EP2604092A1

EP2604092A1 - Illumination arrangement with multicolour light sources and method for operating such an illumination arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP2604092A1
Application number: EP11758417.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martin Kenneth; Anja Frohnapfel; Birthe Tralau
Original assignee: Zumtobel Lighting GmbH Austria
Current assignee: Zumtobel Lighting GmbH Austria
Priority date: 2010-08-13
Filing date: 2011-08-11
Publication date: 2013-06-19
Also published as: DE102010039308A1; WO2012020081A1

Abstract

An illumination arrangement has a lamp (10) with a plurality of light sources (11), which emit light in each case of a different colour, and a control unit (12) for operating the light sources (11), wherein the control unit (12) is configured to change the spectral composition of the light emitted with substantially unchanged colour locus and/or unchanged colour temperature, once a user has fixed a desired colour locus and/or colour temperature for the light emission.

Description

Lighting arrangement with different colored light sources and method for operating such a lighting arrangement

The present invention relates to a lighting arrangement comprising a plurality of light sources, each of which emits light in a different color. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating a corresponding illumination arrangement, wherein the differently colored light sources can be in particular LEDs.

The use of colored light sources is becoming increasingly important in modern lighting technology. So it is for example in the room or

Workplace lighting is known to generate certain lighting moods by the use of colored light sources or to reproduce the temporal course of natural daylight artificially. For this purpose, for example, a bluish hue is added to the light during the day, whereas in the morning or evening, the light emitted is given a slightly reddish hue. It has been found that such lighting effects are perceived as pleasant and able to support the biorhythm of humans.

Another field of application in lighting technology, in which the delivery of colored light plays a role, is the illumination of so-called.

Merchandiser facilities. In shops, especially in grocery stores, white lighting with a high proportion of red or yellow light is often used to improve the presentation of goods of certain foods, especially fresh goods such as meat, sausage, fish, vegetables or cheese. If fresh goods are illuminated with light of a specific color temperature or a specific color location, they often look fresher and more natural or generally more appealing than would be the case with conventional lighting. Also in the presentation of other products, so not only at

Food, a colored lighting or lighting with a specially tailored to the product color temperature has been found to be advantageous.

In the past, light sources were often used to realize such a colored lighting, which was associated with a corresponding color filter or a reflector with specific reflective properties. The effort for this, however, is relatively high, as in the various product groups then Luminaires with different combinations of light sources, color filters and reflectors must be used. Also, a conversion of the lights to change the light output is associated with a not inconsiderable effort.

In general, the present invention is therefore the task of specifying a novel way to adapt the light output of a lamp in a simple and effective way to specific wishes to the illumination of

To optimize objects, goods or rooms.

The object is achieved by a lighting arrangement having the features of claim 1 or claim 5, and by a method for operating a lighting arrangement according to claim 12. advantageous

Further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The solution according to the invention is fundamentally based on the idea of

Optimization of the lighting situation not only to adjust the color location or the color temperature of the emitted light but also to adjust the spectral composition of the light. It has been found that in many cases, the illumination of an object is optimal only when the spectral

Components of the light were adjusted in a suitable manner. The solution according to the invention now supports the user in the required control of the light sources. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a lighting arrangement is accordingly proposed, which is a lamp with several

Having light sources, each emit light in a different color. Furthermore, the luminaire has a control unit for operating the light sources, wherein the control unit is designed, after setting a desired color location or a desired color temperature for the light output by a user, the spectral composition of the emitted light at substantially

to change or adapt unchanged color location. In this case, it can be provided, for example, that the control unit is designed to control the spectral

Change the composition of the light periodically. A daily and / or season-dependent change of the spectral composition could also take place. For example, while the first variant could be used to illuminate products or general objects in such a way that they appear continuously different due to the change in the spectral composition of the light, the second variant could be used to adjust the spectral composition to support the biorhythms of humans.

Because the color location or the color temperature of the emitted light in

Essentially unchanged on spectrally neutral reflecting, that is usually white or gray colored surfaces, the change in the light output is hardly perceived by a viewer or perceived as unpleasant.

According to a second aspect of the invention, it is provided that a

Lighting arrangement has a lamp with multiple light sources, which each emit light in a different color. In addition, one is

Control unit for operating the light sources and input means are provided, which allow a user, after setting a desired color locus for the light output, a spectral composition of the emitted light

select.

This second aspect of the present invention is, for example, for

Lighting of certain goods, especially of food or fresh goods interesting. The fact that, after defining a color location or a color temperature, it is still possible to change the spectral composition of the light used for the illumination, the lighting situation can be optimally adapted to the object or product to be illuminated. For this purpose, it may be provided, for example, that the input means allow the selection of a plurality of predetermined spectral compositions. The input means, which may be an integral part of the luminaire, for example, or else may also be a separate device to be connected to the luminaire, may for example comprise a graphical user interface for this purpose. The user is thereby the possibility in a simple and comfortable way opened to make the necessary settings for optimal lighting of the object or product can.

The light sources used are preferably LEDs. For this purpose, the illumination arrangement preferably has at least three, but more preferably at least four different-colored light sources or LEDs. According to the invention, a method for operating a

Lighting arrangement, which has a plurality of different colored light sources, proposed, wherein in a first step, a color locus for the light output is set and in a second step, a spectral composition for the

Light output is selected. It can be provided that the spectral Composition during operation of the lighting arrangement is changed, this change both periodically, ie in continuous

successive transitions, for example less than 5 seconds, as well as daily and / or season-dependent. Alternatively, however, the light output may remain unchanged, in which case preferably the adjustment of the spectral composition for the light emission by selecting one of several predetermined compositions.

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

1 shows schematically a color diagram to illustrate the

Approach in the inventive control of different colored light sources;

FIGS. 2a and 2b show examples of two different spectral compositions for a light emission at substantially the same color location;

FIG. 3 shows an example of a device used according to the invention

Luminaire with several different colored light sources;

FIG. 4 schematically shows a first example of application of the present invention

Invention;

Figure 5 is an example of a graphical user interface for setting the desired light output and

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of the time of day dependent

Adjustment of the spectral composition of the light output.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 a and 2 b, the principle of the control of the colored light sources on which the invention is based will first of all be described. FIG. 1 shows a so-called CIE color diagram in which the different colors of the color space are shown. The diagram is bounded on its outer circumference by the so-called spectral color line, which begins in the lower left corner at a wavelength of 380 nm, which corresponds to a light in the violet color range. The

Spectral color line then extends over the other wavelengths with the corresponding colors and ends in the lower right corner at about 780 nm, which corresponds to a red light output. Also marked is the so-called Planck ^'s Curve, which represents the area of the color space in which the light is perceived essentially as white light, but at different color temperatures. As is well known, the possibility exists through the combination

different colored light to generate a mixed light with a new color location. If, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, four light sources in the colors blue / violet (1000, green / turquoise (100 ₂ ), yellow (100 ₃ ) and red (100 ₄ ) are used, then by appropriate adaptation of the intensities These four light sources mixed light of any color can be achieved, the color locus is located within the quadrants spanned by the color loci of the four light sources 100i to 100 ₄ .

It is quite possible that the light output can be achieved in a different manner according to a particular color location or a color temperature or the light has a different spectral composition. This will be explained below with reference to Figures 2a and 2b.

In simple terms, the use of two light sources results in a mixed light which lies on the connecting straight line between the color locations of the two light sources. If, for example, only the light sources 100i and 100 _{3 are} activated, then a mixed light will result, which lies on the connecting straight line between the two corresponding color loci shown in the diagram of FIG. When the intensities are adjusted, for example, a white light with a temperature of about 5,000 K (represented by)) could then result, which has approximately the spectral composition shown in FIG. 2a. The same

However, light emission or again a white light with 5,000 K could also be achieved by using the light sources 100 ₂ and 100 ₄ , resulting in the spectral composition shown in Figure 2b. In both cases, the emitted light is perceived by an observer as white light with a color temperature of about 5,000 K, but due to the different spectral compositions, the final illumination has a different effect. According to the present invention, when activating a luminaire with a plurality of differently colored light sources, it is now envisaged that the user should not only be given the opportunity to choose the color location or the color temperature of the emitted light, but also to make a corresponding adjustment of the spectral composition. For this purpose, FIG. 3 shows a luminaire which is used to implement the idea of the invention described above. It is in the illustrated

Embodiment to an LED spotlight 10, the illumination of

Objects or goods, in particular food. One conceivable application example is shown schematically in FIG. 4, which shows a sales counter 50 in which various foods 61, 62 and 63 are presented. The lighting of the food 61 to 63 takes place with the aid of a plurality of LED spotlights 10, which are arranged at the top of the sales counter 50. The light of these LED radiators 10 is directed to one of the containers with the food 61 to 63 therein.

As shown in FIG. 3, the LED emitter 10 has a plurality of individual LEDs 11 as light sources. At least three differently colored LEDs 11 are present, but preferably the LED emitter 10 clearly knows more differently colored LEDs 11. The possibilities of adjusting the color locus or the

Color temperature and simultaneously affect the spectral composition of the emitted light, thereby significantly increased. The

Control of the LEDs 11 is effected by a control unit 12, shown schematically, which is arranged on the back of the front LED module 13 in the region of a heat sink 14.

As mentioned above, it has been found that not only is the color location or the color temperature of the emitted light responsible for optimum illumination of the food 61 to 63, but also the spectral composition of the light plays a role. In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is now provided that light of a suitable color location or a suitable color temperature is selected in a first step for optimum illumination of the food. In a second step, the selection of an optimal spectral composition for the light emission takes place.

The corresponding programming of the LED radiator 10 may, for example - as shown in Figure 3 - by an external control or input element, in

illustrated embodiment by a PC 20, which is temporarily connected to the radiator 10 for this purpose. For example, the connection between PC 20 and radiator 10 could be made via a USB cable 22. A wireless connection, eg via Bluetooth would be conceivable. This programming or calibration, for example, during commissioning of the radiator 10 or already done at the factory. On the screen of the PC 20 could then, for example, a graphical

User interface 25 are shown, as shown in Figure 5. Here, a first menu 26 is shown in the left area of the graphical user interface 25, which opens up the possibility for the user to select a color location or a color temperature for the light output in a first step. In the illustrated

Embodiment, this is done based on the specification of various

Food categories (fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats etc.), taking to each

Food category a corresponding color or a color temperature is deposited. In the case of lighting of meat, for example, the color location will be in a slightly redder area, while, for example, a somewhat yellowish area is more suitable for illuminating cheese.

Was now selected by the user now one of the food categories and thus a color location or a color temperature for the light output, so on the right side of the user interface 25 another menu 27 is shown, which allows the selection of a suitable spectral composition for the previously selected light output. Again, preferably the raw data of

Light output not shown immediately. Instead, a representation of individual products of the previously selected upper category takes place, wherein the spectral composition of the light output assigned to the individual product is particularly well suited for this purpose. Regardless, however, which spectral

Composition with the help of this second selection menu 27 is selected, this has no or only a negligible effect on the color selected by means of the first menu 26 or the selected color temperature for the

Light output. This color location or the color temperature should remain essentially unchanged in the second step of programming the light output.

So now an LED spotlight 10 to illuminate the corresponding

Set food 61 to 63, the PC 20 is connected to the radiator 10 in the illustrated embodiment. Via the user interface according to FIG. 5, a corresponding programming of the control unit 12 can then be made, which then controls the LEDs 11 in a suitable manner during the later operation. In this way, the lighting of the various foods 61 to 63 can be optimized in a simple manner, but in each case the same lamp, namely the LED spotlight 10 is used.

Of course, it would also be conceivable to mount corresponding input elements for selecting a specific light output directly on the LED radiator 10. Furthermore, it would also be possible to integrate the LED radiator 10 in a larger lighting system, in which case the programming of the respective control units 12 is carried out by a central office, which is connected via respective control lines with the individual radiators 10. This variant is more complex overall, but offers, for example, when the radiator 10 are not directly accessible, for example, are arranged on the ceiling of a room.

In the embodiment described above, it is provided that the

Control unit 12 of the radiator 10, after it has been programmed, the LEDs 11 during the subsequent operation permanently so controlled that the selected light emission takes place with the corresponding spectral composition. The

Light output remains unchanged during operation, as it was tuned in an optimal way to the product to be illuminated. Alternatively, however, it would also be conceivable according to a second embodiment of the invention that the spectral composition during operation at substantially unchanged color locus or unchanged

Color temperature is changed. For example, could be changed periodically between the two light outputs shown in Figures 2a and 2b, in which case the color temperature of the light output remains substantially unchanged, but due to the spectral composition of the light, the illuminated object may appear different. Preferably, the change takes place in

continuously successive transitions of, for example, less than 5 seconds. If, for example, there are symbols on the object whose color corresponds approximately to the color of one of the LEDs, these symbols will appear to be different in time due to the periodic change of the spectral composition, that is, for example, shine brighter temporarily and then emerge less pronounced again. This form of lighting would do that

corresponding product or object will be highlighted due to the resulting visual effect. Again, for this purpose, the LED emitter 10 shown in Figure 3 could be used, wherein the programming can be carried out in a similar manner as previously described. In this case, in a first step, a color location or a color temperature is set for the general illumination, in which case in a second step the spectral compositions, between which is changed, as well as the time course of the change are determined. A change can take place stepwise or continuously both between only two and between several compositions. For this purpose, the programming of the control unit 12 can again be arranged directly on the radiator 10 Operating elements, by a separately connectable operating device, such as the PC 20, or by a central control device.

Finally, it would also be conceivable according to a third embodiment of the present invention, the spectral composition of the light output

to change according to the time of day. Such an approach would be interesting, for example, in the lighting of workplaces or the like. For this purpose, the control unit of the LED spotlight 10 has a timer internally or is connected to a corresponding timer and adapts the light output in accordance with the present time. It would be conceivable, for example, according to the

Representation of Figure 6 during midday in the spectral composition to highlight the proportion of bluish light, while in the morning and in the evening rather reddish tones are highlighted. A corresponding light emission serves to support the biorhythm of humans whereby no disturbing changes in the illumination occur due to the essentially unchanged color location or the color temperature of the light emission. Also in this case, of course, the spectral composition of a user using appropriate controls could be customized.

Of course, in addition to the time of day when adjusting the light output and the season could be considered.

Ultimately, therefore, the present invention allows to exploit the different possibilities for lighting in the use of different colored light sources in an optimal way. The invention is not limited to the LED emitters shown but can of course be realized with the help of other types of luminaires.

Claims

claims

1. Lighting arrangement comprising

a luminaire (10) with a plurality of light sources (11), which each emit light in a different color, and a control unit (12) for operating the light sources (11),

wherein the control unit (12) is adapted to change the spectral composition of the emitted light at a substantially unchanged color location or unchanged color temperature after setting a desired color location or a color temperature for the light output by a user.

2. Lighting arrangement according to claim 1,

characterized,

in that the control unit (12) is designed to periodically change the spectral composition of the light.

3. Lighting arrangement according to claim 1,

characterized,

in that the control unit (12) is designed to perceptibly change the spectral composition of the light in continuously successive transitions, preferably within less than 5 seconds.

4. Lighting arrangement according to claim 1,

characterized,

in that the control unit (12) is designed to change the spectral composition of the light depending on the day and / or season.

5. Lighting arrangement comprising

a lamp with a plurality of light sources (11), each of which emits light in a different color, and a control unit (12) for operating the light sources (11),

characterized,

in that input means (20) are provided which enable a user to set a desired color location or a color temperature for the user

Light output to select a spectral composition of the emitted light.

6. Lighting arrangement according to claim 5,

characterized,

in that the input means (20) enable selection from a plurality of predetermined spectral compositions.

7. Lighting arrangement according to claim 5 or 6,

characterized,

in that the input means (20) comprise a graphical user interface (25).

8. Lighting arrangement according to one of claims 5 to 7,

characterized,

the input means (20) are part of the luminaire (10).

9. Lighting arrangement according to one of claims 5 to 7,

characterized,

in that the input means (20) are separated from the luminaire (10).

10. Lighting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that the light sources (11) are LEDs.

11. Lighting arrangement according to claim 10,

characterized,

that this has at least three, preferably at least four different colored LEDs.

12. A method for operating a lighting arrangement, which has a plurality of light sources (11) which emit light in a different color, wherein in a first step, a color or a color temperature for the light output is set and in a second step, a desired

Color location or the color temperature corresponding spectral composition is selected for the light output.

13. The method according to claim 12,

characterized,

that the spectral composition during operation of the

Lighting arrangement is changed.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized,

that the change in the spectral composition takes place periodically.

15. The method according to claim 13,

characterized,

that the change in the spectral composition in continuously successive transitions, preferably within less than 5 seconds, perceptibly fast.

16. The method according to claim 13,

characterized,

that the change in the spectral composition takes place on a daily and / or seasonal basis.

17. The method according to claim 12,

characterized,

in that the spectral composition for the light emission takes place by selecting one of a plurality of predetermined compositions.