shifted away from said bulb (N), with which it communicates via radio waves or infrared rays or other type of remote wireless communication technology.

The new lighting device comprises, in this case, also at least one receiver device

(R), suitable for receiving said signals (O) emitted by said sensor (M), when it detects, for example, the presence of persons in the vicinity. Said receiver device (R) is integral with and connected to said bulb and, when it receives the signals (O) emitted by the sensor (M), causes switch-on of the bulb

(N).

According to a further alternative embodiment, illustrated in figure 3, the new lighting device is designed to comprise, in addition to said bulb (N), even one or more sensors (M) positioned at a distance and suitable for emitting signals (O) for communicating with at least one receiver (R) connected to and integral with the bulb (N).

Therefore with reference to the preceding description and the attached drawing the following claims are made.

Claims

1. New outdoor and indoor lighting device comprising one or more bulbs (N) connected to the electrical supply circuit, characterised in that it comprises also one or more movement and presence and/or twilight and/or noise sensors (M), suitable for causing switch-on/switch-off of said bulb (N), and in which said sensor/s (M) are integral with the body of said bulb (N).

2. New lighting device comprising one or more bulbs (N) connected to the electrical power supply circuit characterised in that it comprises:

• one or more movement and presence and/or twilight and/or noise sensors (M) suitable for emitting signals (O), such as radio waves, infrared rays and other remote communication technology;

• at least one receiver device (R) for said signals (O), connected to one or more of said bulbs (N); and in which the reception of said signals (O) by said receiver (R) causes switch- on/switch-off of one or more of said bulbs (N).

3. New lighting device, according to claim 2, characterised in that one or more of said sensors (M) are fixed to said bulb (N) in a removable way.

4. New lighting device, according to claim 2, characterised in that one or more of said sensors (M) are positioned at a distance from said bulb (N), in the reception range of said receiver device (R).

5. New lighting device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said movement and/or twilight and/or noise sensors (M) are interconnected in series.

6. New lighting device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said movement and/or twilight and/or noise sensors (M) are interconnected in parallel.

7. New lighting device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises one or more electric or electronic switching cards, for series or parallel or alternative activation of said sensors (M).

8. New lighting device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said bulb (N) is incandescent, neon, halogen, LED etc.

9. New lighting device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of said movement and/or noise and/or twilight sensors (M) causes switch-on/switch-off of one or more of said bulbs (N).

10, New lighting device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the switch-on/switch-off of each of said bulbs (N) is caused by one or more of said movement and/or noise and/or twilight sensors (M).

11. New lighting device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that one or more of said sensors (M) and/or one or more of said receiver devices (R) are connected to one or more timers, which prevent interruption of the electrical connection to said bulbs (N) for a set interval of time.