EP2984904B1 - Method for controlling a lamp having a plurality of sub-units - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for driving a luminaire, which has a plurality of modules or subunits which are individually controllable with regard to their light output. Furthermore, the invention relates to a control unit for a suitably designed lamp and such a lamp.

From the lighting technology, it is known to incorporate lights in a larger lighting system, in which the lights are controlled by a central command generator. The central commander can be formed, for example, by a central control unit within a building or complex of buildings, or also by an operating unit arranged, for example, in a room, by means of which a user can adjust the luminaires within the room in terms of their brightness. In any case, a complex individual wiring of the lights can be avoided with appropriate individual control devices in this way.

Usually, in such a lighting system, the lights are connected to a common power grid and to a common communication system. A currently common approach for driving the lights consists in the use of the so-called DALI protocol. In this case, the luminaires are transmitted via a two-wire line, the so-called DALI bus, digital control commands, which in particular contain brightness setpoints, on the basis of which corresponding control units of the luminaires operate the associated light sources. The individual control of a single luminaire is hereby made possible by the fact that it is assigned during operation of the system, an operating address, which is then added to the DALI command to identify the corresponding lamp.

While fluorescent lamps or the like have been used as light sources in the past for illumination purposes, LED-based light sources have been increasingly used recently. Compared to the LEDs are significantly smaller in elongated fluorescent lamps, which means that the corresponding lighting units can also be made more compact. Larger lights in this case often consist of several, for example arranged in a row modules, which are each independently controllable, so can assume an individual brightness in the light output.

The driving of such luminaires with several subunits or lighting modules is problematic insofar as, for example, only individual brightness setpoints can be transmitted with the aid of the usual DALI control commands. That is, if the individual modules or subunits of a luminaire each assume different brightnesses, individual commands must be transmitted for each module. Such a procedure is not only associated with a relatively high expenditure in terms of the amount of data to be transmitted but also requires that each module of the luminaire is assigned an individual DALI operating address. Since only 64 different addresses can be assigned within a DALI bus, this leads to a significant reduction in the number of luminaires that can actually be integrated in the system with such multiple controllable subunits.

From the WO 2009/029197 A1 For example, a method of driving chains of luminous pixel elements is known. In this case, control information is fed to a control unit on the input side.

From the Scriptures US 2012/0001554 A1 a method for driving a luminaire is known, wherein the luminaire has a plurality of controllable partial units.

The present invention is therefore based on the task of providing a solution for the problem described above. In particular, the possibility should be created to be able to control lights with several controllable subunits or lighting modules efficiently.

The object is achieved by a method for driving a luminaire with the features of claim 1 and by a control unit for a luminaire according to Claim 9 solved. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The solution according to the invention is based on the idea of transmitting control information to a control unit of the luminaire only for a part of the controllable luminaire subunits, which relate to the light output of these units. All subunits are connected to the control unit on the output side, the control unit being based on the input received Control information for all subunits determines appropriate control information and then controls the subunits using this. The procedure according to the invention results in that the instructions to be transmitted to the luminaire on the input side, for example in accordance with the DALI standard, can be kept low, since only information for a small number of subunits has to be transmitted. However, this information is then used to control all units. A consequential consequence of this is also that of the subunits of the luminaires a significantly smaller number of available DALI operating addresses must be used or occupied, so that in total the number of corresponding lights that can be integrated into a lighting system, can be increased.

According to the present invention, a method for driving a luminaire, which has a plurality of controllable subunits, is accordingly proposed, wherein a control unit of the luminaire is supplied on the input side with first control information relating to the light emission of only a part of the controllable subunits, and wherein the control unit based on this first control information determines second control information, which relate to the light output of all subunits, and transmits these second control information to the output side connected subunits.

1. a) Mittel zum eingangsseitigen Empfangen erster Steuerinformationen, welche die Lichtabgabe lediglich eines Teils der steuerbaren Teileinheiten betreffen,
2. b) Mittel zum Bestimmen von zweiten Steuerinformationen, welche die Lichtabgabe aller Teileinheiten betreffen, auf Basis der ersten Steuerinformationen, sowie
3. c) Mittel zum Übertragen der zweiten Steuerinformationen an die ausgangsseitig angeschlossenen Teileinheiten.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a control unit for a luminaire, which has a plurality of controllable partial units, is proposed,
wherein the control unit comprises:

1. a) means for receiving on the input side first control information relating to the light emission of only a part of the controllable subunits,
2. b) means for determining second control information, which relate to the light output of all subunits, based on the first control information, as well
3. c) means for transmitting the second control information to the output side connected subunits.

In particular, the transmission of the various control information can also take place with the help of various communication standards. As already mentioned, it is preferably provided that the light on the input side control information according to the DALI standard are transmitted. However, the output-side control of the luminaire subunits does not have to be done within the scope of the DALI standard. Instead, a serial drive or the like could be used instead. It is essential, however, that individual control values for the light output can also be transmitted to the subunits within the framework of the transmission of the second control information by the control unit of the luminaire. A particularly preferred type of control of the subunits by the control unit of the lamp consists in that the control signal is supplied to the subunits continuously and fed back in a loop. This has the consequence that the control unit is enabled to independently recognize how many modules or subunits has the light. If appropriate, this information can then be taken into account when determining the second control information.

As already mentioned, such subunits are usually arranged in a regular arrangement. For example, corresponding subunits can be arranged linearly or in a row one behind the other. In this case, it is then preferably provided that the first control information transmitted to the luminaire relates to the light output of partial units which are located at so-called support points of the arrangement. These support points can be, for example, the two end positions in the arrangement of the subunits. Preferably, three interpolation points are provided in a series arrangement, wherein, in addition to the two end positions, the middle subunit or one of the two middle subunits also finds a third interpolation point. The control values for the brightness of these subunits transmitted to the luminaire as part of the first control information are then correspondingly converted for the units located between the interpolation points, this being possible, for example, in the context of an interpolation or a linear increase or decrease in brightness. That is, the luminaire subunits located between the interpolation points then assume brightnesses which are selected such that over the entire length of the arrangement there is a steady increase or decrease in the brightness is present. As a result, a homogeneous appearance of the lamp is achieved overall.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention can also be provided that the power supply of the subunits of the lamp is effected by a separate from the control unit power supply. Depending on whether the control unit of the lamp determines that the subunits should emit light or not, then the control unit can interrupt or close an input side connection of the power supply to the general power supply. In a switched-off state of all modules so also the power supply of the power supply is interrupted, so that only the control unit itself must be supplied with power. The energy consumption of the lamp in such a standby state can be extremely reduced in this way, so that it is even below one watt.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Leuchte, welche mehrere steuerbare Teileinheiten aufweist, die gemäß dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren angesteuert werden;

Fig. 2

eine vergrößerte Seitenansicht eines Endbereichs der Leuchte von Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

die Ansicht der Unterseite der Leuchte und

Fig. 4

ein Schema zur Ansteuerung der Teileinheiten der Leuchte gemäß dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren.

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

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a lamp having a plurality of controllable subunits, which are controlled according to the inventive method;

Fig. 2

an enlarged side view of an end portion of the light of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

the view of the bottom of the light and

Fig. 4

a scheme for controlling the subunits of the luminaire according to the inventive method.

The in the FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrated lamp 100 consists of an elongate support member 101, which is suspended in the illustrated embodiment by means of two cables 102 on a ceiling, not shown. Of course, the manner of mounting the lamp 100 does not matter for the present invention and accordingly may be otherwise designed.

The main function of a carrier element 101 is to hold a plurality of subunits or lighting modules. These sub-units 10 are attached from the bottom to the support member 101 and secured there in a manner not shown, for example by means of corresponding locking elements or with the aid of a magnetic holder. As explained in more detail later, all subunits 10 are supplied with power and each have light sources, which can be controlled individually. Preferably, the light sources of the subunits 10 may be formed by LEDs, but the invention is not necessarily limited to such types of light sources.

In a view of the lamp 100 from below then results in in Fig. 3 shown appearance, in which in the longitudinal direction of the support member 101 in succession a plurality of similar subunits 10 can be seen, in the present case a total of 14 sub-units are used in total. In addition, the luminaire 100 shown in the figures also has light sources for indirect light emission, which are arranged on the upper side of the carrier element 101. In the illustrated embodiment extend in the longitudinal direction at the top of the support member 101 has two walls 105 which define an intermediate channel. Within this channel then the light sources can be arranged for the indirect light output, which are formed for example by elongated fluorescent lamps or elongated LED boards. Furthermore, the channel can also be used for receiving electronic components, in particular a control unit and corresponding power supply units for controlling and powering the subunits 10 as well as the light sources for the indirect light output.

The various subunits 10 are preferably identical, but need not assume an identical brightness during operation of the luminaire 100. Instead, the subunits 10 should deliver different amounts of light, depending on the way in which the luminaire 100 is to be used for illumination or which overall appearance is desired. The lamp 100 itself is intended to be part of a larger lighting system, the lamp 100, for example, from a central control unit or a Remote control commands are transmitted to adjust the light output of the subunits 10 or influence.

Before the manner of controlling the modules or subunits 10 is explained in detail below, the basic principle of the procedure according to the invention will first be presented.

Accordingly, it is provided that the lamp 100 is not transmitted for each individual subunit 10 individual control commands regarding the light output. This would have the consequence that for setting the brightness of all modules 10 a total of 14 commands would have to be transmitted and possibly additionally a further command for the indirect light output, which would be connected on the one hand with a lot of effort in terms of time and the amount of data to be transmitted and on the other hand would also have the consequence that, for example, when using the DALI standard for controlling the lamp 100, this would occupy at least 14 different DALI addresses.

Instead, it is provided according to the present invention that only three modules, in the present case, the two outer modules 10 ₁ and 10 ₁₄ and one of the two middle modules 10 ₇ so-called reference positions or support points of the arrangement of the subunits 10 form. For these three interpolation sub-units 10 ₁ , 10 ₇ and 10 ₁₄ then the lamp 100 external control information is transmitted, which specify the desired brightness for these three units. Thus, the lamp 100 is transmitted three commands with corresponding brightness setpoints, by which the light output is determined at these nodes. The lamp 100 itself, to be more precise a control unit which will be explained in more detail later, then determines brightness setpoints for all other subunits 10 on the basis of these control values for the three interpolation points and then controls them in a corresponding manner. Strictly speaking, it is provided that the control unit of the lamp 100 is responsible for the control of all subunits 10 ₁ to 10 ₁₄ , wherein the externally predetermined control values for the node subunits 10 ₁ , 10 ₇ and 10 _{14 are} taken directly and for all other subunits 10 suitable control values are calculated. In this case, the control unit does not directly operate the light sources of the subunits 10 but in turn generates commands corresponding to these manipulated variables which are transmitted to the subunits and converted there in a corresponding manner.

The subunits therefore in turn internally have means by which they can receive and process the commands issued by the control unit.

It would be conceivable, for example, that for the subunits 10 located between two interpolation points brightness setpoint values are calculated in such a way that a linear change in brightness takes place between the interpolation points. It would also be conceivable to calculate suitable brightness setpoints by means of interpolation or other suitable compensation curves, provided that a constant increase or decrease in brightness is achieved over the entire length. In any case, jumps in brightness between two adjacent subunits should be avoided.

In the event that for the central interpolation point or its subunit 10 _7, a brightness of 100% is specified and determine the lamp 100 supplied external control information that the subunits 10 ₁ and 10 ₁₄ at the outer nodes only with a brightness of 20 % should be operated, the control unit would calculate for all other subunits 10 control values, which ultimately lead over the entire length of the lamp 100 away seen first in the left half of the brightness of 20% uniformly increases to 100% and in the right Half then turn down to the 20% to the outer end.

Of course, it is not absolutely necessary that each arrangement of subunits must have three interpolation points. Instead, the number of nodes could be increased or decreased, depending on how then the individual behavior of the units should be influenced or how many DALI operating addresses are available for use. If, for example, only two interpolation points are used, then these could be formed, for example, by the two outermost subunits 10 ₁ and 10 ₁₄ , in which case a linear increase or decrease in brightness is then determined for all intermediate subunits. The use of only a single support point would be conceivable in extreme cases, which is then preferably formed by a central subunit and the brightness of all other subunits is then set, for example, such that it drops towards the two end positions towards a predetermined value.

The above-described basic procedure according to the invention for controlling the luminaire subunits can be achieved, for example, by means of an arrangement as described in US Pat Fig. 4 is shown realized. The subunits 10 ₁ to 10 _n , which in each case include the already mentioned light sources 11, are recognizable initially. In the present case, it is assumed that the light sources are each formed by LEDs 11 arranged in a matrix with corresponding optics. These subunits 10 ₁ to 10 _n are connected in common to a power supply unit 5 for power supply. Furthermore, they are connected on the output side to a control unit 20 of the luminaire. This control unit 20 assumes the task of controlling the input-side connected subunits 10 ₁ to 10 _n on the basis of the input side supplied first control information.

It is provided that the control unit 20 receives on the input side first control information according to the DALI standard. The control unit 20 is a so-called DALI controller, which in the usual way with a in Fig. 4 indicated DALI bus 150 is connected. On the other hand, the output-side control of the subunits 10 ₁ to 10 _n preferably does not take place by means of the DALI standard but according to another type of communication. In the illustrated embodiment, it is provided that all subunits 10 ₁ to 10 _{n are connected} to a control line 160, which extends like a loop through all subunits 10 ₁ to 10 _n and is returned to the control unit 20 again. The control commands via this line 160 are preferably transmitted serially, with the control unit 20 then providing individual control information for each subunit 10 and transmitting it to it. As further in Fig. 4 can be seen, the control unit 20 is also responsible for the control of the light sources for the indirect lighting 15, with the result that the line 160 is also passed through this unit 15 and this is also connected to the power supply unit 5.

The control unit 20 thus has first to implement the input-side supplied DALI commands to a DALI driver stage 21, which is connected to a microprocessor 25. This is connected via a first unit 26 to the DALI driver stage, this unit 26 for communication via the DALI bus 150th For example, with a central control unit of the system or an operator panel is responsible. The received DALI commands are then fed to a further unit 27, which is responsible for the actual calculation of the control values for the subunits 10 ₁ to 10 _n . In the procedure described above, the unit 27 calculates setting values for all subunits 10 ₁ to 10 _n on the basis of the brightness setpoint values transmitted for the interpolation point subunits and forwards this information to a further unit 28. This outputs the information on the output side to a driver stage 30, which then carries out the serial transmission of the second control information to the unit for the indirect lighting 15 and the subunits 10 ₁ to 10 _n .

This serial data transmission to the subunits 10 ₁ to 10 _n and the light sources for the indirect lighting 15 also has the consequence that in the context of a signal feedback, the control unit 20 is able to independently recognize how many units are connected on the output side. When the light 100 starts for the first time, it could be provided, for example, that the control unit 20 transmits data packets on the output side until finally a signal arrives at the unit 28 in the context of the feedback. This determines how many modules are connected on the output side. Further, if the control unit 20 is configured, for example, such that there are three interpolation points, then it can independently determine or determine which subunits 10 ₁ to 10 _{n form} these interpolation points.

1. a) m = (n +1)/2 für ungerade n oder
2. b) m = n/2 für gerade n

als mittlere Referenzposition bzw. Stützstelle festgelegt. Da der Steuereinheit 20 gleichzeitig auch die Anzahl der zwischen den Stützstellen-Teileinheiten befindlichen Teileinheiten bekannt ist, kann sie dann in der oben beschriebenen erfindungsgemäßen Weise Stellwerte für alle Teileinheiten 10₁ bis 10_n berechnen und an diese übermitteln.If, for example, it is detected that a total of n subunits are present (ie if a total of n + 1 output-side units were determined in consideration of the means for the indirect illumination 15), the subunits 10 ₁ and 10 _{n are used} as external reference positions or interpolation points and the module 10 _m with

1. a) m = ( n +1) / 2 for odd n or
2. b) m = n / 2 for even n

determined as mean reference position or support point. Since the control unit 20 at the same time also the number of located between the node units Subunits is known, it can then calculate in the manner described above according to the invention control values for all sub-units 10 ₁ to 10 _n and transmit to this.

The activation of the light sources for the indirect illumination 15 has not been mentioned so far. In this case, it can either be provided that they assume a predetermined brightness if the subunits 10 ₁ to 10 _{n are} activated. However, it would also be conceivable in the same way that the control unit 20 determines, based on the manipulated variables calculated for the subunits 10 ₁ and 10 _n , a manipulated value for the indirect light output, for example, and actuates the module 15 in a corresponding manner.

Another special feature of the arrangement in Fig. 4 , which is to be finally mentioned, is the possibility to reduce the power consumption in a standby mode of the luminaire 100. Like Fig. 4 can be removed, the control unit 20, an internal power supply unit 32, which as well as the power supply unit 5 for the lighting units connected to the general power supply, but is carried out separately from this. If the microprocessor 25 recognizes that due to the DALI control commands supplied on the input side, the luminaire 100 should remain switched off altogether, the corresponding information is forwarded to a control block 33, which is responsible for controlling a relay 35 via which the power supply unit 5 is responsible connected to the general power supply. The control block 33 then interrupts with the aid of the relay 35, the power supply of the power supply 5, so that this consumed together with the sub-units 10 ₁ to 10 _n and 15 no power at all. In such a standby state, therefore, only by the control unit 20 is still a low power consumption, but which can be kept below one watt, so that the light as a whole has an extremely low energy consumption in the standby state.

Finally, it should be noted that so far the control of the subunits according to the invention has been explained in the context of a linear or a series arrangement of subunits, the concept could, however, be extended in the same way to any other type of arrangements. In particular, of course, lights would be conceivable in which the subunits are like a matrix are arranged, in turn, then based on corresponding first control information, which relate to the light output of certain nodes, suitable control information can be calculated to operate all subunits.

Claims (16)

1. A method for controlling a lamp (100), which has a plurality of controllable sub-units (10),
   wherein a part of the controllable sub-units (10) is arranged at reference positions of the arrangement of the sub-units (10),
   wherein first control information is fed to a control unit (20) of the lamp (100) on the input side, which concerns the light output of those controllable sub-units (10), which are arranged at the reference position of the arrangement of the sub-units (10), and wherein the control unit (20) on the basis of this first control information determines second control information, which concerns the light output of all sub-units (10), and transmits this second control information to the sub-units (10) connected on the output side.
2. A method according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the transmission of the first control information to the control unit (20) and the transmission of the second control information to the sub-units (10) occurs by means of different communication standards.
3. A method according to Claim 2,
   characterized in
   that the transmission of the first control information occurs in the form of DALI commands.
4. A method according to Claim 2 or 3,
   characterized in
   that the transmission of the second control information to the sub-units (10) occurs as part of a serial transmission.
5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the control unit (20) independently detects the number of controllable sub-units (10) and determines the second control information taking into consideration of the number of detected sub-units (10).
6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the sub-units (10) have a regular, in particular, a linear arrangement and the first control information concerns the light output of sub-units (10) located at reference positions, in particular, includes brightness target values for the sub-units (10) located at the reference positions.
7. A method according to Claim 6,
   characterized in
   that the control unit (20) determines the second control information by means of interpolation.
8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the power supply of the sub-units (10) is provided through a power supply unit (5) separate from the control unit (20), wherein the control unit (20) is designed to interrupt or to close a connection of the power supply unit (5) on the input side to the general power supply depending on the received and forwarded first and second control information.
9. A control unit for a lamp (100) which has a plurality of controllable sub-units (10),
   wherein the control unit (20) has:

   a) Means for receiving first control information on the input side, which concerns the light output only of a part of the controllable sub-units (10) at reference positions of the arrangement of the sub-units,

   b) Means for determining second control information, which concerns the light output of all sub-units (10), on the basis of the first control information, as well as

   c) Means for transmitting the second control information to the sub-units (10) connected on the output side.
10. A control unit according to Claim 9,
    characterized in
    that the means for receiving the first control information as well as the means for transmitting the second control information are designed to communicate by means of different communication standards.
11. A control unit according to Claim 10,
    characterized in
    that the first control information is a DALI command.
12. A control unit according to Claim 10 or 11,
    characterized in
    that the means for transmitting the second control information to the sub-units (10) are designed to transmit the control information as part of a serial data transmission.
13. A control unit according to any one of Claims 9 to 12,
    characterized in
    that the control unit(20) independently detects the number of controllable sub-units (10) and determines the second control information taking into consideration the number of detected sub-units (10).
14. A control unit according to any one of Claims 9 to 13,
    characterized in
    that the sub-units (10) have a regular, in particular, a linear arrangement and the first control information concerns the light output of sub-units (10) located at
    reference positions, in particular, includes brightness target values for the sub-units (10) located at the reference positions,
    wherein the control unit (20) is designed to determine the second control information by means of interpolation.
15. A control unit according to any one of Claims 9 to 14,
    characterized in
    that the power supply of the sub-units (10) is provided through a power supply unit (5) separate from the control unit (20), wherein the control unit (20) is designed to interrupt or to close a connection of the power supply unit (5) on the input side to the general power supply depending on the received and forwarded first and second control information.
16. A lamp (100) with a plurality of controllable sub-units (10) as well as a control unit according to any one of Claims 9 to 15.

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