EP2484181A1

EP2484181A1 - Interface for an operating device for a lighting means

Info

Publication number: EP2484181A1
Application number: EP10776519A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Reinhard BÖCKLE
Original assignee: Tridonic GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Tridonic GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2009-10-01
Filing date: 2010-10-01
Publication date: 2012-08-08
Also published as: WO2011038438A1; DE112010003899A5

Abstract

The invention relates to an interface having two external connections for receiving discrete-time signals (ZT) by means of a first input connection or analog signals (AI) by means of a second input connection, wherein both signals are merged internally, comprising a transformer (L1, L2), which transmits energy to supply the interface in the receiving mode, wherein when discrete-time signals (ZT) are received, the transformer is loaded in that a switching element becomes conducting as a result of the presence of the discrete-time signals and the switching element thus triggers the loading of the transformer. A bus system for controlling lighting installations can have such an interface.

Description

Interface for a control gear for bulbs

The invention relates to a method for controlling at least one operating device for lighting means,

in particular LED, according to the preamble of

Patent claim 13 and an interface for receiving control commands via a control line according to the

Preamble of claim 1.

Technical area

Such methods are used to control

Operating equipment used for lighting and are used in lighting systems to switch on and off bulbs using a central control unit and adjust the brightness. Usually, the bulbs are driven by operating devices. The operating devices are grouped together and can be from one or more central

Control units are controlled. With the term

Lamps are both gas discharge lamps as well as halogen lamps or light emitting diodes (LED) called. Such a light source can be arranged individually or together with other light sources in a luminaire, which may also contain the operating device.

State of the art

In modern lighting systems are often by the central control unit digital control commands to the

Operating devices sent. In particular, brightness values can be predetermined by these external control commands in order to achieve different illumination states. The operating devices may be provided with an address in order to enable a single or group-wide control by the central control unit.

A widespread control method is the

Control of lighting systems according to DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) standard. This standard defines an interface and a transmission format for the digital control of operating devices, whereby addresses can be assigned for the individual operating devices. The operating devices can be connected via the external

Control commands on and off or in the

Brightness can be controlled, also a special operating condition such as an emergency lighting state can be initiated and error messages are queried. The DALI standard is 16 bit Manchester code, which allows a maximum dimming speed with a brightness change from 1% to 100% in just 0.7 seconds.

The high level is in the region of about 16V, the low level at a voltage of about 0 volts.

Control according to the DALI standard limits the number of possible addresses within a lighting system to a defined value (65 addresses for one area). This number is especially for

Lighting systems with bulbs of different colors often insufficient. Therefore, in today's lighting systems with a higher need for addresses, a subdivision of the

However, this distribution requires an increased number of controllers and thus increases both the expense of installing such a lighting system and the complexity of the control units, which must control and monitor a multi-stage lighting system in this case.

Through the use of new light sources such as light emitting diodes there are many possible applications of lighting systems, in particular a mixing of colors and a change in the color of the lighting system can be made possible. By the application of

different colored bulbs can be realized by means of such control method color changes. In such a color

Lighting can be the light of different colors

Illuminant with the help of a corresponding optics

coupled and mixed. The mixture of

different colored light can be done in particular in a lamp or by the combination of several lights. Such color changes may require adjusting the rate of brightness change.

There are other control systems on the market, such as the 1-10V interface. The 1-10V

Although the interface is limited in its application possibilities, it is still used in existing lighting systems and therefore exists As before, the need for operating devices, which are controlled via such an interface.

Today's lighting systems require the use of a widely used standard as a method of driving the lighting system and the lights contained therein

Control gear. A change or adaptation of such a standardized method means a great effort in the implementation by the user. Both the manufacturers of the relevant control gear and the manufacturers of the control units must have their corresponding ones

To adapt products to the agreed standard as well as the customers, in particular the luminaire manufacturers and the professionals who install and commission such lighting systems, to the appropriate standard

have to be trained and meet the relevant requirements.

Presentation of the invention

It is the object of the invention to provide a method

to provide the control of

Operating devices by a control unit without the disadvantages mentioned above or under a clear

Reduction of these disadvantages allows.

This object is achieved for a method according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 13 and for a generic device according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 1. Particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims. The inventive solution for controlling operating devices based on the idea that a

Interface with two external connections for receiving time-discrete signals via a first

Given input terminal or analog signals via a second input terminal, wherein both signals are merged internally, comprising a transformer, the energy in the receive mode to supply the

Interface transmits, wherein the transformer is loaded when receiving discrete-time signals, due to the concern of discrete-time signals

By switching control element and thus triggers the load on the transformer. In this way it is possible to disperse both time

Signals via a first input terminal as well

Receive analog signals via a second input port via an interface. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the interface can distinguish between different time-discrete signals, for example between digital and probe signals. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the interface may also be in a transmit mode signals

transfer.

A control command is according to the invention not only a switch-on, Ausschaltbef hl or new

Brightness value that can be transmitted to an operating device, but may also contain advanced information. In particular, a color information or a color command, an address, a state information or an error signal can be transmitted as a control command. According to the present invention, the user in the bus system can choose the transmission. He can do that

Select transmission according to an established standard such as DALI or a second transmission like a

Specify control by means of push-button.

The invention also relates to a lighting system with a control device and at least one operating device for operating light sources, wherein at least one

Operating device an interface according to the invention

having.

The invention also relates to a device for receiving control commands by an operating device of lighting devices. The operating device has a

Driver circuit for operating the bulb. For receiving and evaluating the control commands, the operating device has an interface. According to the

received control commands, the operating device via the driver circuit, the operation and the brightness of the

Control light source.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the operating device can monitor the transmission via its interface and analyze the transmission based on the received control commands. According to the recognized

Transmission, the operating device can adapt its interface to this transmission. The detection of the transmission can advantageously take place on the basis of the evaluation of the transmission rate of the received control commands. According to a further preferred embodiment, a control device for a lighting system can also digital control commands for at least two different

Receive transmission formats, the controller based on the received digital control commands

can independently recognize, according to which

Transmission format the control commands are sent.

The invention also relates to an interface with two external terminals for receiving discrete-time

Signals via a first input terminal or

Analog signals via a second input terminal, wherein both signals are merged internally, comprising a transformer which transmits energy in the receive mode for the supply of the interface, wherein the

Transformer is loaded when receiving discrete-time signals, due to the concern of the

time-discrete signals by a switching element durchsteuert and thus triggers the load of the transformer. The invention also relates to a control gear for

Light source, which can receive both time-discrete signals and analog signals. In the discrete-time ones

Signals may be, for example, probe signals and / or digital signals. Description of the preferred embodiments

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 shows schematically the embodiment of a

inventive operating device for an LED as

Illuminant Fig. 2 shows schematically the embodiment of a

Lighting system with a control device according to the invention and an operating device according to the invention for a

Gas discharge lamp as a lighting means Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of the

inventive interface

Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of

inventive interface

Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of

inventive interface

6 shows a fourth embodiment of the

inventive interface

The invention is based on a

Embodiment of an operating device for an LED explained. However, the present invention can be applied to all types of lighting apparatus. The application of very different bulbs is possible, it can in particular

Gas discharge lamps, halogen lamps or inorganic or organic light-emitting diodes can be used.

In the operating device 1 shown in Fig. 1, as a central component, a control circuit 2, which controls and monitors all functions of the components of the operating device 1. In particular, the operation of the converter 3 is controlled and monitored, in particular also regulated. The converter 3 is connected via connections to the

Power supply network 20 is connected and receives the energy required to operate the bulb.

Furthermore, it also controls the operation of the lamp, in particular the brightness of the lamp. When

Illuminant is a lamp LED connected to the converter 3 of the operating device 1. The converter 3 assumes both the task of correct power consumption from the power supply network 20, which may be predetermined by the provisions of the energy supplier. Above all, this task can involve a sinusoidal current consumption with as few high-frequency disturbances as possible.

The converter 3 can therefore contain a so-called filter for avoiding high-frequency disturbances, which can either come from the power supply network 20 or were generated by the converter 3, as well as a circuit for active power factor correction. In addition, the converter 3 ensures the proper operation of the lamp LED. In particular, he can adjust the current and / or the voltage through the lamp LED or regulate. In a particular embodiment, the converter 3 can also be designed as a multi-stage converter in order to divide the various tasks of the individual stages of the converter 3. Advantageously, by a stage, the correct power consumption from the

Stromversorgüngsnetz 20 ensured, a subsequent stage controls the operation of the lamp LED. The

Power supply network 20 may be a low-frequency

AC voltage with a voltage of 230V or a DC voltage of 24V. Depends on the type of

Power supply network 20, the converter 3 may be formed as a DC-DC converter or as an AC-DC converter. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the converter

3 an energy storage (Cbus) included, this can by a storage capacitor or a

Rechargeable battery can be formed.

The operating device 1 and the control unit 10 are

Component of a lighting system A.

The control circuit 2 is further connected to the interface

4 ^' connected. The interface 4 is with the

Control line 21 connected.

Via the control line 21, the control commands sent by the control unit 10 are transmitted. These

Control commands are received by the interface 4 and forwarded to the control circuit 2. The

Control circuit 2 can evaluate and store the control commands.

According to the transmitted control commands, the

Control circuit 2 control the operation of the lamp LED through the 'converter 3. The control circuit 2 can also monitor the operation of the lamp LED and the converter 3 and in the event of a fault or special event of this detection and via the interface 4 and the control line 21 a

send corresponding control command to the control unit 10. In addition, further control devices 11 to the

Control line 21 may be connected.

The various controllers 10 and 11 can

various sensors such as motion or brightness sensors but also by a user

be controllable actuators such as switches, buttons or touch-sensitive screens with a user interface for lighting control.

The control circuit 2 may include a memory 8 or drive an external memory 8, which in the

Beti'iebsgerät 1 is present. The control line 21 is advantageously as

two-wire data line formed on the

discrete-time signals, preferably digital signals or probe signals can be transmitted.

However, the control line 21 can also be suitable for transmission of other signals which are based on the mains voltage or for analog control signals (the information is contained in the amplitude of the transmitted voltage), such as for a 1-10V interface. A digital signal can be transmitted, for example, with a low DC voltage. About the

Control line 21 is transmitted, for example, a data transfer according to DALI standard. The interface 4 and the controller 10 are capable of receiving control commands according to the DALI standard. According to the invention, however, it is possible, alternatively to the data transmission according to the standardized

Transmission to choose a transmission with other parameters. The ability to transmit data according to the DALI standard of both the operating device 1 and the control unit 10, a very high compatibility for the components of the lighting system can be achieved. This gives the user a large number

various control ¹ and operating devices of

different providers and for different

Applications that can be selected by the user for a corresponding lighting system as needed.

According to the invention, via the control line 21 another, deviating from the DALI standard

Transmission type.

For example, digital control commands may be in accordance with another digital protocol, such as DSI

but other time-discrete signals such as probe signals can be transmitted.

In a simple embodiment, a push-button can be connected to the interface 4 via the control line 21. By pressing the button discrete-time signals can be generated, which can be received and evaluated by the interface 4. The control line 21 can be fed for example by the interface 4 or via an external voltage such as a mains voltage. In the case of this embodiment, the control circuit 2 reads the control commands sent by the

Control unit 10 are transmitted via the control line 21, from the interface 4. It can the

Control circuit 2, the received control commands in the memory 8 cache and based on their

Analyze transmission rate. The transmission rate is determined by the bit length of the individual components of the

Control commands defined.

An example of such a transmission will be described later with reference to FIG. 3 explained. The control circuit 2 analyzes the control commands and can then the transmission rate for later

adjust received or to send control commands.

When the control circuit 2 detects in the operating device 1 based on the changed transmission that the

Transmission format for transmission of the digital

Control commands has been changed, or if that

Transmission format for transmission of the digital

Control commands was changed by means of a special control command, the control circuit 2 in the memory 8 information about the last selected

Transmission format for transmission of the digital

Store control commands. This storage of information can also be done at regular intervals or after every first receipt of a control command after switching on the operating device by connecting the power supply. The example shown in FIG. 1 can be extended to the effect that three operating devices 1 a, 1 b and 1 c each having a differently colored LED (for example red, green and blue) are controlled via a control device 10. The three operating devices la, lb and lc, each with a different colored LED (for example, red, green and blue) are combined in a luminaire to achieve a color illumination. Alternatively, but also in one

Operating device 1 more converters 3a, 3b and 3c be present, each having at least one LED of a color

(for example red, green and blue). The

Control of the three converters 3a, 3b and 3c by the common control circuit 2. Fig. 2 shows an example in which at least one

Control unit 10 an operating device 1 'for a

Gas discharge lamp LA as a light source via a

Control line 21 drives. At this control line 21, a further control unit 11 is connected.

The operating device 1 'has a rectifier 14, which is connected to the power supply network 20.

The energy absorbed by the rectifier 14 is transmitted to a DC link circuit 15, which includes an active power factor correction circuit (PFC) and a

Can contain energy storage. The intermediate circuit 15 is followed by an inverter 16, which activates the gas discharge lamp LA via a load circuit 17. The inverter 16 may be formed by a half-bridge, which clocked the load circuit 17 with one

DC voltage feeds. The load circuit 17 may be formed by a series resonant circuit of inductance and capacitance.

The control circuit 2 is connected via the interface 4 to the control line 21 and can thus receive the control commands sent by the control unit 10.

The control unit 11 can monitor and analyze the data transmission via the control line 21. If it detects a change in the transmission rate by the controller 10, it may also adjust its transmission rate for the control commands to be sent and received. In the same way, the operating device 1 'its transmission rate for the sent and to

adjust receiving control commands.

Fig. 3 shows an interface with two external ones

Terminals for selectively receiving discrete-time signals (ZT) via a first input terminal or analog signals (AI) via a second input terminal, both signals being internally merged,

comprising a transformer (LI, L2) operating in the

Receiving mode Energy for supplying the interface transmits, wherein the transformer is loaded when receiving discrete-time signals (ZT), due to the concern of discrete-time signals (ZT) on

By switching control element and thus triggers the load on the transformer. Furthermore, the interface has a further connection, hereinafter referred to as

Common terminal is called. This is the ground terminal connected to the control line 21

can be connected. This connection 'common terminal' serves as a ground connection for both connection options. The control unit 11 can be connected for data transmission or for transmission of the control signals via the control line 21 either to the first input terminal for receiving discrete-time signals (ZT) via or via a second input terminal for receiving analog signals (AI).

Internally, the interface is structured in such a way that both signals are combined. It is too

Note that the two signal paths are merged, preferably the signals are alternatively received. This gives the user an option for the type of transmission to be used

Available. The user can therefore choose between different types of transmission, for example, it can be a transmission of discrete-time signals (2T) or from

Select analog signals. For the transmission of discrete-time signals (ZT), it can also be used between different

Select signal types. So he can do different digital

Transmit signals (according to different transmission protocols) or push-button signals. So it is possible to choose the transmission format. The interface can monitor the load of the transformer in the receive mode for signal evaluation (via signal evaluation). The control circuit 2 can receive and evaluate the signals via the signal evaluation by means of a signal evaluation. Preferably, all

received signals via a single input of

Control circuit 2 are received and evaluated. The interface can evaluate the discrete-time signal (ZT) based on the sequence of exceeding or falling below a certain voltage. Digital control commands (when transmitting digital signals) can be used as discrete-time signals (ZT)

be transmitted. The digital control commands can be transmitted, for example, according to an established standard such as DALI or DMX.

It is possible to transmit probe signals as discrete-time signals (ZT). The button signals can be generated, for example, by a button between the

Mains voltage and the connection for discrete-time signals (ZT) is connected. If the button is pressed, several mains half-waves of the mains voltage (eg with 50Hz) are let through and lie thus at the connection for

discrete-time signals (ZT). The internal peeling of the interface is designed in such a way that the line voltage transmitted by the button is detected as a high signal only above a certain amplitude by the interface. Thus, there are several consecutive packets of high signals, the length of the

successive signal packets is measured. This length can be evaluated as information for the desired brightness. Thus, the button signals can be received as discrete-time signals (ZT). The interface evaluates the time discrete signal (ZT) based on the sequence of exceeding or falling below a certain voltage. Instead of a pushbutton, it is also possible, for example, to use a motion detector (or a switching relay)

be connected, which lets through the Netsspannung on detection of a movement or presence for a certain time. Similar to an evaluation of a

Push button signal, the operating device can also recognize and evaluate the switching on of the motion detector.

The control circuit 2 may have a generator FG1, which drives the transformer with a correspondingly clocked voltage in the receive mode.

The energy that is transmitted by the control by the generator FG1 via the transformer can also be used to supply the interface. Under

Supply of the interface is to be understood that external control devices 11, which are connected to the control line 21 and thus the interface 4, with energy via the control line 21 and thus the

Interface 4 can be supplied.

An operating device for lighting means, as described in FIGS. 1 and 2, may have a digital control unit and an interface according to the invention.

The digital control unit may be an ASIC.

Fig. 3 shows an extended interface, this can transmit signals and energy to supply the interface via the transformer in a receive mode. The operating device according to may be formed as described in Fig. 2 as an electronic ballast. The

Operating device according to may, as described in Fig. 1 include a converter to drive LEDs. Thus, a bus system for controlling lighting systems comprising an inventive

Be built interface. A method of operating an interface with two external ports to receive

discrete-time signals (ZT) over a first

Input terminal or analog signals (AI) via a second input terminal allows, whereby both signals are internally merged, whereby a transformer (LI, L2) in the receive mode energy for the supply of

Interface transmits.

The transformer can be loaded when receiving discrete-time signals (ZT), due to the

Concerning the discrete-time signals (ZT)

By switching control element and thus triggers the load on the transformer. The discrete-time signal (ZT) can be evaluated on the basis of the time sequence of the overshoot or undershoot of a certain voltage at the input terminal.

The transformer may be connected on the output side to a second filter circuit FR2 whose output is connected to a switch T2 which selectively short-circuits the external terminal.

The power to supply the interface can supply the voltage to the second input terminal for the

Analog signal (AI) and thus the connected

Feed control line 21. The energy for supplying the interface can also supply the voltage on the first input connection for the discrete-time signal (ZT) and thus the control line 21 connected thereto via a coupling element (not shown).

Fig. 4 shows a further variant of an extended

Interface, this can transmit signals and energy to supply the interface via the transformer in a receive mode.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show further variants of a

extended interface 4, which can transmit signals and energy to supply the interface via the transformer in a receive mode and / or transmit mode.

Fig. 5 shows a further variant of an extended

Interface, this can transmit signals and energy to supply the interface via the transformer in a receive mode and / or transmit mode.

The transformer may be connected on the output side to a second filter circuit (FR2) whose output is connected to a switch which selectively short-circuits the external terminal.

The transformer can do this with different

Frequencies are controlled in the receive mode or transmit mode, and the signals are coupled out accordingly by filtering. Fig. 6 shows a further variant of an extended

Interface, this can transmit signals and also energy to supply the interface via the transformer in a receive mode and / or transmit mode.

The transformer can do this with different

Voltages (currents) are activated in the receive mode or transmit mode, and the signals correspondingly decoupled by evaluating the output voltage. Of the

Of course, transformer can also be provided with a tap of the primary winding, wherein both terminals can be controlled with the same or different voltage and the same or different currents. The two different digital transmission formats (as discrete-time signals) can also be characterized by their

Differentiate transmission in such a way that the first transmission format is a so-called, Active Low '

Uses transmission, i. it is permanently a level of, for example, 12V, as long as no data is transmitted.

In the case of data transmission, the level becomes

Transferring a bit to a level under, for example, 2V is pulled. By contrast, the second transmission format can use a signal with a so-called 'active high' transmission. In this case, a level of, for example, 0V would be permanently applied as long as no data is being transmitted. In the case of data transmission, the level for transmitting a bit is increased to, for example, 12V. In this way, the choice is between one

Data transmission, in which by the, Active Low '

Transmission a permanent voltage on the control line 21 is applied and thus a supply of control devices 10 via the control line 21 is possible, and a

Data transmission with an 'Active High' transmission possible.

The 'Active High' transmission offers the advantage that no permanent supply of the control line 21

is required and thus the control units 10 at

missing bus activity can be switched off completely. The division of the interface on two external

Terminals for selectively receiving discrete-time signals (ZT) via a first input terminal or analog signals (AI) via a second input terminal, wherein both signals are internally merged, offers the advantage that the two input terminals internally match with the filter to be received ( Frl, Fr2) can be connected, and thus an optimal suppression and protection circuit of the interface

while still allowing only one internal

Potential separation (ie a transformer) for safe transmission of the received signals is required.

Claims

Claims :

1. Interface with two external connections to the

optionally, receiving discrete-time signals (ZT) via a first input terminal or analog signals (AI) via a second input terminal, both signals being internally merged,

comprising a transformer (LI, L2), the ^' im

Receive mode energy to supply the interface transmits, characterized in that the transformer is loaded when receiving discrete-time signals (ZT), due to the concern of discrete-time

Signals (ZT) a switching element (Ql, ZI) durchsteuert and thus triggers the load of the transformer.

2. Interface according to claim 1,

characterized,

that the load of the transformer is monitored in the receive mode for signal evaluation.

3. Interface according to claim 2,

characterized in that

the discrete-time signal (ZT) based on the sequence of exceeding and / or falling below a certain voltage

is evaluated.

4. Interface according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

Signals and also energy to supply the interface are transmitted via the transformer in a receive mode and / or transmit mode.

5. Interface according to claims 4,

characterized in that

the transformer on the output side with a second

Filter circuit (FR2) is connected, whose output is connected to a switch (T2), which selectively closes the external terminal short.

6. Interface according to one of claims 1 to 5,

characterized,

in that digital control commands are transmitted as discrete-time signals (ZT).

7. Interface according to one of claims 1 to 6,

characterized,

that as discrete-time signals (ZT) probe signals are transmitted.

8. operating device for lighting means,

comprising a digital control unit and a

Interface according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Operating device according to claim 8,

where the digital controller is an ASIC.

10. Operating device according to one of claims 8 or 9, which is designed as an electronic ballast.

11. Operating device (1) one of claims 8 to 10, characterized

that the operating device (1) includes a converter to drive LEDs.

12. Bus system for controlling lighting systems comprising an interface according to one of claims 1 to 7.

13. A method of operating an interface with two external ports for selectively receiving

discrete-time signals (ZT) over a first

Input terminal or analog signals (AI) via a second input terminal, both signals being internally merged,

wherein a transformer (LI, L2) in the receive mode transmits power to power the interface.

14. The method according to claim 13,

characterized,

that the transformer when receiving discrete-time

Signals (ZT) is loaded, due to the concern of discrete-time signals (ZT) a switching element

durchsteuert and thus triggers the load of the transformer.

15. The method according to claim 14,

characterized,

in that the discrete-time signal (ZT) is evaluated on the basis of the time sequence of overshooting and / or undershooting a certain voltage at the input terminal.

16. The method according to claim 15,

characterized,

in that the transformer is connected on the output side to a second filter circuit (FR2) whose output is connected to a switch which selectively closes the external connection briefly.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized

that the power to supply the interface the voltage to the second input terminal for the

Analog signal (AI) and thus the connected control line 21 feeds.