DE102008018388A1 - Method for automatic detection of load attached to dimmer and for automatic assignment of control method by dimmer, involves testing dimmer at point of time between application of phase angle-control signal to load and current zero-point - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves testing the dimmer at a point of time between the application of the phase angle-control signal to the load and a current zero-point which is to be estimated. The current zero-point examines whether a premature decay of the load current is available. The dimmer is adjusted permanently to a phase angle control, if the determined value exceeds the phase shift during lagging load current or if a premature decay of the load current is available. An independent claim is included for a dimmer for automatic detection of load attached to a dimmer and for automatic assignment of a control method by the dimmer.

Description

The The present invention relates to a method for automatic recognition a load connected to a dimmer and for automatic assignment a driving process required for the detected load the dimmer, where the dimmer automatically starts up a load detection routine starts, which is a phase control signal to the connected load, and after the application the phase control signal of the dimmer checks, whether the load current lags the mains voltage and the phase shift exceeds a determinable value. Further concerns the invention a dimmer for automatic detection of an connected to the dimmer load and to automatically assign a required for the detected load driving method, wherein the Dimmer a microcontroller to start a load detection routine having a phase control signal to the connected Loads, and where the dimmer checking means has to check if after the application the phase control signal of the load current of the mains voltage lags and the phase shift exceeds a determinable value.

since In a short time, energy-saving lamps are being offered on the market as a light bulb replacement with most phase gating dimmers are dimmable. On phase dimmers, these dimmable ones work Energy-saving lamps not.

In addition, universal dimmers are available, which control both dimming by phase control and by phase section. These universal dimmer usually have an automatic load detection, which automatically determines the required for the connected load driving method. The following assignments load - control methods are possible: Load: Property: driving: lightbulbs non-inductive Phase gating or phase section electronic transformers for low-voltage halogen lamps non-inductive trailing edge dimmable energy-saving lamps non-inductive phase angle Conventional transformers for LV transformers / motors inductive phase angle

The known methods for load detection are designed so that they inductive from non-inductive loads. The inductive loads are controlled by phase control, the non-inductive loads through phase section.

From the DE 197 51 828 B4 a method for load detection is known, wherein the dimmer drives the load during commissioning by phase control with increasing current flow duration. Also, a load detection with a phase control only in the half-waves of one polarity is known. This improves the detectability of toroidal transformers. This control generates a voltage-lagging load current in inductive loads.

If this phase shift exceeds a predetermined value, the load detection is aborted and the universal dimmer stops permanently on phase control. If the given Phase shift at the highest current flow time yet is not reached - this is with all the rest Loads of the case - turns the universal dimmer permanently on phase section control.

A disadvantage of the DE 197 51 828 B4 known method is that dimmable energy-saving lamps are driven by the universal dimmer as a non-inductive load by phase section. That is why the dimmable energy-saving lamps do not work with the universal dimmer available on the market. This means that the dimmers can not be used for dimming energy-saving lamps because the load detection recognizes the energy-saving lamps as a non-inductive load.

In the phase control, the current is delayed after the zero crossing of the AC voltage is turned on and turned off at the next current zero crossing. In the period between switch-on and switch-off, current usually flows through the load. The dimmable energy-saving lamps, however, show a different behavior. The current flow begins when the dimmer is switched on and is already switched off by the electronics of the energy-saving lamp for a certain time before the voltage zero crossing tet. The position of the switch-on edge in the phase-gating mode serves only to encode the desired brightness, which is converted by the electronics of the energy-saving lamp into a corresponding current flow.

task The invention is a method and a dimmer for automatic To develop load detection, with which all dimmer loads, including dimmable energy-saving lamps, the required driving method can be assigned automatically.

These Tasks are according to the invention by a method for automatic detection of one connected to a dimmer Load and to automatically assign a drive method required for the detected load through the dimmer with the features according to the independent Claim 1 and by a dimmer for automatic detection a load connected to the dimmer and for automatic assignment a required for the detected load driving method with the Features according to the independent claim 6 solved.

Further Features and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the drawing. Features and details in the Of course, these are described in connection with the method also in connection with the dimmer and vice versa.

• a) bei nacheilendem Laststrom der bestimmbare Wert der Phasenverschiebung überschritten wird, oder
• b) ein vorzeitiges Abklingen des Laststromes vorliegt, oder wobei sich der Dimmer dauerhaft auf eine Phasenabschnittsteuerung einstellt, wenn bei nacheilendem Laststrom der bestimmbare Wert der Phasenverschiebung nicht überschritten wird und kein vorzeitiges Abklingen des Laststromes vorliegt, gelöst.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method for automatically detecting a load connected to a dimmer and automatically assigning a driving method required by the dimmer to the detected load, in which the dimmer automatically starts a load detection routine when it is started up a phase control signal applied to the connected load, and in which after the application of the phase control signal the dimmer checks whether the load current lags the mains voltage and the phase shift exceeds a determinable value at which the dimmer at a time between the application of the phase control Control signal to the load and an expected current zero crossing checks whether there is a premature decay of the load current,
wherein the dimmer adjusts permanently to a phase control when

• a) is exceeded in trailing load current of the determinable value of the phase shift, or
• b) a premature decay of the load current is present, or wherein the dimmer permanently adjusts to a phase section control, when the traceable load current of the detectable value of the phase shift is not exceeded and there is no premature decay of the load current, solved.

core the invention is that the dimmer in addition to the review, whether the load current lags the mains voltage and the phase shift exceeds a determinable value, a further check, namely, whether there is a premature decay of the load current, performs. This allows the dimmer next to incandescent lamps, electronic transformers for NV halogen lamps or conventional transformers for LV transformers or for motors also dimmable energy-saving lamps the required Assign driving method. This will be confirmed by the further review, namely, whether there is a premature decay of the load current, allows. Here are the special properties exploited by dimmable energy-saving lamps, d. h., that the current flow for dimmable energy-saving lamps a certain time before the voltage zero crossing is turned off. Is found during verification that the current flow subsided after a certain time is, so the dimmer knows that it is a dimmable Energy saving lamp acts. Therefore, the dimmer controls the dimmable Energy saving lamp then not by means of phase control, but by means of the phase control on. Therefore allows the procedure that all dimmer loads, including the specially dimmable energy-saving lamps, automatically detected and them assigned the required for each load driving method become. Without this additional review the dimmer would be a dimmable energy saving lamp as non-inductive Detecting load and the energy saving lamp a phase section control assign, which ultimately is not dimmable.

First starts the dimmer, which represents a universal dimmer, at the Commissioning automatically a load detection routine. The load detection routine applies a phase control signal to the connected load at. Checked after the application of the phase control signal the dimmer, whether the load current lags the mains voltage and the phase shift exceeds a determinable value. These steps would be enough to light bulbs, electronic transformers for low-voltage halogen lamps or conventional transformers for LV transformers or for motors the appropriate Assign driving method.

Only by checking the universal dimmer, whether a premature decay of the load current before is located, the universal dimmer can determine whether a dimmable energy saving lamp is connected or not. The check takes place at a time between switching on the load and the expected current zero crossing. If there is a premature decay of the load current, a dimmable energy-saving lamp is connected and the universal dimmer adapts itself to phase-angle control.

provides the dimmer detects that the load current lags the mains voltage and the phase shift exceeds a determinable value and there is no premature decay of the load current, it turns the universal dimmer on phase section control.

One such method allows the dimmer to connect the connected ones Last, especially an energy-saving lamp, recognizes and recognized Load the required dimming operation in the phase or phase section assigns.

Prefers is a method in which the load detection routine a Phase control signal with increasing drive times to the connected load applies. With increasing drive times are conventional transformers for LV transformers in controlled by small steps towards magnetic saturation. A large increase in the driving time would be the Working point of the transformers strong in the magnetic saturation drive so that very high, possibly causing a short circuit, Currents occur.

Further is preferred when the load detection routine is a phase angle control signal only on mains half-waves of one polarity to the connected Loads on. Some conventional transformers for LV transformers, in particular toroidal transformers, have in control with changing polarity no evaluable phase shift on. With a control signal only to mains halfwaves of one polarity in Connection with a phase control signal with rising Activation times are transformers with a direct current component Carefully into the magnetic saturation ge leads. The phase shift assumes evaluable values.

at The method checks the dimmer at a time between the application of the phase control signal to the load and an expected current zero crossing, whether a premature Decay of the load current is present. Alternatively, the verification, whether there is a premature decay of the load current, continuously take place during the operation of the load.

Preferably the method is characterized in that the verification, whether there is a premature decay of the load current, by a Microcontroller takes place, which is a comparator circuit, which causes a voltage drop monitored by a shunt resistor, to a lower one Threshold switches, with the shunt resistor at source terminals a switching element of an output stage of the dimmer is connected. The process can be with little effort in the current Integrate universal dimmer. That is, usually, will a power amplifier of the universal dimmer with an antiseriel1 switched Switching element, in particular a MOSFET realized, while still inserted a shunt resistor between the source terminals is the detection of overcurrents, such as short circuits or overloads. The voltage drop over The shunt resistor is usually monitored with a comparator circuit. By Switching the existing comparator to a correspondingly lower Threshold or with an additional comparator circuit can the dimmer microcontroller over the existing shunt resistor Without much effort, realize if a premature subsidence given the load current.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a dimmer for automatically detecting a load connected to the dimmer and for automatically assigning a required to the detected load Driving method, wherein the dimmer to start a microcontroller a load recognition routine having a phase control signal to the connected load, and where the dimmer checking means has to check whether the load current of Mains voltage lags and the phase shift a determinable Exceeds value at which the verification means are trained to check if at a time between the application of the phase control signal to the load and an expected current zero crossing premature decay of the load current, and in which the dimmer is a decision unit depending on the results of the review of the verification means the dimmer permanently on a phase control or permanently on a phase section control, solved.

A dimmer designed in this way enables automatic load detection of all dimmer loads connected to the dimmer, including a dimmable energy-saving lamp, as well as automatic assignment of the required drive method for the detected load. The dimmer can be next to glow lamps, electronic transformers for low-voltage halogen lamps or conventional transformers for low-voltage transformers or, for motors, also for dimmable energy-saving lamps, assign the required control method.

Of the Dimmer has a microcontroller to start a load detection routine on. The load detection routine sets a phase control signal to the connected load. The dimmer also has inspection means to check if after the application of the Phase control signal, the load current of the mains voltage lags and the phase shift exceeds a determinable value. The core of the invention is that the checking means additionally designed to carry out a review, whether at a time between the application of the phase control signal to the load and an expected zero crossing a premature one Decay of the load current is present. The dimmer further points a decision unit or a decision routine, the depending on the results of the review the checking means the dimmer permanently on a phase control or permanently on a phase section control established.

Of the Dimmer uses the special properties of dimmable energy-saving lamps from, d. h., That the current flow in dimmable energy-saving lamps a certain time before the voltage zero crossing is turned off. The verification means determine that the Current flow has subsided after a certain time, so the dimmer knows that it is a dimmable energy saving lamp is. Then the dimmer does not control the dimmable energy saving lamp by means of phase control, but by means of the required On-phase control.

Of the Dimmer preferably has means for carrying out the method according to the first aspect.

Preferably the dimmer has an output stage with an anti-serially switched Switching element, in particular a MOSFET, and one to the source terminals of the switching element connected shunt resistor, which is for detection of overcurrents is formed on. As a switching element can also be provided a switching transistor. The dimmer points further preferably a comparator circuit for monitoring of the voltage drop across the shunt resistor. By Switching the comparator circuit to a correspondingly lower Threshold, the microcontroller of the dimmer on the shunt resistor Without much effort, realize if a premature subsidence given the load current. Switching to a corresponding lower threshold may also be due to an additional Comparator circuit done.

Of the Dimmer according to this application is as a universal dimmer educated. In particular, the dimmer is for dimming an incandescent lamp, an electronic transformer for low-voltage halogen lamps, a conventional transformer for low-voltage halogen lamps or motors or a dimmable energy-saving lamp. But also heating resistors or electronic voltage transformers can easily with the required by such a dimmer Control method are controlled.

Of the Dimmer can also be a manual setting / parameterization option for the phase control and / or phase control feature that bypasses automatic load detection.

The Invention will now be described with reference to a non-exclusive Embodiment, with reference to the accompanying Drawing, explained in more detail. It shows:

1 the voltage and current course of a dimmable energy saving lamp with phase control.

In 1 is the voltage curve 1 and current flow 2 a dimmable energy saving lamp shown in phase control. A possible time to determine the prematurely decayed load current is indicated by the arrow 3 marked. The negative half-wave can be omitted in the automatic load detection.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 19751828 B4 [0005, 0007]

Claims (12)

A method of automatically detecting a load connected to a dimmer and automatically assigning to the dimmer a driving method required for the detected load, wherein when the dimmer is started it automatically starts a load detection routine applying a phase control signal to the connected load, and in which after the application of the phase control signal the dimmer checks whether the load current lags the mains voltage and the phase shift exceeds a determinable value, characterized in that the dimmer at a time between the application of the phase control signal to the load and an expected current zero crossing checks whether there is a premature decay of the load current, wherein the dimmer adjusts permanently to a phase control, if a) when the load current trailing the detectable value of the phase shift is exceeded, or b) a premature decay of the load current is present, or wherein the dimmer adjusts permanently to a phase control section, if the determinable value of the phase shift is not exceeded in lagging load current and there is no premature decay of the load current. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the load detection routine is a phase control signal with increasing drive times to the connected load applies. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized the load detection routine is a phase control signal only on mains half-waves of one polarity to the connected Loads on. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the verification, whether there is a premature decay of the load current, continuously takes place during operation of the load. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the verification, whether there is a premature decay of the load current, by a Microcontroller takes place, which is a comparator circuit, which has a Voltage drop of a shunt resistor monitors, on switches a lower threshold, with the shunt resistor at the source terminals of a switching element of an output stage the dimmer is connected. Dimmer for automatic detection of one to the dimmer connected load and to automatically assign one to the detected Load required driving method, the dimmer a microcontroller for starting a load detection routine comprising a phase control signal to the connected load, and where the dimmer checking means has to check whether the load current of Mains voltage lags and the phase shift a determinable Value exceeds, characterized in that the checking means are trained to check if at a time between the application of the phase control signal to the load and a expected zero crossing a premature subsidence of the Load current is present, and that the dimmer is a decision-making unit which depends on the results of the review the checking means the dimmer permanently on a phase control or permanently on a phase section control established. Dimmer according to claim 6, characterized in that the dimmer means for performing the method according to a of claims 1 to 4. Dimmer according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the dimmer is an output stage with a anti-serially switched switching element, in particular a MOSFET, and one to the source terminals of the switching element connected shunt resistor, which is used to detect overcurrents is trained. Dimmer according to claim 8, characterized in that the dimmer has a comparator circuit for monitoring the Voltage drop across the shunt resistor. Dimmer according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the dimmer is designed as a universal dimmer is. Dimmer according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the dimmer for dimming an incandescent lamp, an electronic transformer for low-voltage halogen lamps, a conventional transformer for low-voltage halogen lamps or motors or a dimmable energy-saving lamp is formed. Dimmer according to one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the dimmer manual adjustment / parameterization for the phase control and / or phase control having.