WO2004064454A1

WO2004064454A1 - Sensor-controlled lighting fixture

Info

Publication number: WO2004064454A1
Application number: PCT/NO2003/000442
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans Kotthaus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-08
Filing date: 2003-12-29
Publication date: 2004-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 2005-07-08
Also published as: NO316490B1; NO20030078D0; NO20030078A; AU2003291784A1

Abstract

The invention comprises of a method of controlling light and a lighting fixture providing a low-energy basic lighting and a sensor-controlled main lighting, in which the light output of the lighting fixture is reduced to a preset, lower output level when and for as long as the sensor does not detect movements or persons, and in which the light outpout of the lighting fixture is increased when the sensor detects persons or movements within the defined sector of the sensor, upon which it is reduced again after the sensor has detected absence of persons or movements, thus providing a two-stage lighting that contributes to saving energy, that reduced unnecessary light pollution, and that prolongs the lifetime of the light source(s).

Description

SENSOR-CONTROLLED LIGHTING FIXTURE

Field of the invention

The invention constitutes both a method of controlling light and a lighting fixture having a low-energy basic lighting and a sensor-controlled main lighting, in which the light output of the lighting fixture is reduced when and for as long as the sensor does not detect a person or movement within the defined sector of the sensor, and in which the output of the fixture is increased when the sensor detects a person or movement, and then is reduced again after the sensor has detected absence of persons or movements.

The invention comprises a sensor-controlled lighting fixture with the following main components: a light source, a holder for the light source, a housing for the lighting fixture, a control unit for cases in which the light source requires such a unit, a sensor, and either a dimmer or an additional light source with relatively low power consumption. In here, a sensor is understood to be a unit assembled from several components including at least one sensor element with an associated signal conditioning- and control unit, and a power supply unit. The sensor functions as follows: when it is activated, it detects either persons or movements within a sector by sending control impulses that are used to increase and reduce the light output either by firstly switching on one, then another or several light sources, or by dimming a single light source up and down.

Prior art

The invention is based on prior art for a fixture being controlled by a sensor embodied, for example, as an infrared or high-frequency sensor that senses either movements or objects of high heat radiation, and then switches on a light. Such fixtures and sensors have been known for a long time and are offered both individually and integrated on the Norwegian market. Examples of patents are DE 10115773 and JP 11073814.

Disadvantages of prior art

With the current prior art solutions the choice is between a lighting fixture provided either with or without a sensor, meaning that the light either is completely switched off or is switched on with maximum light output. If, for example, it is desirable to illuminate a door, a house number, a bell button or a nameplate without switching on full light output, an additional lighting fixture or a luminous sign with an integrated light source has to be acquired. A lighting fixture according to the invention provides a solution covering all of the above-mentioned needs in one lighting fixture. Objects of the invention

The objects of the invention are to provide a method of controlling light that aids orientation in the dark without unnecessary consumption of energy, and that simultaneously provides a relatively high light output when persons move in proximity of the lighting fixture.

How to achieve the objects

The objects are achieved through features stated in subsequent claims.

Moreover, advantages of the invention are disclosed in the description and the subsequent claims.

The novel part of the invention is that a lighting is provided with two light output levels, a low-energy light that may be used for instance as an aid for orientation in the dark, and a substantially more powerful light, relatively speaking, that may be used as a main light, for example. For instance, the low-energy light may be used to indicate the entrance of a house and to illuminate a house number plate, thus facilitating access for police and ambulance personnel. Furthermore, the low-energy light may be used to indicate emergency exits, for example. The low-energy light is combined with a main lighting controlled by a sensor. The low-energy light and the sensor may be controlled by a dusk relay, enabling both to be active only when and for as long as it is dark. When a person approaches the area in which the fixture is attached, for example on the outer wall by the main door of the house, and enters within the defined sector area of the sensor, a full light output will be switched on. This main lighting will remain switched on for a predefined period of time and then is switched off, or dimmed down again, when the person has left the defined area, or the sensor no longer detects movements within the sector.

The low-energy light will be switched on as a basic lighting. In this manner, it is possible to provide for the need for orientation in the dark and simultaneously save energy as opposed to the main lighting being permanently switched on. The invention provides main advantages in terms of a two- stage ligh that contributes to saving energy, that prolongs the lifetime of the light sources, and that reduces unnecessary light pollution.

Description of drawings

Technically speaking, two principles of attaining a low- energy base lighting are possible: Using a dimmer which adjusts the output of a main light source down to a lower level; or using an additional light source that has a low power consumption relative to the main light source, and that either is permanently switched on, for example indoors in a room without daylight, or that is controlled by a dusk relay, for instance when the fixture is used outdoors.

The enclosed, schematic Fig. 1 shows an example of a practical embodiment according to the invention, in which a wall fixture is shown in front view with the person sensor (1) at the bottom, a fixture housing with a protective glass fitted with a main light source (2) on the inside, and an integrated, upturned additional light source (3) fitted above and illuminating a house number plate (4).

The house number plate may be part of the fixture. The sensor includes supply of electricity and a control unit controlling the electricity to the main light source and to the additional light source. For example, the control unit may also include a dusk relay ensuring that the sensor switches on the electricity only when the surrounding light is darker than a preset minimum value. For example, the control unit also may include a dimmer that gradually increases the luminance of the main light when switched on, thereby sparing the light source.

Claims

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C l a i m s

A method of energy-saving light control using a sensor- controlled lighting fixture including a main light source (2) controlled by a sensor (1) that is arranged to cover a predefined sensor area, in which the lighting fixture and the sensor (1) are assembled in a unit, c h a r a ct e r i z e d i n that the method comprises:

- reducing the light output of the lighting fixture to a preset, lower output level when and for as long as the sensor (1) does not detect movements or persons;

- increasing the light output of the lighting fixture when the sensor (1) detects movements or persons within said sensor area; and

- then reducing said light output again after the sensor (1) has detected cessation of movements or absence of persons within the sensor area.

The method according to claim 1, ch a r a c t e r i z e d i n gradually increasing the light output of the lighting fixture when the sensor (1) detects movements or persons.

The method according to claim 1, ch a r a ct e r i z e d i n immediately increasing the light output of lighting fixture when the sensor (1) detects movements or persons.

A sensor-controlled lighting fixture for energy-saving light control, in which the fixture includes of a main light source (2) controlled by a sensor (1) that is arranged to cover a predefined sensor area, and in which the lighting fixture and the sensor (1) are assembled in a unit, ch a r a c t e ri z e d i n that the lighting fixture is arranged to reduce the light output thereof to a preset, lower output level when and for as long as the sensor (1) does not detect movements or persons, and that the lighting fixture is arranged to increase the light output thereof when the sensor (1) detects movements or persons within said sensor area, after which said light output again is reduced when the sensor (1) detects cessation of movements or absence of persons within the sensor area.

The sensor-controlled lighting fixture according to claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the lighting fixture is arranged to gradually increase the light output thereof when the sensor (1) detects movements or persons .

The sensor-controlled lighting fixture according to claim 4, ch a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the lighting fixture is arranged to immediately increase the light output when the sensor (1) detects movements or persons.

The sensor-controlled lighting fixture according to claim 4, 5 or 6, ch a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the lighting fixture is provided with a dimmer that reduces said light output when the sensor (1) detects cessation of movements or absence of persons, and that the sensor (1) is arranged to send a control signal that increases said light output when the sensor (1) detects movements or persons. ,

8

The sensor-controlled lighting fixture according to claim 4, 5 or 6, c ha r a c t e r i z e d i n that the lighting fixture is arranged to switch off the main light source (2) when the sensor (1) detects cessation of movements or absence of persons, and that the sensor (1) is arranged to send a control signal that switches on the main light source (2) or increases the light output thereof when the sensor (1) detects movements or persons, and that the lighting fixture is provided with a low- energy additional light source (3) that is programmed to be switched on when the sensor (1) detects cessation of movements or absence of persons.

The sensor-controlled lighting fixture according to one of claims 4-8, ch a r a ct e r i z e d i n that the sensor (1) is a unit consisting of several control components, including a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, a high-frequency sensor or a combination of the two components.

The sensor-controlled lighting fixture according to one of claims 4-9, ch a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the sensor (1) is connected to a light-sensitive dusk relay that switches on the sensor (1) when little light is present .

The sensor-controlled lighting fixture according to one of claims 8-10, ch a r a ct e r i z e d i n that the additional light source (3) is arranged to illuminate an object (4) .

12. The sensor-controlled lighting fixture according to claim 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the object is an information sign (4) forming an integrated part of the lighting fixture.

13. The sensor-controlled lighting fixture according to one of claims 8-12, ch a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the additional light source (3) is a light emitting diode, a so-called LED, or a light emitting foil.

14. The sensor-controlled lighting fixture according to one of claims 8-13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the additional light source (3) is fitted above, or on the side of, the main light source (2), and that the sensor (1) is fitted below the main light source (2) .

15. The sensor-controlled lighting fixture according to any of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the fixture has a wall attachment.