EP2893774B1 - Monitoring device for control and voltage supply of leds - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system for accent lighting or for generating lighting effects with multiple control devices for controlling and powering LEDs, each control device comprising a voltage converter for converting a voltage, a control unit for controlling the LEDs, connections for connecting LEDs or LED strands to the control device and terminals for connecting the control device to a supply line and a data line, wherein the voltage converter is adapted to convert a voltage provided by the supply line voltage to a voltage that is suitable for powering the LEDs.

LEDs are used more and more often in the most diverse areas of lighting technology. Thus, for example, diverse light effects can be realized in a simple manner with such modern light sources. Since LEDs can be relatively easily changed in their brightness, it is possible to generate a mixed light in almost any hue or any color temperature when using different color LED-based light sources by adjusting the intensity of the respective color. Compared to classical light sources such as incandescent lamps or fluorescent lamps, in which color effects could be generated primarily by the use of appropriate filters, accordingly, a light output can be generated in a much more effective manner. Since LEDs can also be realized significantly more compact in terms of their dimensions, it is now possible, for example, to arrange a multiplicity of LEDs in the form of a matrix or the like and to achieve video-like effects by correspondingly coordinated activation of the LEDs.

A comfortable generation of such lighting effects is particularly possible if the LEDs are integrated into a larger system and these are controlled centrally. In this context, the widest variety of possibilities known from the prior art, larger such To form lighting systems. In FIG. 1 For example, such a system is shown schematically, wherein a central control unit or video control unit (VCU) 5 is provided which is connected to a plurality of streaming / segment control units (SCUs) 1. In addition, at least one LED string 2, which has a plurality of LEDs 3, is connected to each SCU 1. The LEDs 3 are connected to each other via a corresponding line, resulting in elongated LED strands 2.

These LED strands 2 can then be arranged, for example parallel to each other, resulting in a matrix-like structure of all LEDs 3 and it is possible to achieve video-like effects. In this case, it is also necessary that the LEDs 3 are each controlled or controlled individually. This is done by the SCUs 1 to which the LED strings 2 and thus also the LEDs 3 are connected. In order to achieve video-like effects over the entire matrix-like arrangement, it is additionally necessary that the control or activation of the LEDs 3, which are connected to different SCUs 1, be coordinated or coordinated with one another. For this purpose, then the VCU 5 is responsible, the corresponding control commands transmitted to the SCUs 1 or the SCUs 1 controls accordingly or controls.

Instead of the parallel and thus matrix-like arrangement of the LED strands 2 but other arrangements are conceivable. Thus, for example, it could be provided that an LED string 2 is connected to each SCU 1, wherein the LED strands 2 are then arranged successively in a long line, for example around a building. Again, it is desirable then to individually control or control the LEDs 3 to achieve appropriate lighting effects.

The SCUs 1 and the VCU 5 are connected to each other regardless of the arrangement via a video data line or data line, for example, it may be provided that each SCU 1 has a data input and a data output and thus a first SCU 1 connected directly to the VCU 5 is and all other SCUs 1 each interconnected via the data line. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the data line is a bus line to which the SCUs 1 are only respectively coupled accordingly.

Power is supplied to SCUs 1 and LED strings 2 or LEDs 3 as in FIG. 2 shown by additional voltage converter or driver (driver) 4, wherein each SCU 1 is associated with a voltage converter 4. The voltage converters 4 are in this case connected to a supply line with 230V and convert this voltage to 24V, which is the respective SCU 1 available. The SCUs 1 in turn then convert the 24V to a voltage with which the LEDs 3 can be operated accordingly, for example 5V. Thus, at the in Figures 1 and 2 shown system via the data line only the corresponding control information for the LEDs 3 transmitted. The power or voltage supply of the SCUs 1 via the respectively associated voltage converter 4, which are connected to the supply line. The voltage provided by the voltage converters is then also used by the SCUs 1 to supply power to the LEDs 3.

Thus, the SCUs 1 essentially consist of a so-called "low-voltage" - to "low-voltage" converter, which converts the voltage from 24V to 5V, and a data protocol converter. By contrast, the voltage converter 4 is responsible for the conversion from the so-called "high-voltage range" of 230V into the so-called "low-voltage range". This separation is essentially due to the fact that in systems of this type it has hitherto mostly been desired to use a simple converter which is frequently used on the market for the voltage converter 4.

However, this then results in the problem that the separation of two relatively large units are present, which lead to problems in the installation of such systems with corresponding lack of space. For example, when using the in the Figures 1 and 2 system shown in house facades occur the problem that there is not enough space for the SCUs 1 and separately arranged voltage converter 4.

Furthermore, in the present system, it is disadvantageous that first, a voltage conversion from 230V to 24V in the voltage converter 4 and then another conversion from 24V to 5V in the SCU 1.

Of the WO 2009/109387 A1 a luminaire can be removed with several LEDs arranged on a circuit board.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to develop a system for accent lighting or for the production of lighting effects with multiple control devices for controlling and powering LEDs, which are correspondingly space-saving and allow a simplification of the voltage conversion.

The object is achieved by a system for accent lighting or for generating luminous effects according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a system for accent lighting or for the production of luminous effects is proposed which has a plurality of control devices for controlling and supplying power to LEDs, the control devices being connected to a supply line. In addition, in the system, a plurality of LED strands, each with at least one LED and a central control unit for controlling the control devices are provided, wherein each control device at least one LED string is connected and the control devices are connected via a data line to the central control unit , It is then provided that the LED strands, supply line and data line are arranged on or in an elongated profile and each control device is arranged in each case in a box attached to the profile. Each control device for controlling and supplying power to LEDs has a voltage converter for converting a voltage, a control unit for controlling the LEDs, connections for connecting the LEDs or LED strands to the control device and connections for connecting the control device to the supply line and the data line, wherein the voltage converter is adapted to convert a voltage provided by the supply line to a voltage suitable for supplying power to the LEDs. It is then provided that the Voltage converter and the control unit are arranged on a common assembly.

By means of the system according to the invention, a space-saving arrangement of the control devices is provided on an elongate profile on which or in which run the LED strands, supply line and data line.

Advantageously, the common assembly is a circuit board.

Due to the special design of the control devices, that both a voltage converter and a control unit are arranged on a common board, the voltage converter directly converts the voltage provided by the supply line to a voltage which is suitable for the power supply of the LED, it is now possible to replace the previously described SCUs and the separately arranged voltage converter in each case by a control device. This results on the one hand the advantage that the intermediate step in the conversion is eliminated and is equal to the voltage provided on the supply line voltage is converted to a voltage that is suitable for LEDs accordingly and on the other that the total control device is significantly smaller than that previously presented SCUs and the separately arranged voltage converter. This construction thus also leads to a corresponding space savings, which makes it possible with the in the Figures 1 and 2 shown comparable system to install even where correspondingly little space is available.

Preferably, furthermore, it can also be provided that each control device can individually control each LED independently of the others. This then gives you the opportunity to achieve video-like effects through the single control of each LED.

In addition, it can also be provided that is provided between the voltage converter and the control unit on the common assembly of an insulating film. This insulation film ensures that, on the one hand, an extremely small, compact and low-cost construction of the module is made possible and, on the other de clean separation between the high-voltage range and the control area is ensured accordingly and accordingly a small EMC risk is achieved.

Advantageously, it can also be provided that the voltage provided by the supply line is 230V and the voltage converter converts the voltage to 5V.

Furthermore, it can preferably also be provided that each control device is of compact design and that each control device has an input connection and an output connection for the data line.

Preferably, the boxes are attached to the control devices releasably attached to the profile, in particular by latching or clamping elements. In addition, it can also be provided that the boxes are arranged with the control devices on the side of the elongated profile, wherein the boxes can be designed with the control devices kleinbauend.

This results in additional space savings, which also the installation in very tight conditions is possible.

Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that the boxes with the control devices each have a lower housing part by the control device is arranged and the lower housing part is closed with an upper housing part and two side covers.

Advantageously, it can then also be provided that the elongated profile is U-shaped in cross-section, wherein the supply line and data line are arranged within the U-shape. Additionally, an elongated rail may be secured to the open side of the U-shape of the elongate profile on which the LED strands are disposed. The elongate rail can in this case be detachably fastened to the elongate profile, in particular by latching or clamping element.

Preferably, the elongated rail is H-shaped in cross section, wherein on the side on which the LED strands are arranged, an optical element for influencing the light is provided.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a first control device is connected directly to the central control unit and the other control devices are interconnected with each other via the data line.

Figur 1

schematische Darstellung eines Systems zur Akzentbeleuchtung oder zur Erzeugung von Leuchteffekten gemäß einem Beispiel aus dem Stand der Technik;

Figur 2

genauere schematische Darstellung eines Teils des in Figur 1 gezeigten Systems;

Figur 3

schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Kontrollgerätes zur Steuerung und Spannungsversorgung von LEDs;

Figur 4

perspektivische Explosionszeichnung eines Teils des erfindungsgemäßen Systems zur Akzentbeleuchten oder zur Erzeugung von Leuchteffekten;

Figur 5

Explosionszeichnung im Querschnitt eines Teils des erfindungsgemäßen Systems zur Akzentbeleuchtung oder zur Erzeugung von Leuchteffekten;

Figur 6

das in Figur 4 gezeigte System in zusammengebautem Zustand.

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

FIG. 1

schematic representation of a system for accent lighting or to generate lighting effects according to an example of the prior art;

FIG. 2

more detailed schematic representation of part of the in FIG. 1 shown system;

FIG. 3

schematic representation of a control device according to the invention for controlling and powering LEDs;

FIG. 4

exploded perspective view of a part of the system according to the invention for accent lighting or for the production of lighting effects;

FIG. 5

Exploded view in cross section of a part of the system according to the invention for accent lighting or for the production of lighting effects;

FIG. 6

this in FIG. 4 shown system in assembled condition.

As explained before, the show Figures 1 and 2 an already known from the prior art system for accent lighting or for the production of lighting effects, in which a central control unit or video control unit (VCU) 5 is provided, which is connected to a plurality of Streaming / Segment Control Unit (SCUs) 1, wherein at least one LED string 2 is connected to each SCU 1. Each LED strand 2 in this case has a plurality of LEDs 3, which have a corresponding Line are connected together. The SCUs 1 serve to control and power the LEDs 3, where as out FIG. 2 shows that each SCU 1 is associated with a voltage converter or driver (driver) 4, which is connected to a corresponding supply line with 230V.

The voltage converter 4 converts the voltage from 230V to 24V and provides this voltage to the respective SCU 1. This is then designed to convert the 24V into a voltage suitable for powering the LEDs, for example 5V. The SCUs 1 thus supply the LEDs 3 with a voltage of 5V and at the same time can also control or control each LED 3 accordingly.

In order to enable a coordinated control of all LEDs 3 connected to the different SCUs 1, it is further provided that the VCU 5 transmits control commands corresponding to the SCUs 1 or controls or controls the SCUs 1 accordingly. Thus, for example, in the case of a parallel and thus matrix-like arrangement of the LED strands 2, it is possible to display video-like effects with the aid of the system.

As previously explained, it is now provided in the prior art that each SCU 1 is arranged separately from the associated voltage converter 4, whereby two relatively large units are present, which lead to problems in the installation of such systems with corresponding lack of space.

Furthermore, it is also disadvantageous in the present system that first a conversion of the voltage from 230V to 24V in the voltage converter 4 is performed and then subsequently a further conversion from 24V to 5V in the SCU 1.

To remedy these problems, an inventive control device for controlling and powering LEDs is now provided. FIG. 3 shows such a controller or Data Power Unit (DPU) 20 in more detail. In this case, the DPU 20 has a voltage converter 21 and a control unit 22. The voltage converter 21 is designed such that it has a voltage of 230V, which is provided on the supply line 23, converted to a voltage of 5V, which is suitable for supplying power to LEDs.

The control unit 22, on the other hand, serves to control or actuate the LEDs and is designed such that each connected LED can be individually controlled or controlled. The control unit 22 in this case has connections 24 and 25 for connecting the entire DPU 20 to a data line, wherein the connection 24 is an input connection and the connection 25 is an output connection. This makes it possible that within a corresponding system, a first DPU 20 is shot directly to a central control unit and the other DPUs 20 only need to be interconnected. Furthermore, the DPU 20 then also has connections 26 for connecting LEDs or LED strings, this being the voltage supply and the control for the LEDs. As already explained, corresponding connections 23 are provided by means of which the DPU 20 can be connected to a supply line.

According to the invention, it is also provided in particular now that the voltage converter 21 and the control unit 22 are arranged on a common circuit board and are separated from one another by an insulating film, whereby on the one hand an extremely small, compact and low-cost construction of the circuit board is achieved and, on the other hand, a correspondingly sufficiently good insulation between the voltage converter 21 and the control unit 22 and thus between the high-voltage range and the low-voltage range is made possible. This particular embodiment of the DPU 20 thus allows a particularly small-sized construction, which is particularly advantageous if very little space for installation of a corresponding unit is available. This can happen, for example, in the case of corresponding house facades in which a system corresponding to Figures 1 and 2 is to be attached, however, however, hardly any space for corresponding units is available. In addition, the voltage of the supply line is also converted directly into the corresponding voltage for the LEDs, whereby the intermediate step on the 24 V is unnecessary.

Furthermore, a system for accent lighting or for producing luminous effects is also provided, which has a plurality of control devices or DPUs 20 according to the invention for controlling and supplying power to LEDs. In this system, it is then provided in detail that the LED strands 2, supply line and data line are arranged on or in an oblong profile 11 and each DPU 20 is arranged in each case in a box 12 attached to the profile 11. This structure is more accurate in the FIGS. 4 . 5 and 6 It should be noted that in the Figures 4-6 only one LED strand 2 and one box 12 are shown.

These figures can then be taken from the elongated cross-sectionally U-shaped profile 11, wherein in this elongated profile 11, the video data line or data line and the supply line are arranged. The open side of the U-shaped elongate profile 11 is closed with an elongated cross-sectionally H-shaped rail 16, said elongated rail 16 by corresponding latching resp. Clamping elements is attached to the elongated profile 11. On the elongated rail 16 then the LED strands 2 are arranged with the LEDs 3 accordingly. The LED strands 2 are thus arranged on the U-shaped elongate profile 11 opposite side of the H-shaped elongated rail 16.

In addition, an optical element 17 is provided on the elongate rail 16 that is fixed on the side on which the LED strands 2 are arranged, and thus that the light emitted by the LEDs 3 is influenced accordingly.

As already explained, the system according to the invention also has a plurality of boxes 12, in each of which a DPU 20 is arranged.

These boxes 12 are then like in particular from the FIGS. 5 and 6 emerges, laterally attached to the elongated U-shaped profile 11, for this purpose locking and clamping elements are provided which allow releasably securing the boxes 12 to the elongated profile 11.

The boxes 12 in this case consist of a lower housing part 13, in each of which the DPU 20 is arranged. The housing bases 13 are in this case closed by an upper housing part 14 and side covers 15, as well as the Figures 4-6 can be removed. In the in the Figures 4-6 shown embodiment is provided that the rest or. Clamping elements of the boxes 12 are arranged on the lower housing part 13, thereby allowing that at first mounting the lower housing part 13 is laterally attached to the elongated U-shaped profile 11 and then subsequently after attaching the DPU 20 within the housing lower part 13 by means of the upper housing part 14 and the lids 15, the box 12 can be easily closed, wherein the lower housing part 13 corresponding fastening devices for the upper housing part 14 and the side cover 15 has.

In this case, it is also provided that the boxes 12 are made small-sized.

In addition to the particularly small embodiment of the DPU 20, resulting from the above-mentioned system, a further advantage in size, which results in further space savings, which means that this system can also be used, for example, in house facades, where little space is available. This is achieved, in particular, in that relatively small boxes 12 with the relatively small DPUs 20 are each attached directly laterally to the elongated U-shaped profile 11, in which or on which the LED strands 2, supply line and data line extend. Thus, it is only necessary that in the area in which the boxes 12 are each attached to the elongated U-shaped profile 11 to provide some space available.

Claims (14)

1. A system for accent lighting or for generation of lighting effects, having

   • a plurality of LED strands (2), which in each case have at least one LED (3),

   • a plurality of control devices (20) for controlling and supplying voltage to the LEDs (3), wherein in each case at least one LED strand (2) is connected to each control device (20) and the control devices (20) are connected to a supply line, wherein each control device (20) has a voltage converter (21) for converting a voltage, a control unit (22) for controlling the LEDs (3), connections (26) for connecting the LEDs (3) or LED strands (2) to the control device (20) and connections (23, 24, 25) for connecting the control device (20) to the supply line and a data line, wherein the voltage converter (21) is designed to convert a voltage provided by the supply line to a voltage, which is suitable for supplying voltage to the LEDs (3), and wherein the voltage converter (21) and the control unit (22) are arranged on a common assembly ,

   • a central control unit (5) for controlling the control devices (20), wherein the control devices (20) are connected via the data line to the central control unit (5),

   characterized in
   that the LED strands (2), supply line and data line are arranged on or in an elongated profile (11) and each control device (20) is arranged in each case in a box (12) mounted on the profile (11).
2. A system according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the common assembly is a circuit board.
3. A system according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that each control device (20) can in each case individually control each LED (3) independent of the others.
4. A system according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that an insulation film is provided between the voltage converter (21) and the control unit (22) on the common assembly.
5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the voltage provided by the supply line is 230V and the voltage converter (21) converts the voltage to 5V.
6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that each control device (20) is designed to be compact.
7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that each control device (20) has an input connection (24) and an output connection (25) for the data line.
8. A system according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the boxes (12) with the control devices (20) are mounted detachably on the profile (11), in particular by latching or clamping elements.
9. A system according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the boxes (12) with the control devices (20) are arranged laterally to the elongated profile (11).
10. A system according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in
    that the boxes (12) with the control devices (20) in each case have a housing lower part (13), in which the control device (20) is arranged and the housing lower part (13) is closed with a housing upper part (14) and two side lids (15)
11. A system according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in
    that the boxes (12) are designed with the control devices (20) to be compact.
12. A system according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in
    that elongated profile (11) is designed in cross section to be U-shaped, wherein the supply line and the data line are arranged within the U-shape.
13. A system according to Claim 12
    characterized in
    that an elongated rail (16) is mounted on the open side of the U-shape of the elongated profile (11), on which rail the LED strands (2) are arranged, wherein preferably the elongated rail (16) is mounted detachably on the profile (11), in particular by latching or clamping elements, and wherein particularly preferably the elongated rail (16) is designed in cross section H-shaped and on the side, on which the LED strands (2) are arranged, an optical element (17) is provided for influencing the light.
14. A system according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in
    that a first control device (20) is connected directly to the central control unit (5) and the further control devices (20) are interconnected with each other in each case via the data line.

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