AT16734U1 - Real-time determination of switching delays - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating device (1) for operating an illuminant path (4) with at least one illuminant, preferably a light-emitting diode path with at least one light-emitting diode, the control unit (6) being set up to control the at least one switch (ST1) to which at least one a switch (ST1) to output control signals (SSsteuer, S1, S2), each control signal (SSteuer, S1, S2) causing a switching operation of the at least one switch (ST1), the control unit (6) being set up to provide at least one output of a control signal (S1, S2) to the at least one switch (ST1) the time delay (ton_del, toff_del) between the time (T1, T3, T5) of the output of the respective control signal (SSsteuer, S1, S2) and the actual time ( T2, T4, T6) of the switching process of the at least one switch (ST1) caused by the respective control signal (SSsteuer, S1, S2) and at least one subsequent switch old process the time delay (ton_del, toff_del) between the time (T1, T3, T5) of the output of the respective control signal (SSteuer, S1, S2) and the actual time (T2, T4, T6) of the by the respective control signal (SSteuer, S1, S2) caused by switching compensation.

Description

description

REAL-TIME DETERMINATION OF DELAYS

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an operating device according to the invention with at least one converter stage having at least one switch and at least one energy store for operating a lamp path with at least one lamp, preferably a light-emitting diode path with at least one light-emitting diode, the operating device being set up to delay the time between to determine the time of the output of a control signal for causing a switching operation of the at least one switch and the actual time of the switching operation and to take this time delay into account by means of compensation in at least one subsequent switching operation. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a lighting device according to the invention comprising the operating device according to the invention and a lamp path; as well as a method according to the invention for operating an operating device according to the invention.

2. BACKGROUND

Operating devices are known from the prior art which are used to operate lamp sections with at least one lamp, such as e.g. comprise a light-emitting diode path with at least one light-emitting diode, at least one converter stage with at least one switch and at least one energy store in order to charge and discharge the at least one energy store cyclically by switching the at least one switch on and off. The control of the at least one switch and consequently the charging and discharging of the at least one energy store can control the electrical energy or the current which is provided by the operating device of the illuminant path. The amount of light emitted by the at least one illuminant of the illuminant path depends on the electrical energy or current that is supplied to the illuminant path by the operating device.

To control the at least one switch, the control unit of the operating device outputs control signals to the at least one switch. Usually, starting from the control unit, the control signals are output to the at least one switch via a driver.

Between the time of the output of a control signal by the control unit to the at least one switch and the switching process caused by the control signal (switching on or off) of the at least one switch, there is a time delay. In other words, the at least one switch does not switch immediately when the control unit issues a control signal to cause the at least one switch to switch.

This is shown by way of example in FIG. 10. 10 shows an example of the switching of a switch ST of a converter stage for charging and discharging the energy store of the converter stage. The switch ST is conductive in the closed state and non-conductive in the open state. The switch ST is controlled in such a way that it is opened or switched non-conductive when the current I through the energy store reaches a predetermined maximum current Ipea, and is closed or switched on when the current I 1 passes through the energy store. This operating mode is known as border mode (“Borderline Conduction Mode / BCM *”).

On the left side of Figure 10 is indicated in the upper graph by the dashed line that at the time of reaching the predetermined maximum current Ipeak the switch ST should be opened. Due to a time delay, the switch ST does not open immediately but only at the time torr_reaı. Consequently, the switch is ST

during the period torr_aeı still closed, whereby the energy store is further charged and the current Iı through the energy store rises to the current value lpeaknew, which is higher than the predetermined maximum current Ipeak, at which the switch should be switched off. I.e. the switch-off delay torr_aeı leads to a higher current lpeakneu IN the energy store, which can lead to saturation or heating of the energy store.

On the right side of Figure 10 is indicated in the upper graph by the dashed line that during limit operation at the time of the zero crossing of the current Iı through the energy store, the switch ST should be closed. Due to a time delay ton aeı, the switch ST does not close immediately but only at the time ton reaı. Consequently, the switch ST is still open during the time period ton de: As a result, the current I_ through the energy store remains at zero (0 A) for the time period ton deı. I.e. the switch-on delay ton deı leads to a border operation (Borderline Conduction Mode / BCM ") becoming a gap operation or gap operation (" Discontinuous Conduction Mode / DCM '), whereby the switching losses are increased and there is a fluctuation in the output current range of the converter stage can come.

In operating devices with at least one high potential ("high-side" switch, as is the case, for example, when the at least one converter stage is an inverting converter stage (buck-boost converter stage) or a step-down converter stage (buck converter stage) , the above-described time delays are caused, among other things, by a parasitic inductance of the transformer, which is typically provided for electrical isolation in a high potential (“high-side”) driver for operating the high-side switch, and the input capacitance of the high- Side switch caused.

A high-side switch of a converter stage is understood to mean a switch that switches the at least one energy store of the converter stage against the supply voltage or input voltage of the converter stage and not against ground or against the higher potential of the input voltage and not against the lower potential of the input voltage.

In the event that the high-side switch by a field effect transistor, such as a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) is realized, the input capacitance Ciss of the high-side switch essentially results as follows:

Ciss = Ccs + Cap

Here, Cys represents the gate-source capacitance, which is formed by the overlap of the source and channel region by the gate electrode and can be assumed to be constant. Ce represents the gate-drain capacitance, which is a function of the DrainSource voltage Vos, whereby this dependence can essentially be represented by the following formula:

Cap, o

Cep = —D0 ___ DAL + Kıx / Vos

According to the prior art, the time delay ton aeı ZWischen between the time of the output of the control signal for causing the switch to be switched on and the actual time for switching on the switch and the time delay tort_deı ZWiSschen the time of the output of the control signal for causing a Turning off the switch and the actual time of turning off the switch are assumed to be constant and a common delay value for the two time delays is typically set for the controller during manufacture.

This is disadvantageous because, as shown above, the time delays are not constant and can also change for different loads. Furthermore, the time delay ton a between the time of the output of the control signal for causing the switch to be switched on and the actual time at which the switch is switched on and the time delay between the time usually differ

the output of the control signal to cause the switch to turn off and the actual time the switch is turned off from each other.

In order to overcome the above disadvantages of the prior art, it is the object of the present invention to provide an operating device for operating a lamp path with at least one lamp.

[0015] These and other objects, which will be mentioned when reading the following description or which can be recognized by a person skilled in the art, are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims develop the central idea of the present invention in a particularly advantageous manner.

3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] According to the present invention, an operating device for operating an illuminant path with at least one illuminant, preferably a light-emitting diode path with at least one light-emitting diode, is provided, the operating device comprising:

- At least one converter stage with at least one switch and at least one energy store, and

- A control unit, which is set up to control the at least one switch for operating the lamp section such that the at least one energy store is cyclically charged and discharged in order to provide electrical energy for the operation of the lamp section.

Here, the control unit for controlling the at least one switch is set up to output control signals to the at least one switch, each control signal causing a switching operation of the at least one switch. The control unit is further configured to determine the time delay between the point in time at which the respective control signal is output and the actual point in time of the switching operation of the at least one switch caused by the respective control signal when at least one control signal is output to the at least one switch and at least one following switching operation to take into account the time delay between the time of the output of the respective control signal and the actual time of the switching operation caused by the respective control signal by means of compensation.

In other words, the operating device according to the invention, in particular the control unit of the operating device according to the invention, is set up to control the at least one switch, i. during the operation of the operating device according to the invention for controlling the operation of the lighting means, to determine the time delay between the time at which a control signal is output to the at least one switch and the actual time at which the at least one switch is caused on the basis of the control signal or by the control signal switches, and to perform a compensation of the time-delayed control or activation of the at least one switch in a switching operation of the at least one switch that follows or follows in the future depending on this time delay. I.e. The compensation of the time-delayed control of the at least one switch by the operating device according to the invention, in particular by the control unit of the operating device according to the invention, during a switching operation that follows in the future takes place depending on an actual determination, in particular actual detection, of the time delay between the time of the output of a control signal by the control unit and the actual time of the switching process caused thereby.

[0021] The illuminant path preferably comprises one or more light-emitting diodes as the illuminant (light source). The term “light emitting diode (LED)” includes light emitting diodes with primary excitation, light emitting diodes with secondary excitation, inorganic light emitting diodes, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and all other known types of light emitting diodes. The illuminant path can additionally or alternatively also other known illuminants, such as Fluorescent

tubes or gas discharge lamps, etc., which are designed to emit light.

Preferably, the at least one converter stage comprises or corresponds to an actively clocked DC / DC converter or DC / DC converter which is set up at its output to provide electrical energy or a current for operating a lamp path with at least one lamp. Here, the light emission of the at least one illuminant of the illuminant path depends on the supplied electrical energy or the supplied current and consequently the light emission can be controlled by controlling or adjusting the supplied electrical energy or the supplied current.

The at least one converter stage can, for example, a potential-isolated clocked DC / DC converter (clocked DC / DC converter with electrical isolation between input and output), such as a flyback converter, push-pull converter or a resonance converter (resonance converter), or a non-isolated or non-isolated clocked DC / DC converter (clocked DC / DC converter without electrical isolation between input and Output), such as a step-down converter (buck converter, step-down converter), step-up converter (boost converter, step-up converter) or an inverting converter (buck boost converter).

Particularly preferably, the at least one converter stage corresponds to a converter stage with at least one high-side switch, such as e.g. a step-down converter (buck converter, step-down converter) or an inverting converter (buck boost converter).

One or more converter stages can be connected upstream and / or downstream of the at least one converter stage, so that the at least one converter stage preferably represents a stage in a chain of converter stages.

[0026] The at least one switch of the at least one converter stage preferably corresponds to a transistor. The at least one switch particularly preferably corresponds to a field effect transistor (FET), in particular a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET). However, the at least one switch can also correspond to any other switch known to those skilled in the art, which can be switched on (switched on) and switched off (switched off) by control signals from a control unit. For example, the at least one switch can also correspond to a bipolar transistor.

Preferably, the at least one switch and the at least one energy store are connected in the at least one converter stage in such a way that the at least one energy store, based on the electrical energy or supply voltage supplied to the operating device according to the invention, in particular the at least one converter stage, by switching the at least one a switch, ie by switching on (switching on) and switching off (switching off) the at least one switch, can be charged and discharged in order to provide electrical energy, voltage or current at the output of the at least one converter stage. The electrical energy, voltage or current provided at the output of the at least one converter stage can be controlled or set by controlling the at least one switch or by controlling the switching of the at least one switch.

[0028] The at least one switch of the at least one converter stage preferably corresponds to a high-side switch. A “high-side switch”, a converter stage, is a switch that switches the at least one energy store of the converter stage against the supply voltage or input voltage of the converter stage and not against ground, or against the higher potential of the input voltage and not against that lower potential of the input voltage.

[0029] The at least one energy store is preferably an inductor or a coil. When the at least one switch is switched on or conductive, the at least one energy store is charged, i.e. the electrical energy stored in the energy store

increases or the current flowing through the energy store (charging current) increases. When the at least one switch is switched off or non-conductive, the at least one energy store is discharged, i.e. the electrical energy stored in the energy store is reduced or the current (discharge current) flowing through the energy store decreases in order to provide electrical energy or an electrical current for operating the lamp path at the output of the at least one converter stage.

The operating device according to the invention can further comprise at least one rectifier circuit and / or at least one filter circuit which are connected upstream of the at least one converter stage in order to rectify and / or filter an AC voltage supplied to the operating device as an input voltage. Consequently, the operating device according to the invention can be operated with an alternating voltage, e.g. Mains AC voltage, as well as with a DC voltage, e.g. a battery voltage, are supplied as input voltage.

The control unit of the operating device according to the invention is preferably a microcontroller, an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) or a hybrid thereof, which is set up to control the at least one switch to output control signals to the at least one switch.

[0032] The operating device according to the invention preferably comprises at least one driver or at least one driver circuit, via which the control unit outputs the control signals to the at least one switch for controlling it. A “driver” or a “driver circuit” is understood to mean a circuit which, among other things, converts the level of a control signal output by the control unit to a lower or preferably higher level and / or amplifies the signal. In other words, a control signal of a low level, such as e.g. a low current from a digital output of the control unit, converted to a control signal of a higher level and / or amplified in order to enable correct switching behavior of the at least one switch. Such a driver is also known as a "gate driver" or "low-side driver".

In the event that the at least one switch is a high-side switch, the operating device according to the invention preferably further comprises a further driver which provides electrical isolation e.g. in the form of a transformer, in order to enable potential-free or galvanically isolated control of the at least one switch. Such a driver is also known as a "high-side driver".

Consequently, the operating device according to the invention can have a low-side driver for level conversion and / or amplification of the control signals of the control unit and a high-side driver connected downstream of the low-side driver for electrical isolation, the control unit then preferably having control signals outputs to the at least one switch via the low-side driver and the high-side driver. The low-side driver and the downstream high-side driver can together form a driver or driver circuit via which the control unit can output control signals to the at least one switch.

The control unit of the operating device according to the invention is set up to control or adjust the electrical energy or electric current provided at the output of the at least one converter stage for the operation of the lamp path by controlling the at least one switch of the at least one converter stage.

Preferably, the control unit is also set up to perform a power factor correction function (PFC function) by controlling the at least one switch in order to ensure a power factor of almost 1 or in accordance with legal requirements.

A “switching operation of the at least one switch” is understood to mean switching the at least one switch on or off, which is caused by a control signal output by the control unit. When the at least one switch is turned on, it becomes conductive and when the at least one switch is turned off, it becomes non-conductive.

tend. In other words, the state of the switch is changed either from conductive to non-conductive or from non-conductive to conductive each time the switch is switched.

Preferably, the control unit is set up to detect the temporal current profile through the at least one energy store and, in the at least one output of a control signal, the time delay between the time of the output of the respective control signal and the actual time of the switching process caused by the respective control signal to be determined on the basis of the current profile through the at least one energy store.

In other words, the control unit is set up, on the basis of the time profile of the current flowing through the at least one energy store of the at least one converter stage, the time delay between the time at which the control unit causes a switching operation of the at least one switch a control signal outputs to the at least one switch, and to determine the actual time of the switching operation of the at least one switch.

In the following, the terms “the current flowing through the at least one energy store” and “the current through the at least one energy store” are to be regarded as synonyms.

Preferably, the operating device according to the invention comprises a detection unit which is set up to detect the time profile of the current flowing through the at least one energy store, the detection unit preferably being part of the at least one converter stage. For example, a shunt resistor can be connected in series with the energy store, so that the current flowing through the at least one energy store can be detected via the voltage drop across the shunt resistor and thus the time course of the current flowing through the energy store can be detected by the control unit .

The at least one converter stage preferably has a measuring winding or measuring inductance which is electromagnetically coupled to the at least one energy store, which preferably represents an inductor or coil. The measurement of the current flowing through the least one energy store can then be carried out via this measuring winding and consequently the time course of the current flowing through the energy store can be recorded by the control unit.

Furthermore, the control unit for controlling the operation of the lighting means is preferably set up to alternately output a first control signal and a second control signal as control signals, the control unit preferably being set up to output the first control signal as a control signal in order to switch on the at least one Cause switch as a switching process, and wherein the control unit is preferably configured to output the second control signal as a control signal in order to cause the at least one switch to be switched off as a switching process.

Preferably, the first control signal corresponds to a signal of a first level and the second control signal to a signal of a second level that is lower than the first level. The second level particularly preferably corresponds to a zero level, so that a signal is output when the first control signal is output and no signal is output when the second control signal is output.

Furthermore, the control unit is preferably set up to output the first control signal as a control signal when the current through the at least one energy store reaches the zero value, a predetermined time period after reaching the zero value, or a predetermined first time period after the previous output of the second control signal has expired.

In other words, the control unit is preferably set up to switch on the at least one switch both depending on an event and / or depending

to be controlled by a period of time. The event can be, for example, a zero crossing of the current flowing through the energy store or reaching a predetermined lower current value or minimum current value.

The operating mode in which the control unit outputs a first control signal when the current through the at least one energy store reaches the zero value (zero crossing) in order to cause the switch to be switched on is known as border mode (“borderline conduction mode”).

The operating mode in which the control unit outputs a first control signal when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the current through the at least one energy store has reached zero value (zero crossing) in order to cause the switch to be switched on is considered to be intermittent operation or discontinuous conduction mode.

The operating mode in which the control unit outputs a first control signal when the current through the at least one energy store reaches a predetermined lower current value or minimum current value (which is not equal to the zero value) in order to cause the switch to be switched on is not - Known operation or continuous operation ("Continuous Conduction Mode") known.

Preferably, the control unit is set up to output the second control signal as a control signal when the current through the at least one energy store reaches a predetermined maximum value, or a predetermined second time period has elapsed after the previous output of the first control signal.

In other words, the control unit is preferably set up to control switching off of the at least one switch both as a function of an event and / or as a function of a time period or a time lapse. The event can be, for example, reaching a predetermined upper current value or maximum current value. In all three operating modes mentioned above, the control unit can control the switching off depending on an event in the form of reaching a predetermined upper current value and / or a period of time.

Preferably, the control unit is set up to determine the predetermined minimum current value for the current through the at least one energy store, the predetermined time period after reaching the zero value, the predetermined maximum current value for the current through the at least one energy store, the predetermined first time period and / or the to set a predetermined second time period in order to control or adjust the electrical energy provided by the at least one converter stage or the current provided by the at least one converter stage for operating the lamp path.

[0053] Furthermore, the control unit is preferably set up to determine the point in time at which the current through the at least one energy store reaches the predetermined maximum value.

Consequently, the control unit is then preferably set up to output a second control signal to the at least one switch at the point in time at which the current through the at least one energy store reaches the predetermined maximum value in order to switch the at least one switch off at this point in time cause, whereby an increase in the current in the switched-on state of the at least one switch is stopped or ended and a decrease or decrease in the current in the switched-off state of the at least one switch is started or caused.

Furthermore, the control unit is preferably set up to determine the point in time at which the current through the at least one energy store reaches the zero value and / or the point in time at which the current through the at least one energy store leaves the zero value .

Consequently, the control unit is then set up to output a first control signal to the at least one switch at a point in time when the current through the at least one energy store reaches the zero value (zero crossing) in order to switch on the to cause at least one switch, whereby a drop or decrease in the current in the switched-off state of the at least one switch is stopped and an increase in the current in the switched-on state of the at least one switch is started.

Furthermore, the control unit is then set up to output a first control signal to the at least one switch in the event of a gap operation after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the zero value (zero crossing) of the current through the at least one energy store has expired, at this point in time To cause switching on of the at least one switch, whereby an increase in the current in the switched-on state of the at least one switch is started.

Preferably, the control unit is further configured to determine the point in time at which the current through the at least one energy store reaches a predetermined minimum value (which is not equal to the zero value).

Consequently, the control unit is then set up to output a first control signal to the at least one switch at the time at which the current through the at least one energy store reaches the predetermined minimum value in order to switch on the at least one at this time in the event of non-latching operation To cause switches, whereby a drop or decrease in the current in the switched-off state of the at least one switch is stopped and an increase in the current is started in the switched-on state of the at least one switch.

Preferably, the control unit is set up to determine the time delay between the time of the output of the first control signal and the actual time of the switching operation of the at least one switch caused by the first control signal on the basis of the time at which the current flow through the at least one energy storage device represents an increasing current after the time of the output of the first control signal.

In other words, the control device is set up to determine the time delay between the time at which the first control signal is output and the actual time at which the at least one switch is switched on, which is caused by the first control signal, on the basis of the time at which the current flows through the at least one energy store begins to rise. The time at which the current through the at least one energy store begins to increase corresponds to the actual time at which the at least one switch is switched on on the basis of the first control signal.

Preferably, we determine the time delay between the time of the output of the first control signal and the actual time of switching on the at least one switch caused by the first control signal on the basis of the time at which the time course of the at least one energy store changes flowing current changed such that the constant or falling current through the at least one energy storage device begins to rise during the switched-off state of the switch. Here, the constant current through the at least one energy store when the switch is switched off can also correspond to a current with a current value of zero, i.e. do not correspond to a current flow in the at least one energy store.

For this purpose, the control unit preferably comprises a counter, the control unit being preferably set up to determine the time delay between the time at which the first control signal is output and the actual time at which the at least one switch has been switched by the first control signal,

To start the counter at the time of output of the first control signal,

To stop the counter at the point in time at which the temporal current profile through the at least one energy store represents an increasing current after the point in time at which the first control signal is output, and

- to determine the time delay between the time of the output of the first control signal and the actual time of the switching process of the at least one switch caused by the first control signal on the basis of the count value of the counter.

A “counter” is understood to mean a device which is set up to count up after a start signal with a constant counting interval until a stop signal is received and then preferably to save the count value. Consequently, the length of time that has passed between the start signal and the stop signal can then be recorded by a counter if the constant counting interval is known.

Furthermore, the control unit is preferably set up to determine the time delay between the time of the output of the second control signal and the actual time of the switching process caused by the second control signal of the at least one switch on the basis of the time at which the current flow through the at least one energy store represents a falling current after the time of the output of the second control signal.

In other words, the control device is set up to determine the time delay between the time at which the second control signal is output and the actual time at which the at least one switch is switched off, which is caused by the second control signal, on the basis of the time at which the current flows through the at least one energy storage device begins to fall or sink. The point in time at which the current through the at least one energy store begins to fall corresponds to the actual point in time at which the at least one switch is switched off on the basis of the second control signal.

Preferably, we determine the time delay between the time of the output of the second control signal and the actual time of the switching off of the at least one control signal caused by the second control signal on the basis of the time at which the time course of the at least one energy store changes flowing current changed in such a way that the current rising during the switched-on state of the switch begins to fall through the at least one energy store.

For this purpose, the control unit preferably comprises a counter, the control unit being preferably set up to determine the time delay between the time at which the second control signal is output and the actual time at which the at least one switch has been switched by the second control signal,

To start the counter at the time of output of the second control signal,

- stop the counter at the time at which the temporal current profile through the at least one energy store after the time of the output of the second control signal represents a falling current, and

On the basis of the count value of the counter to determine the time delay between the time of the output of the second control signal and the actual time of the switching operation of the at least one switch caused by the second control signal.

Furthermore, the control unit is preferably set up to determine the time delay between the time of the output of the respective control signal and the actual time of the switching operation of the at least one switch caused by the respective control signal each time a control signal is output to the at least one switch .

[0076] In other words, the control unit is preferably set up to switch the on and off of the remote control during each switching cycle or control cycle of the cyclical control.

at least one switch and, consequently, the cyclical charging and discharging of the at least one energy store to determine the time delay between the time at which the respective control signal is output and the actual time at which the at least one switch has been switched by the respective control signal.

The control unit is preferably set up to periodically determine the time delay between the time at which the respective control signal is output and the actual time at which the at least one switch has been switched by the respective control signal.

In other words, the control unit is preferably set up for every nth switching cycle or control cycle of the cyclical control of the switching on and off of the at least one switch and consequently of the cyclical charging and discharging of the at least one energy store, n greater than or equal to 1 is to determine the time delay between the time of the output of the respective control signal and the actual time of the switching process of the at least one switch caused by the respective control signal.

Furthermore, the control unit preferably comprises a comparator or an analog-digital converter for determining the time delay between the time of the output of the respective control signal and the actual time of the switching operation of the at least one switch caused by the respective control signal.

In other words, in order to determine the time delay between the time of the output of the respective control signal and the actual time of the switching operation of the at least one switch caused by the respective control signal, the time profile of the current flowing through the at least one energy store can be used as an analog signal in the control unit can be evaluated by a comparator or converted into a digital signal in the control unit by an analog-digital converter in order to then be evaluated digitally.

Preferably, the control unit of the operating device according to the invention is set up to output a control signal as a function of the time delay between the time of the output of the corresponding previous control signal and the actual time of the switching operation of the at least one switch caused by the corresponding previous control signal To achieve compensation for the time delay.

That is, the control unit is set up to, in a switching cycle, the time delay between the output of the first control signal and the actual switching on of the at least one switch and / or the time delay between the output of the second control signal and the actual switching off of the at least one to determine a switch in order then in at least one subsequent, preferably in the immediately following switching cycle, the first control signal depending on the time delay determined in the previous switching cycle between the output of the first control signal and the actual switching on of the at least one switch and / or the second Output control signal depending on the time delay determined in the previous switching cycle between the output of the second control signal and the actual switching off of the at least one switch in order to compensate for the time delay between the output of the e rsten control signal and the actual switching on of the at least one switch and / or the time delay between the output of the second control signal and the actual switching off of the at least one switch.

The compensation of the time delay between the output of the first control signal and the actual switching on of the at least one switch can be carried out on the one hand by adapting the predetermined first time period, in particular when controlling the switching on of the at least one switch depending on a time period, wherein the control unit is preferably set up to output the first control signal,

when the predetermined first time period has elapsed after the previous output of the second control signal.

On the other hand, the compensation of the time delay between the output of the first control signal and the actual switching on of the at least one switch can be done by adapting the predetermined lower current value or minimum current value (which is equal to the zero value in limit operation and not equal to zero value in non-latching operation) or an adaptation of the predetermined time period after the zero crossing of the current through the at least one energy store (in the event of non-latching operation), in particular when the switching on of the at least one switch is dependent on an event. In this case, the control unit is preferably set up to output the first control signal when the predetermined minimum current value is reached or when a predetermined time period has elapsed after the current has passed through the at least one energy store.

The compensation of the time delay between the output of the second control signal and the actual switching off of the at least one switch can be carried out on the one hand by adapting the predetermined second time period, in particular when controlling the switching off of the at least one switch depending on a time period, wherein the control unit is preferably set up to output the second control signal when the second time period has elapsed after the previous output of the first control signal.

On the other hand, the compensation of the time delay between the output of the second control signal and the actual switching off of the at least one switch can be carried out by adapting the predetermined upper current value or maximum current value, in particular when the switching off of the at least one switch is dependent on one Event. In this case, the control unit is preferably set up to output the second control signal when the predetermined maximum current value is reached.

Consequently, the control unit is preferably set up to compensate for the two time delays, the predetermined minimum current value for the current through the at least one energy store, the predetermined time period after reaching the zero value, the predetermined maximum current value for the current through the at least one energy store, the set or change predetermined first time period and / or the predetermined second time period.

The above-mentioned optional features can be combined in any way according to the present invention to give the device according to the invention.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, a lighting device is provided which comprises an operating device according to the invention as described above and an illuminant path with at least one illuminant, preferably a light-emitting diode path with at least one light-emitting diode, the operating device being set up to close the illuminant path operate.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, a method for operating an operating device according to the invention as described above is provided, the operating device being set up to operate a lamp path with at least one lamp, preferably a light-emitting diode path with at least one light-emitting diode, and the operating device at least comprises a converter stage with at least one switch and at least one energy store and a control unit which is set up to control the at least one switch for operating the lamp path in such a way that the at least one energy store is cyclically charged and discharged in order to generate energy for the operation of the lamp To provide illuminant range. According to the method according to the invention, the control unit for controlling the at least one switch outputs control signals to the at least one switch, each control signal causing a switching operation of the at least one switch. Furthermore, the control unit determines at least one output

of a control signal to the at least one switch, the time delay between the time of the output of the respective control signal and the actual time of the switching operation of the at least one switch caused by the respective control signal and takes into account the time delay between the time of output of the respective one in at least one subsequent switching operation Control signal and the actual time of the switching process caused by the respective control signal by compensation.

4. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A detailed description of the figures is given below. It shows:

Figure 1 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention with a preferred embodiment of an operating device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of a rectifier and / or filter circuit of a preferred embodiment of an operating device according to the invention;

Figure 3 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of a high-side driver of a preferred embodiment of an operating device according to the invention;

[0095] FIG. 4 schematically shows an example of the time profile of the control

Control signals output from an operating device according to the invention, as well as from the actual switching processes of the at least one switch of the at least one converter stage of the operating device according to the invention without compensation for time delays in the switching processes and the corresponding temporal course of the current through the at least one energy store of the at least one converter stage of the operating device according to the invention ;

Figure 5 schematically shows another example of the time course of control signals output by the control unit of an operating device according to the invention, as well as of the actual switching operations of the at least one switch of the at least one converter stage of the operating device according to the invention without compensation for time delays in the switching operations and the corresponding ones temporal course of the current through the at least one energy store of the at least one converter stage of the operating device according to the invention;

Figure 6 schematically shows another example of the temporal course of control signals output by the control unit of an operating device according to the invention, as well as of the actual switching processes of the at least one switch of the at least one converter stage of the operating device according to the invention without compensation for temporal delays in the switching processes and the corresponding ones temporal course of the current through the at least one energy store of the at least one converter stage of the operating device according to the invention;

Figure 7 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of a method for operating an operating device according to the invention;

Figure 8 schematically shows a preferred embodiment for detecting the time delay occurring when switching on and off between the time of the output of a control signal for switching a switch and the time of the switching process caused by the control signal (switching on or switching off);

Figure 9 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of the input port of the control circuit of a preferred embodiment of an operating device according to the invention for detecting the current, in particular the zero crossing of the current through the at least one energy store of the at least one converter stage of the preferred embodiment of an operating device according to the invention and the temporal Curve of the voltage and the current of the at least one energy store of the at least one converter stage of the preferred embodiment of an operating device according to the invention together with a voltage signal, the edges of which represent the zero crossing and the reaching of the maximum value of the current through the at least one energy store, and

Figure 10 schematically shows a time delay occurring when switching on and off between the time of the output of a control signal for switching a switch of a converter stage and the time of the switching process caused by the control signal (switching on or off).

In the figures, corresponding elements have the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 shows schematically a preferred embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention with a preferred embodiment of an operating device according to the invention. The operating device 1 according to the invention preferably forms, together with the illuminant path 4, having at least one illuminant, a lighting device 7, the operating device 1 being set up to operate the illuminant path 4, as described above.

The operating device 1 comprises a control unit 6 and at least one converter stage 2 having at least one switch ST1 and at least one energy store L1, the control unit 6 being set up to control the at least one switch ST1 according to the above statements. According to the embodiment in FIG. 1, the operating device 1 comprises a converter stage 2 with a switch ST1 and an energy store L1. This only serves to describe the present invention by way of example, so that the operating device according to the invention can also comprise a plurality of converter stages, which are preferably connected in series in the form of a converter stage chain, wherein each converter stage can comprise a plurality of switches and / or a plurality of energy stores.

The converter stage 2 of Figure 1 corresponds to an inverting converter (BuckBoost converter), so that the switch ST1 corresponds to a high-side switch that switches the energy store L1 against the higher potential of the input voltage Vın the converter stage 2 when the switch ST1 is switched on (closed / conductive). The energy store L1 preferably corresponds to a coil or an inductance.

When the switch ST1 is turned on, i.e. is conductive, then a current flows from the higher potential of the input voltage Vin through the conductive switch ST1, the energy store L1 and the shunt resistor R1 to the lower potential of the input voltage Vin. When the switch is off, i.e. is not conductive, a current flows from the energy store L1 through the diode D1 to charge the output capacitance C1 and thus to provide electrical energy, current or voltage at the output of the converter stage 2. As already stated above, the electrical energy or the current provided by the converter stage 2 can be controlled or set by the control of the switch ST1.

The operating device 1 preferably comprises at least one driver circuit 5, which is connected between the control unit 6 and the switch ST1 of the converter stage 2 and forwards the control signals Ssteuer from the control unit 6 to the switch ST1. The driver circuit 5 is preferably used for level adjustment, so that the control signals S output by the control unit 6 each cause a switching operation of the switch ST1

can. The driver circuit preferably comprises a low-side driver 5a and a high-side driver 5b connected downstream of the low-side driver 5a. The functions of these two drivers are as described above. The driver circuit 5 can preferably also be part of the control unit 6 (not shown in FIG. 1).

[00108] Furthermore, the operating device 1 preferably comprises at least one rectifier and / or filter circuit 3 for rectifying and / or filtering an input voltage. Consequently, the operating device 1 can receive an AC voltage Vac, e.g. AC line voltage, and DC voltage Voc, e.g. a DC battery voltage to be supplied as an input voltage.

In Figure 1, the operating device 1, in particular the at least one converter stage 2, comprises a shunt resistor for detecting the current Iı through the energy store L1. According to a further preferred embodiment (not shown in the figures), instead of the shunt resistor R1, a measuring winding is arranged in the converter stage 2 and is electromagnetically coupled to the energy store L1, so that the control unit 6 can detect the current Iı through the energy store L1 in an electrically isolated manner.

The determination of the time delay between the output of the first control signal and the actual switching on of the switch ST1 and the time delay between the output of the second control signal and the actual switching off of the switch ST1 and the compensation of this time delay in a future in the future Switching cycle by the control unit 6 is carried out as above.

Figure 2 shows schematically a preferred embodiment of a rectifier and / or filter circuit of a preferred embodiment of an operating device according to the invention. The rectifier and / or filter circuit 3 preferably comprises at least one rectifier 3a and at least one filter 3b. The rectifier or the rectifier circuit 3a can be a bridge rectifier, for example. The filter or filter circuit 3b is preferably a valley fill circuit, i.e. a passive power factor correction filter circuit.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of a high-side driver of a preferred embodiment of an operating device according to the invention. The specified values are only to be regarded as examples. The high-side driver 5b comprises a transformer TR1 with a primary winding L2 and a secondary winding L3 for the electrical isolation of the input of the high-side driver, which is connected directly or indirectly via a further driver to the control unit 6, from the output of the High-side driver, which is connected to the at least one switch ST1 in order to output control signals thereon. In Figure 3, only the input capacitance Cygae of the at least one switch ST1 is shown. Due to the parasitic inductance of the transformer TR1 and the input capacitance Cyae of the switch ST1, when the switch ST1 is actuated there are delays between the time at which the respective control signal is output by the control unit 6 and the actual time at which the switch ST1 is switched.

Figure 4 shows schematically an example of the timing of control signals output by the control unit of an operating device according to the invention, as well as of the actual switching operations of the at least one switch of the at least one converter stage of the operating device according to the invention without compensation for time delays of the switching operations and the corresponding Time course of the current through the at least one energy store of the at least one converter stage of the operating device according to the invention.

The signal curve Ssieuer shows the time course of the control signals output by the control unit 6, in the event that there is both a time delay ton deı when switching on the at least one switch ST1 and a time delay torr_deı when the at least one switch ST1 is switched off . The actual through the tax

Signals Ssieuer caused switching operations of the at least one switch ST1 are represented by the time course of the control signals Sreal actually causing the switching operations. Furthermore, the time course of the current I_ through the at least one energy store L1 is shown, the solid line showing the course of the current I_ due to the time delays ton _deı UNd tor deı. The signal curve Some shows as a comparison the time curve of the control signals output by the control unit 6, in the event that there is no time delay between the output of a control signal and the actual switching process, i.e. the at least switch ST1 switches on or off immediately when the corresponding control signal is output by the control unit 6 to the at least one switch ST1. For this purpose, the time course of the current I_ is shown as a dashed line.

In Figure 4, the control signals output by the control unit 6 Ssteuer are shown during a limit operation. I.e. the control unit outputs the first control signal S1 in order to cause the at least one switch ST1 to be switched on when the current IL through the at least one energy store L1 reaches the zero value (zero crossing). According to FIG. 4, switching off the at least one switch ST1 is controlled as a function of an event. The control unit 6 namely outputs the second control signal S2 in order to cause the at least one switch ST1 to be switched off when the current I_ through the at least one energy store L1 reaches the predetermined maximum current value Imax. In detail:

At the time T1, the control unit 6 outputs the first control signal S1 to cause the at least one switch ST1 to be switched on, since at the time T1 the current Iı through the at least one energy store L1 reaches the zero value. Due to e.g. the parasitic inductance of the transformer of a high-side driver and / or the input capacitance of the at least one switch caused by the time delay ton del, however, the at least one switch ST1 is only switched on at the time T2. The current I. thus remains at the zero value for a period of time from the time T1 to the time T2 due to the time delay ton deI between the time T1 of the output of the first control signal S1 and the actual time T2 at which the at least one switch ST1 is switched on becomes.

At the time T3, the control unit 6 outputs the second control signal S2 to cause the at least one switch ST1 to be switched off, since at the time T3 the current Iı through the at least one energy store L1 reaches the predetermined maximum current value Imax. Due to e.g. time delay caused by the parasitic inductance of the transformer of a high-side driver and / or input capacitance of the at least one switch torr_deı the at least one switch ST1 is only switched off at time T4. The current I_ thus continues to increase for a period of time from the time T3 to the time T4 due to the time delay torr_aeı Z between the time T3 of the output of the second control signal S2 and the actual time T4 at which the at least one switch ST1 is switched off. Consequently, the at least one switch is switched on for the time period ton from the time T2 to the time T4. The time T5 of the subsequent switching cycle corresponds to the time T1 and the time T6 of the subsequent switching cycle corresponds to the time T2. Consequently, the at least one switch is switched off for the time period tor from the time T4 to the time T6.

Figure 5 shows schematically another example of the time course of control signals output by the control unit of an operating device according to the invention, as well as of the actual switching operations of the at least one switch of the at least one converter stage of the operating device according to the invention without compensation for time delays in the switching operations and the Corresponding time profile of the current through the at least one energy store of the at least one converter stage of the operating device according to the invention.

[00119] The signal curve Ssieuer shows the time curve of the control unit 6

output control signals, in the event that there is both a time delay ton deı when switching on the at least one switch ST1 and a time delay torr_deı when switching off the at least one switch ST1. The actual switching operations of the at least one switch ST1 caused by the control signals Ssueruer are represented by the time course of the control signals Sreal actually causing the switching operations. Furthermore, the time course of the current I_ through the at least one energy store L1 is shown, the solid line showing the course of the current I_ due to the time delays ton _deı UNd tor deı. The signal curve Some shows as a comparison the time curve of the control signals output by the control unit 6, in the event that there is no time delay between the output of a control signal and the actual switching process, i.e. the at least switch ST1 switches on or off immediately when the corresponding control signal is output by the control unit 6 to the at least one switch ST1. For this purpose, the time course of the current I_ is shown as a dashed line.

In Figure 5, the control signals output by the control unit 6 Ssteuer are shown during a gap operation. I.e. the control unit 6 outputs the first control signal S1 in order to cause the at least one switch ST1 to be switched on when a predetermined period of time tascon has elapsed after the zero value or zero crossing of the current Iı has been reached. According to FIG. 5, switching off the at least one switch ST1 is controlled as a function of an event. The control unit 6 namely outputs the second control signal S2 in order to cause the at least one switch ST1 to be switched off when the current Iı through the at least one energy store L1 reaches the predetermined maximum current value Imax. In detail:

At the time T1, the control unit 6 outputs the first control signal S1 to cause the at least one switch ST1 to be switched on, since at the time T1 the predetermined period of time taiscon has expired after the zero value of the current Iı has been reached. Due to e.g. time delay ton de caused by the parasitic inductance of the transformer of a high-side driver and / or input capacitance of the at least one switch, but the at least one switch ST1 is only switched on at time T2. The current Iı_ thus remains at the zero value for a period of time from the time T1 to the time T2 due to the time delay ton deI ZWischen between the time T1 of the output of the first control signal S1 and the actual time T2 at which the at least one switch ST1 is turned on .

At the time T3, the control unit 6 outputs the second control signal S2 to cause the at least one switch ST1 to be switched off, since at the time T3 the current Iı through the at least one energy store L1 reaches the predetermined maximum current value Imax. Due to e.g. time delay caused by the parasitic inductance of the transformer of a high-side driver and / or input capacitance of the at least one switch torr_deı the at least one switch ST1 is only switched off at time T4. The current Iı therefore increases for a period of time from the time T3 to the time T4 due to the time delay torr_aeı Z between the time T3 of the output of the second control signal S2 and the actual time T4 at which the at least one switch ST1 is switched off. Consequently, the at least one switch is switched on for the time period ton from the time T2 to the time T4.

At time T4a, the current Iı reaches the zero value. The control unit then outputs the first control signal S1 again at the time T5 of the subsequent switching cycle, so that the current I_ remains at the zero value for the predetermined time period tascon between the time T4a and the time T5. The time T5 of the subsequent switching cycle thus corresponds to the time T1 and the time T6 of the subsequent switching cycle corresponds to the time T2. The at least one switch is turned off for the time period tor from the time T4 to the time T6.

Figure 6 shows schematically another example of the time course of the

Control unit of an operating device according to the invention output control signals, as well as from the actual switching processes of the at least one switch of the at least one converter stage of the operating device according to the invention without compensation for time delays of the switching processes and the corresponding time course of the current through the at least one energy store of the at least one converter stage of the operating device according to the invention .

The signal curve Ssieuer shows the time course of the control signals output by the control unit 6, in the event that both a time delay ton aeı when switching on the at least one switch ST1 and a time delay torr_deı when the at least one switch ST1 is switched off . The actual switching operations of the at least one switch ST1 caused by the control signals Ssueruer are represented by the time course of the control signals Sriea actually causing the switching operations. Furthermore, the temporal course of the current Iı through the at least one energy store Iı is shown, the solid line showing the course of the current Iı_ due to the time delays ton del UNd tor del ZEI. The signal curve sun shows as a comparison the time curve of the control signals output by the control unit 6, in the event that there is no time delay between the output of a control signal and the actual switching process, i.e. the at least switch ST1 switches on or off immediately when the corresponding control signal is output by the control unit to the at least one switch ST1. For this purpose, the time course of the current I is shown as a dashed line.

FIG. 6 shows the control signals S control output by the control unit 6 during a gap operation, with both the switching on and the switching off of the at least one switch ST1 being controlled as a function of a period of time. Namely, the control unit 6 outputs the first control signal S1 when a predetermined first time period t has expired after the second control signal S2 has been output in order to cause the at least one switch ST1 to be switched on. The control unit 6 outputs the second control signal S2 when a predetermined second time period t2 has elapsed after the output of the first control signal S1 in order to cause the at least one switch ST1 to be switched off.

At the time T1, the control unit 6 outputs the first control signal S1 to cause the at least one switch ST1 to be switched on, since at the time T1 the predetermined first time period t1 has elapsed after the output of the second signal S2. Due to e.g. time delay ton de caused by the parasitic inductance of the transformer of a high-side driver and / or input capacitance of the at least one switch, but the at least one switch ST1 is only switched on at time T2. The current I_ thus continues to decrease for a period of time from the time T1 to the time T2 due to the time delay ton deI between the time T1 of the output of the first control signal S1 and the actual time T2 at which the at least one switch ST1 is switched on.

At the time T3, the control unit 6 outputs the second control signal S2 to cause the at least one switch ST1 to be switched off, since at the time T3 the predetermined second time period t2 has expired after the output of the first signal S1. Due to e.g. time delay caused by the parasitic inductance of the transformer of a high-side driver and / or input capacitance of the at least one switch torr_aeı but the at least one switch ST1 is only switched off at time T4. The current I_ therefore increases for a period of time from the time T3 to the time T4 due to the time delay tor de: Between the time T3 of the output of the second control signal S2 and the actual time T4 at which the at least one switch ST1 is switched off on. Consequently, the at least one switch is switched on for the time period ton from the time T2 to the time T4.

The time T5 of the subsequent switching cycle corresponds to the time T1 and the time T6 of the subsequent switching cycle corresponds to the time T2. Hence the

at least one switch for the time period tor from the time T4 to the time T6 turned off.

Figure 7 shows schematically a preferred embodiment of a method for operating an operating device according to the invention. The method 100 is a method for detecting the time delays ton_aeı AND torr_deı AND to compensate for them.

In the first method step S101 of the method 100, the control unit 6 detects the time profile of the current I_ through the at least one energy store L1.

In the second method step S102, the control unit 6 causes a switching operation of the at least one switch ST1 and starts the counter. Here, step S102a shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the second step if the control unit 6 causes the at least one switch ST1 to be switched on as a switching operation, and step S102b shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the second step if the control unit switches the at least one switch ST1 off caused as a switching operation.

The second method step S102a is followed by the third method step S103a, in which the control unit 6 determines whether the time profile of the current Iı through the at least one energy store L1 represents an increasing current or whether the current Ir through the at least one energy store L1 begins to rise. If this is the case (YES), then the fourth method step S104 follows.

The second method step S102b is followed by the third method step S103b, in which the control unit 6 determines whether the time profile of the current Iı through the at least one energy store L1 represents a falling current or whether the current Iı through the at least one energy store L1 begins to fall. If this is the case (YES), then the fourth method step S104 follows.

In the fourth method step S104, the control unit stops the counter and evaluates the counter reading.

In the event that in the first method step S102a the control unit has caused the at least one switch ST1 to be switched on, the control unit then determines in the fifth method step S105a on the basis of the counter reading of the counter the time delay or switch-on delay (ton _aeı) the time of output of the first signal to cause switching on and the actual time at which the at least one switch ST1 is switched on.

In the event that in the first method step S102b the control unit has caused the at least one switch ST1 to be switched off, the control unit then determines in the fifth method step S105b, based on the counter reading of the counter, the time delay or switch-off delay (torr_aeı) between Time of output of the second signal to cause the switch-off and the actual time at which the at least one switch ST1 is switched off.

In the sixth step S106, the control unit 6 then compensates for the time switch-on delay ton deı UNd / or the time switch-off delay torr_aeı Dei of at least one switching operation that will follow in the future on the basis of the time switch-on delay ton deı determined in method step S105a and / or determined in step S105b by the time switch-off delay torr_aeı.

Figure 8 shows schematically a preferred embodiment for detecting the time delay occurring when switching on and off between the time of the output of a control signal for switching a switch and the time of the switching process caused by the control signal (switching on or switching off).

According to Figure 8, the switch ST of a converter stage, such as the switch ST1 of the converter stage 2 shown in FIG. 1 can be controlled in accordance with the limit operation. I.e. switch ST1 is to be opened, i.e. are switched non-conductive when the current I_ through the energy store of the converter stage has reached a predetermined maximum value Ipeak,

and be closed, i.e. are turned on when the current I passes through the energy store of the converter stage (cf. STso in FIG. 8).

On the left side of Figure 8, the switch-off process of the switch ST is shown. When the predetermined maximum current Ipea «through the energy store is reached, the switch ST should be opened (cf. ST £ o1 on the left side of FIG. 8). I.e. at the time the predetermined maximum current Ipeax is reached, a corresponding control signal is supplied to the switch ST. However, the switch ST is opened first after a time delay tort_deı (cf. STist on the left-hand side of FIG. 8). As a result, the current Iı through the energy store increases for the time period tor deı after the predetermined maximum value Ipeak has been reached.

Around the switch-off delay torr_de: Between the time at which the switch ST is switched off, i.e. is to be opened and to determine the point in time at which the switch ST is actually opened, a counter is started at the point in time at which the switch ST is to be opened (cf. temporal course of the counter at the bottom left of FIG. 8). Due to the switch-off delay tor de: However, the switch does not open immediately, causing the current Iı through the energy store to increase further. As soon as the current I_ through the energy store begins to decrease, the control circuit knows that the switch has actually been opened, i.e. that the switch-off process was actually carried out. As a result, the control circuit stops the counter at the point in time at which the current begins to decrease (see the chronological course of the counter at the bottom left of FIG. 8). The value of the counter then corresponds to the switch-off delay tor del.

On the right side of Figure 8, the switching on of the switch ST is shown in the limit mode of the converter stage. When the current I_ passes through the energy store at zero, the switch ST is to be closed (cf. STsou on the right-hand side of FIG. 8). I.e. when the current I_ passes through the energy store, a corresponding control signal is supplied to the switch ST. However, the switch ST is closed first after a time delay ton aeı (cf. STis: on the right side of FIG. 8). Consequently, the current Iı_ through the energy store remains at zero (0 A) for the period of time ton deı after the current Iı through the energy store has passed through zero.

Around the switch-on delay ton de: Between the point in time at which the switch ST is switched on, i.e. is to be closed, and to determine the point in time at which the switch ST is actually closed, a counter is started at the point in time at which the switch ST is to be closed (cf. temporal course of the counter at the bottom right of FIG. 8) . Due to the switch-on delay ton_aeı, the switch is not closed immediately, as a result of which the current I_ through the energy store remains at zero (0 A). As soon as the current IL through the energy store begins to rise, the control circuit knows that the switch has actually been closed, i.e. that the switch-on process was actually carried out. As a result, the control circuit stops the counter at the point in time at which the current begins to rise (see the chronological course of the counter at the bottom right of FIG. 8). The value of the counter then corresponds to the switch-off delay torr del.

Figure 9 shows schematically a preferred embodiment of the input port of the control circuit of a preferred embodiment of an operating device according to the invention for detecting the current, in particular the zero crossing of the current, through the at least one energy store of the at least one converter stage of the preferred embodiment of an operating device according to the invention. FIG. 9 also shows the time course of the voltage and the current of the at least one energy store of the at least one converter stage of the preferred embodiment of an operating device according to the invention together with a voltage signal, the edges of which represent the zero crossing and the reaching of the maximum value of the current through the at least one energy store.

The voltage source V1 and the diodes D5 and D6 of the circuit shown in FIG. 9 above are preferably integrated in a control unit or control circuit WC, the control unit UC preferably being a microcontroller. The control unit uC preferably corresponds to the control unit 6 of the operating device 1 shown in FIG. 1.

Gear detection voltage Vzx is preferably evaluated by the control unit uC via an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The voltage Vi across the at least one energy store L1 of the converter stage 2 shown in FIG. 1 serves as the input voltage of the circuit shown in FIG. 9 above.

The circuit shown in Figure 9 above comprises a voltage source V1, three diodes D5, D6 and D7, two resistors R4 and R3, two capacitors C5 and C6 and an input voltage source V3, the voltage V1 across the energy storage L1 of the figure 1 corresponds to converter stage 2 shown.

The two diodes D5 and D6 are connected in series, the anode of the diode D6 being connected to the cathode of the diode D5. The series connection of the diodes D5 and D6 is connected in parallel to the voltage source V1, the cathode of the diode D6 being connected to the higher potential of the voltage source V1 and the anode of the diode D5 being connected to the lower potential of the voltage source V1. Resistor R4 is connected in parallel with diode D5, one connection of resistor R4 being connected to the node between diodes D6 and D5 and the other connection of resistor R4 being connected to the node which is at the lower potential of voltage source V1. The capacitor C5 is connected in parallel with the resistor R4. One terminal of capacitance C5 is connected to the node which is at the lower potential of voltage source V1 and the other terminal of capacitance C5 is connected to one terminal of capacitance C6, the other terminal of capacitance C6 being connected to the node between the diodes D5 and D6 is connected. Resistor R3 is connected in parallel with capacitance C5. One terminal of the resistor R3 is connected to the node which is at the lower potential of the voltage source V1, and the other terminal of the capacitance C5 is connected to the terminal of the capacitor C6, to which the capacitor C5 is also connected. The input voltage source V3 is connected in parallel with the resistor R3. One terminal of the input voltage source V3 is connected to the node which is at the lower potential of the voltage source V1, and the other terminal of the input voltage source V3 is connected to the cathode of the diode D7. The anode of the diode 7 is connected to the node to which a connection of the capacitors C5 and C6 and the resistor R3 is also connected. The lower potential of the voltage source V1 is preferably at ground (GND).

The values given in the circuit and the two graphs in FIG. 9 are given only as examples.

During the operation of converter stage 1 shown in FIG. 1 in limit operation, there are three states of the circuit shown in FIG. 9 above:

1. State Pı: The switch ST1 of the converter stage 2 shown in Figure 1 is open, i.e. non-conductive, and the current Iı through the energy store L1 of the converter stage 2 is still positive. In this state, a negative voltage Vi is present across the energy store L1 and the current Iı through the energy store L1 decreases (cf. state P1 in the upper graph in FIG. 9). As a result, in the circuit shown in FIG. 9 above, a current flows via GND via the resistor R3 and the diode D7. In addition, a current flows through GND through resistor R4, thereby charging capacitance C6. The voltage drop Vzx across the resistor R4 is very small and therefore almost no voltage drops across the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (cf. state P, in the lower graph in FIG. 9).

2. State Pı: The switch ST1 of the converter stage 2 shown in Figure 1 is open, i.e. non-conductive, and the current Iı through the energy store L1 of the converter stage 2 is negative. The diode D1 of the converter stage 2 shown in FIG. 1 prevents a negative current from flowing and thus clamps the current Iı_ to zero (0 A) (cf. state Pı in the upper graph in FIG. 9). As a result, no voltage Vi drops across the energy store L1 of the converter stage L1 (cf. state Pi in the upper graph in FIG. 9). The cathode connection of the diode D7 now has a higher potential than the anode connection and thus no more current can flow through the diode D7. The previously charged energy of the capacitor C6 is now dissipated via the resistor R4 and the diode D6. The voltage Vzx across the

Resistor R4 is limited by the internal supply voltage V1 of the control unit uC and the protective diode D6 (cf. state Pi in the lower graph in FIG. 9).

3. State Pır The switch ST1 of the converter stage 2 shown in Figure 1 is closed, i.e. conductive, and the current Iı through the energy store L1 of the converter stage 2 begins to rise. In this state, the positive input voltage Vin of the converter stage 2 shown in FIG. 1 is present across the energy store L1 of the converter stage 2 and thus at the cathode of the diode D1 of the converter stage 2. Due to the higher potential of the cathode compared to the anode of the diode D1, again no current flows through the diode D1 and thus the voltage Vzx across the resistor R4 is generated again from the current of the capacitance C6.

How long the voltage Vzx over the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in the 3rd state Pır remains constant at the HIGH level (3.3V + diode voltage D6) depends on the capacitance C6 and the resistor R3. The higher the value of the capacitance C6, the longer the voltage Vzx remains at the HIGH level. The higher the value of the resistor R3, the slower the discharge of the capacitance C6 and the longer the voltage Vzx remains at the HIGH level. The dashed line in the lower graph in FIG. 9 shows the time profile of the voltage Vzx when the resistance R3 = 47 kQ, and the dashed line with dots between the lines in the lower graph in FIG. 9 shows the time profile of the voltage Vzx when the resistance R3 = 4.7 kQ.

The time course of the voltage Vzx dropping across the resistor R4 (cf. dashed line in the lower graph in FIG. 9) has two edges. The first flank or rising flank indicates the point in time at which the current Iı_ passes through the energy store L1 of the converter stage 2 shown in FIG. 1. The second edge or falling edge indicates the point in time at which the current I1 through the energy store L1 of the converter stage 2 shown in FIG. 1 reverses its direction or at which the switch ST1 of the converter stage 2 is opened. The time period between when the switch ST 1 opens and when the voltage Vzx drops to zero can be determined. According to the above, a time delay in opening the switch can be determined.

Claims (10)

Expectations 1. Operating device (1) for operating a lamp section (4) with at least one lamp, preferably a light-emitting diode section with at least one light-emitting diode, the operating device (1) comprising: a) at least one converter stage (2) with at least one switch (ST1) and at least one energy store (L1), and b) a control unit (6) which is set up to control the at least one switch (ST1) for operating the illuminant path (4) such that the at least one energy store (L1) is cyclically charged and discharged in order to generate electrical energy for to provide the operation of the lamp path (4), characterized in that c) the control unit (6) for controlling the at least one switch (ST1) is set up to output control signals (Ssieuer, Si, S2) to the at least one switch (ST1), each control signal (Ssieuer, S1, S2) performing a switching operation which causes at least one switch (ST1), d) wherein the control unit (6) is set up to transmit the time delay (ton del, toft_deı) between the time (T1, T3, T5) when at least one control signal (S1, S2) is output to the at least one switch (ST1) to determine the output of the respective control signal (Ssieuer, S1, S2) and the actual point in time (T2, T4, T6) of the switching operation of the at least one switch (ST1) caused by the respective control signal (Ssteuer, S1, S2) and for at least one following switching operation, the time delay (ton del, tort_deı) between the time (T1, 73, T5) of the output of the respective control signal (Ssieuer, S1, S2) and the actual time (T2, T4, T6) of the by the respective control signal ( Ssieuer, S1, S2) caused by switching compensation. 2. Operating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (6) is set up to record the temporal current profile through the at least one energy store (L1) and the at least one output of a control signal (Ssieuer, S1, S2) the time delay (ton det, tor deı) between the point in time (T1, T3, T5) of the output of the respective control signal (Ssieuer, S1, S2) and the actual time (T2, T4, T6) of the switching process caused by the respective control signal (Sstieuer, S1, S2) based on the temporal current profile to determine the at least one energy store (L1). 3. Operating device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit (6) for controlling the operation of the illuminant path (4) is set up as control signals (Ssieuer, S1, S2) alternately a first control signal (S1) and output a second control signal (S2); wherein the control unit (6) is set up to output the first control signal (S1) as a control signal (S control) in order to cause the at least one switch (ST1) to be switched on as a switching operation, and wherein the control unit (6) is set up to switch the to output a second control signal (S2) as a control signal (Ssteuer) in order to cause the at least one switch (ST1) to be switched off as a switching process. 4. Operating device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the control unit (6) is set up to output the first control signal (S1) as a control signal (S control) when the current (IL) through the at least one energy store (L1) Zero value reached, a predetermined time period (taiscon) has elapsed after reaching the zero value, or a predetermined first time period (b) has elapsed after the previous output of the second control signal (S2). 5. Operating device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the control unit (6) is set up to output the second control signal (S2) as a control signal (S control) when the current (I_) through the at least one energy store (L1 ) reaches a predetermined maximum value (lmax), or a predetermined second time period (t2) has elapsed after the previous output of the first control signal (S1). 6. Operating device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the control unit (6) is set up to determine the point in time at which the current (IL) through the at least one energy store (L1) has the predetermined maximum value (Imax) reached. 7. Operating device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the control unit (6) is set up to determine the point in time at which the current (I_) through the at least one energy store (L1) reaches the zero value , and / or to determine the point in time at which the current (IL) through the at least one energy store (L1) leaves the zero value. 8. Operating device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the control unit (6) is set up to delay the time (ton aeı) between the time (T1, T5) of the output of the first control signal (S1) and the actual time (T2, T6) caused by the first control signal (S1) To determine the switching process of the at least one switch (ST1) on the basis of the point in time (T2, T6) at which the temporal current profile through the at least one energy store (L1) after the point in time (T1, T5) when the first control signal (S1) is output represents increasing current (IL). 9. Lighting device (7) with an operating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a lamp path (4) comprising at least one lamp, preferably a light-emitting diode path with at least one light-emitting diode, characterized in that the operating device (1) is set up for this purpose Operate illuminant section (4). 10. The method for operating an operating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the operating device (1) for operating an illuminant path (4) with at least one illuminant, preferably a light-emitting diode path with at least one light-emitting diode, is set up and at least one converter stage (2) with at least one switch (ST1) and at least one energy store (L1) and a control unit (6), which is set up to control the at least one switch (ST1) for operating the lamp path (4) in such a way that the at least one energy store (L1) is cyclically charged and discharged in order to provide energy for the operation of the lamp path (4), a) wherein the control unit (6) for controlling the at least one switch (ST1) outputs at least one switch (ST1) control signals ((Ssteuer, S1, S2), each control signal (Ssieuer, S1, S2) a switching process of the at least causes a switch (ST1) b) wherein the control unit (6) with at least one output of a control signal (Ssteuer, S1, S2) to the at least one switch (ST1) the time delay between the time (T1, T3, T5) of the output of the respective control signal (Ssieuer, S1, S2) and the actual point in time (T2, T4, T6) of the switching operation of the at least one switch (ST1) caused by the respective control signal (Ssteuer, S1, S2) and the time delay (ton del, toft_deı) BETWEEN the time (T1, T3, T5) of the issue of the respective Control signal (Ssieuer, S1 S2) and the actual time (T2, T4, T6) of the switching process caused by the respective control signal (Ssteuer, S1, S2) are taken into account by compensation. 10 sheets of drawings 24/34