BE1025167A1 - IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CONTROL MODULE ARRANGEMENTS - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention describes a control arrangement for mounting on an exterior surface of a luminaire. The control arrangement comprises a control module (1) and a control module base configured to be mounted together. The control module base includes a near field communication means configured to communicate with a near field communication unit provided in the control module (1).

Description

(30) Priority data:

(71) Applicant (s):

SCHREDER

1190, BRUSSELS

Belgium (72) Inventor (s):

SCHROEDER Helmut 65201 WIESBADEN Germany

BRAND Daniel 50735 KÖLN Germany (54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CONTROL MODULE ARRANGEMENTS (57) The present invention describes a control arrangement for mounting on an exterior surface of a luminaire. The control arrangement includes a control module (1) and a control module base configured to be mounted together. The control module base includes a near field communication means configured to communicate with a near field communication unit provided in the control module (1).

BE2016 / 5096

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CONTROL MODULE ARRANGEMENTS

The present invention relates to improvements to or relating to control module arrangements.

A control module arrangement includes a control module and a control module base for securing the control module to the exterior of a luminaire housing. The use of a control module provides the means by which a luminaire can be integrated into a luminaire network and, moreover, into a luminaire management system. The control module base has a base body which can be at least partially in the form of a solid body and which is provided with at least one fixing means for fixing the control module on the upper side thereof. this. The fixing means may comprise latching means, recesses for complementary latching means of the control module or screw connection means, the fixing means being arranged on an upper side or upper face of the base. control module, hollowed out in the upper face thereof, or present elsewhere on a lateral surface of the control module base for example, so that the control module is arranged so as to be aligned with the upper side or the upper side. In this case, it is understood that the upper side or the upper side signifies the side of the control module base which is oriented away from a surface of the luminaire housing from which the base projects or on which the base is fixed. A lateral surface of the control module base, when it is of substantially cylindrical shape for example, then stands on the surface of the luminaire housing at an angle.

The control module bases meet ANSI ΟΙ 36.10 or C-136.41 standards and are also known or known as “NEMA sockets”. It goes without saying that control module bases with other desired dimensions and equipment whatever they are are covered by the object of the invention described more in detail.

BE2016 / 5096 details in the following.

Control module bases of this type, according to the prior art, are used to arrange, for example, dimmers on the upper sides of luminaires, which can be used to control simple switching on / off operations of the lamp.

The present invention further relates to a control module for integrating a luminaire into a luminaire network and which is configured for attachment to a predefined control module base, the control module having a plurality of electrical components and / or electronics by means of which the luminaire can be integrated into the luminaire network and by which the luminaire can be controlled. The invention finally relates to an arrangement comprising a control module base and an associated control module.

From the prior art, it is known that luminaires, for example urban luminaires, have increasingly intelligent control systems. Urban luminaires which are fitted with integrated control modules can for example, together with other luminaires, form networks which can be controlled by means of a server with a management console and also by means of at least one lighting controller. associated segment. In this case, luminaires can be renovated and newly equipped with control modules of this kind by means of an adaptation of the control modules on the outside of the control module bases which are arranged on the luminaire housing. One drawback is that the people responsible for ordering the luminaires are often different from those ordering the control modules. In addition, even different personnel are generally used to mount the luminaires and / or control modules on site. Information specific to the luminaire, which is relevant for operating the luminaire, for example the type of lighting means, the type of housing and other relevant information for operating the lighting means, must then be entered manually when

BE2016 / 5096 of the integration of the control module during the commissioning of the luminaire. To do this, corresponding information must be provided on the luminaire. The information is then transferred manually to a corresponding recording device during assembly and generally has to be transferred by this recording device to a server.

The object of the present invention is to simplify the commissioning of the luminaire. This object is achieved by a control module base according to claim 1, by a control module according to claim 10, and by an arrangement comprising a control module base and a control module according to claim

18. Advantageous improvements of the invention can be determined from the dependent claims and from the following description.

A control module base according to the invention is characterized in that it is provided with a near field communication (NFC) means which contains at least one element of information concerning the specification of the luminaire or for which at least a piece of information can be written. The near field communication means is a battery-free, preferably passive, means which is designed to transmit information in a contactless manner and which is based for example on a radio frequency identification technology (RFID), a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, infrared technology or other near-field wireless transmission technologies. [Bluetooth is an open standard wireless technology for exchanging data over short distances (using short wavelength radio transmissions in the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) bands from 2400 to 2480 MHz) from fixed devices and mobile. Bluetooth can be used to create personal area networks (PANs) with high levels of security. Bluetooth is managed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). The technology used has a limited range of a few meters, preferably for near-field transmission. Technology

BE2016 / 5096 used for near-field communication can in particular be supplied with energy which is drawn off by means of energy collection means which are arranged in the base of the control module. The expression "control module base" as used herein refers to a separable base part of a control module which can be mounted on a luminaire housing or at least partially inside it . Reference is also made here to the base part or the control module base as "a base body". The control module base comprises a generally cylindrical component having an upper surface or first surface on which a control module is mounted, a lower surface or second surface which is mounted on a luminaire housing, and a lateral or peripheral surface or third surface between the first and second surfaces.

Due to the presence of near field communication means, a person responsible for mounting the control module on a luminaire on site is able to read information relating to the specification of the luminaire in an automated manner. after the control module base which is connected to the luminaire. A person responsible for producing the control module base can also leave the luminaire-specific information on the control module base or write the luminaire-specific information on the near field communication device during installation of the module. on the luminaire housing.

In this case, the expression “near field communication” must be understood to mean a near field communication that can be used to exchange data in a contactless manner using radio technology over short distances. preferably a few meters and centimeters (up to 1m) and, in particular, at data rates not exceeding a maximum of 450kbit / sec. Near field communication for the present invention is based in particular on an RFID technology as described for example by ISO14443 or ISO15693.

BE2016 / 5096

The term "luminaire housing" as used herein refers to the luminaire head in which the lighting elements, drivers for the lighting elements and other features are located or mounted. The luminaire housing has a surface on which a control module base or a base body can be mounted as will be described in more detail below. Typically, but not exclusively, the surface includes an upper or top surface of the luminaire housing.

The near field communication means can be designed so that it can be writable or non-writable. The information that can be provided on the near-field communication means can include luminaire-specific data concerning for example light variation parameters or types of housings, or can be information relating to the specification of the luminaire under the form of an identifier which is linked to data specific to the corresponding luminaire, that is to say data relating to the specification of the luminaire, in particular by means of a database and / or in software. Data regarding the specification of the luminaire may include, but not be limited to, the following information: manufacturer, product family, product ID, country, color temperature, flux density, photometry type, housing type, class nominal voltage, driver manufacturer, driver type, output current range, output voltage range, dimming range and / or many other parameters used to specify the fixture and / or components of the luminaire. The information may also include all of the data and / or drawings or only certain that are relevant to the operation and / or management of the luminaire's equipment.

Once the near field communication medium has been read, the database or the software can be checked by the assembly staff, or in an automated way, so that the specific data of the luminaire are made available for the

BE2016 / 5096 assembly staff, for a control module and / or generally for a network of luminaires.

The term "lighting array" as used herein refers to a lighting array in which each luminaire has a control module configured for communication with at least other control modules within the limits of its immediate proximity or to communicate with a segment controller which may be a control module adapted to control a group of control modules. An additional function of the control modules can include communication with a radio network or an Internet network.

The term "segment controller" as used herein refers to a device that controls a group of control modules. A segment controller may include a control module that has been selected to control a group of control modules in its surroundings.

The near field communication means is preferably arranged at least partially on the outside of the base body, thereby simplifying a subsequent adaptation during the mounting process. In addition to the fixing means for mounting the control module on its upper surface (as described above), the base body may also include means, on its lower surface (also described above) for fixing it to a housing. luminaire and / or partially inside it. The control module base can also be arranged on a surface of a luminaire housing which faces downwards in a direction facing the ground or another surface to be illuminated by the luminaire. In this case, the surface of the control module base which is oriented away from the luminaire housing comprises the surface of the control module base.

Command module databases that have already been produced can

BE2016 / 5096 also be subsequently equipped with a near field communication means. In this case, an information carrier is for example in the form of a label in which a near field communication means is integrated, or by means of which a near field communication means can be arranged, can be fixed. on, or can be integrated with the control module base.

Alternatively or additionally, the near field communication means can also be at least partially integrated into the base body so that damage to the near field communication due to external influences can be at least minimized or even avoided. In the latter case, the near field communication means must be fully integrated into the base body. At the same time, electrical isolation from any other element carrying current from the control module base is more effectively provided in the case of near field communication means which are fully integrated into the base body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the near-field communication means is arranged in an upper zone of the control module base. Here, the expression "upper zone" means half, or at least a part, of the base body which is remote from the luminaire housing in the mounted position.

Advantageously, the near-field communication means comprises an RFID transponder also called an RFID tag. The associated technology is known and, despite the comparatively harsh external conditions including for example large temperature fluctuations, high densities of radio waves, due for example to mobile phone masts which can be placed on the luminaire, or due to the additional antennas of the control module itself, and also in view of the extreme fluctuations in humidity, it can be used surprisingly with process reliability for a luminaire which is arranged outside.

BE2016 / 5096

It is also possible to use RFID transponders which are preferably in the form of coils and which, despite their limited size, store a sufficiently large quantity of data. As an example, an RFID transponder or RFID tag can be injection molded together with the base body or encapsulated inside the base body during production using a process of molding by injection.

The near field communication means can be in the form of a cylinder, in particular when it has to be integrated into the basic body. Due to this compact cylindrical shape which includes the coil and the transponder circuit, data can be stored in a sufficiently small amount of space, and data transmission operations to an operator or a control module, which will be described further on, can be performed with a sufficiently high degree of reliability. The cylindrical shape of the near field communication means that it can be easily incorporated into the base body, either through a hole provided therein or at the time of manufacture, for example during an injection molding process.

Preferably used near field communication means of comparatively simple construction in the form of RFID transponders which are either writable or non-writable and which have a storage capacity of less than 250 bytes. The stored information can be one or more data packets and / or one or more information packets each comprising several data packets. Two pieces of information in the form of two identifiers (ID) are preferably stored in a transponder of this type where in particular at least one identifier comprises a unique identifier (UID). This unique identifier can be used for unambiguous identification of the control module base, while an additional ID can include a luminaire-specific ID.

By means of a change of UlD, it is possible to identify, in associated software on a server or in a control module

BE2016 / 5096 associated, to what extent the control module has been placed on a new control module base.

The UID can also be used to guarantee the traceability of the luminaire by means of a data set which is already used during the production of the luminaire. This is why a control module base is provided for which the information in the near field communication means includes a U ID added during the manufacture of the luminaire at the factory and which corresponds to an entry of UlD in a database for subsequent individualization of the luminaire. This will also be described later in another exemplary embodiment according to the invention.

According to another example according to the present invention, only one piece of information in the form of an ID which is also linked to information specific to the luminaire in software or a database can be stored in the means of communication. in the near field.

The luminaire-specific ID can be stored in associated software and / or a database which is part of the luminaire network or which can be reached by the luminaire network, from the moment of assembly of the luminaire with the control module base. In this case, a luminaire network is understood to be a luminaire network having a plurality of luminaires with control modules capable of communicating with each other and / or with a program which runs on a remote computer unit or a server. also part of the network.

The control module base is advantageously provided with an information carrier for marking the position of a transponder inside and / or for positioning the control module on it so that, taking into account the limited ranges of the technology used, positioning of the control module and / or alignment of the near field communication means on the basis of the communication module

BE2016 / 5096 order can be carried out in a faultless manner.

This information carrier can preferably be arranged on another surface, which forms for example a receding angle taking into account the upper surface, for example on a lateral surface of the base body, so that the information carrier is also visible in the assembled state of the control module. In the case of any other marking of the control module, the orientation of the control module and the control module base relative to each other can be checked when the control module and the control module base control are mounted with each other.

The base body is preferably of multi-part construction, i.e. it has several parts where at least one base body part having conductive connection contacts can be rotated relative to at least one other body part. based. Such basic body parts can for example be a rotary fixing on a fixing base. Alternatively, a rotating part of the control module base comprising the near field communication means may be allowed to rotate, given a fixed arrangement of the control module on a stationary part of the control module base, up to that the positioning of the near field communication means relative to the control module or to a reading unit can be optimized.

The objective fixed in the preamble part is also achieved by a control module which can be fixed on a control module base according to the invention as described here and which has a near-field communication unit. The near field communication unit is preferably in the form of a read unit by means of which the information in the near field communication means of the communication module base can be read via the control module. . It is in particular possible to communicate with the near field communication means of the control module base by means of the field communication unit.

BE2016 / 5096 nearby.

It will be appreciated that the control module has a plurality of electrical and / or electronic components by means of which the control module can be part of a network of lights, can communicate within the network of lights, can have the possibility of controlling the network of luminaires and / or can also operate the lighting means or the luminaire. By way of a nonlimiting example, the electronic components can include a control unit on which, for example, programs to control the control module, means for power supply, means for communicating with other control modules and / or any other segment server or controller in the luminaire network, and possibly also sensors for recording environmental data.

By integrating the near field communication unit into the control module, it is possible to read the information from the near field communication means, in particular in an automated manner, and to make the information automatically available in a manner corresponding. To do this, a controller of the control module can, for example, initiate and control the reading of information from the near field communication means and ensure that this information is transmitted to a server or another responsible controller by means of at least a communication unit, or can also retrieve the information specific to the corresponding luminaire necessary to operate the luminaire from a database. Similarly, it may be possible to store a list, which includes a large number of identifiers and information specific to the associated luminaire, in the controller of the control module.

In order to change the information that is obtained from the near field communication means, the near field communication unit can be designed to write to the near field communication means.

B E2016 / 5096 near field of the control module base.

Communication in the luminaire network, which is preferably in the form of a mesh network, takes place in particular by means of medium-distance communication, for example by means of radio communication. Other alternative networks may for example be organized in the form of a star and / or may operate on the basis of a force transmission line. Long distance communication with servers which are also located further away and by means of which the network can be operated can be achieved using a telephone and / or internet connections or otherwise combinations of such connections with wireless local area network (WLAN) connections.

The near field communication unit is preferably in the form of an RFID reader unit or else has at least one RFID reader unit. The near field communication unit can be configured to read other near field communication means, for example near field communication means of the luminaire, by means of near field communication and / or can control a or several other reading units. The control module can also, in particular using one or more NFC reading units, check for example sensors which are located in positions of the luminaire housing which are distant from the control module base.

The near field communication unit preferably comprises an antenna which, due to its planar configuration, extends parallel to the terminal face of the control module at least in sections, so that the control module can be configured to be as flat as possible. Simultaneously, a direction of transmission and reception of the antenna can be formed substantially in the direction of the base of the control module so that the reception and transmission of energy and / or information is also possible at through enclosure walls of the control module and / or base

BE2016 / 5096 control module. In this case, the end face of the control module is the face which is oriented towards the base of the control module and which can form a support zone for the control module independently of any possible projection contact.

The antenna, by its planar configuration, is preferably formed parallel to a printed circuit board which has at least some of the electrical or electronic components. A saving of installation space is again obtained correspondingly in this way. The control module can be of a relatively flat construction with optical advantages for arrangement on a luminaire implemented as a floor lamp.

The antenna may in particular comprise a part of an antenna printed circuit board which is arranged in the control module and is protected with respect to the printed circuit board, and which is in particular arranged in a lower part control module that faces the control module base when assembled.

The ability to fix the antenna circuit board relative to the antenna alone ensures proper orientation of the circuit board relative to the control module base so that data can be transmitted with greater processing reliability. Shielding against any source of interference, which may also be present in the control module, also improves the reliability of data transmission.

In order to further utilize the installation space which is occupied by the antenna printed circuit board, the antenna printed circuit board can furthermore be connected via lines to low current contacts having Corresponding coupling parts in the control module base which can, for example, be used to transmit instructions with a Ό to 10V 'protocol or a digital addressable lighting interface (DALI).

BE2016 / 5096

The expression "low current" as used herein refers to current values less than 1A.

Four low current contacts are preferably connected to the antenna printed circuit board, two of them being used for dimming, another of them being used for 12V direct current, and another low current contact being used for a sensor input. Other quantities of low current contacts may however be provided depending on the particular implementation.

Since the antenna printed circuit board is preferably arranged in a part of the control module which is to be located near the control module base, the antenna printed circuit board preferably has recesses for the conduction of other connections to the power supply of the control module. Interference in NFC communication, which is produced by low energies, is avoided by protecting the antenna printed circuit board from other printed circuit boards and other electrical units on the ground. inside the control module.

According to a large number of different configurations, it has surprisingly been found that the reading of information from an RFID transponder is improved in particular when the antenna, according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, has curved sections which are at different radial distances from a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis is in particular perpendicular to the plane of the antenna or corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the control module.

The curved sections of the antenna can be arranged around the longitudinal axis and are connected to each other, in particular by means of substantially straight antenna sections which are arranged in radial directions on the printed circuit board. antenna. The substantially straight antenna sections that connect these curved sections can also connect the curved sections in a

BE2016 / 5096 relatively acute or obtuse angle to each other rather than in the radial direction. However, it is advantageous that the antenna can have a plurality of encircling sections or conductive tracks and uses the installation space available in the control module. The control module is preferably provided with a cover having a generally cylindrical shape with a circular cross section when viewed in a longitudinal direction parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal axis.

The control module according to the invention can be provided with a module information medium for marking the position of the near-field communication unit and / or for marking the positioning of the near-field communication means from the factory, so that it is possible to verify a correct arrangement for the purpose of integrating the control module into or on the control module base.

The objective fixed in the preamble part can also be achieved by an arrangement according to claim 18, which arrangement comprises a control module base and a control module according to the invention as described here. This arrangement has the advantages described. In particular, a network of luminaires can be set up more quickly, with greater processing reliability, and more easily thanks to the use of such an arrangement, since information specific to the luminaire can be read. in the control module base, associated with the luminaire, and in an automated manner. This simplifies the operational start-up or commissioning of the associated control modules and, therefore, the installation process and the operation of the luminaire network.

The control module includes a controller which is configured to control the near field communication unit, and the associated information can also be read from a database which is to be associated with the lighting array or can be received through an associated server. The required programming and configuration of the

B E2016 / 5096 controller and integration of a near-field communication unit can be easily implemented.

Other advantages and details of the invention appear from the following description of the figures. On the schematic illustrations, we can see:

in Figure 1, a perspective illustration of a control module according to the present invention, in Figure 2, an exploded illustration of the control module shown in Figure 1, in Figure 3, a vertical section through a portion of the control module shown in FIG. 1, in FIG. 4, a sectional view of a control module base according to the present invention, in FIG. 5, a plan view of the control module base such as shown in Figure 4, in Figure 6, a side view of a control module base according to another embodiment of the present invention, in Figure 7, part of an information carrier according to the present invention as shown in Figure 1, and in Figure 8, a plan view of an antenna printed circuit board according to the present invention as shown in Figure 1.

Individual technical features of the exemplary embodiments described below can also be combined to form other embodiments according to the present invention in combination with exemplary embodiments which are described here. Combinations of exemplary embodiments with

B E2016 / 5096 features of the claims are further also in accordance with the present invention. When appropriate, elements having the same functional effect are provided with identical reference numbers.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a control module 1 according to the present invention, which has a housing which includes an outer housing part or cover 2 and an inner housing part 3. An end face 4 of the inner housing part 3 is further provided with a gasket 6 by means of which a tight closure with a control module base according to the present invention (not shown in Figures 1 to 3) can be established.

A series of components of the control module 1 are illustrated diagrammatically. These components include antennas 8a, 8b which can be controlled by means of a processor printed circuit board 9 having at least one microprocessor and other electrical or electronic components (not shown) to manage and / or control the operation of the antennas 8a, 8b. Although two antennas 8a, 8b are shown, it will be appreciated that any amount of suitable antennas can be implemented.

The control module 1 also includes a main printed circuit board 11 on which there is at least one microprocessor and other electrical or electronic components (also not shown). The main printed circuit board 11 is intended to be located adjacent to the processor printed circuit board 9 and is configured to control the operation of at least some of the functions of the control module 1.

In order to improve the insulation between the processor printed circuit board 9 and the main printed circuit board 11, a protective film or protective film 12a is provided between the processor printed circuit board 9 and the main printed circuit board 11. Relays,

B E2016 / 5096 transformers and capacitors which are used to supply power to the control module 1, and also other electrical or electronic components, are arranged on the main printed circuit board 11. Arranging the relays, transformers and capacitors etc. on a surface of the main printed circuit board 11 which is not adjacent to the processor printed circuit board 9 and having the components on a surface of the processor printed circuit board 9 which is not adjacent to the main printed circuit board 11, the air gap between the two printed circuit boards can be substantially minimized.

Current is supplied to the control module 1 essentially by means of solid rotary contacts and / or plug contacts 13a, 13b, 13c formed by brass for example, and engaging in associated recesses and correspondingly formed in a control module base (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) in order to fix the control module 1 thereon. Each contact 13a, 13b, 13c is designed to be different from each of the other contacts.

Like the contacts 13a, 13b, 13c, the recesses in the associated control module base in which the contacts are inserted are designed to be different from each other so that unambiguous positioning of the control module 1 on the Basic control module is possible. The recesses are used as fixing means.

As shown, the contacts 13a, 13b, 13c extend beyond the lower side 4. Four low current contacts 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d (only the contact 14c can be seen in Figure 1, and only the contacts 14a and 14c can be seen in FIG. 3) are arranged on the lower side 4.

The contacts 13a, 13b, 13c, like the low current contacts 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d are partially arranged in the inner housing part 3 and fixed inside thereof.

B E2016 / 5096

In FIG. 1, a module information label or medium 16 is illustrated in a position directly before the mounting of the external housing part 2 on the internal housing part 3 of the control module 1. The label or module information carrier 16 partially extends correspondingly from the outer housing part or cover 2.

An antenna printed circuit board 17 (shown in Figure 2) is disposed within an outer boundary or periphery of the inner housing part 3 of the control module 1. The antenna printed circuit board 17 has a recess 17a through which parts 18a, 18b, 18c of the lower housing part 3 which have plug contacts 13a, 13b, 13c can protrude. Correspondingly, the plug contacts 13a, 13b, 13c can pass through as far as the main printed circuit board 11 and can be connected to it. A film-like shield 12b is also disposed between the antenna printed circuit board 17 and the main printed circuit board 11, the shield 12b also having a recess (not referenced for clarity) through which the parts 18a, 18b, 18c can protrude. The label or the information module support 16 is designed to mark the position of the near-field communication unit or to indicate the correct positioning of the near-field communication means.

Since little space is required for the antenna printed circuit board 17 in the direction of a longitudinal central axis 34 (Figure 2) and since the antenna printed circuit board 17 is located in a lower part of the inner housing part 3 of the control module 1 as shown in FIG. 3, the lower part of the internal housing part has a relatively large amount of installation space available for the components of the main printed circuit board

11. The main printed circuit board 11 is fixed to the inner housing part 3 of the housing by means of the parts 18a, 18b, 18c. The processor circuit board 9, just like the circuit board

BE2016 / 5096 main printed board 11, is arranged on the inner housing part 3 by means of printed circuit board supports 19 similar to a rod as shown in FIG. 3. The three printed circuit board supports 19 similar to a rod , of which only one has a label in Figure 3, are integrally formed with the inner housing part 3 and are distributed around the processor printed circuit board 9 and the main printed circuit board 11 in a regular manner around the circumference of the inner housing part 3 and of each printed circuit board. The printed circuit board holders 19 can be made by two or more rod-like support members which are located not only regularly around the circumference, but also at suitable locations on the edge of the inner housing part 3.

The antennas 8a, 8b are connected to the processor printed circuit board 9 by means of flexible printed circuit board parts 21, and are held in position inside the inner housing part 3 by means of a support antenna 22 which is disposed on the processor printed circuit board 9.

Turning now to Figures 4 and 5, a side view of a control module base 23 shows an arrangement of near field communication means 24 in the form of an RFID transponder on an upper side or side from the top 26 of the control module base 23. Hollows 28a, 28b, 28c (FIG. 5) are of different sizes, as described above, to receive the plug contacts 13a, 13b, 13c. The recesses 28a, 28b, 28c are arranged on an upright part 27 of the base of the control module 23 (FIG. 4). Due to the shape, the recesses 28a, 28b, 28c serve to fix the control module 1 preferably in a snap-on manner, and thereby form fixing means for fixing the control module 1 on the upper side or from the top 26 of the control module base 23.

Conductive contact strips 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d serve to establish contact with respective low current contacts 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d as shown in FIG. 2. The contact strips 25a,

BE2016 / 5096

25b, 25c, 25d form conductive connection contacts for the control module base 23 with other contact means, not shown, which run along the interior surfaces of the recesses 28a, 28b, 28c. Power is supplied to the control module 1 using other contact means arranged in the recesses 28a, 28b, 28c (not shown) and plug contacts 13a, 13b, 13c of the control module 1.

An information carrier 31, which is adapted on a lateral surface 29 (FIG. 4), indicates the location of the RFID transponder 24. The RFID transponder 24 can also be read by operational personnel using a reading device held at the main 30 (FIG. 6), so that, for example in the event of a failure event, any information contained in the control module 1 or having been transmitted to a server, can be checked. The top or top side 26 and the side surface 29 of the base body are at an angle to each other. In one embodiment, the top or top side 26 is substantially orthogonal (substantially 90 degrees) to the side surface 29, but it will be appreciated that other angles are possible.

In another exemplary embodiment of a control module base 23, as shown in FIG. 6, the near-field communication means 24, in the form of an RFID transponder as described above with reference to Figures 4 and 5, is fixed to the lateral surface 29 by means of the information carrier 31. The information carrier 31 may also have means for indicating the presence of the transponder 24 (which may not always be visible), by example of the colored markings on the outside of the information carrier 31. The information carrier 31 may also be in the form of a label.

The transponder 24 can be integrated into the information carrier 31 so that it is located in, or between one or more layers of the information carrier 31. The information carrier 31 can for example comprise a multilayer label with an adhesive layer

B E2016 / 5096 ²² internal and an external water-repellent layer. The external water-repellent layer is preferably made of polypropylene (PP) for example, but it will be appreciated that any other suitable material having water-repellent properties can be used. The adhesive and the outer layer of the information carrier 31 are designed to be suitable for outdoor use and have a life which corresponds at least to the expected life of 15 years of the control module 1. L The adhesive and the outer layer are UV resistant and resistant to solar radiation and retain their properties in a temperature range of -40 ° C to 75 ° C.

FIG. 7 illustrates the module information medium 16 of the control module 1 in more detail. The information medium 16 has an indicator means 32 which corresponds for example to an indicator of the information medium 31 of the control module base 23 in the position for fixing the arrangement according to the present invention in order to be able to check a correct positioning of the NFC elements of the control module base 23 and of the control module 1 after assembly.

FIG. 8 illustrates the antenna printed circuit board 17 of the control module 1 in more detail. As described above, the antenna printed circuit board 17 is located in the interior housing part 3 of the control module 1 with the longitudinal central axis 34 passing through the opening 17a formed therein (FIG. 2) . The antenna printed circuit board 17 is adapted with the antenna 33, taking into account the longitudinal central axis 34 (shown in FIG. 2), has curved sections 36a, 36b which are at different radial distances from the longitudinal central axis, and substantially straight sections 35a, 35b connecting the curved sections 36a, 36b to each other as shown.

Each of the curved sections 36a, 36b and substantially straight sections 35a, 35b comprises a plurality of conductive tracks of an NFC antenna, which are formed as sets. The sections

B E2016 / 5096 curves 36a, 36b are arranged at different radial distances from the longitudinal central axis 34 with a curved section 36a disposed on an outer edge 37 of the antenna printed circuit board 17 and another curved section 36b disposed of adjacent to an inner edge 38 defining the opening 17a. The straight sections 35a, 35b are arranged so as to extend substantially in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal central axis between the outer edge 37 and an inner edge 38 defining the opening 17a of the printed circuit board 17. In this embodiment, it will be readily understood that the antenna printed circuit board 17 is in the form of an annular disc.

Together with an associated electronic unit 39, the antenna 33 forms the near-field communication unit which can communicate with the components of the control module 1 which are arranged in particular on the processor printed circuit board 9. As described more top, the processor printed circuit board 9 is arranged so as to be parallel to the antenna printed circuit board, and therefore so as to be parallel to the antenna 33. An interface 41, which is illustrated in the form of a block, is provided for the electronic control unit 39. The connections, not illustrated in detail, to the low current contacts 14a, 14b, 14c 14d (FIG. 2) can be made by means of another interface 42.

The antenna 33 extends on the antenna printed circuit board 17, due to its planar configuration, parallel to the lower side 4 of the inner housing element 3. The lower part 4 forms the fixing side of the module 1 because it is the side which is oriented towards the base of the control module 23 and on which fixing and / or packing means 6 are arranged.

Although specific implementations of the control module 1 and the control module base 23 are described above, these implementations are intended as an example and other implementations are possible for the control module 1 and the control module base 23.

BE2016 / 5096

It will be appreciated that the function of the control module in the luminaire network is not essential for the present invention, which is why it has not been described in detail here.

BE2016 / 5096

Claims (19)

1. Control module base (23) intended for mounting a control module (1) on an exterior surface of a luminaire, the control module base (23) comprising: a base body portion having a first surface (26), a second surface and a side surface (29) between the first and second surfaces; at least one cavity (28a, 28b, 28c) provided in the first surface (26) and configured to fix the control module (1) on the first surface (26) of the base body part; characterized in that the control module base (23) further comprises near field communication means (24) comprising at least information relating to the specification of the luminaire. 2. Control module base according to claim 1, characterized in that the near field communication means (24) is at least partially arranged on the external side of the base body part. 3. Control module base according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the near-field communication means (24) is at least partially integrated in the base body part. 4. Control module base according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the near-field communication means (24) comprises an RFID transponder. 5. Control module base according to claim 4, characterized in that the control module base (23) BE2016 / 5096 includes an information medium (31) configured for at least one of the following actions: marking the position of the RFID transponder, positioning of the control module (1), and alignment of the near field communication means ( 24). 6. Control module base according to claim 6, characterized in that the information carrier (31) is arranged on the lateral surface of the base body part, which forms an angle with respect to the first surface (26 ). 7. Control module base according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the near-field communication means (24) comprises a cylindrical shape comprising the coil and the transponder circuit, the cylindrical shape allowing its insertion into the base body using one of the following: a hole provided in the base body and an inclusion in the base body during manufacture. 8. Control module base according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic body part is a multi-part construction, in which at least part of the basic body part having contacts of conductor connection is configured so that it can be rotated relative to at least one other part of the base body part. 9. Control module base according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information contained in the near field communication means (24) comprises a unique identifier relating to a luminaire on which it is supposed to be mounted. , corresponding to a unique identifier in a database for subsequent individualization of the luminaire with which the near-field communication means is associated. BE2016 / 5096 10. Control module (1) configured for the integration of a luminaire with which it is associated in a network of luminaires, the control module comprising a minimum of a plurality of electrical components and electronic components, characterized in that the module The control unit is further configured to be mounted on a control module base (23) according to any one of the preceding claims, and further comprising a near field communication unit for reading information in the communication means near field (24) of the control module base (23). 11. Control module according to claim 10, characterized in that the near-field communication unit comprises a radio frequency identification reading unit. 12. Control module according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the near-field communication unit comprises a substantially planar antenna (33) arranged so as to be substantially parallel to an end face (4) of the control module . 13. Control module according to claim 12, characterized in that the antenna (33) is formed parallel to a processor printed circuit board (9) having at least some of the electrical or electronic components. 14. Control module according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the antenna (33) comprises curved sections (36a, 36b) and substantially straight sections (35a, 35b), the curved sections being at distances radials different from a longitudinal axis (34) of the control module and being connected to each other by means of substantially straight antenna sections. BE2016 / 5096 15. Control module according to any one of the claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the antenna (33) comprises a part of an antenna printed circuit board (17) arranged so as to be turned towards the end face (4), and in that the module The control module further includes a shield (12a, 12b) configured to protect the antenna circuit board from interference with other components in the control module. 16. Control module according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the control module further comprises a module information medium (16) configured to mark at least one of the following elements: position of the near field communication unit and the position of the near field communication means (24). 17. Control module according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the near field communication unit is configured to write to the near field communication means (24) of a module base. command with which the control module is associated. 18. Control arrangement comprising a control module base (23) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a control module (1) according to one of claims 11 to 17. 19. A luminaire comprising a control arrangement according to claim 18. ^ΒΕ 2Ο16 / 5096 BE2016 / 5096 <·· ^ X'X'X'W.X xv> mxvm> ^^ iïiS ^ SWStJWSÏiS »ï ^ XV * .X ^ $ Sa & t 3/6 BE2016 / 5096 4/6 BE2016 / 5096 5/6 BE2016 / 5096 O 6/6 BE2016 / 5096 BE2016 / 5096 SHORT IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CONTROL MODULE ARRANGEMENTS The present invention describes a control arrangement for mounting on an exterior surface of a luminaire. The control arrangement includes a control module (1) and a control module base configured to be mounted together. The control module base 10 comprises a near field communication means configured to communicate with a near field communication unit provided in the control module d). 15 (Figure 1) Pct International search report article 18 and re 43 and Applicant or agent file reference PAT2517648PC00 FOR FURTHER ACTION See Form PCT / ISA / 220 as well as, where applicable, ie point 5 below International application number PCT / EP2016 / 052564 International filing date February 5, 2016 Priority date (first) Depositor Schreder This international search report has been prepared by the search administration international and is sent to the Bur international water. This international search report includes a total of __3____________ sheets. X II is also accompanied by a copy of each prior art document cited in this report. 1. Basis of the report at. At the language level, the international search was carried out on the basis of X the international application in the language in which it was filed the translation of the international application in___________________________________________, which is the language of the translation for the purposes of international search (Rule 12.3 (a) and 23.1 (b)) b. this international search report has been drawn up taking into account the correction of an obvious error authorized or notified to the administration under rule 91 (Rule 43.6 bis (a)) vs. as regards any nucleotide and / or amino acid sequence described in the international application, see box No. ⁰ 1. 2. some claims were found not to be searchable (see Box 2) 3. lack of unity of invention (see box 3) 4. At the title level, The text, as submitted by the applicant, is accepted X The text has been modified by the authorities such as: LAMP CONTROL MODULE CONSISTING OF BASE AND CONTROL PARTS, COMMUNICATING VIA NFC 5. At the abstract level, X The text, as submitted by the depositor, is accepted The text has been modified by the authorities, in accordance with Rule 38.2, as it appears in Box No. 4. The applicant may submit his comments within one month of the international search report being sent. 6. At the drawing level, at. The figure that should appear with the abstract is figure ... 1 ......... X As mentioned by the depositor As selected by the authorities because the applicant had not done so As selected by the authorities because it better describes the invention b. None of the figures will be mentioned with the abstract PCT / ISA / 210 form (first page) (January 2015) INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH REPORT International application number PCT / EP2016 / 052564 A. CLASSIFICATION OF THE OBJECT INV. H05B37 / 02 ADD. According to the International Patent Classification (IPC) or both the national classification and the IPC B. RESEARCH FIELDS Minimum documentation sought (classification system followed by classification symbols) H05B Documentation sought other than minimum documentation insofar as such documents are included in the search fields Electronic database consulted during the international search (name of the database and, if possible, search terms used) EPO-Internal _f WPI Data C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED RELEVANT Category* Indication of the document with, where appropriate, indication of the passages concerned Relevant conclusions Y Y US 2015/115807 Al (SCHRODER HELMUT (DE) ETAL) APRIL 30, 2015 (2015-04-30) paragraph (0074) - paragraph (0086) Drawings 2-4, 6 US 2003/015478 Al (KUENNEN ROY W (US) ET AL) January 23, 2003 (2003-01-23) Paragraph (0031), paragraph (0044), paragraph (0079) - paragraph (0091) Drawings 1, 3, 8 1-19 1-19 □ Additional documents are listed in the rest of section C K see patent family appendix * SPECIAL CATEGORIES OR DOCUMENTS CITED: A: document defining the state of the technique in general, which is not considered particularly relevant t ”: previous patent application, but published on the filing date or later L: document which may raise doubts about one or more priority claims or which is cited to establish the date of publication of another citation or another particular reason (as specified) 0: document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or other means "P": document published before the date of the international filing but after the date claimed ' ^! T: later document published after the international filing date or priority date and not incompatible with the request but cited X: document of particular relevance; claimed invention cannot be considered as new or involve an inventive step when the document is taken in isolation Y: document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be considered to involve an inventive step when the document is combined with one or more other documents of this type, this combination being obvious to a person skilled in the art document member of the same patent family International search completion date August 19, 2016 Date of dispatch of the international search report 08/30/2016 ISA name and address European Patent Office, P.B. 5818 Patentlaan 2 NL - 2280 HV Rijskwijk Tel: (+ 31-70) 340-2040, Fax: (+ 3--70) 340-3016 Examiner Eriksson, Hans PCT / ISA / 210 Form (second page) (April 2005) INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH REPORT Information on the members of the patent family International request number PCT / EP2016 / 052564 Patent document mentioned Date of Family member (s) in the patent publication research report Publication date US 2015 115 807 Al 04-30-2015 EP 2842394 Al 04-03-2015 US 2015 115 807 Al 30-04-2.015 WO 2013159833 A1-10-10-2013 US 2003015478 Al 23-01-2003 AU 2003276121 Al 31-12-2003 CA 2487166 Al 24-12-2003 CN 1662453 A 31-08-2005 EP 1513773 A1 16-03-2005 JP 2005530603 A 13-10-2005 KR 20050010943 A 28-01-2005 NZ 536948 A 31-11-2006 US 2003015478 Al 23-01-2003 WO 03106347 A1 24-12-2003 PCT / ISA / 210 Form (Annex Family Members) (April 2005) Search strategy information Pilot phase (see OJ EPO 2015, Ä86) International application number PCT / EP2016 / 052564 The nature of the information contained in this form may vary during the course to improve the usefulness of this new service. TITLE OF THE INVENTION: LAMP CONTROL MODULE CONSISTING OF BASE AND CONTROL PARTS, COMMUNICATION VIA NFC APPLICANT: SCHR.EDER IPC CLASSIFICATION: H05B37 / 02 EXAMINER: Eriksson, Hans CONSULTED DATA FILES: WPI CLASSIFICATION SYMBOLS DEFINING THE SCOPE OF THE SURVEY: CPI: CPC: H05B37 FI / F TERMS: KEY WORDS OR OTHER ELEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE INVENTION: Gen. : Control module for luminaire Objective / problem: simplify commissioning of the luminaire Solution: the control module consists of a first and a second part, both having NFC means; the first part is fixed to the luminaire and contains data specific to the luminaire, the second part is then fixed to the first part and can be a dimmer or an ON / OFF switch. The second part reads the data specific to the luminaire of the first part and thus correctly controls the luminaire. Advantage: Easy installation of the luminaire Drawing: 1 EPO FORM PC4A42