EP1349437B1 - Conductor rail system with control line - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has data line extending along a conductor rail (10). A central control unit (12) connected to the data line receives signals from an electrical device arrangement through the data line to control an electrical device of the arrangement. A sensor transmits signals to the central control unit that individually addresses the device in the arrangement.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a DALI busbar system for lighting systems with a data line, comprising one or more terminals, which are flexibly detachably connectable at arbitrary positions in the busbar system, wherein a common central control system is provided, and at least one of the terminals is a sensor or a receiver , with which signals can be received and can be conducted via the data line to the central control system.

State of the art

In building technology, and in particular in the lighting of buildings, or parts of buildings are often used lights with adjustable parameters. These adjustable parameters include the selection of luminaires to be switched on and the desired brightness with which the luminaires shine. Usually, the lights are operated by means of switches, for example on a door, which can also be configured as a dimmer. With these dimmers, the brightness of the lights can be adjusted.

There are also busbar systems that allow luminaires to be mounted flexibly by a layman in any number and position at desired positions. The busbar consists of a mostly U-shaped metal profile, which is fixedly mounted in or on the ceiling of a room. Within the busbar insulated tracks are provided. Each luminaire is provided with an adapter which is attached to the busbar system and connected to the power line by means of built-in contacts. Such busbar systems have the advantage that the position of the lights can also be adjusted by the layman. Furthermore, the busbar systems have the advantage that they can be installed in new buildings already, even if their use and according to the exact number, type and location of the lights used is not yet established. In such busbar systems, however, the lights can not be controlled individually. It is therefore necessary to provide the lights with information about the desired operating state.

The transmission of all information by means of radio or infrared transmitters and receivers for this purpose is in principle possible, but prone to failure. The process produces what is known as electrosmog, which can cause other devices to malfunction. Also, the use of the required transmitter and receiver is costly. With infrared transmission, other systems that are also located in the room can be disturbed.

The information transmission via permanently installed cables combined with a power supply via cable channels is also known. Cable ducts are permanently installed plastic pipes or profiles in which a variety of power cables, data cables and other cables can be stirred loosely. Firmly integrated connections are provided on the plastic pipe, on which the cables laid in this way can be tapped and energy or information taken out via a suitable interface. The connections are permanently installed at predetermined points of the cable duct. Additional connections can only be installed by a specialist with comparatively great effort.

It is also known under the name of EIB (European Installation Bus) a system with a busbar and a data line. The system is described inter alia in the publication "Daylight Dependent Lighting Systems Based on Installation Buses" by PT Knoop, Progress-Ber. VDI Series 6 No. 396 1998. Each luminaire connected in this system is connected via a node to the busbar and the data line. The node has a data processing unit. The nodes are provided together with an information generator and a translator in an actuator fixedly connected to the bus bar. Each node connected to the system is equal in terms of the communication of the connected devices. Each connected device is the sender and receiver of information that is communicated via a BUS system. A central control unit is not provided. The system is therefore suitable for almost arbitrarily large applications such as the management of complex building technology for large buildings. However, the system is too expensive and expensive for many simpler applications.

Another such system is from the DE 299 06 910 U1 known. There, a hanger for objects to be electrically contacted is disclosed. This is also a bidirectional two-wire bus system, ie a system in which the connected terminals have their own intelligence. The system described is associated with considerable costs, since each terminal must be equipped with a microprocessor.

From the DE 38 12 465 C2 It is also known to combine simple intended for lighting technology busbars with data lines. The system has a central control unit, which takes over the control of the system (master-slave system). The connected luminaires can be connected to the busbar via a simple ballast and an adapter. Control data in the direction of the lights can be communicated via the data line. As a result, the central setting is achieved, for example, the brightness.

In the known busbar system with data line, the data flow in the form of control commands from the central control computer to the connected lights. A change in the operating state can therefore only be achieved by a program or an input at the control computer.

DE 40 20 807 A1 discloses a display panel with building blocks for inputting and outputting data. The disclosed display panel uses input / output devices such as light emitting diodes, indicator lights, optocouplers, 7-segment display, printers, encoder switches, switches and push buttons, which are fixed in a "basic configuration". The blocks are inserted into openings of a planar mounting wall or attached to a mounting rail. Communication between the blocks with each other and with a central unit takes place via a data bus. Accordingly, each component requires its own "intelligence".

Disclosure of the invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a DALI busbar system in which connected terminals are controllable depending on the environmental conditions and which is inexpensive to implement. According to the invention the object is achieved in that the terminals are individually addressable without their own control functions and a data transfer according to the master-slave principle takes place exclusively between one of the terminals and the central control system. By using sensors or receivers, information also flows in the opposite direction to the control computer. The control computer can receive the information supplied by the sensor or receiver, process it centrally and provide the results for controlling other connected terminals. By using a common control computer, the terminals can be carried out in accordance with cost. The terminals do not need their own data processing units. The already existing infrastructure for the power supply is made available at the same time for data communication, whereby a particularly high flexibility is ensured because the devices can be installed by the layman without special effort. This makes the use particularly attractive in cases where the type of use changes frequently and the installations are respectively provided at different locations. The communication standard DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is used for communication.

As terminals first of all lights are particularly suitable. Other consumers may also be provided, such as monitors, sounders, digital and analogue recording and playback devices for music, spoken text or other sounds. Each time the sensor receives a predetermined signal, the terminal is put into operation, the operation is set or changed. If one of the terminals is a monitor, video sequences or pictures may become visible when the sensor receives a predetermined signal. Furthermore, means for logging sensor signals or information based on the sensor signals can be provided. Then the system can be used for monitoring and subsequent evaluation of operations.

The terminal may also be a display system which issues a directional indication in response to a given sensor signal. Such a display system can be a lit or illuminated arrow, or even a display with various display options. This can be used to set up a person guidance system.

Furthermore, means for logging sensor signals or information based on the sensor signals can be provided. Then the system can be used for monitoring and subsequent evaluation of operations.
For this purpose, means for generating an alarm or emergency call signal are particularly suitable.

The connected sensors can record acoustic and / or optical signals, for example in the form of images, image sequences or video sequences. It can also be provided counting means. Then events can be recorded statistically or otherwise, providing additional information. The sensors may be configured as occupancy sensors, which triggers actuation of remaining terminals when persons are present, and means for switching off the terminals when the persons have moved away. This is especially suitable for saving energy.

It can be provided by the central control computer controllable mechanical adjustment means by which the position and orientation of the terminals is adjustable. It can also be provided by the central control computer controllable means for changing the color of connected lights. It is also possible to provide luminaires with optical means whose properties can be changed by means of setting on the central control computer. Then the properties of badly accessible luminaires can be set optimally and complete scenarios can be changed and programmed without much effort.

For larger applications, the arrangement can be coupled as a smaller block to a bus system. For this purpose, a suitable interface or a coupler can be provided. Then large numbers of terminals can be used in complex applications. Instead of a sensor and a receiver may be provided, the control signals of a transmitter for controlling other terminals receives. This receiver can receive infrared signals or radio signals or the like. Then the operations are triggered by a command.

Such a busbar system can be used for lighting and staging of shop windows and stages, as a tour guide and lighting in museums and showrooms, for the localization of persons or objects in a building or as a guidance system in buildings with public traffic.

All sensors that detect relevant physical quantities are suitable. These include, in particular, temperature, humidity, air quality, smoke detectors, motion detectors, brightness, in the visible and UV ranges, noise levels, tension and pressure etc. The latter can be used to detect burglary and vandalism.

Embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. An embodiment is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

1a

schematically shows a busbar with connected central control unit.

1b shows

shows the busbar 1a in cross section

Fig.2

schematically shows a bus bar, which is connected via a coupler to a data bus.

Figure 3

shows a plurality of bus bars, which are each connected via a coupler to a data bus.

Figure 4

shows a bus bar with a lighting system and an infrared receiver

Figure 5

shows a bus bar with a lighting system and a daylight sensor

Figure 6

shows lighting system with busbars in the form of a simple control system

Figure 7

illustrates the use of a bus bar system with an infrared transmitter in a museum

Figure 8

illustrates the use of a track system in a museum where information is already stored in the user's receiving device.

Figure 9

shows the use of a busbar system to locate people.

Fig. 10

shows a busbar system with a receiver which receives information for display on a display.

Figure 11

shows a busbar system with a display whose operating settings are controlled in response to a sensor.

Figure 12

shows a busbar system in which a display receives information from a transmitter

Figure 13

shows a busbar system to which a receiver is connected to a speaker that reproduces audio information.

Figure 14

shows a signal light connected to a power rail.

Figure 15

shows a Personenleitmodul on an acoustic basis

Description of an embodiment

In 1a schematically a part of a busbar 10 is shown. Such a busbar is already known. The bus bar 10 is in 1b shows again shown in cross section. The busbar 10 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, with downwardly open U. In the U-shaped profile any connection parts by means of a suitable, not shown, adapter can be attached. The contact with the power source via cables 17, 19, 21 and 23. The busbars are known in principle, for example from the US 5,869,786 and therefore need not be further described here. The busbar 10 is further provided with a data line 11 in the form of two copper cables 13 and 15. The data can flow here in both directions. Furthermore, a control unit 12 is provided ( 1a ). The control unit 12 takes over the control and regulation of all connected to the power rail terminals. The control unit 12 can also be used as an adapter in any position of the busbar. The situation shown in Fig. Can work without complex bus systems for data transmission and is therefore relatively inexpensive. Due to the limited number of terminals, however, it is only suitable for smaller applications.

In Fig.2 is provided between the busbar 10 and the control unit 12, a coupler 14. The coupler 14 enables data transmission from the bus bar 10 to a bus system. Such bus systems can be EIB or LON. This increases the scope of application. The control unit 12 carries out extensive functions on the basis of the complex bus system.

Such a bus system can serve to link a plurality of busbars. This is in Figure 3 shown. Here, five busbars 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 via their own couplers 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 and the data bus to the central control unit 26 are connected. There is always only one coupler for a variety of terminals.

Depending on the connected terminal different uses of the described systems are possible. In Fig. 4 a simple lighting system 38 is shown. A lamp 40 is movably arranged in a holder 42. The lamp is provided with a ballast 44. The lighting arrangement is clamped with an adapter 46 to the bus bar, which connects to the power line and the data line. The ballast 44 serves to receive data processing means for adjusting the operating state of the lamp 40. The operating state is set in particular by dimming, switching, rotating and pivoting the lamp. For more complex applications in lighting technology, optical means such as color filters, lenses or mirrors can also be used. Then the operating state can be influenced by different focussing, colors etc. The data required for this purpose is provided to the lighting system 38 by a central control computer (not shown). This is shown by an arrow 48.

To set the operating state of the lighting system, an infrared receiver 50 is provided in the busbar. The infrared receiver 50 receives data from an infrared transmitter 52, which is operated by the user 54 in the manner of a remote control. Instead of data transmission by means of infrared signals, data transmission by radio or a cable can also take place. The current values of the operating state rail section are displayed on a display of the remote control 52. By entering new data, the operating state at the illumination system 38 can then be changed. For this purpose, the infrared signals are first sent to the receiver 50. This is shown by an arrow 56. The receiver 50 converts the infrared signals into a data stream and forwards them to the central control computer. This is shown by an arrow 58. By means of the remote control also poorly accessible lighting systems on stages or the like are easily adjustable. Other lights can be controlled by the same receiver. Such more complex lighting systems occur, for example, in shop windows or stages. For the mechanical adjustment of the luminaires, motors in the form of servo or stepper motors are provided which can adjust the position of the luminaires, eg the angle of rotation.

Instead of a controllable receiver is in the embodiment of Figure 5 a daylight sensor 60 is used. The daylight, represented by an arrow 62, is detected by the sensor 60 and the associated measured variable is forwarded to the central control computer. This is shown by an arrow 64. In larger rooms several such sensors are arranged, which also pass measurement data to the control computer. In the central control computer, the data are evaluated and the number of luminaires to be switched on, their position and their degree of dimming for the connected lighting systems are determined. The control signals are forwarded to the illumination system 66 by the central control unit via the data line integrated in the busbar. This is shown by the arrow 68. Through the use of sensors, an intelligent building management can be realized that achieves energy savings in the lighting area. Instead of a daylight sensor, it is also possible to use other sensors whose measured values, in addition to illumination systems, also influence other systems, such as, for example, blinds. These include noise level meters, UV light sensors, distance meters, occupancy sensors, motion detectors or window / door contacts.

In Figure 6 a lighting system is shown in the form of a simple control system. After activation of the control system by means of a sensor or a receiver selected lights 70 are activated. Other lights 74 that are not left lying on the path are turned off. The Ortsunkundige 72 then only needs to follow the lights in succession to arrive at a destination. The luminaires in conjunction with presence sensors or motion detectors can be activated one after the other to show the way. They can also be activated at the same time. The lights can also be designed as arrows, or project Weghinweise on the ground.

In Figure 7 For example, the use of a bus bar system 76 is shown in a museum or exhibition. A local radio transmitter 78 distributes the audio information provided for each exhibit 80 on one channel each. This is shown by arrows 82. In the area of the exhibits 80 is in each case a receiving device 84 on the busbar. The receiver 84 receives the signals 82 on the channel of the exhibit 80 associated with the receiver 84. Via the data line of FIG Bus 76 is the required radio channel selected and sent as an infrared sound signal to all headphones 86, which are located in this area. Instead of an infrared transmission and a radio transmission can be used. This is shown by an arrow 88. By using the radio transmitter no large amounts of data need to be transmitted to the receiver, but only the information on the radio channel. Instead of a headphone, a speaker can also be used, which is activated when a person is in front of an exhibit.

In Fig. 8 is another solution for information transfer in a museum shown. In this solution, the information, ie the audio information on various exhibits 90 in the museum, already fully deposited in the receiver 92. The targeted, locally bound retrieval of information via an infrared transmitter 94 on the power rail. Again, a radio transmission instead of infrared transmission take place. The selection of the information is determined by the data transmission of the busbar. This principle can also be applied very well to a control system.

In Figure 9 is attached to the power rail, an infrared transmitter 96 on the shoulder of a person 98. The transmitter 98 continuously broadcasts a person-specific encoding that is detected at significant locations in a complex building of infrared receivers 100. This is shown by an arrow 102. The data is forwarded via the power rail 106 to the central control unit. This is shown by the arrow 104. The data includes information about the current location of a person, which can be recorded by a central office and recorded if necessary. The center is thus continuously informed about the position and length of stay of all persons interested in the house. Even objects such as files or the like can be located in this way. The localization system is particularly well suited for use in hospitals, retirement homes, etc., where doctors or nurses must be quickly findable.

The use of another terminal in the form of an infrared receiver 108 with a display 110 is shown in FIG Figure 10 shown. The display 110 (or a suitable monitor) is used to reproduce text and image information that is high Require storage space and require a high transfer rate. A transmission via the data line 112 of the busbar system is therefore not useful. The actual data is therefore transmitted from an infrared transmitter 116, which is coupled to a memory 118, to the infrared receiver 108 of the display 110, wherein the control takes place via the data line 112 of the busbar. This includes the selection, modification and adjustment of the sequence of image sequences. These include the start and end, volume, brightness, length of sequences and the like. This is shown by an arrow 114. Also, the adjustments are made based on environmental information obtained via sensors (not shown) or receivers.

The information may also be contained in a memory integrated in the display 120. This case is in Fig. 11 shown. A sensor 122 receives environmental information, eg the noise level. This is shown by an arrow 124. The information is passed on to the central control unit. This is shown by an arrow 126. The control unit in turn passes commands for adjusting the volume to the display 120 on. This is shown by an arrow 128. In the same way, the brightness can be adjusted by means of a control via a brightness sensor. The system off Figure 11 is particularly well suited for use as a billboard for information texts, departure times at the airport terminal, but also for advertising recordings. Presence and metering systems can be used with the display to provide information about the number of persons being recorded. This is particularly interesting for the advertising industry.

In Figure 12 a display 130 is also shown. Here, however, the data is transmitted to a receiver 136 via an external video transmitter 132. This is shown by an arrow 134. With this solution, multiple displays can receive the video information. By means of control commands from the central control unit, a selection and control of the displays can take place via the busbar 138 in addition to the power supply. This is shown by an arrow 140. Again, the control of the displays can be based on information that is recorded by sensors.

In Figure 13 an application is shown in which a public address system 142 is connected to the bus bar 144. The public address system receives in the illustration shown information by means of an infrared receiver 146 receives the data from an infrared transmitter 148. Volume, type and extent of the radiated audio information can in turn be controlled by the central control unit. In conjunction with a localization system, as based on Figure 9 has been described, it can be a locally limited exclamation of the person sought. In this case, the selected public address device 142 is automatically switched over the data line 144 to the radio channel of the exclamation, while the rest of the system is not affected. The volume of the public address system can also be adjusted depending on the signals of a noise level sensor or a presence sensor.

The applications described above require terminals that can be used in a busbar system. The terminals can be combined with each other and changed. The addition or dismantling of terminals can be made by the layman.

In addition to the sensors, luminaires, displays and public address systems described, other end devices can be connected to the busbar. Such a terminal is a signal light. This is in Fig. 14 shown. The signal lamp 150 receives its data from the data line of the bus bar 152, which implements it (without feedback). This is shown by an arrow 154. As a luminous surface 156 composed of a plurality of light-emitting diodes, it may light up or blink in any color depending on the received data. Furthermore, from the luminous points, an appropriate symbol can be formed, such as an arrow pointing in the appropriate direction, which should be followed by the instructed visitor. The combination of arrow and number, letter or color, which light up alternately, can also be targeted to several people. The necessary data, this form of visitor guidance comes from a prepared database, which is activated by the staff at the reception or by the visitor himself at a computer terminal by simply selecting the desired destination. The monitor then displays the letter or digit to follow to arrive at the selected destination.

Analogous to a Personenleitmodul on a visual basis, a Personenleitmodul or Personenorientierungsmodul is provided on an acoustic basis. This is particularly suitable for the blind and visually impaired. In Figure 15 such a device 160 is shown. The device 160 consists of the combination of a distance or motion detector 162 with a speaker 166. At special, possibly also specially marked locations in the building, the device is located on the busbar 168. If a person or a movement is registered, sounds soft but loud enough for brief information about the location. The device is also applicable in shop fitting. Customers are then pointed to the products in the near field, depending on the location. Together with a sensor, for example a distance detector, highlighting lights can also be activated on corresponding goods and shelves.

All terminals are provided with a security module. The safety module can be connected to the ballast or integrated into the ballast. It essentially consists of a fuse. With the installation of a security module is to prevent that in case of defects in a terminal, a contact between the power line of the data line is made. The data line can then be designed quasi freely accessible and need not be secured against accidental contact by the user due to the low flowing currents. In this case, the security module is designed as an adapter, which can be connected by a simple plug connection.

Claims (25)

1. DALI-conductor rail system for illumination systems with a data line comprising one or more end devices (50, 38) releasably attached at any selected position to the conductor rail system characterized in that a common central control system is provided and at least one of the end devices is a sensor (50) or a receiver for receiving signals and fowarding them to the central control system through the data line (48),
   characterized in that
   the end devices are individually addressable without their own control function and the data transfer is exclusively effected according to the master-slave- principle between one of the end devices and the central control system.
2. Conductor rail system according to claim 1, characterized in that the central control system is adapted to be inserted as an adapter into the conductor rail system at any selected position.
3. Conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the end devices (142) can generate acoustic signals.
4. Conductor rail system according to claim 4, characterized in that the acoustic signals may be generated by means of a digital or analogue continuous operation replay system and one or more loudspeakers connected thereto for replaying recorded texts, music or other acoustic signals if the sensor receives a trigger signal.
5. Conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the end devices is a monitor or a display (120) displaying video sequences or images if the sensor (122) receives a trigger signal.
6. Conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the end devices is a display system (150) indicating a direction depending on a selected sensor signal.
7. Conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that recording means are provided for recording sensor signals or information based on sensor signals.
8. Conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that alarm or emergency call means and means are provided.
9. Conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the attached end devices is a sensor (162) adapted to detect accoustic signals.
10. Conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the attached end devices is a sensor adapted to detect optical signals.
11. Conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical signals are images, sequences of images or video sequences.
12. Conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that counting means are provided for counting events detected by the sensor means.
13. Conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that sensors are provided for detecting the presence of a person, the sensor means activating further end devices if a person is detected, and de-activating means, if the person is gone.
14. Conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that means for mechanical adjusting are provided for adjusting the position and direction of the end devices, the means being controlled by the central control system.
15. Conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that means for changing the color of lights connected thereto are provided which are controlled by the central control system.
16. Conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that lights are provided with optical means having properties which can be changed by means of the central control system.
17. Conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it can be connected to a BUS-system.
18. Conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiver receives control signals of a sender for controlling further end devices.
19. Use of a conductor rail system according to any of the preceding claims for the illumination and staging of shop windows and stages.
20. Use of a conductor rail system according to any of the claims 1 to 18 as a tour guide and illumination of museums and exhibition rooms.
21. Use of a conductor rail system according to any of the claims 1 to 18 as a guiding system in buildings with public access.
22. Use of a conductor rail system according to any of the claims 1 to 18 for localization of persons or objects in a building.
23. Sensor with a conductor rail system according to any of the claims 1 to 18, in particular a presence sensor, distance sensor, movement sensor, temperature sensor, noise level sensor, smoke sensor or day light sensor, characterized in that it is provided with means for attaching to the conductor rail system and means for transferring data to a central control system representing the detected measuring values.
24. Infrared- or radio receiver with a conductor rail system according to any of the claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it is provided with means for attaching to the conductor rail system and means for transferring data to a central control system representing the received commands or information.
25. Electricity consumer with a conductor rail system according to any of the claims 1 to 18, wherein the electricity consumer in particular comprises lights or lighting systems, monitors or displays, loudspeakers and display systems, characterized in that the electricity consumer is provided with means for transferring data to a central control system.

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