EP3305024B1 - Dimmable switch, circuit arrangement and lighting system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dimmable lamp, a circuit arrangement for the dimmable power supply of at least one lamp operated with direct voltage / current from an alternating current network and a lighting system comprising a power switch and a) a lamp according to the invention connected in series with the power switch or b) one in series The circuit arrangement according to the invention switched to the power switch and which supplies at least one dimmable lamp.

Numerous different dimmable lamps, circuit arrangements or lighting systems have become known from the prior art, which can implement a dimming function of a light source via conventional mains switches. For example, reveal the documents EP 2830395 A1 , WO 2012/004303 A1 such as US 2011/0133665 A1 Circuit arrangements in which lighting means can be brought into predefined, stored operating states by means of defined control pulses. The control pulses can be specified, for example, via a power switch, whereby, for example, a sequence of switch-on and switch-off states is used to determine the desired control pulses. The lamp is usually dimmed while the power switch is in the switched-on state.

With such circuit arrangements there is a risk that network errors and voltage fluctuations may, under certain circumstances, resemble the switching patterns predefined as "switching information" and are incorrectly interpreted as "switching information", although the mains switch is still in the switched-on state and is not - as assumed - actuated with the corresponding switching pattern has been. As a result, it can happen that - although the mains switch is continuously switched on - mains errors are incorrectly converted into control impulses and lamps are dimmed up or down - even if the mains error has already subsided, as the duration of the implementation of the respective dimming process at the existing systems is mostly independent of the continued existence of the "switching information". In other words, in order to carry out a dimming process, it is sufficient according to the above-mentioned circuit arrangements according to the prior art if the “switching information” is recognized once in order to then carry out a predefined dimming process. The susceptibility to errors of such conventional circuit arrangements is particularly disadvantageous, particularly for safety applications in which failure of the lighting is particularly problematic.

The document US 2013/0334980 A1 discloses a dimmable lamp. If the mains voltage is not present for a definable first period of time, a dimming process is initiated. The dimming process ends when the mains voltage is subsequently present, whereby the dimming value last reached in the dimming process is retained.

From the document WO 2013/090954 A1 a circuit arrangement has become known in which a lamp can be dimmed using a button, the state of the button being detected and being used as "switching information" to determine the dimming state of the lamp. In contrast to the present invention, the circuit device is according to said WO 2013/090954 A1 designed for activation by means of a button to which a diode is connected in parallel, whereby the respective button can only interrupt a half-wave of a mains period of the energy supply from an alternating current network. The construction of this circuit arrangement is complicated and expensive and not suitable for control by conventional power switches.

One object of the invention is therefore to create a dimmable lamp which can be controlled in a simple manner by a conventional mains switch, the lamp being intended to be insensitive to mains fluctuations and mains errors.

• Einen mit Wechselspannung eines Wechselstromnetzes elektrisch verbindbaren Lampensockel zum Einsetzen, insbesondere zum Einschrauben, in eine Lampenfassung,
• zumindest ein mit Gleichstrom betreibbares dimmbares Leuchtmittel,
• ein Gleichspannungsmodul, das dazu eingerichtet ist, die Wechselspannung in eine Gleichspannung zu wandeln und an einen Gleichspannungszweig auszugeben,
• eine durch den Gleichspannungszweig versorgte Ansteuerschaltung zur Versorgung und Ansteuerung des zumindest einen Leuchtmittels,
• eine Detektorschaltung,
• eine mit der Detektorschaltung verbundene Dimmsignalerzeugungsschaltung zur Erzeugung eines Dimmsignals zum Dimmen des zumindest einen Leuchtmittels, wobei die Ansteuerschaltung das zumindest eine Leuchtmittel in Abhängigkeit von dem Dimmsignal steuert, sowie
• einen mittels des Gleichspannungsmoduls ladbaren Energiespeicher, wobei der Energiespeicher zur Stützung des Gleichspannungszweigs mit dem Gleichspannungszweig elektrisch verbunden ist,
  wobei die Dimmsignal-Erzeugungsschaltung dazu eingerichtet ist,
• das Nichtvorliegen einer Spannung bzw. eines Stromes an dem Lampensockel zu erkennen und eine zugehörige Zeitdauer des Nicht-Vorliegens zu erfassen,
• bei Überschreiten einer definierbaren ersten Zeitdauer einen Abdimmvorgang einzuleiten, und
• den Abdimmvorgang für die weitere Zeitdauer fortzusetzen, in der das Nicht-Vorliegen einer Spannung bzw. eines Stromes an dem Lampensockel festgestellt wird, und
• ein nachfolgendes Vorliegen einer Spannung bzw. eines Stromes an dem Lampensockel festzustellen und den Abdimmvorgang zu beenden , indem der zuletzt im Abdimmvorgang erreichte Dimmwert beibehalten wird,

wobei der Energiespeicher zur zwischenzeitlichen Energieversorgung des Leuchtmittels, der Detektorschaltung, der Dimmsignal-Erzeugungsschaltung und der Ansteuerschaltung während der Zeitdauer des Nicht-Vorliegens einer Spannung und/oder eines Stromes an dem Lampensockel eingerichtet ist, wobei die Lampe zudem eine Messvorrichtung zur Messung der an dem Sockel außen anliegenden Impedanz, insbesondere einer Netzimpedanz, aufweist, wobei die Lampe dazu eingerichtet ist, bei Nicht-Vorliegen einer Spannung und/oder eines Stromes an dem Lampensockel die gemessene außen anliegende Impedanz, insbesondere die Netzimpedanz, mit einem vorgebbaren Grenzwert zu vergleichen, wobei ein Abdimmvorgang nur dann eingeleitet wird, wenn- die gemessene Impedanz den vorgebbaren Grenzwert überschreitet und- die Zeitdauer des Nicht-Vorliegens einer Spannung und/oder eines Stromes an dem Lampensockel die definierbare erste Zeitdauer überschreitet, wobei vorzugsweise die definierbare erste Zeitdauer 50 ms beträgt.This object is achieved with a dimmable lamp which, according to the invention, has the following features:

• A lamp base, which can be electrically connected to an alternating voltage of an alternating current network, for insertion, in particular for screwing, into a lamp socket,
• at least one dimmable lamp that can be operated with direct current,
• a DC voltage module that is set up to convert the AC voltage into a DC voltage and output it to a DC voltage branch,
• a control circuit supplied by the DC voltage branch for supplying and controlling the at least one light source,
• a detector circuit,
• a dimming signal generating circuit, connected to the detector circuit, for generating a dimming signal for dimming the at least one luminous means, the control circuit controlling the at least one luminous means as a function of the dimming signal, and also
• an energy store that can be charged by means of the DC voltage module, the energy store being electrically connected to the DC voltage branch to support the DC voltage branch,
  wherein the dimming signal generating circuit is set up to
• to recognize the absence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base and to record an associated period of non-presence,
• initiate a dimming process when a definable first period of time is exceeded, and
• to continue the dimming process for the further period in which the absence of a voltage or a current at the lamp cap is determined, and
• detect a subsequent presence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base and end the dimming process by maintaining the dimming value last reached in the dimming process,

wherein the energy store is set up for the interim energy supply of the lighting means, the detector circuit, the dimming signal generation circuit and the control circuit during the period in which there is no voltage and / or current at the lamp base, the lamp also having a measuring device for measuring the at the Base externally applied impedance, in particular a network impedance, wherein the lamp is set up to compare the measured externally applied impedance, in particular the network impedance, with a predefinable limit value in the absence of a voltage and / or current at the lamp base, wherein a dimming process is only initiated if the measured impedance exceeds the predeterminable limit value and the duration of the non-presence of a voltage and / or a current on the lamp base exceeds the definable first time period, the definable first time period preferably amounting to 50 ms t.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to reliably recognize switching signals or switching information as such and to largely exclude accidental confusion with normal mains fluctuations as a trigger for initiating and carrying out a dimming process, since the dimming process only takes place after a certain period of time in which no voltage or voltage is present. a current is started at the lamp cap and only for the further duration of the non-presence of a voltage or a Stromes is continued. So even if a network fault leads to a brief power failure that exceeds the definable first time period and the dimming process is initiated, the dimming process is ended immediately when the mains voltage returns and not continued as in previous systems, since the dimming process is carried out in contrast to the Lamps according to the prior art presuppose the absence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base. The lamp or the circuit arrangement has at least one energy store which is set up to supply the at least one luminous means. If several energy stores are provided, for example, one energy store for supplying the at least one light source and one or more other energy stores for supplying the required remaining components, such as those of the detector circuit, the dimming signal generating circuit and the control circuit during the period in which no one is present Voltage and / or a current can be provided on the lamp base. The expression, according to which "the energy store is set up for the interim energy supply of the lamp, the detector circuit, the dimming signal generating circuit and the control circuit during the period in which there is no voltage and / or current at the lamp base" is therefore to be understood as that one, two or more energy stores fulfill this function. A plurality of energy stores that are connected to one another or that are separate could also form a common energy store or be understood as such.

In other words, the aforementioned object is achieved in that the dimmable lamp according to the invention has an energy store, in particular a rechargeable battery, which takes over the supply of the lighting means, while the switching or dimming information is transmitted to the lamp, which is on the part of the lamp is only accepted when there is no mains voltage supply.

Any base or sockets can be provided as lamp bases or sockets. Edison sockets or sockets, in particular for example E27 sockets or sockets, may be mentioned by way of example and not by way of limitation. The detector circuit and the dimming signal generating circuit can preferably also be supplied via the direct voltage branch. The expression "duration of the non-presence" of a voltage or a current is understood to mean the duration in which the Voltage or current is not present continuously, i.e. without an interim interruption. An interim presence of a voltage or a current leads to a “restart” or resetting of the duration of the non-presence, which is measured starting from the last end of the presence of a voltage or a current. The dimming process can be specified by the dimming signal generating circuit or the associated dimming signal, in particular its course can be determined. Logically, the dimming process will be ended when there is voltage or current at the lamp base if the dimming process has not already led to a complete dimming of the lamp, that is to say the lamp or the lighting means still emit at least a residual amount of light.

The lamp and the circuit arrangement according to the present invention can of course also be set up to use the switching information received by the mains switch to determine further parameters such as e.g. the color of the emitted light and / or its color temperature. In principle, a large number of switching patterns can be provided, which can be recognized by the lamp or the circuit arrangement or their components, in particular the detector circuit and / or the dimming signal generating circuit, and can be used to specify certain light parameters.

In particular, it can be provided that the capacity of the energy store is selected so that the energy supply of the lighting means, the detector circuit, the dimming signal generating circuit and the control circuit is possible for at least two, in particular at least 5 seconds. Preferably, the energy store can be selected so that the energy store allows at least 7, 8, 9 or at least 10 seconds for the energy store to last. In some cases, however, a supply for 1 second can be sufficient. The expression "supply for at least a period of time, e.g. at least one second" means that the lamp or the circuit arrangement can be in full operation, i.e. the illuminants shine with 100% of their luminosity.

In other words, it has proven to be particularly favorable if the first period of time until the start of a dimming action is 400 ms. Alternatively, it can be provided that the first time period is in the range between 200 and 800 ms, in particular between 300 and 600 ms.

In order to be able to better exclude the misinterpretation of network faults, the lamp has a measuring device for measuring the impedance applied externally to the base, in particular a network impedance. Can be used as a parameter for grid impedance to check whether the power switch is on or off.

• die gemessene Impedanz den vorgebbaren Grenzwert überschreitet und
• die Zeitdauer des Nicht-Vorliegens einer Spannung und/oder eines Stromes an dem Lampensockel die definierbare erste Zeitdauer überschreitet.

This measuring device is used to measure the impedance applied externally to the base, in particular a network impedance. The lamp is set up to compare the measured externally applied impedance, in particular the network impedance, with a predeterminable limit value when there is no voltage and / or current at the lamp base, a dimming process according to claim 1 only being initiated if

• the measured impedance exceeds the definable limit value and
• the duration of the non-presence of a voltage and / or a current at the lamp base exceeds the definable first duration.

By measuring the impedance and comparing it with a predefinable limit value, it is possible to check in a simple manner whether the mains switch is open. This can further increase the operational reliability of the lamp. The expression “the lamp is set up” or “the circuit arrangement is set up” means that the individual components of the lamp or the circuit arrangement, for example the measuring device, detector circuit or the dimming signal generating circuit etc., are set up for the purpose mentioned below could be.

In this case, it can be provided in particular that the definable first time period is only 50 ms. In general, it can be provided that the first time period is between 30 and 200 ms.

In addition, it can be provided that the lamp, in particular the dimming signal generating device, is set up to allow the dimming process only during the period in which the absence of a voltage or a current is detected at the lamp base. In other words, it means that a Control electronics can be provided which only accept or allow a change in the light level when there is no mains voltage.

• die Zeitdauer dieses Vorliegens einer Spannung bzw. eines Stromes an dem Lampensockel festzustellen und mit einer zweiten definierbaren Zeitdauer zu vergleichen, und
• wenn die Zeitdauer dieses Vorliegens einer Spannung bzw. eines Stromes an dem Lampensockel vor Ablauf der zweiten definierbaren Zeitdauer durch nachfolgendes Nicht-Vorliegen einer Spannung bzw. eines Stromes an dem Lampensockel beendet wird, die Dimmrichtung zu ändern.

In order to enable dimming up with the power switch mentioned above in a simple manner, the lamp, in particular the dimming signal generating device, can be set up when the dimming process has been ended by the presence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base

• determine the duration of this presence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base and compare it with a second definable duration, and
• if the duration of this presence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base is ended before the second definable time period has elapsed by the subsequent non-presence of a voltage or a current on the lamp base, to change the dimming direction.

The definable first time period can, for example, be in the range between 200 and 800 ms and in particular be 400 or 500 ms. If the voltage or current is still applied to the lamp base after the second definable period of time has elapsed, the last dimming value reached is retained or saved.

In addition, it can be provided that the energy store, the DC voltage module, the detector circuit and the dimming signal generation circuit are at least partially, preferably completely, housed within the lamp base and the at least one illuminant is enclosed by a translucent glass body.

It can also be provided that the energy store is an accumulator or a capacitor.

In particular, it can be provided that a resistance device, in particular a PTC resistor, is connected between the energy store and the at least one lighting means, the ohmic resistance of which increases as the current flow through the resistance device continues to the lighting means to limit the Current flow increased. The current flow can, for example, decrease by approx. 20% per second.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the at least one lighting means comprises at least one LED.

In order to prevent the lamp from dimming down too quickly during a dimming process, it can be provided that the dimming signal generating circuit or the control circuit is set up to control the dimming process in such a way that the speed of the dimming process is limited in such a way that the perceptible brightness changes reduced by a maximum of 50% within the first second of the dimming process. The expression “perceptible brightness” is understood to mean the brightness perceived by the human eye.

In order to be able to compensate for any voltage change that occurs when the energy store is discharged, provision can be made for the lamp to have an electronic circuit, in particular a step-up converter for converting the voltage of the energy store.

In addition, it can be provided that the lamp has a plurality of lighting means, the control circuit is set up to control the lighting means individually. In this way, the energy consumption of the lamp or the amount of light emitted by the lamp can be controlled in a simple manner. It is also possible in this way to adapt the lamp to the supply by means of a certain voltage level, which, for example, can be variable. A plurality is understood to mean a number of at least three, four, five or more.

It can be particularly favorable if the energy store, the control circuit, the dimming signal generating circuit and / or the at least one lighting means are designed in such a way that the lamp is switched off during a dimming process for a period of at least 2s, preferably at least 5s, particularly preferably at least 10s can take care of yourself.

• ein Gleichspannungsmodul, das dazu eingerichtet ist die Wechselspannung des Wechselstromnetzes in eine Gleichspannung zu wandeln und an einen Gleichspannungszweig abzugeben, wobei die Schaltungsanordnung, insbesondere das Gleichspannungsmodul, mittels eines Netzschalters mit dem Wechselstromnetz verbindbar ist,
• eine durch den Gleichspannungszweig versorgte Ansteuerschaltung zur Versorgung und Ansteuerung des zumindest einen Leuchtmittels,
• eine Detektorschaltung,
• eine mit der Detektorschaltung verbundene Dimmsignal-Erzeugungsschaltung zur Erzeugung eines Dimmsignals zum Dimmen des zumindest einen Leuchtmittels, wobei die Ansteuerschaltung das zumindest eine Leuchtmittel in Abhängigkeit von dem Dimmsignal steuert, sowie
• einen mittels des Gleichspannungsmoduls ladbaren Energiespeicher , wobei der Energiespeicher zur Stützung des Gleichspannungszweigs mit dem Gleichspannungszweig elektrisch verbunden ist,
  wobei die Dimmsignal-Erzeugungsschaltung dazu eingerichtet ist,
• den Ein/Ausschaltzustand des Netzschalters auf Basis des Vorliegens/Nicht-Vorliegens einer Spannung und/oder eines Stromes aus dem Wechselstromnetz festzustellen und die Zeitdauer, in der sich der Netzschalter in einem Ausschaltzustand befindet, zu erfassen,
• bei Überschreiten einer definierbaren ersten Zeitdauer einen Abdimmvorgang einzuleiten, und
• den Abdimmvorgang für die weitere Zeitdauer fortzusetzen, in der sich der Netzschalter im Ausschaltzustand befindet, und
• einen nächstfolgenden Wechsel des Netzschalters in den Einschaltzustand zu erkennen und den Abdimmvorgang zu beenden, indem der zuletzt im Abdimmvorgang erreichte Wert beibehalten wird,

wobei der Energiespeicher zur zwischenzeitlichen Energieversorgung des Leuchtmittels, der Detektorschaltung, der Dimmsignal-Erzeugungsschaltung und der Ansteuerschaltung während der Zeitdauer des Ausschaltzustandes des Netzschalters eingerichtet ist, wobei die Schaltungsanordnung zudem eine Messvorrichtung zur Messung der an der Schaltungsanordnung anliegenden Netzimpedanz des Wechselstromnetzes aufweist, wobei die Schaltungsanordnung dazu eingerichtet ist, die Netzimpedanz mit einem vorgebbaren Grenzwert zu vergleichen, wobei der Abdimmvorgang nur dann eingeleitet wird, wenn- die gemessene Impedanz den vorgebbaren Grenzwert überschreitet und- die Zeitdauer des Nicht-Vorliegens einer Spannung bzw. eines Stromes aus dem Wechselstromnetz die definierbare erste Zeitdauer überschreitet, wobei vorzugsweise die Schaltungsanordnung, insbesondere die Dimmsignal-Erzeugungseinrichtung, dazu eingerichtet ist, den Abdimmvorgang ausschließlich während der Zeitdauer, in der der Ausschaltzustand des Netzschalters festgestellt wird, zuzulassen.The object mentioned at the beginning is achieved in a further aspect of the invention by a circuit arrangement for the dimmable power supply of at least one lighting means operated with direct voltage / current from an alternating current network

• a direct voltage module which is set up to convert the alternating voltage of the alternating current network into a direct voltage and to output it to a direct voltage branch, the circuit arrangement, in particular the direct voltage module, being connectable to the alternating current network by means of a power switch,
• a control circuit supplied by the DC voltage branch for supplying and controlling the at least one light source,
• a detector circuit,
• a dimming signal generating circuit connected to the detector circuit for generating a dimming signal for dimming the at least one luminous means, wherein the control circuit controls the at least one luminous means as a function of the dimming signal, and
• an energy store that can be charged by means of the DC voltage module, the energy store being electrically connected to the DC voltage branch to support the DC voltage branch,
  wherein the dimming signal generating circuit is set up to
• determine the on / off state of the power switch on the basis of the presence / absence of a voltage and / or a current from the AC network and to record the length of time in which the power switch is in an off state,
• initiate a dimming process when a definable first period of time is exceeded, and
• continue the dimming process for the further period in which the power switch is in the off state, and
• to recognize the next change of the mains switch to the switched-on state and to end the dimming process by maintaining the value last reached in the dimming process,

wherein the energy store is set up for the interim energy supply of the lighting means, the detector circuit, the dimming signal generating circuit and the control circuit during the period of the switched-off state of the power switch, the circuit arrangement also having a measuring device for measuring the mains impedance of the alternating current network applied to the circuit arrangement, the circuit arrangement is set up to compare the network impedance with a predeterminable limit value, the dimming process only being initiated if- the measured impedance exceeds the predeterminable limit value and- the duration of the non-presence of a voltage or a current from the AC network is the definable first Exceeds time duration, wherein the circuit arrangement, in particular the dimming signal generating device, is preferably set up to perform the dimming process exclusively during the period in which the switched-off state of the Power switch is detected to allow.

In contrast to the aforementioned lamp, the circuit arrangement has no lighting means, but rather is set up to supply external lighting means. The respective circuit arrangement is set up for supplying lighting means with a specific electrical power, the energy store also being designed so that the power or lighting means provided for the respective circuit arrangement can be supplied by according to the claims. The circuit arrangement therefore relates to the same invention as the lamp and also shares essential features therewith. The aforementioned advantages, technical effects of the respective features as well as alternative or preferred configurations of the features common to the lamp according to the invention therefore apply in the same way with regard to the circuit arrangements - unless stated otherwise. The circuit arrangement can include the power switch, which, however, does not necessarily have to be part of the circuit arrangement. In practice it is well conceivable that the circuit arrangements are arranged downstream of an already existing switch and, for example, form part of a ballast of a lighting means, in particular a fluorescent lamp or an LED lamp. The energy store can preferably be charged through the network via the DC voltage module.

In particular, it can be provided that the capacity of the energy store is selected such that the energy supply of the illuminant that can be supplied by the circuit arrangement, the detector circuit, the dimming signal generating circuit and the control circuit is enabled for at least one second.

In particular, it can be provided that the first duration is 400 ms.

The circuit arrangement has a measuring device for measuring the network impedance of the alternating current network that is applied to the circuit arrangement.

• die gemessene Impedanz den vorgebbaren Grenzwert überschreitet und
• die Zeitdauer des Nicht-Vorliegens einer Spannung bzw. eines Stromes aus dem Wechselstromnetz die definierbare erste Zeitdauer überschreitet.

Zudem kann vorgesehen sein, dass die definierbare erste Zeitdauer 50 ms beträgt.
Insbesondere kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Schaltungsanordnung, insbesondere die Dimmsignal-Erzeugungseinrichtung, dazu eingerichtet ist, den Abdimmvorgang ausschließlich während der Zeitdauer, in der der Ausschaltzustand des Netzschalters festgestellt wird, zuzulassen.
Weiteres kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Schaltungsanordnung, insbesondere die Dimmsignal-Erzeugungseinrichtung, dazu eingerichtet ist, wenn der Abdimmvorgang durch Wechsel des Netzschalters in den Einschaltzustand beendet wurde

• die Zeitdauer, in der sich der Netzschalter im Einschaltzustand befindet, festzustellen und mit einer zweiten definierbaren Zeitdauer zu vergleichen, und
• wenn die Zeitdauer, in der sich der Netzschalter im Einschaltzustand befindet, vor Ablauf der zweiten definierbaren Zeitdauer durch nachfolgenden Wechsel des Netzschalters in den Ausschaltzustand beendet wird, die Dimmrichtung zu ändern.

This measuring device is used to measure the network impedance of the alternating current network applied to the circuit arrangement. The circuit arrangement is set up to compare the network impedance with a predeterminable limit value, the dimming process only being initiated when

• the measured impedance exceeds the definable limit value and
• the duration of the non-presence of a voltage or a current from the alternating current network exceeds the definable first duration.

In addition, it can be provided that the definable first time period is 50 ms.
In particular, it can be provided that the circuit arrangement, in particular the dimming signal generating device, is set up to allow the dimming process only during the period in which the switched-off state of the power switch is determined.
Furthermore, it can be provided that the circuit arrangement, in particular the dimming signal generating device, is set up when the dimming process has been ended by changing the power switch to the switched-on state

• determine the period of time in which the power switch is in the switched-on state and compare it with a second definable period of time, and
• if the period of time in which the mains switch is in the switched-on state is ended before the second definable period of time has elapsed by subsequently changing the mains switch to the switched-off state, to change the dimming direction.

In particular, it can be provided that the energy store is an accumulator or a capacitor.

In addition, it can be provided that the circuit arrangement has a resistance device, in particular a PTC resistor, which is connected downstream of the energy store in such a way that energy is supplied by the energy store to the at least one lighting means in series via the resistance device, the resistance device being designed in this way that the ohmic resistance of the resistance device increases as the current flow continues through the resistance device to the lighting means to limit the current flow. In this way, the implementation of a dimming process or the course of the same can be specified or implemented in a technically robust and at the same time surprisingly simple manner.

In particular, it can be provided that the at least one lighting means comprises at least one LED.

In addition, it can be provided that the dimming signal generating circuit or the control circuit is set up to control the dimming process in such a way that if the power switch is in the switched-off state for less than 1 s, the decrease in the electrical power output by the circuit arrangement to the at least one lamp is a maximum of 20% or that the speed of the dimming process is limited in such a way that the perceptible brightness is reduced by a maximum of 50% within the first second of the dimming process.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the circuit arrangement has an electronic circuit, in particular a step-up converter for converting the voltage of the energy store.

It can also be provided that the control circuit is set up to control a plurality of lighting means individually.

It can advantageously be provided that the energy store, the control circuit, the dimming signal generating circuit are designed in such a way that the at least one lighting means that can be supplied by the circuit arrangement during a The dimming process can be supplied with a duration of at least 2s, preferably at least 5s, particularly preferably at least 10s.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a lighting system comprising a power switch as well
a) a lamp according to the invention connected in series with the power switch or b) a circuit arrangement according to the invention connected in series with the power switch and at least one dimmable light source supplied by the circuit arrangement.

• Fig. 1 eine erste mögliche Ausführungsform einer Schaltungsanordnung bzw. einer Lampe nach der Erfindung,
• Fig. 2 eine weitere Variante einer Schaltungsanordnung bzw. einer Lampe nach der Erfindung,
• Fig. 3 in einem Zeitdiagramm schematisch das Einleiten von Dimmvorgängen in Abhängigkeit von dem Ein- und Ausschalten des Netzschalters und
• Fig. 4 ein Flussdiagramm eines beispielsweisen Ablaufs von Schalt- und Dimmvorgängen

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of exemplary and non-restrictive embodiments which are illustrated in the figures. In it shows

• Fig. 1 a first possible embodiment of a circuit arrangement or a lamp according to the invention,
• Fig. 2 a further variant of a circuit arrangement or a lamp according to the invention,
• Fig. 3 in a time diagram schematically the initiation of dimming processes depending on the switching on and off of the power switch and
• Fig. 4 a flow chart of an exemplary sequence of switching and dimming processes

In the following figures, unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols denote the same features.

• einen mit Wechselspannung eines Wechselstromnetzes elektrisch verbindbaren Lampensockel 15 (der schematisch durch strichlierte Linien in Figur 1 angedeutet ist) zum Einsetzen, insbesondere zum Einschrauben, in eine Lampenfassung,
• zumindest ein mit Gleichstrom betreibbares dimmbares Leuchtmittel 5,
• ein Gleichspannungsmodul 6, das dazu eingerichtet ist, die Wechselspannung in eine Gleichspannung zu wandeln und an einen Gleichspannungszweig 7 auszugeben,
• eine durch den Gleichspannungszweig 7 versorgte Ansteuerschaltung 8 zur Versorgung und Ansteuerung des zumindest einen Leuchtmittels 5,
• eine Detektorschaltung 10,
• eine mit der Detektorschaltung 10 verbundene Dimmsignalerzeugungsschaltung 11 zur Erzeugung eines Dimmsignals sD zum Dimmen des zumindest einen Leuchtmittels 5, wobei die Ansteuerschaltung 8 das zumindest eine Leuchtmittel 5 in Abhängigkeit von dem Dimmsignal sD steuert, sowie
• einen mittels des Gleichspannungsmoduls 6 ladbaren Energiespeicher 9, wobei der Energiespeicher 9 zur Stützung des Gleichspannungszweigs 7 mit dem Gleichspannungszweig 7 elektrisch verbunden ist,
  wobei die Dimmsignal-Erzeugungsschaltung 11 dazu eingerichtet ist,
• das Nichtvorliegen einer Spannung bzw. eines Stromes an dem Lampensockel 15 zu erkennen und eine zugehörige Zeitdauer des Nicht-Vorliegens zu erfassen,
• bei Überschreiten einer definierbaren ersten Zeitdauer δ einen Abdimmvorgang einzuleiten, und
• den Abdimmvorgang für die weitere Zeitdauer fortzusetzen, in der das Nicht-Vorliegen einer Spannung bzw. eines Stromes an dem Lampensockel 15 festgestellt wird, und
• ein nachfolgendes Vorliegen einer Spannung bzw. eines Stromes an dem Lampensockel 15 festzustellen und den Abdimmvorgang zu beenden, indem der zuletzt im Abdimmvorgang erreichte Dimmwert beibehalten wird,

wobei der Energiespeicher 9 zur zwischenzeitlichen Energieversorgung des Leuchtmittels 5, der Detektorschaltung 10, der Dimmsignal-Erzeugungsschaltung 11 und der Ansteuerschaltung 8 während der Zeitdauer des Nicht-Vorliegens einer Spannung und/oder eines Stromes an dem Lampensockel 15 eingerichtet ist. Figure 1 shows schematically an embodiment of a lamp 14 having

• a lamp base 15 which can be electrically connected to an alternating voltage of an alternating current network (which is shown schematically by dashed lines in Figure 1 is indicated) for insertion, in particular for screwing, into a lamp socket,
• at least one dimmable lamp 5 that can be operated with direct current,
• a DC voltage module 6 which is set up to convert the AC voltage into a DC voltage and to output it to a DC voltage branch 7,
• a control circuit 8 supplied by the DC voltage branch 7 for supplying and controlling the at least one illuminant 5,
• a detector circuit 10,
• a dimming signal generating circuit 11 connected to the detector circuit 10 for generating a dimming signal sD for dimming the at least one lighting means 5, the control circuit 8 controlling the at least one lighting means 5 as a function of the dimming signal sD, and
• an energy store 9 that can be charged by means of the DC voltage module 6, the energy store 9 being electrically connected to the DC voltage branch 7 to support the DC voltage branch 7,
  wherein the dimming signal generating circuit 11 is set up to
• to recognize the absence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base 15 and to record an associated duration of the absence,
• initiate a dimming process when a definable first time period δ is exceeded, and
• to continue the dimming process for the further period in which the absence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base 15 is determined, and
• to detect a subsequent presence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base 15 and to end the dimming process by maintaining the dimming value last reached in the dimming process,

The energy store 9 is set up for the interim energy supply of the lighting means 5, the detector circuit 10, the dimming signal generating circuit 11 and the control circuit 8 during the period of time when there is no voltage and / or current at the lamp base 15.

Equally shows Figure 1 schematically a circuit arrangement according to the invention for the dimmable power supply of at least one lighting means 5 operated with direct voltage / current from an alternating current network N, L, the circuit arrangement only differing from the lamp in that it is not designed as an independent lamp, but with an external lighting means 5 can be connected. The connections of the circuit arrangement therefore also do not necessarily have to be implemented by a lamp base, but are typically designed like conventional connections (for example screw or clamp connections), for example of a ballast.

• ein Gleichspannungsmodul 6, das dazu eingerichtet ist die Wechselspannung des Wechselstromnetzes N, L (z.B. 230 V Wechselspannungseffektivwert) in eine Gleichspannung UG zu wandeln und an einen Gleichspannungszweig 7 abzugeben, wobei die Schaltungsanordnung, insbesondere das Gleichspannungsmodul 6, mittels eines Netzschalters 1 mit dem Wechselstromnetz N, L verbindbar ist,
• eine durch den Gleichspannungszweig 7 versorgte Ansteuerschaltung 8 zur Versorgung und Ansteuerung des zumindest einen Leuchtmittels 5,
• eine Detektorschaltung 10,
• eine mit der Detektorschaltung 10 verbundene Dimmsignal-Erzeugungsschaltung 11 zur Erzeugung eines Dimmsignals sD zum Dimmen des zumindest einen Leuchtmittels 5, wobei die Ansteuerschaltung 8 das zumindest eine Leuchtmittel 5 in Abhängigkeit von dem Dimmsignal sD steuert, sowie
• einen mittels des Gleichspannungsmoduls 6 ladbaren Energiespeicher 9, wobei der Energiespeicher 9 zur Stützung des Gleichspannungszweigs 7 mit dem Gleichspannungszweig 7 elektrisch verbunden ist,
  wobei die Dimmsignal-Erzeugungsschaltung 11 dazu eingerichtet ist,
• den Ein/Ausschaltzustand des Netzschalters 1 auf Basis des Vorliegens/Nicht-Vorliegens einer Spannung und/oder eines Stromes aus dem Wechselstromnetz N, L festzustellen und die Zeitdauer, in der sich der Netzschalter 1 in einem Ausschaltzustand befindet, zu erfassen,
• bei Überschreiten einer definierbaren ersten Zeitdauer δ einen Abdimmvorgang einzuleiten, und
• den Abdimmvorgang für die weitere Zeitdauer fortzusetzen, in der sich der Netzschalter 1 im Ausschaltzustand befindet, und
• einen nächstfolgenden Wechsel des Netzschalters 1 in den Einschaltzustand zu erkennen und den Abdimmvorgang zu beenden, indem der zuletzt im Abdimmvorgang erreichte Wert beibehalten wird,

wobei der Energiespeicher zur zwischenzeitlichen Energieversorgung des Leuchtmittels 5, der Detektorschaltung 10, der Dimmsignal-Erzeugungsschaltung 11 und der Ansteuerschaltung 8 während der Zeitdauer des Ausschaltzustandes des Netzschalters 1 eingerichtet ist.The circuit arrangement includes

• a direct voltage module 6, which is set up to convert the alternating voltage of the alternating current network N, L (e.g. 230 V alternating voltage rms value) into a direct voltage UG and to output it to a direct voltage branch 7, the circuit arrangement, in particular the direct voltage module 6, being connected to the alternating current network by means of a mains switch 1 N, L is connectable,
• a control circuit 8 supplied by the DC voltage branch 7 for supplying and controlling the at least one illuminant 5,
• a detector circuit 10,
• a dimming signal generating circuit 11 connected to the detector circuit 10 for generating a dimming signal sD for dimming the at least one lighting means 5, the control circuit 8 controlling the at least one lighting means 5 as a function of the dimming signal sD, and
• an energy store 9 that can be charged by means of the DC voltage module 6, the energy store 9 being electrically connected to the DC voltage branch 7 to support the DC voltage branch 7,
  wherein the dimming signal generating circuit 11 is set up to
• determine the on / off state of the mains switch 1 on the basis of the presence / absence of a voltage and / or a current from the alternating current network N, L and to detect the length of time in which the mains switch 1 is in an off state,
• initiate a dimming process when a definable first time period δ is exceeded, and
• continue the dimming process for the further period in which the power switch 1 is in the off state, and
• to recognize the next following change of the mains switch 1 to the switched-on state and to end the dimming process by maintaining the value last reached in the dimming process,

wherein the energy store is set up for temporarily supplying energy to the lighting means 5, the detector circuit 10, the dimming signal generating circuit 11 and the control circuit 8 during the duration of the switched-off state of the power switch 1.

Based on Fig. 1 a first embodiment of a circuit arrangement according to the invention will now be described. Starting from an alternating voltage network with the phases N, L shown here, a lighting means is to be operated in a dimmable manner, for which the following is provided.

The mains voltage arrives from the two phases N, L via a mains switch 1, which has been shown as a single pole for the sake of simplicity, via a supply line 2 to a supply control unit 3, which supplies a lighting unit 4 which contains at least one lighting means 5, for example one or multiple LEDs or an LED array. In principle, however, the lamp 5 can also be incandescent lamps such as halogen lamps, etc. as well as OLEDs, fluorescent lamps, etc. The supply and control unit 3 has a DC voltage module 6 which supplies a DC voltage UG. This DC voltage module 6 can be a simple rectifier circuit or a regulated power supply unit.

From the DC voltage module 6, a DC voltage branch 7 leads to a control circuit 8, to the output of which the lighting unit 4 or the lighting means 5 are connected. An energy store 9, for example a supercapacitor or an accumulator, is located in the DC voltage branch 7 of the supply and control unit 3, this energy store 9 being connected to the DC voltage branch 7 here via a resistor and two diodes. For reasons that will become clear further below, the energy store is dimensioned such that its capacity enables an intermittent energy supply to the illuminant, preferably for at least 1 second, particularly preferably 5 to 10 seconds.

The input voltage at the supply control unit 3 is fed to a detector circuit 10, which in turn controls a dimming signal generating circuit 11, this dimming signal generating circuit 11 emitting a dimming signal sD to a control input 12 of the control circuit 8.

The detector circuit 10 and the dimming signal generating circuit 11 are set up to determine the presence or absence of a mains voltage in the sense of the on / off state of the mains switch 1 and to emit a defined dimming signal sD depending on this and on the duration of the on / off state, as is explained in more detail below using an example. In the present case, the mains voltage is at the input of the detector circuit 10, but a current, for example the input current into the arrangement or the current downstream of a mains rectifier, could also be detected in order to determine the switching state of the switch 1, which is shown in FIG Fig. 1 is indicated by dashed lines.

In the Fig. 2 The circuit arrangement shown corresponds essentially to that according to Fig. 1 , wherein the same reference numerals are used for the same parts, but some details are shown here. The DC voltage model 6 is designed here, for example, as a simple rectifier, but there is a DC / DC converter in the DC voltage branch 7, for example, a step-down converter or a step-up converter 13. The appropriate choice depends on the output voltage supplied by the DC voltage module 6 on the one hand and on the required voltage of the lighting means 5 on the other hand. Again, an energy store 9 is arranged in the DC voltage branch in front of the DC / DC converter, which is designed here as a capacitor and which is also connected to the DC voltage branch 7 via a resistor R and a diode D. As already mentioned at the beginning, a plurality of lighting means 5 can be provided, which can preferably be controlled individually. A resistance device, in particular a PTC resistor, can also be connected between the energy store 9 and the lighting means 5 in order to gradually limit the flow of current into the lighting means 5 and thus specify the course of a dimming process.

The control circuit 8 has a controlled transistor switch T which is controlled by the dimming signal sD, here a PWM signal, and which leads to an input of the lighting means 5, this input being connected to the positive output of the DC via a reverse-biased free-wheeling diode DR / DC converter 13 is connected, whereas the other output of the lighting means 5 is connected to the positive output of the DC / DC converter 13 via a line with an inductance L. The controlled transistor switch T is thus switched to ground in the sense of the PWM signal.

The control signal determined by the detector circuit 10 reaches the dimming signal generating circuit 11, in which a corresponding PWM signal is generated and fed to the switch T. According to the pulse duty factor of the PWM signal, the lighting means 5 is supplied with longer or shorter voltage or current pulses and is thus dimmed. In order to avoid voltage peaks due to line inductances L at the switch T, the free-wheeling diode DR can also be provided.

In principle, dimming can take place not only through a PWM signal that changes in the pulse duty factor, as mentioned by way of example, but also through a change in the supply voltage and / or supply current of the lighting means.

In the following, the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 a concrete, possible generation variant for the dimming signal SD explained, it should be noted that the Invention is not limited to this variant, which has turned out to be a user-friendly variant.

How out Fig. 3 It can be seen in which the mains voltage curve is symbolically drawn in the on state as a sinusoidal line and in the off state as a straight line, the dimming signal is at 100% when it is switched on for the first time, because this value was saved. This point in time A is drawn above the diagram. If now ΔT were to be switched off for only a short time ΔT less than the first definable time period δ, one recognizes from Fig. 3 that no dimming process is initiated in this period of time less than δ. Only after the point in time B + δ, when the first time period δ has been exceeded and the mains switch 1 is still in the off state, a falling dimming ramp is triggered, as in FIG Fig. 3 is shown from time B + δ.

If the user wants to interrupt the dimming because the lighting means 5 or the lamp 14 is dark enough, he switches the mains switch 1 on again. This is time C in Fig. 3 . The dimming value achieved is retained for as long as the mains switch 1 is in the on state.

If at a later point in time, for example at point in time D, the power switch 1 is again switched to the off state, namely for a period> δ, a dimming process is initiated again from point in time D + δ, which only occurs when the power switch 1 is subsequently switched on is ended - in the present example at time E.

If a dimming process is ended by changing the power switch 1 from the off state to the on state, it can also be determined how long the power switch is now in the on state, whereby additional light functions can be controlled. So is the embodiment according to Figure 3 provided that - if the mains switch 1 is only in the switched-on state for a certain period of time Δt <b (i.e. the switched-on state is ended before the period b is reached; here at time F; the dimming level is constant between times E and F), where b is a second definable period of time, the dimming direction is reversed, ie in the present case it is now dimmed up. This dimming process can also be ended by changing the power switch 1 to the on state (see time G), with the Dimming level or dimming value y is reached. The user has stopped dimming up because the lighting seemed bright enough to him.

In addition, it could be provided that - if a dimming process has preceded, this can be further activated and deactivated by briefly switching the power switch 1 off and on, in which case the period in which the power switch 1 is in the off state preferably continues to apply , has to be less than the first definable period of time, as otherwise a dimming process would be initiated. Switching off at time H and after a short period of time Δt less than or equal to δ leads to a further constant course of the dimming level between points H and I and then to an increase to 100% of the possible luminosity up to time J. At this point The dimming level remains 100% until the point in time K, at which the user switches off the mains switch 1 for a longer period of time (the delay by the first period of time δ has not been drawn in for the sake of simplicity; the dimming process is of course only initiated after the first period of time δ has been exceeded ), so that a falling ramp is triggered - comparable to the ramp between points B and C - until switch 1 is switched on at time L (corresponding to the previous time C) and now the dimming level remains at a value x, this value is stored in a buffer until the next switch-off at time M. This switch-off again triggers a fall de ramp, which in the present case, since the user does not intervene, goes down to 0% and remains there until time N, at which the user switches on the power switch N. A programming can be provided which specifies or sets the last stored dimming value, in the present case the value x, when the mains switch 1 is switched on again after a complete dimming down. The value x can be reached suddenly. It could also be provided that a brief on / off / on leads to 100% of the light output.

For practical and user-friendly variants, it has proven to be useful if the detector circuit and the dimming signal generating circuit are set up to initiate a dimming process, preferably with a logarithmic curve, when the power switch is switched off for longer than 400 ms and / or for a longer period to trigger a change in the dimming direction when the mains switch is switched on for more than 25 ms and / or to trigger a ramp-up of the dimming process to 100% if the mains switch is switched off for longer than 10 ms and less than 400 ms and / or at If the power switch is switched off for longer than 10 s and less than 400 ms, when the power switch is switched on again, the dimming level must be set to the value that was present and stored before it was switched off.

The flow chart of the Fig. 4 , which is also only to be regarded as an example of an embodiment of a programming of the dimming signal generating circuit 11, is intended to illustrate the above explained even better, some of the times A to N being entered in this diagram.

In view of this teaching, the person skilled in the art is able to arrive at other embodiments of the invention, not shown, without inventive activity. The invention is therefore not restricted to the embodiments shown. Individual aspects of the invention or the embodiments can also be taken up and combined with one another. What is essential are the ideas on which the invention is based, which can be carried out in various ways by a person skilled in the art with knowledge of this description and which are nevertheless maintained as such.

Finally, it should be mentioned that, as an alternative to the present invention, control by means of a pushbutton would also be conceivable, to which a diode is connected in parallel, so that at least one half-cycle of a network oscillation of an energy-supplying AC voltage network reaches the lamp or the circuit arrangement. As a result, the energy store can be designed with a significantly smaller volume. However, this variant already has the above WO 2013/090954 A1 The disadvantage mentioned in common that buttons are generally found less often as an already installed controlling element of a lamp in various house installations, but mostly existing power switches would have to be replaced and also not, as in the present invention, the continuous absence of voltage, but e.g. the presence of a DC component "supply voltage "must be recorded as a parameter in order to determine whether the button is activated.

Claims (13)

1. Dimmable lamp, having

   - a lamp base (15) that can be electrically connected to an AC voltage of an AC network (N, L), for insertion, in particular for screwing, into a lamp holder,

   - at least one dimmable illuminant (5) that can be operated with DC current,

   - a DC voltage module (6), which is designed for conversion of the AC voltage into a DC voltage, and for the output of the latter to a DC voltage branch (7),

   - a control circuit (8), supplied by the DC voltage branch (7), for the supply to and control of the at least one illuminant (5),

   - a detector circuit (10),

   - a dimming signal generation circuit (11), connected to the detector circuit (10), for the generation of a dimming signal (sD) for dimming of the at least one illuminant (5), wherein
   the control circuit (8) controls the at least one illuminant (5) as a function of the dimming signal (sD), together with

   - an energy store (9) that can be charged by means of the DC voltage module (6), wherein

   the energy store (9) is electrically connected to the DC voltage branch (7) to support the DC voltage branch (7), wherein
   the dimming signal generation circuit (11) is designed:

   - to identify the absence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base (15), and to record an associated time period of the absence,

   - to initiate a dimming procedure in the event that a definable first time period (δ) is exceeded, and

   - to continue the dimming procedure for the further time period in which the absence of a voltage or current at the lamp base (15) is determined, and

   - to determine a subsequent presence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base (15), and to terminate the dimming procedure, while maintaining the dimming value last reached in the dimming procedure, wherein
   the energy store (9) is designed for the intermittent supply of energy to the illuminant (5), the detector circuit (10), the dimming signal generation circuit (11), and the drive circuit (8), during the time period of the absence of a voltage and/or a current at the lamp base (15),
   characterised in that,
   the lamp (14) also has a measuring device for the measurement of the impedance, in particular a network impedance, externally applied to the base, wherein the lamp (14) is designed for the comparison of the measured externally applied impedance, in particular the network impedance, with a settable limit value, in the event of the absence of a voltage and/or a current at the lamp base (15), wherein
   the dimming procedure is only initiated if

   - the measured impedance exceeds the settable limit value and

   - the time period of the absence of a voltage and/or a current at the lamp base (15) exceeds the definable first time period (δ), wherein

   the definable first time period (δ) is preferably 50 ms.
2. Lamp (14) according to Claim 1, wherein
   the capacity of the energy store is selected such that the supply of energy to the illuminant (5), the detector circuit (10), the dimming signal generation circuit (11), and the drive circuit (8), is enabled for at least two seconds.
3. Lamp (14) according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein
   the lamp (14), in particular the dimming signal generation device (11), is designed to allow the dimming procedure exclusively during the time period in which the absence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base (15) is determined.
4. Lamp (14) according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein
   if the dimming procedure has been terminated by the presence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base (15), the lamp (14), in particular the dimming signal generation device (1), is designed:

   - to determine the time period of the said presence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base (15), and to compare it with a second definable time period (b), and

   - if the time period of the said presence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base (15) is terminated, before the expiry of the second definable time period (b), by the subsequent absence of a voltage or a current at the lamp base (15), to alter the dimming direction, wherein

   the energy store (9), the DC voltage module (6), the detector circuit (10), and the dimming signal generation circuit (11), are preferably accommodated at least partially within the lamp base (15), and the at least one illuminant (5) is enclosed by a translucent glass body.
5. Lamp (14) according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein
   the energy store (9) is an accumulator or a capacitor.
6. Lamp (14) according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein
   a resistance device, in particular a PTC resistor, is connected between the energy store (9) and the at least one illuminant (5), the ohmic resistance of the resistance device increases as the current continues to flow through the resistance device towards the illuminant (5) so as to limit the current flow, wherein the at least one illuminant (5) preferably comprises at least one LED.
7. Lamp (14) according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein
   the dimming signal generation circuit (11), or the control circuit (8), is designed to control the dimming procedure in such a way that the speed of the dimming procedure is limited in such a way that the perceived brightness is reduced by at most 50% within the first second of the dimming procedure.
8. Lamp (14) according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein
   the lamp (14) has a plurality of illuminants (5), and the control circuit (8) is designed to control the illuminants (5) individually.
9. Lamp (14) according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein
   the energy store (9), the control circuit (8), the dimming signal generation circuit (11), and/or the at least one illuminant (5), are designed in such a way that during a dimming procedure the lamp (14) can be supplied for a time period of at least 2 sec, preferably at least 5 sec, particularly preferably at least 10 sec.
10. Circuit arrangement for the dimmable supply of power to at least one illuminant (5) operated with DC voltage/current from an AC network (N, L), comprising

    - a DC voltage module (6), which is designed to convert the AC voltage of the AC network (N, L) into a DC voltage (UG), and to output the latter to a DC voltage branch (7), wherein
    the circuit arrangement, in particular the DC voltage module (6), can be connected to the AC network (N, L) by means of a network switch (1),

    - a control circuit (8), supplied by the DC voltage branch (7), for the supply to and control of the at least one illuminant (5),

    - a detector circuit (10),

    - a dimming signal generation circuit (11), connected to the detector circuit (10), for the generation of a dimming signal (sD) for the dimming of the at least one illuminant (5), wherein
    the control circuit (8) controls the at least one illuminant (5) as a function of the dimming signal (sD), together with

    - an energy store (9), which can be charged by means of the DC voltage module (6), wherein the energy store (9) is electrically connected to the DC voltage branch (7) to support the DC voltage branch (7), wherein

    the dimming signal generation circuit (11) is designed:

    - to determine the "on/off" state of the network switch (1) on the basis of the presence/absence of a voltage and/or a current from the AC network (N, L), and to detect the time period during which the network switch (1) is located in an "off" state,

    - to initiate a dimming procedure when a definable first time period (8) is exceeded, and

    - to continue the dimming procedure for the further time period in which the network switch (1) is located in the "off" state, and

    - to identify a next change of the network switch (1) to the "on" state, and to terminate the dimming procedure, while maintaining the value last reached in the dimming procedure, wherein

    the energy store (9) is designed for the intermediate supply of energy of the illuminant (5), the detector circuit (10), the dimming signal generation circuit (11), and the control circuit (8), during the time period of the "off" state of the network switch (1), characterised in that,
    the circuit arrangement also has a measuring device for purposes of measuring the network impedance of the AC network (N, L) applied to the circuit arrangement, wherein
    the circuit arrangement is designed to compare the network impedance with a settable limit value, wherein the dimming procedure is only initiated if:

    - the measured impedance exceeds the settable limit value, and

    - the time period of the absence of a voltage or a current from the AC network (N, L) exceeds the definable first time period (8), wherein

    the circuit arrangement, in particular the dimming signal generation device (11), is preferably designed to allow the dimming procedure exclusively during the time period in which the "off" state of the network switch (1) is determined.
11. Circuit arrangement according to Claim 10, wherein the capacity of the energy store (9) is selected such that the supply of energy to the illuminant (5), which can be supplied by the circuit arrangement, the detector circuit (10), the dimming signal generation circuit (11), and the control circuit (8), is enabled for at least one second.
12. Circuit arrangement according to one of the Claims 10 to 11, wherein
    if the dimming procedure has been terminated by a change of the network switch (1) to the "on" state, the circuit arrangement, in particular the dimming signal generation device (11), is designed:

    - to determine the time period in which the network switch (1) is in the "on" state, and to compare it with a second definable time period (b), and

    - if the time period in which the network switch (1) is in the "on" state is terminated before the expiry of the second definable time period (b), by a subsequent change of the network switch (1) to the "off" state, to change the dimming direction.
13. Lighting system, comprising a power switch (1), together with

    a) a lamp (14) according to one of the Claims 1 to 9, connected in series to the network switch (1), or

    b) a circuit arrangement according to one of the Claims 10 to 12, connected in series to the network switch (1), and at least one dimmable illuminant (5), supplied by the circuit arrangement.

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