Lighting driving device and lighting apparatus

A lighting driving device is to be installed on a part of a structure. The lighting driving device includes: a metallic casing including a slit through which radio waves pass; a communication circuit which is housed in the metallic casing and performs wireless communication; a driving circuit which is housed in the metallic casing and supplies power to a light emitter; and an insulator which is disposed on the metallic casing and spaces apart the slit from the part of the structure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application Number 2017-028346 filed on Feb. 17, 2017, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a lighting driving device and a lighting apparatus including the lighting driving device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, a lighting apparatus which includes a power supply circuit for supplying power to a light source, an antenna for transmitting or receiving a radio signal, and a metallic casing for housing the power supply circuit and the antenna is disclosed (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-58167). The metallic casing has an opening formed therein. The antenna is disposed so as to emit radio waves through the opening.

With such a lighting apparatus, it is possible to secure a communication function of wireless communication, and improve a communication quality.

SUMMARY

However, when the lighting apparatus is installed on a part of a structure such as a ceiling, a wall, etc., there are instances where a lighting driving device which includes a driving circuit, a metallic casing, etc. is disposed on a part of a structure such as a metallic beam, due to a restriction on a position at which the lighting driving device is disposed. In this case, even when a slit is formed in the metallic casing, the slit might be covered by the metallic beam, depending on the position at which the lighting driving device is disposed.

In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a lighting driving device and a lighting apparatus which can secure a communication function and a communication quality of a communication circuit, even when the lighting driving device is mounted to a conductor.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a lighting driving device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a lighting driving device to be installed on a part of a structure, and includes: a metallic casing including a slit through which radio waves pass; a communication circuit which is housed in the metallic casing and performs wireless communication; a driving circuit which is housed in the metallic casing and supplies power to a light emitter; and an insulator which is disposed on the metallic casing and spaces apart the slit from the part of the structure.

In addition, in order to achieve the above-described object, a lighting apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the light emitter, and a lighting driving device which supplies power to the light emitter.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to secure a communication function and a communication quality of a communication circuit, even when the lighting driving device is mounted to a conductor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the subsequently-described embodiment shows a specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, numerical values, shapes, materials, structural components, the arrangement and connection of the structural components, etc. shown in the following exemplary embodiment are mere examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, among the structural components in the following exemplary embodiment, components not recited in the independent claim which indicates the broadest concept of the present invention are described as arbitrary structural components.

Moreover, “substantially” and “approximately” mean, for example in the case of “substantially the same”, not only exactly the same, but what would be recognized as essentially the same as well.

In addition, each of the diagrams is a schematic diagram and thus is not necessarily strictly illustrated. In each of the diagrams, substantially the same structural components are assigned with the same reference signs, and redundant descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

The following describes a lighting driving device and a lighting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Embodiment

First, a configuration of lighting driving device10and lighting apparatus1according to the embodiment shall be described with reference toFIG. 1toFIG. 4.

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view which illustrates a portion of lighting apparatus1according to the embodiment. InFIG. 2, (a) is a plan view of lighting driving device10according to the embodiment. InFIG. 2, (b) is a side view of lighting driving device10according to the embodiment. InFIG. 2, (c) is a rear view of lighting driving device10according to the embodiment. InFIG. 2, conductor5is illustrated by a two-dot chain line. InFIG. 3, (a) is a perspective view of lighting driving device10, guide110, and conductor5according to the embodiment, which are viewed from a Z-axis plus side. InFIG. 3, (b) is a perspective view of lighting driving device10and guide110according to the embodiment, which are viewed from a Z-axis minus side.FIG. 4is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view which illustrates a side face of lighting driving device10and guide110according to the embodiment, along the line IV-IV of (b) inFIG. 3.

Directions of X, Y, and Z are defined as follows: the longitudinal direction of slit21ais defined as an X-axis direction; the longitudinal direction of conductor5is defined as a Y-axis direction; and the direction which is orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is defined as a Z-axis direction. With respect to lighting driving device10, the side where device body100is located is defined as an X-axis plus side. In a plan view of metallic casing20, the side where slit21ais located is defined as a Y-axis plus side. The side above conductor5, where lighting driving device10is located, is defined as the Z-axis plus side. It should be noted that the directions illustrated inFIG. 1correspond to the directions illustrated inFIG. 2. The same applies to all subsequent figures.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, lighting apparatus1is, for example, a downlight or the like.FIG. 1illustrates a state in which lighting apparatus1is mounted in recessed hole3aformed in ceiling3. Lighting apparatus1according to the embodiment is, for example, recessed lighting apparatus1which is installed by being recessed in ceiling3of a house or the like, to emit light onto a floor, a wall, etc. It should be noted that lighting apparatus1may be a linear-tube LED lamp.

Lighting driving device10is installed in a ceiling or the like, for example. Lighting driving device10is connected, via power line82, to a system power (commercial power supply) that is a source of supplying AC power. Lighting driving device10is electrically connected to device body100via interconnecting line81, and supplies power to device body100. Lighting driving device10is elongated in the X-axis direction. Here, the part of a structure used in installing lighting driving device10is conductor5which includes metal and has an elongate shape, such as a beam made of a metal material, for example. However, the part of a structure may be a ceiling, a wall, or the like.

Metallic casing20is a metallic box which houses driving circuit41, communication circuit43, etc. therein. Metallic casing20has an elongate shape in the X-axis direction. Metallic casing20is shaped by, for example, bending a plate component made of metal such as aluminum.

As illustrated in (a) to (c) ofFIG. 2, metallic casing20has a plurality of faces each of which has a substantially rectangular shape. More specifically, metallic casing20includes bottom portion21, ceiling portion23, first side wall portion31, second side wall portion32, third side wall portion33, and fourth side wall portion34.

Bottom portion21is a bottom wall of metallic casing20, and is disposed on the Z-axis minus side of metallic casing20. Bottom portion21is substantially parallel to a plane defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Ceiling portion23is disposed to face bottom portion21. Ceiling portion23is a wall (ceiling) of metallic casing20, and disposed on the Z-axis plus side of metallic casing20. Ceiling portion23is substantially parallel to bottom portion21. First side wall portion31is a side wall disposed on an end of bottom portion21and ceiling portion23on the Y-axis minus side. First side wall portion31is substantially parallel to a plane defined by the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Second side wall portion32is a side wall disposed to face first side wall portion31on an end of bottom portion21and ceiling portion23on the Y-axis plus side. Second side wall portion32is substantially parallel to first side wall portion31. Third side wall portion33is a side wall disposed on an end of bottom portion21and ceiling portion23on the X-axis minus side. Third side wall portion33is substantially parallel to a plane defined by the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Fourth side wall portion34is a side wall disposed to face first side wall portion31on an end of bottom portion21and ceiling portion23on the X-axis plus side. Fourth side wall portion34is substantially parallel to third side wall portion33. In other words, first side wall portion31, second side wall portion32, third side wall portion33, and fourth side wall portion34surround a periphery of bottom portion21and ceiling portion23.

It should be noted that metallic casing20may be configured by combining a first cover and a second cover. For example, the first cover may be disposed on the Z-axis minus side of metallic casing20, and the second cover may be disposed on the Z-axis plus side of metallic casing20. In this case, for example, the first cover may include bottom portion21, first side wall portion31, and second side wall portion32, and the second cover may include ceiling portion23, third side wall portion33, and fourth side wall portion34.

As illustrated in (c) ofFIG. 2, slit21awhich penetrates in the Z-axis direction through bottom portion21is formed in bottom portion21. Slit21ais a cutout for causing radio waves to pass through. According to the present embodiment, slit21ais a cutout that is elongated in the X-axis direction. Slit21amay have a length that is at least an approximately half of a wavelength that corresponds to a frequency of a radio signal. For example, when lighting driving device10is mounted above conductor5(also referred to as a channel) such as a metallic beam, the longitudinal direction of slit21aand conductor5are three-dimensionally crossed with each other. In particular, in the case where lighting driving device10is mounted above conductor5such as a metallic beam, slit21amay be substantially orthogonal to conductor5when slit21aand conductor5are viewed in the Z-axis direction.

Bottom portion21is provided with an insulator for spacing apart conductor5from slit21a. More specifically, the insulator is mounted on a portion of metallic casing20in which slit21ais formed. The insulator is guide110for mounting metallic casing20to conductor5.

Guide110is a component which guides (mounts) lighting driving device10to conductor5when installing lighting driving device10to conductor5, in such a manner that the longitudinal direction of lighting driving device10(the longitudinal direction of slit21a) and the longitudinal direction of conductor5are three-dimensionally crossed with each other. Guide110is made of an insulating material including a resin or the like.

Guide110is mounted on a surface of bottom portion21on the Z-axis minus side so as to cover a portion of slit21a. According to the present embodiment, guide110is fixed to bottom portion21so as to cover a center portion of slit21a. In other words, as illustrated in (c) ofFIG. 2and (a) ofFIG. 3, guide110guides conductor5such that conductor5overlaps with the center portion of slit21ain a plan view of slit21aand conductor5.

Guide110is detachable from metallic casing20. Guide110is, for example, fixed to metallic casing20by a component such as a screw, a tape, etc.

As illustrated in (c) ofFIG. 2and (b) ofFIG. 3, flat plate portion111is a rectangular flat plate, and is in surface-to-surface contact with a surface of bottom portion21on the Z-axis minus side so as to cover a portion of slit21a.

Lateral wall portions113restrict a movement of metallic casing20. More specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 4, when lighting driving device10is mounted to conductor5by causing guide110to be engaged with conductor5, the pair of lateral wall portions113hold conductor5from the both sides of conductor5. In other words, the pair of lateral wall portions113are in contact with conductor5at the time of mounting lighting driving device10to conductor5, and thus a movement of lighting driving device10in the X-axis directions is restricted.

More specifically, one of the pair of lateral wall portions113is a side wall disposed at an end of flat plate portion111on the X-axis plus side, and is substantially parallel to a plane defined by the Z-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The other of the pair of lateral wall portions113is a side wall disposed to face the one of the pair of lateral wall portions113, at an end of flat plate portion111on the X-axis minus side, and is substantially parallel to the plane defined by the Z-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

It should be noted that the total number of lateral wall portions113may be one or may be three or more, and it is not necessary for conductor5to be held by lateral wall portions113from the both sides of conductor5, for example.

As illustrated in (a) ofFIG. 2and (a) ofFIG. 3, slit23awhich penetrates in the Z-axis direction through ceiling portion23is formed in ceiling portion23. Slit23ais a cutout that is elongated in the X-axis direction, according to the present embodiment. Slit23amay have a length that is at least an approximately half of wavelength that corresponds to a frequency of a radio signal. For example, when lighting driving device10is mounted above conductor5which is a metallic beam or the like, the longitudinal direction of slit23ais three-dimensionally crossed with conductor5. In particular, when lighting driving device10is installed on conductor5such as a metallic beam, metallic casing20may be mounted such that slit23ais substantially orthogonal to conductor5. In other words, in a plan view of conductor5and slit21a, guide110mounts metallic casing20such that conductor5and slit23aare substantially orthogonal to each other.

It should be noted that metallic casing20may be provided with three or more slits including slits21aand23a, or may be provided with only slit21a. In addition, the shapes of slits21aand23aare not specifically limited.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, driving circuit41is a circuit (lighting-up circuit) for supplying power to light emitter101of device body100. More specifically, driving circuit41converts AC power supplied from system power or the like via interconnecting line81, into DC power, and supplies the DC power to light emitter101.

Driving circuit41is, for example, formed using a printed circuit board. More specifically, driving circuit41includes a diode bridge rectifier circuit which converts AC power to DC power, and a DC-DC converter. It should be noted that driving circuit41may be implemented by a single integrated circuit (IC) which has a function equivalent to the functions of the rectifier circuit and the DC-DC converter.

As illustrated in (a) to (c) inFIG. 2, communication circuit43is a communication module which includes an antenna for performing wireless communication with an external device (e.g., remote control90illustrated inFIG. 1). Communication circuit43is electrically connected to driving circuit41. Communication circuit43is disposed in proximity to slit21a.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, communication circuit43includes an antenna and a radio control circuit.

The antenna is a conductive pattern disposed on a printed circuit board. The antenna is a pattern antenna for transmitting or receiving a radio signal. It should be noted that the antenna is not limited to the pattern antenna, and may be any antenna as long as the antenna performs at least one of transmitting a radio signal and receiving a radio signal.

The frequency band of a radio signal which the antenna transmits or receives is, for example, an ultra high frequency (UHF) band or a super high frequency (SHF) band.

The radio control circuit is an integrated circuit which controls transmitting or receiving of a radio signal performed by the antenna. According to the present embodiment, the radio control circuit obtains a predetermined command included in a radio signal received by the antenna from remote controller90. The radio control circuit controls a power supply circuit according to the obtained command. More specifically, the radio control circuit turning on and off a light source, by controlling the power supply circuit.

Device body100is a device which is supplied with power from lighting driving device10via interconnecting line81, to perform lighting. Device body100is a casing shaped into a substantially circular truncated cone. Device body100includes light emitter101, a plurality of cooling fins, and an attaching spring.

Light emitter101is a device which is supplied with power to emit light. Light emitter101includes a substrate on which a light source is mounted, and emits predetermined light. According to the present embodiment, the light source is, for example, a packaged white LED element of a surface mount device (SMD) type. A chip on board (COB) LED element in which an LED chip is directly mounted on the substrate is used.

The cooling fins are disposed on an outer peripheral surface of device body100, and protrude outwardly. The cooling fins are metallic fins for releasing, to the outside, heat generated when the light source emits light. The cooling fins are, for example, integrally formed with device body100.

The attaching spring is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of device body100. The attaching spring is outwardly biased on the outer peripheral surface of device body100. The attaching spring is used for attaching device body100into recessed hole3a.

The inventors of the present disclosure conducted a simulation analysis regarding an average gain of communication circuit43when lighting driving device10is mounted to conductor5via guide110.

Conditions of the simulation analysis are as follows: the frequency of wireless communication is 920 MHz; the width of slit21ais 2 mm; and the length of slit21ais 145 mm. In addition, lighting driving device10is mounted to conductor5such that slit21aand conductor5are orthogonal to each other.

First, a relationship between an average gain and a distance from slit21ato conductor5will be described.

InFIG. 5, (a) is a graph which indicates a relationship between an average gain and a distance from slit21ato conductor5, when directivity characteristics of radio waves emitted through slit21aare calculated on an XY plane defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. InFIG. 5, (b) is a graph which indicates a relationship between an average gain and a distance from slit21ato conductor5, when directivity characteristics of radio waves emitted through slit21aare calculated on an YZ plane defined by the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. InFIG. 5, (c) is a graph which indicates a relationship between an average gain and a distance from slit21ato conductor5, when directivity characteristics of radio waves emitted through slit21aare calculated on an ZX plane defined by the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction.

InFIG. 5, when conductor5and bottom portion21are in contact with each other (i.e., when the distance between slit21aand conductor5is 0 mm), the average gain decreases in any of the graphs. It is indicated that the average gain increases when conductor5and bottom portion21are spaced apart by even a little. The result shows that there is a peak of the average gain when the distance between slit21aand conductor5is approximately in a range from 0 mm to 20 mm. In view of this, guide110causes the distance between conductor5and slit21ato be in a range from greater than 0 mm to 20 mm or less. For example, the average gain can be improved by setting the thickness of flat-plate portion111of guide110to be in a range greater than 0 mm and to approximately 20 mm.

Next, a result of a simulation analysis regarding an average gain will be described.

FIG. 6is a graph which indicates an average gain of each of the XY plane, the YZ plane, and the ZX plane.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, TEST1indicates the case where the distance between slit21aand conductor5is 0.8 mm, TEST2indicates the case where there is no conductor5(i.e., the distance between slit21aand conductor5is infinite), and TEST3indicates the case where the distance between slit21aand conductor5is 0 mm (i.e., slit21aand conductor5are in contact with each other). It should be noted that lighting driving device10according to the present embodiment is used in TEST1to TEST3.

In TEST3, the average gain is −15 (dBi) or less in any of the planes (the XY plane, the YZ plane, and the ZX plane). In TEST2, although the average gain is not deteriorated as much as the case in TEST3, the average gain is not improved as much as the case in TEST1in the XY plane and the YZ plane. The result of TEST1indicates that the average gain improves in any of the planes. In addition, in the YZ plane of TEST1, the average gain improves by approximately 22 dBi compared to the case of TEST3. In particular, when conductor5is slightly spaced apart from slit21ain the XY plane and the YZ plane, the average gain improved by approximately 5.1 dBi and approximately 5 dBi, compared to the case where conductor5is not provided.

Next, an advantageous effect of lighting driving device10and lighting apparatus1according to the present embodiment will be described.

As described above, lighting driving device10according to the present embodiment is to be installed on a part of a structure (conductor5). In addition, lighting driving device10includes: metallic casing20including slit21athrough which radio waves pass; communication circuit43which is housed in metallic casing20and performs wireless communication; driving circuit41which is housed in metallic casing20and supplies power to light emitter101; and an insulator (guide110) which is disposed on metallic casing20and spaces apart slit21afrom the part of the structure (conductor5).

In this manner, since guide110which spaces apart metallic casing20from conductor5is provided to metallic casing20, slit21ais not covered by conductor5. For that reason, even when lighting driving device10is disposed on conductor5due to a restriction on a position at which lighting driving device10is mounted at the time of installing lighting apparatus1, it is possible to improve a communication performance of communication circuit43.

Accordingly, it is possible to secure a communication function and a communication quality of communication circuit43, even when lighting driving device10is disposed on conductor5.

In addition, lighting apparatus1according to the present embodiment includes light emitter101, and lighting driving device10which supplies power to light emitter101.

Lighting apparatus1in which such lighting driving device10as described above is used also produces advantageous effects the same as or similar to the above-described advantageous effects.

In addition, in lighting driving device10according to the present embodiment, the part of the structure is conductor5. In addition, the insulator is guide110for mounting metallic casing20to conductor5. Guide110mounts metallic casing20to conductor5such that conductor5and slit21aare three-dimensionally crossed with each other.

In this manner, since guide110mounts metallic casing20to conductor5such that conductor5and slit21aare three-dimensionally crossed with each other, it is possible for communication circuit43to secure a radio wave intensity and expand a communication distance.

In addition, in lighting driving device10according to the present embodiment, conductor5has an elongate shape, and guide110mounts metallic casing20to conductor5such that conductor5and slit21aare substantially orthogonal to each other in a plan view of conductor5and slit21a.

In this manner, since guide110mounts metallic casing20to conductor5such that slit21ais substantially orthogonal to conductor5, it is possible for communication circuit43to more reliably secure a radio wave intensity and expand a communication distance.

In addition, in lighting driving device10according to the present embodiment, guide110has lateral wall portion113which restricts a movement of metallic casing20.

In this manner, since lateral wall portion113restricts a movement of metallic casing20, it is possible to make lighting driving device10stably disposed on conductor5.

In addition, in lighting driving device10according to the present embodiment, lateral wall portion113of guide110includes a pair of lateral wall portions113, and the pair of lateral wall portions113hold conductor5therebetween when mounting lighting driving device10to conductor5.

In this manner, since lateral wall portions113hold conductor5therebetween, it is possible to make lighting driving device10stably disposed more solidly on conductor5.

In addition, in lighting driving device10according to the present embodiment, a distance between conductor5and slit21ais less than or equal to 20 mm.

According to this configuration, since it is possible to improve an average gain, it is possible to secure a communication function and a communication quality of communication circuit43.

In addition, in lighting driving device10according to the present embodiment, the insulator (guide110) is detachable from metallic casing20.

According to this configuration, by attaching guide110to metallic casing20at the time of installing lighting apparatus1on conductor5, it is possible to easily secure a communication function and a communication quality of communication circuit43of lighting driving device10.

In addition, in lighting driving device10according to the present embodiment, when metallic casing20is mounted to conductor5with guide110being interposed therebetween, guide110covers a portion of slit21a.

In addition, in lighting driving device10according to the present embodiment, slit21ahas a length that is at least a half of a wavelength of a radio signal passing through slit21awhen communication circuit43performs wireless communication.

In addition, in lighting driving device10according to the present embodiment, communication circuit43is disposed in proximity to slit21a.

In addition, lighting driving device10according to the present embodiment is to be installed on conductor5. Lighting driving device10includes: metallic casing20including slit21athrough which radio waves pass; communication circuit43which is housed in metallic casing20and performs wireless communication with an external device that transmits a radio signal for controlling light emitter101; driving circuit41which is housed in metallic casing20, and supplies power to light emitter101according to the control signal received by communication circuit43; and guide110which is disposed on metallic casing20and spaces apart slit21afrom conductor5.

Variation 1 of the Embodiment

The following describes lighting driving device10according to Variation 1 of the embodiment.

InFIG. 7, (a) is a side view which illustrates lighting driving device10and guide210according to Variation 1 of the embodiment. InFIG. 7, (b) is a rear view which illustrates lighting driving device10and guide210according to Variation 1 of the embodiment.

The present variation is different from the embodiment in the shape of lateral wall portions213of guide210.

Lighting driving device10of the present variation is similar to or same as lighting driving device10of the embodiment in other structural components, and thus the same structural components are assigned with the same reference signs, and detailed descriptions for the structural components will be omitted.

As illustrated in (a) and (b) ofFIG. 7, lateral wall portions213of guide210are disposed on the both sides of conductor5so as to be opposed to each other with conductor5being interposed therebetween. The distance between the pair of lateral wall portions213increases in the direction in which the pair of lateral wall portions213rise from a bottom member. In other words, the distance from one of the pair of lateral wall portions213to the other gradually increases in the Z-axis minus direction so that it is possible to easily guide conductor5into guide210at the time of mounting lighting driving device10to conductor5. Although the bottom member is flat-plate portion111according to the present embodiment, the bottom member is not limited to flat-plate portion111, and the bottom member may be bottom portion21.

In lighting driving device10according to the present variation, guide210includes the pair of lateral wall portions213. The distance between the pair of lateral wall portions213increases in the direction in which the pair of lateral wall portions213rise.

In this manner, since the distance between the pair of lateral wall portions213increases in the direction in which the pair of lateral wall portions213rise, it is possible to easily guide conductor5into guide210at the time of mounting lighting driving device10to conductor5.

The present variation produces other advantageous effects in the same manner as the embodiment.

Variation 2 of the Embodiment

The following describes lighting driving device10according to Variation 2 of the embodiment.

InFIG. 8, (a) is a side view which illustrates lighting driving device10and guide310according to Variation 2 of the embodiment. InFIG. 8, (b) is a rear view which illustrates lighting driving device10and guide310according to Variation 2 of the embodiment.

The present variation differs from the embodiment in that slits21aand23aare entirely covered by guide310.

Lighting driving device10of the present variation is similar to or same as lighting driving device10of the embodiment in other structural components, and thus the same structural components are assigned with the same reference signs, and detailed descriptions for the structural components will be omitted.

As illustrated in (a) and (b) ofFIG. 8, guide310fixed to bottom portion21of metallic casing20covers the entirety of slit21ain bottom portion21. Two lateral wall portions313of guide310are disposed around the center of flat-plate portion311so as to allow the two lateral wall portions313to hold conductor5therebetween.

In addition, cover350(an example of an insulator) which covers the entirety of slit23ais provided on ceiling portion23. It should be noted that, although guide310and cover350are different component in this case, guide310and cover350may be integrally formed.

In lighting driving device10according to present variation as described above, a plurality of slits including slits21aand23aare formed in metallic casing20. Metallic casing20has one or more portions each of which includes at least one of the plurality of slits including slits21aand23aand on each of which an insulator (guide110) is mounted.

In this manner, since guide310and cover350are disposed on the plurality of slits21aand23aformed in metallic casing20, it is possible to perform communication using slit23aeven when slit21ais covered by another conductor, for example. For that reason, with lighting driving device10, it is possible to secure a communication function and a communication quality of communication circuit43.

In addition, in lighting driving device10according to the present variation, the insulator (guide110) covers the entirety of slit21a.

In this manner, since the insulators (guide110and cover350) cover the entirety of slit21aand slit23a, it is possible to prevent slit21aand slit23afrom being covered by conductor5or another conductor even when lighting driving device10falls accidentally after lighting driving device10is mounted to conductor5. For that reason, with lighting driving device10, it is possible to secure a communication function and a communication quality of communication circuit43.

The present variation also produces other advantageous effects in the same manner as the embodiment.

Variation 3 of the Embodiment

The following describes lighting driving device10according to Variation 3 of the embodiment.

InFIG. 9, (a) is a side view which illustrates lighting driving device10and guide410according to Variation 3 of the embodiment. InFIG. 9, (b) is a rear view which illustrates lighting driving device10and guide410according to Variation 3 of the embodiment.

The present variation differs from the embodiment in that guide410guides conductor5on an end side of slit21a.

Lighting driving device10of the present variation is similar to or same as lighting driving device10of the embodiment in other structural components, and thus the same structural components are assigned with the same reference signs, and detailed descriptions for the structural components will be omitted.

As illustrated in (a) and (b) ofFIG. 9, guide410is a plate-like component having an elongate shape in the X-axis direction, and covers the entirety of slit21a. In guide410, guide groove411which is recessed in the Z-axis plus direction and guides conductor5is formed. Guide groove411has a width gradually decreasing in the Z-axis plus direction. Guide groove411is formed on an end side of guide410. According to the present variation, guide groove411is formed on the X-axis minus side when lighting driving device10and guide410are viewed from the Z-axis minus side. It should be noted that guide groove411may be formed on the X-axis plus side in guide410.

In this case, it is possible to mount lighting driving device10to conductor5according to a position of conductor5that depends on an environment in which lighting apparatus1is installed. For that reason, the degree of freedom of installing lighting apparatus1is less likely be impaired.

The present variation also produces other advantageous effects in the same manner as the embodiment.

Other Embodiments

Although the embodiment and Variations 1 to 3 of the embodiment have been described thus far, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and Variations 1 to 3.

For example, according to the foregoing embodiment, the radio control circuit may perform communication using ZigBee (registered trademark), or may perform communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless local area network (LAN), etc.

Although one or more aspects have been described based on the embodiment and Variations 1 to 3 of the embodiment thus far, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and Variations 1 to 3 of the embodiment. Other forms in which various modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are applied to the embodiment, or forms structured by combining structural components of different aspects of the embodiment may be included within the scope of the one or plural aspects, unless such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present disclosure.