EP3038433A2 - Led light module, signal light with such a light module and method for operating such a light module - Google Patents

Led light module, signal light with such a light module and method for operating such a light module Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3038433A2
EP3038433A2 EP15199957.0A EP15199957A EP3038433A2 EP 3038433 A2 EP3038433 A2 EP 3038433A2 EP 15199957 A EP15199957 A EP 15199957A EP 3038433 A2 EP3038433 A2 EP 3038433A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
leds
light module
during operation
light
led
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Granted
Application number
EP15199957.0A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3038433A3 (en
EP3038433B1 (en
Inventor
Jan Depke
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Pintsch GmbH
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Pintsch Bamag AG
Pintsch Bamag Antriebs und Verkehrstechnik GmbH
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Priority to HRP20221261TT priority Critical patent/HRP20221261T1/en
Priority to RS20220947A priority patent/RS63645B1/en
Publication of EP3038433A2 publication Critical patent/EP3038433A2/en
Publication of EP3038433A3 publication Critical patent/EP3038433A3/en
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Publication of EP3038433B1 publication Critical patent/EP3038433B1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H05B45/50—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED] responsive to malfunctions or undesirable behaviour of LEDs; responsive to LED life; Protective circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H05B45/10—Controlling the intensity of the light
    • H05B45/12—Controlling the intensity of the light using optical feedback

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an LED light module, a signal light with such a light module, in particular for rail, water, air or road traffic and a method for operating such a light module.
  • LEDs light-emitting diodes
  • Traffic lights, marker lights and vehicle lights which here lights are understood for all types of land, water and air vehicles.
  • the total failure of an LED can be detected by a combined current-voltage monitoring.
  • this type of monitoring does not make it possible to detect a change in the luminous flux (degradation) caused, for example, by aging of the LEDs.
  • LED light modules i. Arrangements with usually multiple LEDs and other elements such as Vorschaltikien for operating the LEDs to be provided with a Radiozeit93er that detects the actual operating life of the LEDs. If a certain operating time is reached, the LEDs are replaced, regardless of whether the light emitted by them is still sufficient to fulfill the possibly prescribed requirements or not. This procedure leads to regular replacement of LEDs, which still work correctly.
  • the US 6,078,148 describes a controller for a transformer having primary and secondary windings with a plurality of turns and taps for changing the number of effective turns and thus a LED full-wave power.
  • the taps are controlled as a function of an operating parameter of the LEDs for maintaining the light output LEDs above a predetermined level based on a combination of measurements of voltages and currents on the LEDs.
  • the EP 0 974 947 A1 shows a traffic signal with at least one signal generator whose light source is formed by arranged in the form of a matrix LEDs, and with a monitoring device for checking the LEDs on their error-free operating state, which arranged in the beam path of the LEDs and a light sensor associated with this evaluation for comparing a light sensor signal generated by the light sensor having a predetermined setpoint corresponding to a normal operating state of the light-emitting diodes.
  • the DE 10 2005 032 719 A1 shows a traffic signal with at least one light-emitting diode having signal generator for emitting a light signal, with a control unit for controlling, evaluation and monitoring of the signal generator, with lines for power supply and lines for data transmission between the controller and the signal generators, and with a circuit device for controlling the signal generator, and each signal generator arranged in its immediate vicinity circuit device, wherein the signal generator are connected via a the power supply lines and the data transmission lines having wiring harness with the control unit.
  • the DE 10 2010 026 012 A1 has a signal generator for generating different colored light points with RGB LEDs on an optical sensor for fail-safe monitoring of the color locus and the light level of the signal generator on.
  • To operate a fan shows DE 10 2010 013 310 A1 an output circuit connected to an output of a ballast for supplying a lighting module with electrical energy, wherein both the fan and a control circuit for supplying electrical energy are connected to the output circuit.
  • the invention has for its object to provide an LED light module with a monitoring unit and a signal lamp equipped therewith, in which the monitoring unit with minimum material costs and therefore can be made particularly cost-effective.
  • the invention is also based on the object of specifying a method for operating an LED light module, which can be carried out in a cost-saving manner while ensuring a high degree of operational reliability.
  • the LED light module according to the invention does not require a separate power supply of the monitoring unit, but this can use the light module with pulse width modulation of the supplied power to monitor the emitted luminous flux and thereby to dispense with a complex out-calculation of stray light components, which are miterutzt of conventional monitoring units ,
  • FIG. 1 is very schematic illustrates the basic idea of the invention, according to which a strand 10 of series-connected LEDs of a corresponding LED light module, in particular a light module for signal lights of road and rail transport, in a conventional manner via a line 12, a current with a certain voltage and then a portion of the supplied current via a parallel to at least some of the LEDs of the strand circuit for operating a monitoring unit 14 is used.
  • the monitoring unit 14 can detect certain operating parameters of the light module, such as the current flowing through the string during operation, the voltage dropping across the string, the temperature in the vicinity of the string and the luminous flux generated by the string, and characteristic values for these operating parameters to a higher level Output evaluation unit 16.
  • the monitoring unit 14 can be completely powered by the power supply of the LED string so that advantageously dispensed with a separate power supply and thus in particular when the light module is used in signal lights for rail transport, sometimes quite considerable amounts of cable can be saved.
  • Means such as voltage meters for the forward LED voltage may be provided, which are connected in parallel to one or more LEDs 18 of the strand 10. These means can be powered during operation of the light module via the power supply 20 of the LEDs.
  • the higher-level evaluation unit 16 is supplied via the power supply of the LED string, thus avoiding a scattered light detection in particular pulsed switched off LED string.
  • the necessary modern components such as e.g. Temperature or photosensor and microcontroller, have such a low power consumption, that it has no significant effect on the luminous flux of the LED strand when a branch of the power supply to the units 14 and 16 is diverted via said parallel circuit.
  • an LED string 10 of the type in question for example, eight LEDs in series with a current consumption of 350 mA
  • a Photo sensor as means for detecting a further operating parameter and a corresponding microcontroller for evaluating the signal of the photo sensor have a current consumption in the range of about 1 to 2 mA. It has been found that a circuit according to the invention works particularly well, in particular, when the current consumption of the units 14 and 16 is more than 20 times smaller than the current consumption of the LED string, preferably about 50 to 100 times smaller.
  • FIG. 2 an embodiment of the invention is shown, in which case two operating parameters detected and used to monitor and control the LED string in the inventive manner.
  • the units of the Fig. 1 corresponding units were with the also in Fig. 1 provided reference numerals.
  • the light module shown forms in this embodiment, a unit that can be installed in particular in a signal light and powered externally via a line 12.
  • the LED string is formed by a number of serially connected LEDs 18, only a few of which are shown, with the supply voltage and current being controlled by a ballast 20.
  • the ballast unit 20, like the evaluation unit 16 is part of the light module, but, like the evaluation unit 16, can also be arranged outside the actual light module. Evaluation unit 16 and ballast unit can be part of a single control unit.
  • power is supplied to a monitoring unit 14 at a first location via a circuit parallel to the series connection of the LEDs 18, wherein the various rectangular signals symbolically represented in the figure are intended to indicate that the current is pulse width modulated.
  • the monitoring unit 14 in this embodiment comprises a photosensor 24, which is arranged in the light module and detects a proportional to the luminous flux, which is generated during operation of the LEDs, value.
  • the LEDs are typically arranged rotationally symmetric, and the light module is provided with a header or lens, whereby a part of the emitted light is reflected back, which can then be detected by the photosensor 24.
  • the monitoring unit 14 further comprises, in this embodiment, two voltmeters 26 which, together with respective shunt resistors 28 and lines 30, enable indirect current measurement of the current flowing through the LED string in operation.
  • a voltmeter which measures the total voltage drop across the LED string, which may be particularly advantageous in light modules for use in signal lights for rail traffic.
  • the advantages of a combined current-voltage monitoring in the monitoring of LED strings are known and, for example in the EP 1 992 524 A2 , the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
  • means provided for detecting the current and / or the voltage may be pulsed with power via the power supply of the LEDs.
  • the values which are representative of the current flowing through the LED string and the current value proportional to the luminous flux emitted during the operation of the LEDs and measured by the photosensor 24 are fed to the evaluation unit 16, which is in this case Embodiment comprises a microcontroller 32 and a controller 34, which is designed to output a control value to the ballast unit 20.
  • the evaluation unit 16 does not have its own power supply, as in the case of previously known light modules, but advantageously, just like the monitoring unit 14, it is fed by the current fed to the LEDs 18.
  • the evaluation unit 16 can generate a corresponding control signal, by means of which the ballast unit 20 causes the current supplied to the LEDs to increase so that the desired luminous flux results.
  • the evaluation unit 16 is designed to directly or indirectly control the current supplied to the LED string as a function of the so-called “further operating parameter", in this case the luminous flux, ie to influence the current either directly as part of a more complex control circuit or with a separate unit, here the Vorschaltmaschine 20 to communicate and transmit this information, which are the basis for a control of the current, and so indirectly control the power.
  • the so-called “further operating parameter” in this case the luminous flux, ie to influence the current either directly as part of a more complex control circuit or with a separate unit, here the Vorschaltmaschine 20 to communicate and transmit this information, which are the basis for a control of the current, and so indirectly control the power.
  • the actual current detection is dual-channel, thus redundant, so that incorrect measurements are practically excluded because the microcontroller 32 may be designed so that it can generate a corresponding error message in case of deviations between the two signals representative of the actual current then in a conventional manner to a parent body, for example, a maintenance center, can be transmitted.
  • the pulse-width modulated operation provided in a preferred embodiment of the invention has two significant further advantages. It is unnecessary in those cases in which the means for detecting at least one further operating parameter a photosensor as in Fig. 2 include, a complex calculation of the scattered light component, since the sensor is only in operation by the supply according to the invention via the LED current, even if the LEDs are turned on, in which case stray light components can be neglected. Light falling on the sensor when the LEDs are turned off between two current pulses is not included in the usual summation by the sensor, so advantageously low cost standard photosensors that sum light to output a reading over a certain period of time are used can be.
  • the evaluation unit 16 can check whether the photosensor 24 or the voltmeter 26 deliver signals during the time between two current pulses, from which then a malfunction of the photosensor and / or the voltmeter closed and in per se known Way a corresponding error message can be generated.
  • the evaluation unit 16 has virtually a function for testing the means for detecting the at least one further operating parameter. It is therefore checked whether the signals output by the ammeter and / or the photosensor show a course which corresponds to the course of the pulse-width-modulated current.
  • the invention allows in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner for the first time the realization of a particularly secure monitoring of the correct functioning of an LED light module, as three different monitoring methods - monitoring the voltage drop across the LED string, monitoring the current flowing through the strand and detection of the delivered Luminous flux proportional value - can be combined.

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  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
  • Led Devices (AREA)
  • Led Device Packages (AREA)

Abstract

LED-Lichtmodul umfassend wenigstens einen Strang (10) in Reihe geschalteter LEDs (18), Mittel zur Überwachung (26, 28, 30) des im Betrieb des Strangs durch den Strang fließenden Stroms und/oder der an dem Strang abfallenden Spannung, eine Stromversorgung der LEDs, Mittel zur Erfassung wenigstens eines weiteren Betriebsparameters der LEDs, die einen Sensor (24) zur Erfassung eines zu einem im Betrieb des Lichtmoduls abgegebenen Lichtstrom proportionalen Wertes und zur Ausgabe eines Signals auf Basis des Wertes umfassen, und eine Auswerteeinheit (16). Die Auswerteeinheit (16) steuert die Stromversorgung (10) der LEDs für einen dem LED-Strang zugeführten Strom in Abhängigkeit des Signals durch Pulsweitenmodulation und wird im Betrieb des Lichtmoduls ebenfalls über die Stromversorgung (20) der LEDs (18) mit Strom versorgt.LED light module comprising at least one string (10) of serially connected LEDs (18), means for monitoring (26, 28, 30) the current flowing through the string during operation of the string, and / or the voltage dropping across the string, a power supply the LEDs, means for detecting at least one further operating parameter of the LEDs, which comprise a sensor (24) for detecting a value proportional to a luminous flux emitted during operation of the light module and outputting a signal based on the value, and an evaluation unit (16). The evaluation unit (16) controls the power supply (10) of the LEDs for a current supplied to the LED string as a function of the signal by pulse width modulation and is powered during operation of the light module also via the power supply (20) of the LEDs (18) with power.

Description

TECHNISCHES GEBIET DER ERFINDUNGTECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Die Erfindung betrifft ein LED-Lichtmodul, eine Signalleuchte mit einem solchen Lichtmodul, insbesondere für den Schienen-, Wasser-, Luft- oder Straßenverkehr sowie ein Verfahren zum Betreiben eines solchen Lichtmoduls.The invention relates to an LED light module, a signal light with such a light module, in particular for rail, water, air or road traffic and a method for operating such a light module.

HINTERGRUND DER ERFINDUNGBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lichtemittierende Dioden (LEDs) finden aufgrund ihrer Eigenschaften wie niedrigem Stromverbrauch und hoher Lebensdauer immer häufiger Anwendung als Ersatz von klassischen Leuchtmitteln, und zwar auch in sicherheitsrelevanten Leuchten wie z.B. Verkehrssignalen, Begrenzungsleuchten und Fahrzeugleuchten, worunter hier Leuchten für alle Arten von Land-, Wasser- und Luftfahrzeugen verstanden werden.Due to their characteristics such as low power consumption and long service life, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are being used more and more frequently as a substitute for conventional light sources, including in safety-relevant luminaires, such as light sources. Traffic lights, marker lights and vehicle lights, which here lights are understood for all types of land, water and air vehicles.

Bei vielen Leuchten ist eine automatisierte Überwachung des korrekten Funktionierens gewünscht oder sogar vorgeschrieben. Während bei klassischen Leuchtmitteln die Überwachung des korrekten Funktionierens meist einfach realisiert werden kann ist (in der Regel genügt es, zu überwachen, ob Strom durch das Leuchtmittel fließt oder nicht; wenn trotz angelegter Spannung kein Strom durch das Leuchtmittel fließt, kann davon ausgegangen werden, dass das Leuchtmittel defekt ist und getauscht werden muss), ist die Funktionsüberwachung bei LEDs aus verschiedenen Gründen nicht trivial. So kann es z.B. dazu kommen, dass eine LED nicht leuchtet, obwohl Strom durch sie fließt.Many luminaires require or even require automated monitoring of correct operation. While in classical light sources the monitoring of the correct functioning can usually be realized easily (in general, it is sufficient to monitor whether current flows through the light source or not, if, despite the voltage applied, no current flows through the light source, it can be assumed that that the lamp is defective and needs to be replaced), the function monitoring of LEDs is not trivial for various reasons. So it can be e.g. In addition, an LED will not light even though current is flowing through it.

Der Totalausfall einer LED kann durch eine kombinierte Strom-Spannungs-Überwachung detektiert werden. Diese Überwachungsart erlaubt es jedoch nicht, eine z.B. durch Alterung der LEDs bedingte Veränderung des Lichtstromes (Degradation) zu erkennen.The total failure of an LED can be detected by a combined current-voltage monitoring. However, this type of monitoring does not make it possible to detect a change in the luminous flux (degradation) caused, for example, by aging of the LEDs.

Es ist bekannt, LED-Lichtmodule, d.h. Anordnungen mit üblicherweise mehreren LEDs und weiteren Elementen wie Vorschalteinheiten zum Betrieb der LEDs, mit einem Betriebszeitzähler zu versehen, der die tatsächliche Betriebsdauer der LEDs erfasst. Wird eine bestimmte Betriebsdauer erreicht, werden die LEDs ersetzt, unabhängig davon, ob das von ihnen abgegebene Licht noch zur Erfüllung der ggf. vorgeschriebenen Anforderungen ausreicht oder nicht. Dieses Vorgehen führt dazu, dass regelmäßig LEDs getauscht werden, die noch korrekt funktionieren.It is known to use LED light modules, i. Arrangements with usually multiple LEDs and other elements such as Vorschalteinheiten for operating the LEDs to be provided with a Betriebszeitzähler that detects the actual operating life of the LEDs. If a certain operating time is reached, the LEDs are replaced, regardless of whether the light emitted by them is still sufficient to fulfill the possibly prescribed requirements or not. This procedure leads to regular replacement of LEDs, which still work correctly.

Es hat sich gezeigt, dass die Alterung von LEDs nicht nur von ihrer reinen Betriebsdauer, sondern auch anderen Faktoren, insbesondere dem Betriebsstrom und der Betriebstemperatur abhängt.It has been shown that the aging of LEDs depends not only on their pure operating time, but also on other factors, in particular the operating current and the operating temperature.

Eine naheliegende Lösung des Problems der Erfassung einer alterungsbedingten Minderung der Lichtleistung ist die direkte Überwachung des im Betrieb einer LED abgegebenen Lichts mittels entsprechender Sensoren. Dazu schlägt die DE 197 54 222 eine Überwachungseinheit einer LED vor, bei der das von einer LED abgestrahlte Licht mittels eines Fotosensors gemessen wird. Unterschreitet die Helligkeit des Lichts einen bestimmten Grenzwert, wird ein Warnsignal erzeugt, dass einem Betreiber der LED anzeigt, dass die LED ersetzt werden sollte.An obvious solution to the problem of detecting an aging-related decrease in light output is direct monitoring of the light emitted during operation of an LED by means of corresponding sensors. This suggests the DE 197 54 222 a monitoring unit of an LED, in which the light emitted by an LED light is measured by means of a photosensor. If the brightness of the light falls below a certain limit value, a warning signal is generated which indicates to an operator of the LED that the LED should be replaced.

Die aus der DE 197 54 222 bekannte Art der Überwachung ist gerade bei sog. Streckensignalen für den Schienenverkehr mit unter Umständen sehr hohem Materialaufwand verbunden, denn die Überwachungseinheit wird mit einer eigenen Betriebsspannung versorgt, wobei die entsprechenden Kabel nicht selten über einige hundert, manchmal sogar tausend und mehr Meter von einer entsprechenden Anschlussstelle zu der Überwachungseinheit geführt werden müssen.The from the DE 197 54 222 known type of monitoring is just in so-called. Track signals for rail transport associated with possibly very high cost of materials, because the monitoring unit is supplied with its own operating voltage, the corresponding cable not infrequently over a few hundred, sometimes even a thousand and more meters from a corresponding Connection point must be led to the monitoring unit.

Die US 6,078,148 beschreibt eine Steuerung für einen Transformator mit Primär- und Sekundärwicklungen mit einer Vielzahl von Windungen und Abgriffen zum Ändern der Zahl der wirksamen Windungen und somit einer LED-Stranglichtleistung. Dabei erfolgt eine Steuerung der Abgriffe in Abhängigkeit von einem Betriebsparameter der LEDs für die Aufrechterhaltung der Lichtleistung der LEDs über einem vorbestimmten Pegel auf Basis einer Kombination von Messungen von Spannungen und Strömen an den LEDs.The US 6,078,148 describes a controller for a transformer having primary and secondary windings with a plurality of turns and taps for changing the number of effective turns and thus a LED full-wave power. In this case, the taps are controlled as a function of an operating parameter of the LEDs for maintaining the light output LEDs above a predetermined level based on a combination of measurements of voltages and currents on the LEDs.

Die EP 0 974 947 A1 zeigt eine Lichtsignalanlage mit mindestens einem Signalgeber, dessen Lichtquelle durch in Form einer Matrix angeordnete LEDs gebildet ist, und mit einer Überwachungseinrichtung zum Überprüfen der Leuchtdioden auf deren fehlerfreien Betriebszustand, die einen im Strahlengang der LEDs angeordneten Lichtsensor sowie eine mit diesem verbundene Auswerteeinrichtung zum Vergleichen eines durch den Lichtsensor erzeugten Lichtsensorsignales mit einem vorgegebenen Sollwert aufweist, der einem normalen Betriebszustand der Leuchtdioden entspricht.The EP 0 974 947 A1 shows a traffic signal with at least one signal generator whose light source is formed by arranged in the form of a matrix LEDs, and with a monitoring device for checking the LEDs on their error-free operating state, which arranged in the beam path of the LEDs and a light sensor associated with this evaluation for comparing a light sensor signal generated by the light sensor having a predetermined setpoint corresponding to a normal operating state of the light-emitting diodes.

Die DE 10 2005 032 719 A1 zeigt eine Lichtsignalanlage mit mindestens einem Leuchtdioden aufweisenden Signalgeber zur Abgabe eines Lichtzeichens, mit einem Steuergerät zur Ansteuerung, Auswertung und Überwachung der Signalgeber, mit Leitungen zur Energieversorgung und Leitungen zur Datenübertragung zwischen dem Steuergerät und den Signalgebern, und mit einer Schaltungseinrichtung zur Ansteuerung der Signalgeber, sowie je Signalgeber eine in dessen unmittelbare Nähe angeordnete Schaltungseinrichtung, wobei die Signalgeber über einen die Energieversorgungsleitungen und die Datenübertragungsleitungen aufweisenden Leitungsstrang mit dem Steuergerät verbunden sind.The DE 10 2005 032 719 A1 shows a traffic signal with at least one light-emitting diode having signal generator for emitting a light signal, with a control unit for controlling, evaluation and monitoring of the signal generator, with lines for power supply and lines for data transmission between the controller and the signal generators, and with a circuit device for controlling the signal generator, and each signal generator arranged in its immediate vicinity circuit device, wherein the signal generator are connected via a the power supply lines and the data transmission lines having wiring harness with the control unit.

Gemäß der DE 10 2010 026 012 A1 weist ein Signalgeber zur Erzeugung verschiedenfarbiger Lichtpunkte mit RGB-LEDs einen optischen Sensor zur signaltechnisch sicheren Überwachung des Farbortes und der Lichtstärke des Signalgebers auf.According to the DE 10 2010 026 012 A1 has a signal generator for generating different colored light points with RGB LEDs on an optical sensor for fail-safe monitoring of the color locus and the light level of the signal generator on.

Zum Betreiben eines Lüfters zeigt DE 10 2010 013 310 A1 einen an einen Ausgang eines Vorschaltgeräts angeschlossenen Ausgangskreis zur Versorgung eines Leuchtmoduls mit elektrischer Energie, wobei sowohl der Lüfter als auch eine Steuerschaltung zur Versorgung mit elektrischer Energie an den Ausgangskreis angeschlossen sind.To operate a fan shows DE 10 2010 013 310 A1 an output circuit connected to an output of a ballast for supplying a lighting module with electrical energy, wherein both the fan and a control circuit for supplying electrical energy are connected to the output circuit.

OFFENBARUNG DER ERFINDUNGDISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein LED-Lichtmodul mit einer Überwachungseinheit und eine damit ausgestattete Signalleuchte anzugeben, bei der die Überwachungseinheit mit minimalem Materialaufwand und mithin besonders kostengünstig betriebsbereit gemacht werden kann.The invention has for its object to provide an LED light module with a monitoring unit and a signal lamp equipped therewith, in which the monitoring unit with minimum material costs and therefore can be made particularly cost-effective.

Der Erfindung liegt auch die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren zum Betreiben eines LED-Lichtmoduls anzugeben, das in kostensparender Weise bei gleichzeitiger Sicherstellung einer hohen Betriebssicherheit ausgeführt werden kann.The invention is also based on the object of specifying a method for operating an LED light module, which can be carried out in a cost-saving manner while ensuring a high degree of operational reliability.

Die Aufgaben werden gelöst von einem LED-Lichtmodul mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1, einer Signalleuchte mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 4 bzw. einem Verfahren mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 3.The objects are achieved by an LED light module having the features of claim 1, a signal light having the features of claim 4 and a method having the features of claim 3.

Das LED-Lichtmodul gemäß der Erfindung benötigt keine separate Stromversorgung der Überwachungseinheit, sondern diese kann dem Lichtmodul mit Pulsweitenmodulation des zugeführten Strom nutzen, um den abgegebenen Lichtstrom zu überwachen und dabei auf ein aufwendiges Herausrechnen von Streulichtanteilen, die von üblichen Überwachungseinheiten miterfasst werden, zu verzichten. Diese und weitere Vorteile ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden, rein beispielhaften und nicht beschränkenden Beschreibung von Ausführungsbeispielen in Verbindung mit der Zeichnung, die aus zwei Zeichnungsfiguren besteht.The LED light module according to the invention does not require a separate power supply of the monitoring unit, but this can use the light module with pulse width modulation of the supplied power to monitor the emitted luminous flux and thereby to dispense with a complex out-calculation of stray light components, which are miterfasst of conventional monitoring units , These and other advantages will become apparent from the following, purely exemplary and non-limiting description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing, which consists of two drawing figures.

KURZE BESCHREIBUNG DER ZEICHNUNGBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1Fig. 1
zeigt stark schematisiert ein Blockdiagramm zum grundsätzlichen Verständnis der Arbeitsweise der Erfindung.shows a highly schematic block diagram for a basic understanding of the operation of the invention.
Fig. 2Fig. 2
zeigt stark schematisiert ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls.shows a highly schematic of an embodiment of a light module according to the invention.
BESCHREIBUNG BEVORZUGTER AUSFÜHRUNGSFORMENDESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In der Fig. 1 ist stark schematisiert die Grundidee der Erfindung dargestellt, wonach einem Strang 10 von in Reihe geschalteten LEDs eines entsprechenden LED-Lichtmoduls, insbesondere eines Lichtmoduls für Signalleuchten des Straßen- und Schienenverkehrs, in an sich bekannter Weise über eine Leitung 12 ein Strom mit einer bestimmten Spannung zugeführt und dann ein Teil des zugeführten Stroms über eine zu zumindest einigen der LEDs des Strangs parallele Schaltung zum Betrieb einer Überwachungseinheit 14 genutzt wird. Die Überwachungseinheit 14 kann bestimmte Betriebsparameter des Lichtmoduls, wie z.B. den im Betrieb durch den Strang fließenden Strom, die am Strang abfallende Spannung, die Temperatur in der Umgebung des Strangs und den von dem Strang erzeugten Lichtstrom erfassen und für diese Betriebsparameter charakteristische Werte an eine übergeordnete Auswerteeinheit 16 ausgeben.In the Fig. 1 is very schematic illustrates the basic idea of the invention, according to which a strand 10 of series-connected LEDs of a corresponding LED light module, in particular a light module for signal lights of road and rail transport, in a conventional manner via a line 12, a current with a certain voltage and then a portion of the supplied current via a parallel to at least some of the LEDs of the strand circuit for operating a monitoring unit 14 is used. The monitoring unit 14 can detect certain operating parameters of the light module, such as the current flowing through the string during operation, the voltage dropping across the string, the temperature in the vicinity of the string and the luminous flux generated by the string, and characteristic values for these operating parameters to a higher level Output evaluation unit 16.

Die Überwachungseinheit 14 kann komplett über die Stromversorgung des LED-Strangs gespeist werden so dass vorteilhaft auf eine separate Stromversorgung verzichtet und damit insbesondere dann, wenn das Lichtmodul in Signalleuchten für den Schienenverkehr eingesetzt wird, teilweise ganz erhebliche Kabelmengen gespart werden können. Es können Mittel wie Spannungsmesser für die LED-Vorwärtsspannung vorgesehen sein, die zu einer oder mehreren LEDs 18 des Strangs 10 parallel geschaltet sind. Diese Mittel können im Betrieb des Lichtmoduls über die Stromversorgung 20 der LEDs mit Strom versorgt werden.The monitoring unit 14 can be completely powered by the power supply of the LED string so that advantageously dispensed with a separate power supply and thus in particular when the light module is used in signal lights for rail transport, sometimes quite considerable amounts of cable can be saved. Means such as voltage meters for the forward LED voltage may be provided, which are connected in parallel to one or more LEDs 18 of the strand 10. These means can be powered during operation of the light module via the power supply 20 of the LEDs.

Die übergeordnete Auswerteeinheit 16 wird über die Stromversorgung des LED-Strangs versorgt, vermeidet also eine Streulichterfassung bei insbesondere pulsweise ausgeschaltetem LED-Strang. Die dafür notwendigen modernen Komponenten, wie z.B. Temperatur- oder Fotosensor sowie Mikrocontroller, besitzen eine so geringe Stromaufnahme, dass es keine merklichen Auswirkungen auf den Lichtstrom des LED-Strangs hat, wenn über die genannte Parallelschaltung ein Teil des Stroms zur Versorgung der Einheiten 14 und 16 abgezweigt wird.The higher-level evaluation unit 16 is supplied via the power supply of the LED string, thus avoiding a scattered light detection in particular pulsed switched off LED string. The necessary modern components, such as e.g. Temperature or photosensor and microcontroller, have such a low power consumption, that it has no significant effect on the luminous flux of the LED strand when a branch of the power supply to the units 14 and 16 is diverted via said parallel circuit.

Typischerweise weist ein LED-Strang 10 der hier in Frage stehenden Art z.B. acht in Reihe geschaltete LEDs mit einer Stromaufnahme von 350 mA auf, während ein Fotosensor als Mittel zur Erfassung eines weiteren Betriebsparameters und ein entsprechender Mikrocontroller zur Auswertung des Signals des Fotosensors eine Stromaufnahme im Bereich von etwa 1 bis 2 mA haben. Es hat sich gezeigt, dass eine erfindungsgemäße Schaltung insbesondere dann hervorragend funktioniert, wenn die Stromaufnahme der Einheiten 14 und 16 mehr als 20-mal kleiner ist als die Stromaufnahme des LED-Strangs, vorzugsweise etwa 50- bis 100-mal kleiner.Typically, an LED string 10 of the type in question, for example, eight LEDs in series with a current consumption of 350 mA, while a Photo sensor as means for detecting a further operating parameter and a corresponding microcontroller for evaluating the signal of the photo sensor have a current consumption in the range of about 1 to 2 mA. It has been found that a circuit according to the invention works particularly well, in particular, when the current consumption of the units 14 and 16 is more than 20 times smaller than the current consumption of the LED string, preferably about 50 to 100 times smaller.

In der Fig. 2 ist ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung dargestellt, wobei hier zwei Betriebsparameter erfasst und zur Überwachung und Steuerung des LED-Strangs in der erfindungsgemäßen Weise verwendet werden. Die den Einheiten der Fig. 1 entsprechenden Einheiten wurden mit den auch in Fig. 1 verwendeten Bezugszeichen versehen.In the Fig. 2 an embodiment of the invention is shown, in which case two operating parameters detected and used to monitor and control the LED string in the inventive manner. The units of the Fig. 1 corresponding units were with the also in Fig. 1 provided reference numerals.

Das dargestellte Lichtmodul bildet bei diesem Ausführungsbeispiel eine Einheit, die insbesondere in einer Signalleuchte verbaut und über eine Leitung 12 extern mit Strom versorgt werden kann. Der LED-Strang wird von einer Anzahl von in Reihe geschalteten LEDs 18, von denen hier nur einige gezeigt sind, gebildet, wobei die Zuführspannung und der Strom von einer Vorschalteinheit 20 gesteuert werden. Die Vorschalteinheit 20 ist bei diesem Ausführungsbeispiel ebenso wie die Auswerteeinheit 16 Teil des Lichtmoduls, kann aber, ebenso wie die Auswerteeinheit 16, auch außerhalb des eigentlichen Lichtmoduls angeordnet werden. Auswerteeinheit 16 und Vorschalteinheit können Teil einer einzigen Steuereinheit sein.The light module shown forms in this embodiment, a unit that can be installed in particular in a signal light and powered externally via a line 12. The LED string is formed by a number of serially connected LEDs 18, only a few of which are shown, with the supply voltage and current being controlled by a ballast 20. In this embodiment, the ballast unit 20, like the evaluation unit 16, is part of the light module, but, like the evaluation unit 16, can also be arranged outside the actual light module. Evaluation unit 16 and ballast unit can be part of a single control unit.

Wie durch die Leitung 22 angedeutet, wird einer Überwachungseinheit 14 an einer ersten Stelle über eine zur Reihenschaltung der LEDs 18 parallele Schaltung Strom zugeführt, wobei die verschiedenen in der Figur symbolisch dargestellten Rechtecksignale andeuten sollen, dass der Strom pulsweitenmoduliert ist.As indicated by the line 22, power is supplied to a monitoring unit 14 at a first location via a circuit parallel to the series connection of the LEDs 18, wherein the various rectangular signals symbolically represented in the figure are intended to indicate that the current is pulse width modulated.

Wie durch das entsprechende Schaltbild angedeutet, umfasst die Überwachungseinheit 14 bei diesem Ausführungsbeispiel einen Fotosensor 24, der in dem Lichtmodul angeordnet ist und einen zu dem Lichtstrom, der im Betrieb der LEDs erzeugt wird, proportionalen Wert erfasst. Bei Lichtmodulen der hier in Frage stehenden Art sind die LEDs typischerweise rotationssymmetrisch angeordnet, und das Lichtmodul ist mit einer Vorsatz- oder Streuscheibe versehen, wodurch ein Teil des abgegebenen Lichts zurückreflektiert wird, was dann von dem Fotosensor 24 erfasst werden kann.As indicated by the corresponding circuit diagram, the monitoring unit 14 in this embodiment comprises a photosensor 24, which is arranged in the light module and detects a proportional to the luminous flux, which is generated during operation of the LEDs, value. In light modules of the type in question, the LEDs are typically arranged rotationally symmetric, and the light module is provided with a header or lens, whereby a part of the emitted light is reflected back, which can then be detected by the photosensor 24.

Die Überwachungseinheit 14 umfasst bei diesem Ausführungsbeispiel ferner zwei Spannungsmesser 26, die zusammen mit entsprechenden Shunt-Widerständen 28 und Leitungen 30 eine indirekte Strommessung des im Betrieb durch den LED-Strang fließenden Stroms ermöglichen.The monitoring unit 14 further comprises, in this embodiment, two voltmeters 26 which, together with respective shunt resistors 28 and lines 30, enable indirect current measurement of the current flowing through the LED string in operation.

Nicht dargestellt, aber bei einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform vorgesehen, ist ein Spannungsmesser, der die gesamte an dem LED-Strang abfallende Spannung misst, was insbesondere bei Lichtmodulen zum Einsatz in Signalleuchten für den Schienenverkehr vorteilhaft sein kann. Die Vorteile einer kombinierten Strom-Spannungsüberwachung bei der Überwachung von LED-Strängen sind bekannt und zum Beispiel in der EP 1 992 524 A2 , deren Inhalt hiermit durch Bezugnahme eingebunden wird, offenbart. Bei einer Ausführungsvariante der Erfindung können zur Erfassung des Stroms und/oder der Spannung vorgesehene Mittel über die Stromversorgung der LEDs gepulst mit Strom versorgt werden.Not shown, but provided in a preferred embodiment, is a voltmeter which measures the total voltage drop across the LED string, which may be particularly advantageous in light modules for use in signal lights for rail traffic. The advantages of a combined current-voltage monitoring in the monitoring of LED strings are known and, for example in the EP 1 992 524 A2 , the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In one embodiment of the invention means provided for detecting the current and / or the voltage may be pulsed with power via the power supply of the LEDs.

Die von den Spannungsmessern 26 für den Ist-Strom, also den tatsächlich durch den LED-Strang fließenden Strom, repräsentativen Werte und ein zu dem im Betrieb der LEDs abgegebenen Lichtstrom proportionaler, vom Fotosensor 24 gemessener Wert werden der Auswerteeinheit 16 zugeführt, die bei diesem Ausführungsbeispiel einen Mikrocontroller 32 und eine Regelung 34 umfasst, die zur Ausgabe eines Steuerwertes an die Vorschalteinheit 20 ausgebildet ist. Man beachte, dass die Auswerteeinheit 16 nicht, wie bei vormals bekannten Lichtmodulen, über eine eigene Stromversorgung verfügt, sondern vorteilhaft ebenso wie die Überwachungseinheit 14 von dem den LEDs 18 zugeführten Strom gespeist wird. Erfasst nun der Fotosensor, dass zum Beispiel aufgrund einer Degradation der LEDs 18 der im Betrieb abgegebene Lichtstrom nachlässt, kann die Auswerteeinheit 16 ein entsprechendes Steuersignal erzeugen, mittels welchem die Vorschalteinheit 20 veranlasst wird, den den LEDs zugeführten Strom so zu erhöhen, dass sich der gewünschte Lichtstrom ergibt. Mit der oben genannten Randbedingung, dass die Stromaufnahme von Überwachungseinheit 14 und Auswerteeinheit 16 deutlich kleiner ist als die Stromaufnahme der LEDs, kann die Reduzierung der Helligkeit der LEDs aufgrund der Stromabzweigung vernachlässigt werden, zumal eine solche ohnehin vom Fotosensor 24 erfasst und zu einer Nachregelung des Stroms führte.The values which are representative of the current flowing through the LED string and the current value proportional to the luminous flux emitted during the operation of the LEDs and measured by the photosensor 24 are fed to the evaluation unit 16, which is in this case Embodiment comprises a microcontroller 32 and a controller 34, which is designed to output a control value to the ballast unit 20. It should be noted that the evaluation unit 16 does not have its own power supply, as in the case of previously known light modules, but advantageously, just like the monitoring unit 14, it is fed by the current fed to the LEDs 18. If the photosensor now detects that the luminous flux emitted during operation, for example due to degradation of the LEDs, decreases, the evaluation unit 16 can generate a corresponding control signal, by means of which the ballast unit 20 causes the current supplied to the LEDs to increase so that the desired luminous flux results. With the above-mentioned boundary condition that the current consumption of monitoring unit 14 and Evaluation unit 16 is significantly smaller than the current consumption of the LEDs, the reduction of the brightness of the LEDs due to the Stromabzweigung can be neglected, especially since such a detected anyway by the photosensor 24 and led to a readjustment of the current.

Die Auswerteeinheit 16 ist dazu ausgebildet, den dem LED-Strang zugeführten Strom in Abhängigkeit von dem sog. "weiteren Betriebsparameter", hier also dem Lichtstrom, direkt oder indirekt zu steuern, also entweder als Teil einer komplexeren Steuerschaltung direkt Einfluss auf den Strom zu nehmen oder aber mit einer gesonderten Einheit, hier der Vorschalteinheit 20 zu kommunizieren und dieser Informationen zu übermitteln, die Basis für eine Steuerung des Stroms sind, und so den Strom indirekt zu steuern.The evaluation unit 16 is designed to directly or indirectly control the current supplied to the LED string as a function of the so-called "further operating parameter", in this case the luminous flux, ie to influence the current either directly as part of a more complex control circuit or with a separate unit, here the Vorschalteinheit 20 to communicate and transmit this information, which are the basis for a control of the current, and so indirectly control the power.

Bei dem in Fig. 2 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel ist die Ist-Stromerfassung zweikanalig, mithin redundant ausgebildet, so dass Fehlmessungen praktisch ausgeschlossen sind, weil der Mikrocontroller 32 so ausgebildet sein kann, dass er bei Abweichungen zwischen den beiden für den Ist-Strom repräsentativen Signalen eine entsprechende Fehlermeldung erzeugen kann, die dann in an sich bekannter Weise an eine übergeordnete Stelle, zum Beispiel eine Wartungszentrale, übermittelt werden kann.At the in Fig. 2 In the embodiment shown, the actual current detection is dual-channel, thus redundant, so that incorrect measurements are practically excluded because the microcontroller 32 may be designed so that it can generate a corresponding error message in case of deviations between the two signals representative of the actual current then in a conventional manner to a parent body, for example, a maintenance center, can be transmitted.

Außer der bereits genannten Sicherstellung eines stabilen Farbortes hat der bei einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung vorgesehene pulsweitenmodulierte Betrieb zwei wesentliche weitere Vorteile. So erübrigt sich in denjenigen Fällen, in denen die Mittel zur Erfassung wenigstens eines weiteren Betriebsparameters einen Fotosensor wie in Fig. 2 umfassen, ein aufwändiges Herausrechnen des Streulichtanteils, da der Sensor durch die erfindungsgemäße Versorgung über den LED-Strom nur dann im Betrieb ist, wenn auch die LEDs eingeschaltet sind, wobei dann Streulichtanteile vernachlässigt werden können. Licht, das auf den Sensor fällt, wenn die LEDs zwischen zwei Strompulsen ausgeschaltet sind, wird vom Sensor nicht in die übliche Aufsummierung einbezogen, so dass in vorteilhafter Weise kostengünstige Standard-Fotosensoren, die zur Ausgabe eines Messwertes Licht über einen bestimmten Zeitraum aufsummieren, verwendet werden können.In addition to the already mentioned assurance of a stable color location, the pulse-width modulated operation provided in a preferred embodiment of the invention has two significant further advantages. It is unnecessary in those cases in which the means for detecting at least one further operating parameter a photosensor as in Fig. 2 include, a complex calculation of the scattered light component, since the sensor is only in operation by the supply according to the invention via the LED current, even if the LEDs are turned on, in which case stray light components can be neglected. Light falling on the sensor when the LEDs are turned off between two current pulses is not included in the usual summation by the sensor, so advantageously low cost standard photosensors that sum light to output a reading over a certain period of time are used can be.

Ein weiterer Vorteil des pulsweitenmodulierten Betriebes ist, dass die Auswerteeinheit 16 prüfen kann, ob der Fotosensor 24 oder die Spannungsmesser 26 Signale währen der Zeit zwischen zwei Strompulsen liefern, woraus dann auf eine Fehlfunktion des Fotosensors und/oder der Spannungsmesser geschlossen und in an sich bekannter Weise eine entsprechende Fehlermeldung erzeugt werden kann. Damit verfügt die Auswerteeinheit 16 quasi über eine Funktion zum Testen der Mittel zur Erfassung des wenigstens einen weiteren Betriebsparameters. Es wird also geprüft, ob die von dem Strommesser und/oder dem Fotosensor ausgegebenen Signale einen Verlauf zeigen, der dem Verlauf des pulsweitenmodulierten Stroms entspricht.Another advantage of the pulse width modulated operation is that the evaluation unit 16 can check whether the photosensor 24 or the voltmeter 26 deliver signals during the time between two current pulses, from which then a malfunction of the photosensor and / or the voltmeter closed and in per se known Way a corresponding error message can be generated. Thus, the evaluation unit 16 has virtually a function for testing the means for detecting the at least one further operating parameter. It is therefore checked whether the signals output by the ammeter and / or the photosensor show a course which corresponds to the course of the pulse-width-modulated current.

Im Rahmen des Erfindungsgedankens sind zahlreiche Abwandlungen und Weiterbildungen möglich, die sich insbesondere auf die Art und die Anzahl der Mittel zur Erfassung von Betriebsparametern der LEDs beziehen. So ist bei einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung vorgesehen, die Temperatur in der Umgebung der LEDs des Strangs zu erfassen, wobei dann mit diesem Wert über die Auswerteeinheit zum Beispiel ein Lüfter angeschaltet werden kann. Auch ein solcher Lüfter kann vorteilhaft über den Betriebsstrom der LEDs mit Strom versorgt werden, da bei typischen Anwendungsfällen der Lüfter nur eine geringe Leistung haben muss.In the context of the inventive concept, numerous modifications and developments are possible, which relate in particular to the type and number of means for detecting operating parameters of the LEDs. Thus, it is provided in a preferred embodiment of the invention to detect the temperature in the vicinity of the LEDs of the strand, in which case with this value via the evaluation unit, for example, a fan can be turned on. Such a fan can also be advantageously supplied with power via the operating current of the LEDs since, in typical applications, the fan only has to have a low power.

Die Erfindung erlaubt in besonders einfacher und kostengünstiger Weise erstmals die Realisierung einer besonders sicheren Überwachung des korrekten Funktionierens eines LED-Lichtmoduls, da drei verschiedene Überwachungsmethoden - Überwachung der am LED-Strang abfallenden Spannung, Überwachung des durch den Strang fließenden Stroms und Erfassung eines zum abgegebenen Lichtstrom proportionalen Wertes - kombiniert werden können.The invention allows in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner for the first time the realization of a particularly secure monitoring of the correct functioning of an LED light module, as three different monitoring methods - monitoring the voltage drop across the LED string, monitoring the current flowing through the strand and detection of the delivered Luminous flux proportional value - can be combined.

BEZUGSZEICHENLISTELIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1010
LED-StrangLED cluster
1212
Leitungmanagement
1414
Überwachungseinheitmonitoring unit
1616
Auswerteeinheitevaluation
1818
LEDsLEDs
2020
Vorschalteinheitupstream unit
2222
Leitungmanagement
2424
Fotosensorphotosensor
2626
Spannungsmesservoltmeter
2828
Shunt-WiderständeShunt resistors
3030
Leitungencables
3232
Mikrocontrollermicrocontroller
3434
Regelungregulation

Claims (4)

LED-Lichtmodul, insbesondere für Signalleuchten des Straßen- und Schienenverkehrs, umfassend - wenigstens einen Strang (10) von in Reihe geschalteten LEDs (18), - Mittel zur Überwachung (26, 28, 30) des im Betrieb des Strangs durch den Strang fließenden Stroms und/oder der an dem Strang abfallenden Spannung, - eine Stromversorgung der LEDs und - Mittel zur Erfassung wenigstens eines weiteren Betriebsparameters der LEDs, die einen Sensor (24) zur Erfassung eines zu einem im Betrieb des Lichtmoduls abgegebenen Lichtstrom proportionalen Wertes und zur Ausgabe eines Signals auf Basis des Wertes umfassen,
gekennzeichnet durch eine Auswerteeinheit (16), die dazu ausgebildet ist, die Stromversorgung (10) der LEDs für einen dem LED-Strang zugeführten Strom in Abhängigkeit des Signals durch Pulsweitenmodulation zu steuern, und im Betrieb des Lichtmoduls ebenfalls über die Stromversorgung (20) der LEDs (18) mit Strom versorgt wird.LED light module, in particular for signal lights of the road and rail traffic, comprising at least one strand (10) of LEDs (18) connected in series, Means for monitoring (26, 28, 30) the current flowing through the strand during operation of the strand and / or the voltage dropping across the strand, - a power supply of the LEDs and Means for detecting at least one further operating parameter of the LEDs, which comprise a sensor (24) for detecting a value proportional to a luminous flux emitted during operation of the light module and outputting a signal based on the value,
marked by an evaluation unit (16) which is designed to control the power supply (10) of the LEDs for a current supplied to the LED string as a function of the signal by pulse width modulation, and during operation of the light module also via the power supply (20) of the LEDs ( 18) is supplied with electricity. LED-Lichtmodul nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Auswerteeinheit (16) über eine Funktion zum Testen der Mittel zur Erfassung des wenigstens einen weiteren Betriebsparameters verfügt.LED light module according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation unit (16) has a function for testing the means for detecting the at least one further operating parameter. Verfahren zum Betreiben eines LED-Lichtmoduls, insbesondere für Signalleuchten des Straßen- und Schienenverkehrs, wobei - das Lichtmodul über einen Strang von in Reihe geschalteten LEDs verfügt, - der im Betrieb durch den Strang fließende Strom und/oder die an dem Strang abfallende Spannung überwacht werden, - mit einem Sensor (24) ein zu einem im Betrieb des Lichtmoduls abgegebenen Lichtstrom proportionaler Wert erfasst und ein Signal auf Basis des Wertes an eine übergeordnete Auswerteeinheit ausgegeben wird und
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der dem Strang im Betrieb zugeführte Strom in Abhängigkeit des Wertes durch Pulsweitenmodulation der Stromversorgung der LEDs gesteuert wird und die übergeordnete Auswerteeinheit im Betrieb des Lichtmoduls ebenfalls über die Stromversorgung der LEDs mit Strom versorgt wird.Method for operating an LED light module, in particular for signal lights of the road and rail traffic, wherein the light module has a string of LEDs connected in series, the current flowing through the strand during operation and / or the voltage dropping across the strand are monitored, - With a sensor (24) detects a value proportional to a luminous flux emitted during operation of the light module and a signal is output on the basis of the value to a higher-level evaluation unit, and
characterized in that the current supplied to the train during operation is controlled as a function of the value by pulse width modulation of the power supply of the LEDs and the The higher-level evaluation unit is also supplied with power via the power supply of the LEDs during operation of the light module. Signalleuchte, insbesondere für den Straßen- und Schienenverkehr, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie ein LED-Lichtmodul nach Anspruch 1 oder 2 umfasst.Signal light, in particular for road and rail traffic, characterized in that it comprises an LED light module according to claim 1 or 2.
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ES2928388T3 (en) 2022-11-17
LT3038433T (en) 2022-11-10
PT3038433T (en) 2022-10-17
EP3038433A3 (en) 2016-07-27
PL3038433T3 (en) 2022-12-27
DK3038433T3 (en) 2022-10-24
HUE060173T2 (en) 2023-02-28
EP3038433B1 (en) 2022-07-13
DE102014119623A1 (en) 2016-06-23
RS63645B1 (en) 2022-10-31
HRP20221261T1 (en) 2022-12-09

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