ILLUMINATION UNIT

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an illumination unit and the method of operation thereof, characterized in that it comprises: a photovoltaic module (A), a ceiling light fixture (B), a supporting structure (A1), a shaped line (B1), two side wings (B2), a certain number of spaces (C), optical elements/means (C1), a control unit (D), an electric storage unit (E), a separate printed circuit (F), a string (F1), a cooling fan (G).

Claims

1. Illumination unit, characterized in that it comprises: a supporting structure (A1) suitable for fixing a photovoltaic module (A), wherein: said illumination unit is obtained by mechanical assembly of a ceiling light fixture (B) to a supporting structure (A1) of said photovoltaic module (A) through a junction point, characterized in that: said ceiling light fixture (B) is composed of two side wings (B2), comprising: an electric storage unit (E); a housing seat consisting of a certain number of spaces (C) suitable for containing optical elements/means (C1) and integrated into a separate printed circuit (F) made on a string (F1), wherein: said optical elements/means (C1) are connected with said ceiling light fixture (B) according to an arrangement matching/coinciding with said spaces (C), and wherein: said spaces (C) are punched in said ceiling light fixture (B) in proximity to a shaped line (B1); a control unit (D) consisting of a timer device connected to said printed circuit (F) and comprising: a charge controller, a cooling fan (G) and a remote monitoring device.

2. Illumination unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: said spaces (C) are circular in shape.

3. Illumination unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: said optical elements/means (C1) are manufactured/made from REVO-01 polyurethane material.

4. Illumination unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: said optical elements/means (C1) consist of an annular surface.

5. Illumination unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: said optical elements/means (C1) consist of Fresnel lenses.

6. Illumination unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: said supporting structure (A1) is made of aluminum.

7. Illumination unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: said ceiling light fixture (B) is made of aluminum.

8. Illumination unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: said string (F1) is made of metal.

9. Illumination unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: said electric storage unit (E) is of the lit

Description

[0038] Likewise, it must be pointed out that further features and advantages of the invention will become more evident in the light of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, which will not however exclude other embodiments and which is illustrated merely by way of non-limiting example in the annexed drawings, wherein the device/system according to an embodiment of the present invention is made up of the following parts represented/described in the respective FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, each one showing a schematic view of a low-consumption illumination unit according to the invention.

[0039] With reference to the annexed drawings, an illumination unit (depicted as a whole in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) comprises a supporting structure (A1), preferably made of aluminum and adapted for fixing a photovoltaic module (A) composed of a certain number of mutually connected photovoltaic cells encapsulated therein, i.e. an assembly capable of converting solar energy and producing a given power output.

[0040] As is known, the photovoltaic technology makes it possible to directly transform the energy associated with solar radiation into electric energy by exploiting the photovoltaic effect (interaction between the luminous radiation and the valence electrons of the material), which is based on the properties of some materials (the most common one being silicon, which is widespread in nature) that, if suitably treated, can generate electricity when hit by a luminous radiation.

[0041] Said illumination unit is obtained by mechanical assembly of a ceiling light fixture (B) to said supporting structure (A1) of said photovoltaic module (A) through a junction point.

[0042] Said ceiling light fixture (B) is an anodized structure, preferably made of aluminum and composed of two side wings (B2) obtained by bending in proximity to both ends, comprising: [0043] an electric storage unit (E) inserted/used in a suitable container, i.e. a sealed container preferably made of aluminum; [0044] a housing seat consisting of a certain number of spaces (C), i.e. apertures, preferably circular in shape, in particular holes adapted to contain optical elements/means (C1), i.e. light emitting illumination devices (Light Emitting Diodes) with Fresnel lenses (well known to those skilled in the art) and integrated into a separate printed circuit (F) made on a string (F1), preferably of metal, adapted to reduce the wirings necessary for connecting it to said optical elements/means (C1), wherein:

[0045] said optical elements/means (C1) are preferably manufactured/made from REVO-01 polyurethane material, on the surface of which concentrical refractive grooves are carved, i.e. annular (ring-like) sections/surfaces adapted to provide a mechanical connection (by overlapping) with said ceiling light fixture (B) according to an arrangement matching/coinciding with said spaces (C), and wherein:

[0046] said spaces (C) are punched in said ceiling light fixture (B) in proximity to a shaped line (B1) formed on a sheet that is present on just one side of said ceiling light fixture (B), thus allowing the luminous beam to be conveyed (with a homogeneous flux) onto a useful part of the surface to be illuminated, and allowing the construction of a large illuminating beam with a small focal length; [0047] a control unit (D) adapted to control all the functions of the illuminator, including: [0048] intermittent activation of the illumination at programmable time intervals (depending on the brightness level of the surrounding environment) by means of a timer device, i.e. a timer connected to said printed circuit (F) and comprising a charge controller, configured and programmed to: [0049] ensure the maximum luminous intensity during a night-time slot and a lower intensity during a day-time slot; [0050] ensuring the supply of constant current to the loads, taking it from said photovoltaic panel (A) in conditions of high irradiation (e.g. during the day-time hours, and in particular in the summer periods) and/or from said electric storage unit (E) in conditions of low irradiation (e.g. during the night-time hours, and in particular in the winter periods); [0051] interrupting the charge (by means of a switch) when said electric storage unit (E) is fully charged, and disconnecting the loads when it is completely discharged, thus avoiding overcharge or deep-discharge conditions and considerably extending its service life; [0052] ensuring adequate ventilation for said electric storage unit (E) by means of a cooling fan (G) connected to a thermostat; [0053] checking and verifying the operation of the illumination unit by means of a remote monitoring device.