FR2923976A1 - DECORATION SYSTEM COMPRISING A LUMINOUS DECORATION SUITABLE TO BE POWERED ALTERNATE EITHER BY THE VOLTAGE OF THE ELECTRICAL NETWORK, OR BY ONE OR MORE BATTERIES RECHARGED BY PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS. - Google Patents

Abstract

Decoration system comprising a luminous decoration on which are arranged several light sources (11) arranged with a power supply device characterized in that the latter comprises: one or more batteries (3) able to supply said light sources, the charge of said battery (s) being solely provided by photovoltaic cells (2), a control circuit controlling the illumination time slots of the light sources (11), or by means of a programmer (45), either by the presence detection of the electrical network (9), and in that during the illumination time slots, the control circuit makes it possible: to automatically connect the light sources (11) directly to the battery (s) (3) as long as this (these) latter (s) delivers (s) a voltage sufficient to power said light sources, automatically connect the light sources (11) directly to the electrical network (9) as long as the battery (s) (3) do not supply a voltage sufficient to supply said light sources.

Description

1

Description The subject of the present invention is a decoration system comprising a luminous decoration capable of being powered alternately either by the voltage of the electrical network or by one or more batteries recharged by photovoltaic cells.

The invention applies particularly, but not exclusively, to light decorations that can be used day or night, temporarily or permanently, such as those traditionally installed for parties or other events. It can however find many applications, for example in the field of advertising, for the animation of commercial windows, or for the decoration of building facades.

During end-of-year celebrations or other celebrations, it is common practice to employ luminous decorations consisting of a succession of light sources spaced apart on a power supply cable. These luminous decorations are commonly used in street crossings (in festoons), highlighting of buildings, or in dressing candelabra, columns or trees. The light sources must in principle be lit every night for several hours in a row.

In general, these decorations comprise a power supply device equipped with an electrical connection connected to the electrical network and able to power the light sources. Depending on the number of light sources and the power needed to illuminate them, a direct power supply can quickly become expensive. In addition, if for any reason the power grid is damaged (damage in a central

electric, network cut, maintenance, ...), the light sources are extinguished so that the aesthetic appearance of the decor deteriorates.

To try to remedy this state of affairs, there are known lighting scenery whose light sources are fed via a battery recharged by set of photovoltaic cells able to convert the sun's light energy into electric current. We usually talk about power supply by solar battery or by solar panel. This technical solution has the advantage of being inexpensive because the power consumption from the network is zero. In addition, this solution is completely independent of the operation of the electrical network and the power of the light sources depends only on the voltage delivered by the battery. However, unless you use an excessive number of photovoltaic cells and oversized batteries (bulk, weight,

.), the solar battery electric installations do not have a sufficient yield to supply light sources for several hours in a row. In addition, this technical solution is dependent on the sunlight which makes it unreliable and generally inefficient ... DTD: Faced with the disadvantages of the prior art, the main technical problem that the invention aims to solve is to be able to to supply the light sources of a luminous decoration in a less expensive manner than the solution using exclusively the energy of the electrical network and more reliably than the solution of the solar battery or solar panel type.

The invention also aims to provide a power supply device for saving energy compared to solar battery or solar panel power supply devices. Another object of the invention is to provide a power supply device, which can be easily installed on supports type posts and / or facades. - 3

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a power supply device compatible with a large number of existing luminous decorations.

The technical solution proposed by the invention is a decoration system comprising a luminous decoration on which several light sources are arranged, the latter being arranged with a power supply device equipped with an electrical connection connected to the electrical network. This decoration system is remarkable in that the power supply device further comprises: one or more batteries able to supply said light sources, the charge of said battery (s) being solely provided by photovoltaic cells, A control circuit controlling the illumination time slots of the light sources, either via a programmer or by the presence detection of the electrical network. This system is also remarkable in that during the illumination time slots, the control circuit is configured to: • automatically connect the light sources directly to the battery (s) as long as this (these) last (these) s) delivers (s) a voltage sufficient to power said light sources, • automatically connect the light sources directly to the electrical network as the (the) battery (s) does not supply (s) not enough voltage to power said light sources.

These technical characteristics make it possible, without any modification of the luminous decoration, not only to connect the light sources simply and efficiently, alternatively and / or to control the battery and the electrical network, but also to program the illumination ranges. in order to optimize the power consumption of the system.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, made by way of indicative and non-limiting examples and in which: . Figure la is a schematic front view of the decoration system object of the invention, -. Figure 1b is a schematic vertical sectional view along A-A of the decoration system of Figure 1, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a power supply device according to the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1a and 1b, the decoration system which is the subject of the invention comprises a luminous decoration 1 on which several light sources 11 are arranged.

The luminous decoration 1 is advantageously formed by a metal or plastic structure 10, whose outlines may represent a tree, a star, a bell, a character, an advertising message, etc. The shape of the luminous decoration 1 is advantageously defined according to the place where it is installed and / or the event to be celebrated.

The structure 10 is advantageously equipped with fastening elements 12 for holding it in position on a post 7 and / or a facade. Post fixation is advantageously carried out by strapping or by any other quick fastening means. It is also possible to use a fixing device of the type described in patent FR 2 781 258 filed by the Applicant and comprising a fixed element forming a slide permanently mounted on a post 7 or a frontage and on which slides, and may be immobilized by screwing, a removable element consisting of a jaw fixed on the structure 10 by means of a locking plate. The fixing on the facade can also be carried out by means of carabiners or special nails arranged on the facade and in which are positioned fastening rings or cables arranged on the structure 10.

The light sources 11 may be of the firedamp garlands type formed by a series of small light bulbs interconnected by power supply wires. Depending on the geometry of the contours of the structure 10, it is also possible to use rigid tubes of the neon tube type. It is also possible to use light tubes consisting of flexible and transparent conduits, and containing many light sources of small dimensions. The light sources 11 used may be incandescent lamps or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The latter operate at very low voltage, typically at 12 volts, 24 volts, but also at 230 volts, which allows for mounting directly on the power grid. The light sources 11 are arranged with a power supply device equipped with an electrical connection connected to the electrical network 9. In a manner known to those skilled in the art, in the case where the light sources 11 operate at 12 volts or 24 volts, a transformer 90 is used downstream of the electrical network 9 (FIG. 2). For example, the transformer 90 makes it possible to deliver a voltage of 12 volts when the electrical network 9 delivers a voltage of 230 volts. The characteristics of the voltage source (current / power) depend on the supply voltage and the power of the light sources 11. The voltage source can also be coupled with a programmer to animate the illumination of the light sources 11.

With reference to the appended figures, the power supply device also comprises a set of photovoltaic cells 2 configured to recharge at least one battery 3 capable of supplying the light sources 11. The battery (s) 3 used are of the type known to those skilled in the art: lead, lithium, etc. -6

The photovoltaic cells 2 make it possible to transform solar energy into electrical energy and are of the type known to those skilled in the art. In practice, to recharge a battery of 12 volts / 18 Ah, it uses between 30 and 50 photovoltaic cells spread over an area of between 0.05 m2 and 0.1 m2. However, these quantitative characteristics are not limiting and depend on the type of photovoltaic cells used and the characteristics of the battery (s) 3.

In practice, conventional photovoltaic cells 2 deliver an electric current for recharging one or more batteries 3 of 12 volts. With reference to FIG. 2, the power supply device advantageously integrates a control circuit 4 (FIG. 1b) equipped with a relay 42 having a plurality of two-position contacts, the different positions of the contacts being connected to the different poles of two batteries 3 so as to obtain a series and / or parallel coupling of the latter according to the control of said relay. Thus, a power supply device equipped with photovoltaic cells 2 delivering an electric current for recharging 12 Volt batteries, can work: with only one of the two batteries 3 and deliver only 12 Volts, • ~ with the two batteries 3, whose control circuit 4 manages the serial / parallel coupling, and deliver 12 volts (two batteries in parallel) and / or 24 volts (two batteries in series).

The invention should be understood as applying to the general case in which the photovoltaic cells 2 are capable of recharging more than two batteries arranged together, the control circuit 4 being configured to manage the serial / parallel coupling of the different batteries depending on whether the system is in the charging or use phase of one or more of said batteries. In this case, whatever the voltage delivered by the photovoltaic cells, the available final voltage is directly proportional to the number of batteries used. The control circuit 4 is provided for controlling the supply of the light sources 11 and automatically selecting the battery (s) 3 or the electrical network 9 as a voltage source. This control circuit 4 is shown schematically in Figure 2 and described in more detail in the following description.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention shown in FIG. 1b, the various constituent elements of the power supply device are arranged on two autonomous supports 5a and 5b. The first support 5a is intended to receive the photovoltaic cells 2 and the second support 5b is intended to receive the (the) battery (s) 3, the control circuit 4 and the programmer. The use of two stand-alone supports facilitates on-site installation.

Preferably, the supports 5a and 5b are both made by means of a rigid structure formed by metal, plastic or wooden elements assembled by welding, gluing or any other method suitable for those skilled in the art.

Positioning elements 52 are advantageously provided so as to be able to position the supports 5a and 5b on a post 7 and / or a facade and to optimize the holding in position of said supports. In the case where the supports 5a and 5b are fixed on a post 7, the positioning elements 52 advantageously have a concave shape complementary to the shape of said post.

The supports 5a and 5b are preferably equipped with fasteners on the post 7 and / or on the facade. The pole fastener is advantageously made by strapping. As represented in FIGS. 1a and 1b, arches 50 are fixed on the supports 5a and 5b, metal strips 51 passing in said arches and encircling the post 7.

It is also possible to use a fixing device of the type described in patent FR 2 781 258 and comprising a fixed element forming a slideway permanently mounted on a post 7 or a faceplate and on which slides, and can be immobilized by screwing, a removable element consisting of a jaw fixed on the supports 5a and 5b by means of a locking plate. The fixing on the facade can also be achieved by means of carabiners or special nails arranged on the front and in which are positioned snap rings or cables arranged on the supports 5a and 5b.

Referring to Figure 1b, the photovoltaic cells 2 are arranged on a panel 20 rotatably mounted on the support 5a along a horizontal axis 53, so as to vary the inclination of said panel relative to the vertical. It is thus possible to optimize the solar energy uptake area according to the latitude of the place where the decoration system object of the invention and / or according to the season is arranged. In practice, the panel 20 is made of metal, flexible plastic, rigid plastic, or wood and assembled on the first support 5a via a pivot link of horizontal axis 21 disposed at the upper end of said panel. A transverse bar 53 is fixed at one of its ends to the support 5a, via a pivot connection of horizontal axis 54. The other end of the cross bar 53 is configured to be positioned in zones In the reception area 22 in which is disposed the end of the cross bar 53, the inclination of the panel 22 varies (dotted representation in Figure 1 b). The receiving zones 22 may for example be made in the form of notches or notches in which is positioned the end of the crossbar 53.

In an alternative embodiment and / or in a complementary manner, the panel 20 is mounted movably on the first support 5a, a device

engine arranged with said panel being configured to move the latter according to the position of the sun. In this way, the photovoltaic cells 2 are permanently oriented in the direction of the sun, which optimizes the energy efficiency of the assembly.

Referring to Figures 1a and 1b, the control circuit 4 and the (the) battery (s) 3 are advantageously arranged in a housing 8 so as to protect against external aggression (rain, dust, ...) . The housing 8 is fixed temporarily or permanently on the second support 5b, preferably under the panel 20 so that it does not interfere with the sunlight of the photovoltaic cells 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, the control circuit 4 controls the illumination time slots of the light sources 11, either by means of a programmer 45 or by the presence detection of the electrical network 9. During the ranges illumination times, the control circuit 4 is configured to: • automatically connect the light sources 11 directly to the (the) battery (s) 3 as this (these) last (s) delivers (s) a voltage 20 sufficient to power said light sources, • automatically connect the light sources 11 directly to the power grid 9 as the (the) battery (s) 3 does not provide (not) sufficient voltage to power said light sources.

To do this, the control circuit 4 advantageously comprises: a regulator 44 controlling the various relays 41, 42 and 43 as well as the charge management of the battery (s) 3; A programmer 45 for determining illuminations time slots of the light sources 11, said programmer cooperating with the regulator 44 for controlling the third relay 43; -10-

A first relay 41 having a two-position contact. One of the positions is connected to the electrical network 9, the other position is connected to the output of the second relay 42 delivering the resulting energy of the series and / or parallel coupling of the (the) battery (s) 3. The control 411 of first relay 41 is generated by the regulator 44; A second relay 42 having a plurality of two-position contacts. The different positions of the contacts are connected to the different poles of the battery (s) 3 in order to obtain adequate serial and / or parallel coupling, either for charging said battery (s), or for obtaining the supply voltage of the light sources 11. The control 421 of the second relay 42 is generated by the regulator 44; A third relay 43 having a single contact making it possible to ensure or interrupt the supply of the light sources 11 according to the programmed illumination time slots and / or according to the presence detection of the electrical network 9. The control 431 of the third relay 43 is generated by the regulator 44.

The different relays 41, 42, 43 used are of the type known to those skilled in the art: electromechanical, electrostatic, etc. Regulator 44 and programmer 45 are also of the type known to those skilled in the art.

When the sunlight is sufficient, the photovoltaic cells 2 recharge the battery (s) 3 (dashed arrows in Figure 2). The charge of the battery (s) 3 is only ensured by the photovoltaic cells 2, and 25 not by the electrical network 9, unlike other existing installations, for example of the type described in WO 02 / 33311 (ELECTRONIC SOLAR PRODUCTS LIMITED). During the charging phase, the control 421 of the second relay 42 is such that the coupling of the battery (s) 3 makes it possible to recharge one or more batteries in 12 volts by means of the photovoltaic cells 2. During the phase of use of (the) battery (s) 3, the control 421 of the second relay 42 is such that the coupling of the -11-

battery (s) 3 makes it possible to obtain the adequate supply voltage of the light sources 11 (12 volts, 24 volts, or more depending on the number of batteries used). As long as the voltage delivered by the battery (s) 3 is sufficient, the control 411 of the second relay 41 is such that the light sources 11 are powered by said battery (s). When the supply voltage delivered by the (the) battery (s) 3 becomes insufficient or zero, the control 411 of the first relay 41 is such that the light sources 11 are powered by the electrical network 9.

Indicator lights may be provided at the control circuit 4 so as to indicate to the operator which power source is used. For example, it is possible to provide a green diode to indicate that the energy used comes from the battery (s) 3 and a red diode in the case where the energy used comes from the electrical network 9.

The regulator 44 controls the various relays 41, 42, 43 as well as the charge management of the battery (s) 3. This regulator 44 controls in particular the switching of the first relay 41 when the voltage delivered by the the) battery (s) 3 is no longer sufficient to power the light sources 11. For a battery (s) 3 of 12 volts, the cutoff threshold value is between 11 volts and 12 volts. The regulator 44 thus avoids a deep discharge of the battery (s) 3. The output of the second relay 42 is connected to the regulator 44 so that the discharge of the battery (s) 3 can be quantified and controlled. . In practice, when the (the) battery (s) 3 delivers (s) a voltage lower than the threshold value, the controller 44 manages the control 411 of the first relay 41 so that the light sources 11 are fed by the electrical network 9 The regulator 44 advantageously incorporates electronic components arranged so that the supply voltage delivered by the (the) battery (s) 3 is almost constant. The regulator 44 still has the function - 12 -

to regulate the charge of the battery (s) 3 in low and high values. In this way, regardless of the amount of electrical energy produced by the photovoltaic cells 2, (the) battery (s) 3 is (are) recharged (s) substantially under constant voltage. When the photovoltaic cells 2 do not produce a sufficient amount of energy to recharge the (the) battery (s) 3, the regulator 44 cuts the connection between said battery (s) and said photovoltaic cells.

Referring to FIG. 2, the third relay 43 makes it possible to cut off the power supply of the light sources 11 via the regulator 44 and the programmer 45. In practice, the control circuit 4, via the regulator 44, controls the hourly phases of illumination of the light sources 11, either via the programmer 45, or by the presence detection of the electrical network 9.

Regarding public illuminations, it is common for the electricity network 9 to be present only from nightfall (for example 18 hours) until sunrise (for example 5 hours). In this case, the regulator 44 can drive the third relay 43 so as to power the light sources 11 only when the electrical network 9 is present (from 18 h to 5 h). As seen previously, during this time slot, the light sources 11 will be powered either by the (the) battery (s) 3, or by the electrical network 9. And when the electrical network 9 is absent (from 5 am to 18 pm) , the regulator 44 drives the third relay 43 so as to cut off the power supply of the light sources 11.

Through the programmer 45, the regulator 44 can also drive the third relay 43 so as to power the light sources 11 during user-defined time slots. These time slots may be independent of the time slots during which the electrical network 9 is present. For example, the programmer 45 may be programmed to control the third relay 43 so as to power the light sources every day of the week from 6 pm to 11 pm and from 5 am to 7 am

and that on Saturdays and Sundays, said light sources are illuminated from 6 pm to 7 am As seen previously, during these time slots, the light sources 11 will be powered either by the (the) battery (s) 3, or by the electrical network 9.

These two modes of operation, unlike the known systems of the prior art which operate as soon as the ambient luminosity weakens sufficiently, make it possible to precisely determine the illumination time slots of the light sources 11 and to generate energy savings. In all cases, the light sources 11 are fed first by the (the) battery (s) 3 as the discharge threshold is not reached.

Claims (7)

claims 1. Decoration system comprising a luminous decoration (1) on which several light sources (11) are arranged, the latter being arranged with a power supply device equipped with an electrical connection connected to the electrical network (9), characterized in that said power supply device furthermore comprises: • one or more batteries (3) capable of supplying said light sources, the charge of said battery (s) being solely provided by photovoltaic cells (2), A control circuit (4) controlling the illumination time slots of the light sources (11), either via a programmer (45) or by the presence detection of the electrical network (9), and by the fact that during the illumination time slots, the control circuit (4) is configured to: • automatically connect the light sources (11) directly to the battery (s) (3) as long as this these (s) last (s) delivers (s) a voltage sufficient to power said light sources, • automatically connect the light sources (11) directly to the power grid (9) as the (the) battery (s) (3) does not supply a voltage sufficient to supply said light sources. 2. Decorating system according to claim 1, wherein the supply device comprises a plurality of batteries (3) arranged between them, the control circuit (4) being equipped with a relay (42) having a plurality of contacts at two positions. , the different positions of the contacts-15- being connected to the different poles of said batteries so as to obtain a series and / or parallel coupling of the latter according to the control of said relay s. 3. Decoration system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the photovoltaic cells (2) are arranged on a panel (20) rotatably mounted on a support (5a) along a horizontal axis (21), so as to ability to vary the inclination of said panel relative to the vertical. 4. Decoration system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the photovoltaic cells (2) are arranged on a panel (20) movably mounted on the autonomous support (5), a motor device arranged with said panel being configured to move the latter according to the position of the sun. 5. Decoration system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control circuit (4) comprises: • a regulator (44) providing control (411, 421, 431) of a first, second and third relay ( 41, 42, 43) as well as the charge management of the battery (s) (3); • a programmer (45) for determining illumination time ranges of the light sources (11), said programmer cooperating with the regulator (44) for controlling the third relay (43); The first relay (41) having a two-position contact, one of the positions being connected to the electrical network (9), the other position being connected to the output of the second relay (42); The second relay (42) having a plurality of two-position contacts, the different positions of the contacts being connected to the different poles of the battery (s) (3) in order to obtain adequate serial and / or parallel coupling, 16- either for charging said battery (s) or for obtaining the supply voltage of the light sources (11); A third relay (43) having a single contact making it possible to ensure or interrupt the supply of the light sources (11) according to the programmed illumination time periods and / or according to the presence detection of the electrical network (9). 6. Decorating system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light sources (11) are of the firefly garlands type formed by a series of small light bulbs interconnected by supply son or tube-type tubes neon or luminous tubes consisting of flexible and transparent ducts, and containing many light sources of small dimensions. 7. Decoration system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light sources (11) are incandescent lamps or light emitting diodes (LEDs).