WO2001080604A1

WO2001080604A1 - Device for external illumination of buildings with gradual illumination

Info

Publication number: WO2001080604A1
Application number: PCT/FR2001/000594
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thierry Saint-Luc
Original assignee: Saint Luc Thierry
Priority date: 2000-04-14
Filing date: 2001-03-01
Publication date: 2001-10-25
Also published as: AU2001237520A1; FR2807910B1; FR2807910A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a gradual and/or variable illuminating device for external lighting of buildings, enabling to reduce energy consumption with high illuminating capacity lights. Said device comprises electronic programming means (12) for switching on and off each light source L relative to switching on and off of another light source L, and means for comparing (14), for each light source L, between the programmed duration intervening between its being successively switched off and on and the recommended duration required for its cooling, so that the programming of the cycle illuminating the building (16) is automatically enabled only if the recommended cooling duration for each of the light sources L between their being switched off and their being switched on is observed; in case of non-observation of the condition a signal is delivered.

Description

"ILLUMINATION DEVICE OUTSIDE THEIR BUILDINGS FOR LIGHTING ^• PROGRESSIVE."

. The invention is ^' in the field of lighting, exterior of buildings, in particular public or tourist, and it relates to a device for lighting buildings for their progressive and / or variable illumination, that is to say for the illumination of respective predefined spaces of the building according to at least one cycle according to which said spaces are successively or jointly illuminated.

Devices are known for exterior lighting of buildings by means of light sources with high lighting capacity with reduced energy consumption, such as high-pressure sodium lamps, fluorescent balloon, metal halide lamp or the like. These devices commonly include not only the light source of the aforementioned type, but also means for spontaneous control of their energization at a predetermined time, depending on the ambient light, or even according to the time of year.

The problem that the present invention seeks to solve resides in the fact that the exterior lighting of buildings is done in all or nothing, that is to say in a general manner when the darkness or the hour dim or obscure the building at the view of the public. Indeed, the development of the building could be increased by progressive lighting of it. In addition, various spaces in the building could be selectively lit at a given time, in order to save energy or to enhance the overall lighting outside the building when

- this one intervenes. Outdoor scenic lighting devices are known, according to which various spaces are successively or jointly lit according to the progress of a scenario. Light sources are light sources with high lighting capacity - with a high energy consumption, such as a halogen lamp or a filament lamp in particular, which. also allow to illuminate. various spaces with a light intensity that can vary depending on the course of the scenario. The power supply of the light sources is placed under the dependence of manual control means operated by a technician having a control console, a console that can possibly be placed in addition under the dependence of programming means.

An obvious technical solution to solve the aforementioned problem would have consisted in the implementation for exterior lighting of buildings, of a control console and of light sources of the kind used for scenic lighting. However, this solution is not viable, nor for economic reasons related to the duration of lighting of buildings, exterior lighting, incidentally, often free for the public, and linked to the significant consumption of energy of scenic light sources of the kind referred to above. , nor because of technical constraints of use relating to the lamps used for the exterior lighting of buildings, which require a cooling time between a power off and a successive power up, making their use difficult for progressive lighting and / or variable.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a progressive and / or variable lighting device for the illumination of buildings, in particular public or tourist, whose use is economically viable and whose implementation is easy and accessible to a relatively inexperienced user. Note that the device of the invention must also be able to be advantageously installed on a site equipped with a pre-existing illumination device of the prior art.

The inventive step of the present invention consisted, starting from the usual installations in the field of exterior lighting of buildings, which include lamps with high lighting capacity for reduced energy consumption such as those mentioned above, to put at the disposal of a user a device comprising. means for programming the successive switching on and off of each of the light sources, or in an equivalent manner from each of the groups of light sources simultaneously energized. The device also comprises means for comparing the time between switching off and on of each of the light sources and the recommended cooling times of the latter, previously memorized on a case-by-case basis. These provisions are such that the user has an apparatus for implementing at least one building lighting cycle from the storage of the power-up durations and conversely of the power-off of each of the light sources. according to

- desired course of the cycle. Advantageously, an alert message is broadcast with a view to correcting the progress of the cycle, correction made voluntarily by the user or automatically according to his choice, in the event that at the end of the memorization of the cycle an incompatibility was revealed between successive switching off and on of a light source, and its recommended cooling time. The present invention will be better understood and details will become apparent from the description which will be made of a preferred embodiment thereof, in relation to the figures in the appended plate, in which: fig.l is a diagram illustrating a device for exterior lighting of a building according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, fig.2 is a diagram illustrating an example of. sequence of an exterior lighting cycle of the building shown in fig.l, from the implementation of a device of the invention.

In FIG. 1, a device is intended for the progressive and / or variable lighting of buildings, that is to say the illumination of respective predefined spaces of the building according to at least one cycle according to which said spaces are - successively or simultaneously lit. This device comprises a plurality of light sources L (L1, L2 _f ..., L10) with high lighting capacity, for low energy consumption, such as high pressure sodium lamps, fluorescent balloon, metal halide lamp or the like. It will be understood that according to the invention, and within the scope of its ^' inventive step, the light sources L used by the device are generally light sources which require a cooling period before being re-energized, recommended by the manufacturer. Control means 2 for switching on the light sources L comprise at least any one of the members comprising a switch 4, a time clock 6, an astronomical clock 8 and a photosensitive cell 10.

According to the invention, the powering up of the light sources L is also placed under the dependence of electronic means 12 for programming the ignition and the extinction of each light source L in particular with respect to the ignition and 1 switching off of another light source L, and of electronic means 14 for comparing, for each light source L, between the programmed duration separating its successive switching off and on, and the recommended duration necessary for its cooling. These provisions are such that the programming of the building 16 lighting cycle is automatically made possible only on condition that the recommended cooling time of each of the light sources L between their successive switching off and on is respected, the opposite occurrence being advantageously signaled at the end of the programming operation. As a result, such cycles can be easily memorized and implemented in an automated manner, by a relatively unskilled user whose task is limited to the sole process of designing the cycle with regard to its aesthetic effects. tell the only programming step of successive switching on and off of the light sources L relative to each other. It will also be noted that in the case where several, light sources L are assigned to lighting the same space of the building, the device of the invention allows lighting of said space with an incremented intensity, unusual in the field, according to the number of these light sources L put together under tension.

The light sources L are provided to be distributed into a plurality of N groups G (G1, G2, G3, G4) of at least one light source L for selective energization of the light sources L of each of the groups G according to at minus a global cycle of switching on and off groups G of light sources L. relative to each other. to others .

It will be understood that according to a first variant, the light sources L are distributed by wiring, between them, light sources participating in the same group G in the usual manner in the field. It will be noted in this that the device of one invention can advantageously be grafted onto an existing installation.

According to a second variant using specific means participating in the invention, the distribution of the light sources L into group G. is carried out by electronic means 18 for entering and memorizing 20 the assignment of each light source L to at least one said group S, means 18, 20 which are participating in the programming means 12. It will be understood that in this case, a first operation of implementing the device of the invention consists in entering and memorizing the assignment of each light source L to a respective group G desired to power on or off simultaneously. We will note the interest of such an approach, which makes it possible to distribute the light sources L differently according to specific cycles, the selection of the implementation of a cycle among a plurality of predefined and previously memorized cycles, being preferably placed depending on the means 22 corresponding participant of the programming means 12.. ^' T FR01 / 00594

These selection means 22 are advantageously placed under the dependence of any one at least of input means 18 participating in the programming means 12 and each of the means participating in the control means 2.

We will report to. in this regard, the programming means 12 are preferably means for programming the implementation of switches ç (Cl, £ 2, ... CIO) for energizing assigned to each group S of light sources L, advantageously connected between them by information transmission means 24 comprising any one of the means of the group of means comprising the telematic means and the radio means.

The programming means 12, according to the preferred embodiment illustrated, comprise:

"- electronic means 18 for entering and storing 26 data relating to the order and duration of the power-up and / or conversely of the power-off of at least two groups G of light sources L, and electronic means 18 for inputting and storing 28 data relating, for each of the light sources L, to the recommended cooling time required between switching off and successive switching on.

Furthermore, the device advantageously comprises electronic means 30 for alerting, and for prohibiting switching on of the light sources L, placed under the dependence of electronic means 14 for comparing the data entered and stored, between the data relating to the duration separating a successive switching off and switching on of each of the groups Q and the data relating to the recommended cooling time of each light source L assigned to a corresponding group G.

Said programming means more particularly include: - input means 18 and storage 28 for each of the light sources L of the duration TO recommended for cooling the light sources L between their power off and their successive power up, - input means 18 and storage 26 of the order of. successive energization and conversely de-energization of the groups G of light sources L,

means 18 for inputting and memorizing 32 of the duration Tl and / or vice versa of the duration T3 separating the switching on and / or conversely the switching off of the light sources L of a group G with respect to switching on voltage and / or vice versa when switching off the light sources L of group G previously energized and / or vice versa de-energized, and incidentally - input means 18 and storage 34 of the duration T2 of keeping the power on voltage of all the groups G of light sources L.

Correlatively, the comparison means 14 comprise, for each group of light sources then called group "to be compared":

means 36 for calculating by adding the successive durations Tl, T3 and incidentally T2, relating to the powering up and / or conversely the powering down of the groups G of light sources L intervened between the powering down and a new powering up voltage of group G "to compare",

- Analysis means 38 between the duration _ obtained by said addition and the longest recommended duration for cooling the light sources L participating in group G "to be compared". It will be understood that this preferred illustrated embodiment of the device of the invention responds to a particular mode of programming the lighting of the building 16 with a device of the invention, a programming mode which is secondary to an approach inventive of the invention. This approach aims to provide the user with means for memorizing a cycle by entering successive information in correspondence with a step-by-step sequence of the cycle. Thus by referring to FIG. 2, the methods for entering information for the execution of the schematic cycle take place as follows.

1) Enter and - memorize the information relating to the recommended cooling time of each of the light sources.

It will be understood that this operation can be carried out at any time, in particular in the event of replacement of a light source L by another, and that a modification of such a stored duration is spontaneously followed by a comparison of this duration with the progress of the cycle.

2) Enter and store the order <G1- G2-G3-G4-G2-G3-G1-G2-G4) of change of state of groups G of light sources., Ie the order in which groups G. will be successively energized and inversely energized during the course of the cycle,

3) Enter and store successively for each group G in the order of their classification and step by step the different durations T1, T2. and T3, relating to their change of state from the change of state of the previous group.

4) Validate the cycle.

Then, the comparison means 14 add up the durations separating successive switching off and on of each group G of light sources L; on the illustrated example τ2b (G3; G4) + T3 (G4) for

Gl; T3 (G3) + T3 (G1) and T3 (G4) + Tl (G2) for G2; T3 (G1) +

T2b {G3; G4) + T3 (G4) + Tl (G2) + Tl (G3) for G3; T1 (G2) + T1 (G3) + T1 (G4) for G4. These times are then compared by the analysis means 38 to the previously stored times of the recommended times for cooling the light sources.

L pertaining to the corresponding group. In the case where a corresponding period in a power off and a power-cut voltage of a group G is less than the recommended duration la- ^'longer cooling of the light sources L participant of the group, the device send the user, who can then modify the sequence of the cycle by intervening on the entry and the memorization of any one at least of the durations Tl, T2 or T3 previously entered and memorized.

It will thus be understood that the presence of the means 34 for memorizing the duration T2 is only preferred because of the ease with which the programming takes place, the duration T2 being able to be replaced by memorization by the corresponding means 32 of the duration T3 separating the power-up, the light sources of a group and the power-off of the group whose change of state, that is to say shutdown or ignition, has been previously memorized by the storage means 26.

It will be noted that a cycle is preferably intended to be repeated during the same lighting period of the building 16, either in a determined number of repetitions, or over a duration determined by the user. Thus, and according to a preferred embodiment, said programming means 12 further comprise any at least one of the means of the group of means comprising electronic means 18 for entering and memorizing 40 the number of repetitions of the cycle at least , and electronic means 18 for entering and memorizing 42 the duration of the cycle repetition. Finally and. if necessary, at the end of said repetitions of the cycle, it is advantageously provided to keep any at least one of the light sources L on to complete the lighting period of the building 16. It will be understood in this that the means 12 preferably include electronic means 18 for inputting and storing 44 the duration of power-up of at least any one of the light sources L at the end of the execution of the cycle and / or by equivalence of his rehearsals. Incidentally, said control means 2 further comprise any one of the means of control of the group of means comprising the means telematic control 46, the infrared control means 48 and the radio control means 50.

It will also be noted that in order to prohibit an untimely modification of the information entered and stored by an unauthorized person, the implementation of the programming means 12 by a user is placed under the dependence of authorized access means 52.

Finally, and according to a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention not shown in the figures, it comprises means for controlling the interruption of a cycle in progress.

Firstly, these control means also preferably include first means for controlling the general energization of all of the groups of light sources, in particular for checking the operation of the latter. It will be noted that these first control means for interrupting a cycle in progress are placed under the dependence of said comparison means, so as to cause the powering of all the light sources only to the extent that the cooling time of each is respected.

Secondly, these control means also and preferably comprise means of general de-energizing of all the light sources, to interrupt the exterior lighting of the building in the event of an exceptional event, such as a fire. 'artifices or in the event of a device maintenance operation.

Claims

0594

11

CLAIMS Device for the exterior lighting of buildings (16), and more particularly for the illumination of respective predefined spaces of the building (16) according to at least one cycle according to which said spaces are successively or simultaneously lit, of the kind of device comprising a plurality of light sources L with high lighting capacity for low energy consumption, such as high pressure sodium lamps, fluorescent balloon, metal halide lamp or the like, and control means (2) of the setting energized light sources L comprising at least any one of the members comprising a switch (4), a time clock (6), an astronomical clock (8) and a photosensitive cell (10), characterized: in that the setting under voltage of the light sources L is also placed under the dependence of electronic programming means (12) for switching on and off each light source L with respect to the switching on and off of another light source L, and of electronic comparison means (14), for each light source L, between the programmed duration separating its successive switching off and on and the recommended duration necessary for its cooling, so that the programming of the building lighting cycle (16) is automatically made possible only on condition that the recommended cooling duration of each of the light sources L between switching them off voltage and their successive energization is respected, the opposite occurrence being reported;

Device according to claim 1, characterized: in that the said light sources L being designed to be distributed in a plurality of N groups G of at least one light source

L for selective source energization light L of each of the groups G according to at least one global cycle of switching on and off the groups G of light sources L with respect to each other, the device comprises: a) programming means (12) of the implementation of power-on switches ç assigned to each group G of light sources L, the said programming means (12) comprising:

- electronic means for entering and storing (26) data relating to the order and duration of the power-up and / or conversely of the power-off of at least two groups G of light sources,

- Electronic means for entering (18) and storing (28) relative data, for each of the light sources L, at the recommended cooling time required between switching off and switching on successively, and b) means. electronic (30) warning, and prohibition of switching on the light sources L, placed under the dependence of electronic means (14) for comparing the data entered and stored, between the data relating to the duration separating a shutdown successive voltage and energization of each of the groups G and the data relating to the recommended cooling time of each light source L assigned to a corresponding group G;

Device according to claim 2, characterized: in that the said programming means (12) more particularly comprise:

- input (18) and storage (28) means for each of the light sources of the duration TO recommended for the cooling of the light sources L. between switching off and successive switching on,

means for entering (18) and memorizing (26) the order of energization and conversely of successive deactivation of the groups G of light sources, - means for entering (18) and memorizing (32) the duration Tl and / or vice versa of the duration T3 separating the power-up and / or conversely the power-off of the light sources L of a group G with respect to on switching on and / or vice versa on switching off the light sources L du. group G previously switched on and / or vice versa switched off,

- Input means 18 and storage (34) of the duration T2 of maintaining the power on of all the groups G of light sources, and in that the comparison means. (14) comprise, for each group G of ^sources' light L then said group "to compare":

- Calculation means (36) by adding the successive durations Tl, T2 and T_3 relating to the power-up and / or conversely the power-off of the groups G of light sources L intervened between the power-off and a new power-up voltage of the group "to be compared", - analysis means (38) between the duration T obtained by said addition and the longest recommended duration of cooling of the light sources L participating in group G "to be compared";

4.- Device according to any one of claims 2 and

3, characterized: in that the said programming means (12) further comprise any at least one of the means of the group of means comprising: - electronic means for entering (18) and storing (20) the assignment of each light source L to at least one said group G,

- electronic means for entering (18) and memorizing (40) the number of repetitions of the cycle at least,

- electronic means for entering (18) and memorizing (42) the duration of the cycle repetition, - Electronic means for entering (18) and storing (44) the duration of powering up of at least any one of the light sources L at the end of the execution of the cycle and / or by equivalence of its repetition;

- means for selecting (22) the implementation of a cycle from a plurality of previously stored cycles;

5.- Device according to any one of claims 2 to

4, characterized: in that the programming means

(12) and the switches Ç are interconnected by means (24) for transmitting information comprising one of any of the means of the group of means comprising the telematic means and the radio means;

6.- Device according to any one of claims 2 to

5, characterized: in that the said control means

(12) further comprise at least any one of the control means of the group of means comprising the. telematic control means (46), infrared control means (48) and wireless control means (50);

7.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized: in that the implementation of the programming means by a user is placed under the dependence of means (52) of authorized access;

8.- Device according to claim 5, characterized: in that the said selection means (22) are placed under the dependence of any at least one of the gripping means (18) and of each of the means participating in the means of command (2).