Lighting fixture and related control method
A lighting fixture comprising: at least one movable element; at least one rotary actuator coupled to the movable element to move the movable element; a position sensor comprising a linear transducer coupled to the rotary actuator and comprising a slider; wherein the linear transducer is configured to move the slider along a path by a displacement proportional to an angular displacement of the rotary actuator; the position sensor comprising a detection module for detecting the position of the slider along the path; the position sensor being configured to calculate the absolute displacement of the movable element based on the detected position of the slider along the path; preferably the path extending along an axis.
1. A lighting fixture comprising:
at least one movable element ( 3 );
at least one rotary actuator ( 7 ) coupled to the movable element ( 3 ) to move the movable element ( 3 );
a position sensor ( 9 ) comprising a linear transducer ( 12 ) coupled to the rotary actuator ( 7 ) and comprising a slider ( 11 ); wherein the linear transducer ( 12 ) is configured to move the slider ( 11 ) along a path (PP) by a displacement proportional to an angular displacement of the rotary actuator ( 7 ); the position sensor ( 9 ) comprising a detection module ( 13 ) to detect the position of the slider ( 11 ) along the path (PP); the position sensor ( 9 ) being configured to calculate the absolute displacement of the movable element ( 3 ) based on the detected position of the slider ( 11 ) along the path (PP); the path (PP) preferably extending along an axis (A).
2. A lighting fixture according to claim 1 , wherein the linear transducer ( 12 ) is of passive type, preferably the linear transducer ( 12 ) does not require any electrical power supply.
3. A lighting fixture according to claim 1 , wherein the movable element ( 3 ) is a head ( 4 ) that rotates about a pan axis (P) and/or a tilt axis (T) under the action of the rotary actuator ( 7 ).
4. A lighting fixture according to claim 1 , wherein the linear transducer ( 12 ) comprises a toothed wheel ( 14 ) coupled to the rotary actuator ( 7 ); preferably the toothed wheel ( 14 ) is integral with a rotor ( 7 a ) of the rotary actuator ( 7 ).
5. A lighting fixture according to claim 4 , wherein the slider ( 11 ) is at least partially defined by a worm screw coupled to the toothed wheel ( 14 ).
6. A lighting fixture according to claim 5 , wherein the detection module ( 13 ) comprises an inductor assembly ( 17 ); at least a portion of the slider ( 11 ) being made of ferromagnetic material and sliding along the path (PP) within the inductor assembly ( 17 ).
7. A lighting fixture according to claim 6 , wherein the detection module ( 13 ) comprises an inductance sensor ( 22 ) to measure an inductance value of the inductor assembly ( 17 ); the position sensor ( 9 ) calculates the position along the path (PP) of the slider ( 11 ) based on the measured inductance value.
8. A lighting fixture according to claim 7 , wherein the inductor assembly ( 17 ) comprises a first inductor ( 20 ) and a second inductor ( 21 ); the first inductor ( 20 ) encloses the slider ( 11 ); the slider ( 11 ) sliding axially within the second inductor ( 21 ) to take a variable position along the path (PP) within the second inductor ( 21 ).
9. A lighting fixture according to claim 8 , wherein the inductance sensor ( 22 ) calculates the inductance value of the first inductor ( 20 ) and the inductance value of the second inductor ( 21 ); the position sensor ( 9 ) calculates the position along the path (PP) of the slider ( 11 ) based on the ratio between the inductance value of the second inductor ( 21 ) and the inductance value of the first inductor ( 20 ).
10. A lighting fixture according to claim 1 , wherein the position sensor ( 9 ) calculates, based on the position of the slider ( 11 ) along the path (PP), at least one element of the following group comprising: the angular position of the rotary actuator ( 7 ), a number of complete revolutions of the rotary actuator ( 7 ) and the direction of rotation of the rotary actuator ( 7 ).
11. A lighting fixture according to claim 1 , wherein the rotary actuator ( 7 ) is an electric motor.
12. A lighting fixture according to claim 1 , wherein the lighting fixture ( 1 ) comprises a control unit ( 10 ) coupled to the position sensor ( 9 ) and configured to receive the absolute position of the movable element ( 3 ) from the position sensor ( 9 ).
13. A lighting fixture according to claim 1 , wherein the detection module ( 13 ) comprises detecting elements of inductive, capacitive, optical or magnetic type configured to measure the position of the slider ( 11 ) along the path (PP).
14. A lighting fixture according to claim 1 , wherein the position sensor ( 9 ) comprises a further angular sensor ( 25 , 26 ) that directly detects the absolute angular position of the rotary actuator ( 7 ); the position sensor ( 9 ) calculates the absolute position of the movable element ( 3 ) based on the measurement of the detection module ( 13 ) and on the measurement of the further angular sensor ( 25 , 26 ); preferably, the further angular sensor ( 25 , 26 ) comprises a magnet ( 25 ) integral with a rotor ( 7 a ) of the rotary actuator ( 7 ) and a magnetic sensor ( 26 ) that detects the angular position of the magnet ( 25 ); preferably the magnetic sensor ( 26 ) faces the magnet ( 25 ); preferably the magnetic sensor ( 26 ) is a Hall sensor.
15. A lighting fixture according to claim 1 , wherein the position sensor ( 9 ) comprises a temperature sensor ( 24 ) configured to detect a temperature value; the position sensor ( 9 ) defines the absolute position of the movable element ( 3 ) based on the inductance value measured by the detection module ( 13 ) and based on the temperature value detected by the temperature sensor ( 24 ).
16. A lighting fixture according to claim 1 , wherein the movable element ( 3 ) is configured to move along a further path between a first initial position and a first final position; the slider ( 11 ) is configured to move along the path (PP) between a second initial position (PI) associated with the first initial position and a second final position (PF) associated with the first final position.
17. A control method of a lighting fixture; the lighting fixture ( 1 ) comprising: at least one movable element ( 3 ); at least one rotary actuator ( 7 ) coupled to the movable element ( 3 ) to move the movable element ( 3 ); the control method comprising the steps of moving a slider ( 11 ) along a path (PP) by a displacement proportional to an angular displacement of the rotary actuator ( 7 ); detecting the position of the slider ( 11 ) along the path (PP); and calculating the angular displacement of the rotary actuator ( 7 ) based on the detected position of the slider ( 11 ).
18. A lighting fixture comprising:
at least one movable element ( 3 );
at least one rotary actuator ( 7 ) coupled to the movable element ( 3 ) to move the movable element ( 3 );
a position sensor ( 9 ) comprising a linear transducer ( 12 ) coupled to the rotary actuator ( 7 ) and comprising a slider ( 11 ); wherein the linear transducer ( 12 ) is configured to move the slider ( 11 ) along a path (PP) by a displacement proportional to an angular displacement of the rotary actuator ( 7 ); the position sensor ( 9 ) comprising a detection module ( 13 ) to detect the position of the slider ( 11 ) along the path (PP); the position sensor ( 9 ) being configured to calculate the absolute displacement of the movable element ( 3 ) based on the detected position of the slider ( 11 ) along the path (PP); the path (PP) preferably extending along an axis (A); wherein the linear transducer ( 12 ) comprises a toothed wheel ( 14 ) coupled to the rotary actuator ( 7 ); preferably the toothed wheel ( 14 ) is integral with a rotor ( 7 a ) of the rotary actuator ( 7 ); wherein the slider ( 11 ) is at least partially defined by a worm screw coupled to the toothed wheel ( 14 ); a lighting fixture according to claim 5 , wherein the detection module ( 13 ) comprises an inductor assembly ( 17 ); at least a portion of the slider ( 11 ) being made of ferromagnetic material and sliding along the path (PP) within the inductor assembly ( 17 ).
19. A lighting fixture according to claim 18 , wherein the detection module ( 13 ) comprises an inductance sensor ( 22 ) to measure an inductance value of the inductor assembly ( 17 ); the position sensor ( 9 ) calculates the position along the path (PP) of the slider ( 11 ) based on the measured inductance value.
20. A lighting fixture according to claim 19 , wherein the inductor assembly ( 17 ) comprises a first inductor ( 20 ) and a second inductor ( 21 ); the first inductor ( 20 ) encloses the slider ( 11 ); the slider ( 11 ) sliding axially within the second inductor ( 21 ) to take a variable position along the path (PP) within the second inductor ( 21 ).
21. A lighting fixture according to claim 20 , wherein the inductance sensor ( 22 ) calculates the inductance value of the first inductor ( 20 ) and the inductance value of the second inductor ( 21 ); the position sensor ( 9 ) calculates the position along the path (PP) of the slider ( 11 ) based on the ratio between the inductance value of the second inductor ( 21 ) and the inductance value of the first inductor ( 20 ).
22. A lighting fixture according to claim 18 , wherein the position sensor ( 9 ) calculates, based on the position of the slider ( 11 ) along the path (PP), at least one element of the following group comprising: the angular position of the rotary actuator ( 7 ), a number of complete revolutions of the rotary actuator ( 7 ) and the direction of rotation of the rotary actuator ( 7 ).
23. A lighting fixture according to claim 18 , wherein the lighting fixture ( 1 ) comprises a control unit ( 10 ) coupled to the position sensor ( 9 ) and configured to receive the absolute position of the movable element ( 3 ) from the position sensor ( 9 ).
24. A lighting fixture according to claim 18 , wherein the position sensor ( 9 ) comprises a further angular sensor ( 25 , 26 ) that directly detects the absolute angular position of the rotary actuator ( 7 ); the position sensor ( 9 ) calculates the absolute position of the movable element ( 3 ) based on the measurement of the detection module ( 13 ) and on the measurement of the further angular sensor ( 25 , 26 ); preferably, the further angular sensor ( 25 , 26 ) comprises a magnet ( 25 ) integral with a rotor ( 7 a ) of the rotary actuator ( 7 ) and a magnetic sensor ( 26 ) that detects the angular position of the magnet ( 25 ); preferably the magnetic sensor ( 26 ) faces the magnet ( 25 ); preferably the magnetic sensor ( 26 ) is a Hall sensor.
25. A lighting fixture comprising:
at least one movable element ( 3 );
at least one rotary actuator ( 7 ) coupled to the movable element ( 3 ) to move the movable element ( 3 );
a position sensor ( 9 ) comprising a linear transducer ( 12 ) coupled to the rotary actuator ( 7 ) and comprising a slider ( 11 ); wherein the linear transducer ( 12 ) is configured to move the slider ( 11 ) along a path (PP) by a displacement proportional to an angular displacement of the rotary actuator ( 7 ); the position sensor ( 9 ) comprising a detection module ( 13 ) to detect the position of the slider ( 11 ) along the path (PP); the position sensor ( 9 ) being configured to calculate the absolute displacement of the movable element ( 3 ) based on the detected position of the slider ( 11 ) along the path (PP); the path (PP) preferably extending along an axis (A), wherein the position sensor ( 9 ) comprises a further angular sensor ( 25 , 26 ) that directly detects the absolute angular position of the rotary actuator ( 7 ); the position sensor ( 9 ) calculates the absolute position of the movable element ( 3 ) based on the measurement of the detection module ( 13 ) and on the measurement of the further angular sensor ( 25 , 26 ); preferably, the further angular sensor ( 25 , 26 ) comprises a magnet ( 25 ) integral with a rotor ( 7 a ) of the rotary actuator ( 7 ) and a magnetic sensor ( 26 ) that detects the angular position of the magnet ( 25 ); preferably the magnetic sensor ( 26 ) faces the magnet ( 25 ); preferably the magnetic sensor ( 26 ) is a Hall sensor.
26. A lighting fixture according to claim 25 , wherein the linear transducer ( 12 ) is of passive type, preferably the linear transducer ( 12 ) does not require any electrical power supply.
27. A lighting fixture according to claim 25 , wherein the movable element ( 3 ) is a head ( 4 ) that rotates about a pan axis (P) and/or a tilt axis (T) under the action of the rotary actuator ( 7 ).
28. A lighting fixture according to claim 25 , wherein the position sensor ( 9 ) calculates, based on the position of the slider ( 11 ) along the path (PP), at least one element of the following group comprising: the angular position of the rotary actuator ( 7 ), a number of complete revolutions of the rotary actuator ( 7 ) and the direction of rotation of the rotary actuator ( 7 ).
29. A lighting fixture according to claim 25 , wherein the lighting fixture ( 1 ) comprises a control unit ( 10 ) coupled to the position sensor ( 9 ) and configured to receive the absolute position of the movable element ( 3 ) from the position sensor ( 9 ).
30. A lighting fixture according to claim 25 , wherein the movable element ( 3 ) is configured to move along a further path between a first initial position and a first final position; the slider ( 11 ) is configured to move along the path (PP) between a second initial position (PI) associated with the first initial position and a second final position (PF) associated with the first final position.
31. A lighting fixture comprising:
at least one movable element ( 3 );
at least one rotary actuator ( 7 ) coupled to the movable element ( 3 ) to move the movable element ( 3 );
a position sensor ( 9 ) comprising a linear transducer ( 12 ) coupled to the rotary actuator ( 7 ) and comprising a slider ( 11 ); wherein the linear transducer ( 12 ) is configured to move the slider ( 11 ) along a path (PP) by a displacement proportional to an angular displacement of the rotary actuator ( 7 ); the position sensor ( 9 ) comprising a detection module ( 13 ) to detect the position of the slider ( 11 ) along the path (PP); the position sensor ( 9 ) being configured to calculate the absolute displacement of the movable element ( 3 ) based on the detected position of the slider ( 11 ) along the path (PP); the path (PP) preferably extending along an axis (A), wherein the position sensor ( 9 ) comprises a temperature sensor ( 24 ) configured to detect a temperature value; the position sensor ( 9 ) defines the absolute position of the movable element ( 3 ) based on the inductance value measured by the detection module ( 13 ) and based on the temperature value detected by the temperature sensor ( 24 ).
32. A lighting fixture according to claim 31 , wherein the linear transducer ( 12 ) is of passive type, preferably the linear transducer ( 12 ) does not require any electrical power supply.
33. A lighting fixture according to claim 31 , wherein the movable element ( 3 ) is a head ( 4 ) that rotates about a pan axis (P) and/or a tilt axis (T) under the action of the rotary actuator ( 7 ).
34. A lighting fixture according to claim 31 , wherein the position sensor ( 9 ) calculates, based on the position of the slider ( 11 ) along the path (PP), at least one element of the following group comprising: the angular position of the rotary actuator ( 7 ), a number of complete revolutions of the rotary actuator ( 7 ) and the direction of rotation of the rotary actuator ( 7 ).
35. A lighting fixture according to claim 31 , wherein the rotary actuator ( 7 ) is an electric motor.
36. A lighting fixture according to claim 31 , wherein the lighting fixture ( 1 ) comprises a control unit ( 10 ) coupled to the position sensor ( 9 ) and configured to receive the absolute position of the movable element ( 3 ) from the position sensor ( 9 ).
37. A lighting fixture according to claim 31 , wherein the detection module ( 13 ) comprises detecting elements of inductive, capacitive, optical or magnetic type configured to measure the position of the slider ( 11 ) along the path (PP).
38. A lighting fixture according to claim 31 , wherein the position sensor ( 9 ) comprises a further angular sensor ( 25 , 26 ) that directly detects the absolute angular position of the rotary actuator ( 7 ); the position sensor ( 9 ) calculates the absolute position of the movable element ( 3 ) based on the measurement of the detection module ( 13 ) and on the measurement of the further angular sensor ( 25 , 26 ); preferably, the further angular sensor ( 25 , 26 ) comprises a magnet ( 25 ) integral with a rotor ( 7 a ) of the rotary actuator ( 7 ) and a magnetic sensor ( 26 ) that detects the angular position of the magnet ( 25 ); preferably the magnetic sensor ( 26 ) faces the magnet ( 25 ); preferably the magnetic sensor ( 26 ) is a Hall sensor.