EP3086626B1 - Operating circuit, lighting fixture and method for detecting a control signal - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the invention relate to an operating circuit for a luminous means and to a method for detecting a control signal. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to operating circuits and methods in which control signals can be transmitted to the operating circuit in phase slices and / or phase sections of half-waves of a supply voltage.

Operating circuits for non-conventional bulbs, such as LED-based bulbs, serve to provide a supply voltage or a supply current for the light source. Examples of such operating circuits are LED converters. Additional functions may be integrated in such operating circuits. For example, the operating circuits may be configured to receive control signals over a supply line. Such control signals can be coded, for example, in phase sections and / or phase sections of half-waves of the supply voltage. By transmitting control signals via supply lines, the installation costs for the operating circuit or the lamp comprising them can be kept low.

Operating circuits such as LED converters may include a power factor correction circuit, also referred to in the art as a PFC ("Power Factor Correction") circuit. The power factor correction circuit is used to reduce or eliminate harmonic currents in an input current. Harmonic currents can occur, in particular in the case of non-linear consumers, such as, for example, rectifiers with subsequent smoothing in power supplies, since in such consumers the input current is shifted in phase and distorted in a non-sinusoidal manner despite the sinusoidal input voltage. The occurring higher-frequency harmonics can be counteracted by a power factor correction circuit upstream of the respective device.

The detection of control signals which are received at a supply input of the operating circuit, for example, by monitoring circuit, which monitors the input signal. Such only for the purpose of detecting Phase monitoring and / or phase sections provided monitoring circuits increase the complexity, the cost and the installation space of the operating circuit.

From the publication WO 2014/176617 A2 an operating circuit for a lamp according to the preamble of claim 1 is known.

From the publication DE 10 2008 027 029 A1 is a method for lamp type detection of a connected to an operating device gas discharge lamp of a load circuit known. Here, the operating device comprises a switch controlled PFC circuit. In this case, the method comprises the steps of a) operation of the gas discharge lamp with a defined mode of operation, b) evaluation of at least one parameter of the PFC circuit and c) regulation of the power provided by the PFC circuit.

From the publication DE 10 2012 011 755 A1 there is known a power factor correction circuit having an input for receiving an input voltage, an inductor coupled to the input, a switching means coupled to the inductor controllable to selectively charge and discharge the inductor, and a controller. In this case, the control device is set up to generate a control signal for controlling the switching means as a function of a parameter value. The control device is set up to determine the parameter value as a function of a sign of a time derivative of the input voltage.

Embodiments of the invention is based on the object of specifying improved operating circuits, luminaires and methods, which is set up for receiving control signals via a supply line. Embodiments of the invention are in particular the object of specifying such operating circuits, lights and methods that reduce the circuit complexity for the detection of phase cuts and / or phase sections.

According to embodiments, an operating device, a luminaire and a method with the features specified in the independent claims are provided. The dependent claims define embodiments.

According to exemplary embodiments, an operating circuit has a power factor correction circuit. For detecting phase gates and / or phase sections, an information present in the power factor correction circuit is evaluated. This makes it possible to exploit the fact that the performance of the power factor correction circuit, for example the time-dependent clocked switching of a controllable switch of the power factor correction circuit, depends on whether or not a half-wave of the supply voltage has a phase angle and / or phase portion.

The information about the performance of the power factor correction circuit may be provided by a control loop of the power factor correction circuit. A control device of the operating device can evaluate the information, which can be contained, for example, in one or two bits, in order to detect whether or not a half-wave of the supply voltage has a phase angle and / or phase section.

For example, in response to the detection of a control signal that may be transmitted in one or more phase slices and / or phase slices, the operating circuit may initiate a dimming operation, a color control process or a transmission of status information.

According to one embodiment, an operating circuit for a light source is specified. The operating circuit may be configured for use with a lighting device comprising at least one light emitting diode (LED). The operating circuit comprises an input for receiving a supply voltage, a power factor correction circuit and a control device. The control device is set up to control the operating circuit as a function of control signals which are coded in phase sections and / or phase sections of the supply voltage. The control device is set up to detect a phase angle and / or phase section depending on a behavior of the power factor correction circuit.

The power factor correction circuit may include a controllable switch. The control device can be set up to detect the phase angle and / or phase section as a function of a time interval of switching operations of the controllable switch of the power factor correction circuit.

The power factor correction circuit may include the topology of a boost converter, a flyback converter, or other converter topology. The controllable switch can be clocked to cause a reduction in total harmonic distortion (THD).

The controllable switch may be clocked to store energy in an inductance of the power factor correction circuit and to discharge it from the inductance into a capacitor.

The control device can be set up to detect the phase angle and / or phase section as a function of information about a parameter of the power factor correction circuit.

The parameter may be dependent on a _on- time during which the controllable switch of the power factor correction circuit is switched to an on state. Alternatively or additionally, the parameter may be dependent on a T _off time during which the controllable switch of the power factor correction circuit is switched to an on state. Alternatively or additionally, the parameter may be dependent on a switching cycle duration of the controllable switch of the power factor correction circuit. This can be used to detect the phase angle and / or the phase section that the switching on and off of the controllable switch power factor correction circuit to reduce the THD takes place with a timeout that depends on the amount of supply voltage.

The power factor correction circuit may be configured to change the parameter at least at a power source correction power supply zero. A control loop of the power factor correction circuit may automatically adjust the parameter depending on the magnitude of the supply voltage. The logical information as to whether the supply voltage is only close to zero for a duration corresponding to a normal zero crossing of the supply voltage, or for a duration near zero, which is prolonged due to the phase angle and / or the phase portion, may be determined by the controller used to detect the control signal.

The control device may be configured to detect the phase angle and / or phase section as a function of a duration while the parameter at the zero point of the supply voltage is changed

The power factor correction circuit may be configured to increase the _on- time if an amount of the supply voltage is less than a voltage threshold.

The power factor correction circuit may be configured to increase the _on- time using at least one map defining changes in the _on- time depending on the current value of the supply voltage.

The control device may be configured to detect the phase angle and / or phase section as a function of a duration during which the _on time is increased.

The control device may be configured to detect the phase angle and / or phase section as a function of at least one state signal of the power factor correction circuit.

The at least one status signal may indicate or it may be possible to derive from the at least one status signal whether the duration is less than or greater than a time threshold value.

The power factor correction circuit may include a semiconductor integrated circuit for controlling the controllable switch configured to generate the at least one status signal.

The at least one state signal may be represented by at least two bits of a memory device of the operating circuit.

The at least two bits may be set by the semiconductor integrated circuit of the power factor correction circuit.

The control device can be set up to detect for a plurality of half-waves of the supply voltage in each case whether there is a phase section and / or a phase section in order to receive a control signal coded in a binary sequence.

The control device can be set up to detect in each case for a plurality of half-waves of the supply voltage depending on the behavior of the power factor correction circuit, to which angle the phase angle and / or phase section corresponds.

The control device can be set up to execute a dimming operation as a function of the control signals.

The control device may alternatively or additionally be configured to execute a color control depending on the control signals.

The control device may alternatively or additionally be set up to start a transmission of status information depending on the control signals.

The operating circuit may include a converter connected to the power factor correction circuit. The controller may be configured to control the converter in response to the control signals.

The converter can be a DC / DC converter. The converter may have a galvanic isolation.

The operating circuit may be an LED converter.

A luminaire according to an embodiment comprises a luminous means which comprises at least one light-emitting diode, and an operating circuit according to an embodiment which is connected to the lighting means.

A system according to an embodiment comprises an operating circuit or a light according to an embodiment and a device for generating control signals.

The means for generating the control signals may be a dimmer, which may have a manually operable adjustment.

The means for generating the control signals may comprise a control unit for brightness and / or color control. The control unit may generate the control signals in response to user input to a user interface and / or automatically.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for detecting a control signal that is coded in phase sections and / or phase sections of a supply voltage of an operating circuit for a lighting device, wherein the operating circuit comprises a power factor correction circuit. The method comprises detecting a phase angle and / or a phase portion depending on a behavior of the power factor correction circuit. The method comprises controlling the operating circuit depending on the detected phase angle and / or phase portion.

The method may be automatically performed by the operating circuit or the light according to an embodiment.

In the method, the power factor correction circuit may include a controllable switch. The detection of the phase angle and / or of the phase section may be effected in dependence on a time lapse of switching operations of the controllable switch of the power factor correction circuit.

In the method, the power factor correction circuit may include the topology of a boost converter, a flyback converter, or other converter topology. The controllable switch can be clocked to cause a reduction in total harmonic distortion (THD).

The method may include clocking the controllable switch to store energy in an inductor of the power factor correction circuit and to discharge it from the inductor into a capacitor.

The detection of the phase angle and / or the phase section may be effected in dependence on information about a parameter of the power factor correction circuit.

In the method, the parameter may be dependent on a _on- time during which the controllable switch of the power factor correction circuit is switched to an on state is. Alternatively or additionally, the parameter may be dependent on a T _off time during which the controllable switch of the power factor correction circuit is switched to an off state. Alternatively or additionally, the parameter may be dependent on a switching cycle duration of the controllable switch of the power factor correction circuit. As a result, it can be used in the method for detecting the phase angle and / or the phase section that the switching on and off of the controllable switch power factor correction circuit for reducing the THD takes place with a timeout that depends on the magnitude of the supply voltage.

In the method, the power factor correction circuit may change the parameter at least at a power source correction power supply zero. A control loop of the power factor correction circuit may automatically adjust the parameter depending on the magnitude of the supply voltage. The logical information as to whether the supply voltage is only close to zero for a duration corresponding to a normal zero crossing of the supply voltage, or for a duration near zero, which is prolonged due to the phase angle and / or the phase portion, may be used in the method used to detect the control signal.

In the method, depending on a duration during which the parameter is changed at the zero point of the supply voltage, the phase angle and / or phase portion can be detected

In the method, the power factor correction circuit may increase the _on- time if an amount of the supply voltage is less than a voltage threshold.

In the method, using at least one map that defines changes in the _on- time dependent on the current value of the supply voltage, the _on- time from the power factor correction circuit may be increased.

In the method, depending on a duration during which the T _on time is increased, the phase angle and / or the phase portion can be detected.

In the method, the phase angle and / or phase section can be detected as a function of at least one state signal of the power factor correction circuit.

In the method, the at least one status signal may indicate whether the duration is less than or greater than a time threshold.

In the method, it can be derived from the at least one status signal whether the duration is smaller or larger than a time threshold value.

In the method, the power factor correction circuit may include an integrated semiconductor circuit for controlling the controllable switch configured to generate the at least one status signal.

In the method, the at least one state signal may be represented by at least two bits of a memory device of the operating circuit.

In the method, the at least two bits may be set by the semiconductor integrated circuit of the power factor correction circuit.

In the method, it can be detected in each case for a plurality of half-waves of the supply voltage, whether there is a phase section and / or a phase section in order to receive a control signal coded in a binary sequence.

In the method, it can be detected in each case for a plurality of half-waves of the supply voltage, depending on the behavior of the power factor correction circuit, to which angle the phase angle and / or phase section corresponds.

The control of the operating circuit may include a dimming operation that depends on the control signal.

The controlling of the operating circuit may alternatively or additionally comprise a color control which depends on the control signal.

The control of the operating circuit may alternatively or additionally include transmission of status information that depends on the control signal.

The operating circuit may include a converter connected to the power factor correction circuit. In the method, the converter can be controlled depending on the control signals.

In the method, the converter may be a DC / DC converter. The converter may have a galvanic isolation.

The operating circuit may be an LED converter.

The method may include providing an LED current to the light emitting device comprising at least one LED.

The method may include generating the control signal.

The control signal can be generated by a dimmer, which may have a manually operable adjustment.

The control signal can be generated by a control unit for brightness and / or color control. The control unit may generate the control signals in response to user input to a user interface and / or automatically.

In operating circuits, lights and methods according to embodiments, a phase angle and / or phase portion can be detected depending on logical information that is present in the power factor correction circuit. The complexity of the components of the operating circuit required for the detection of phase cuts and / or phase sections can be kept low.

• FIG. 1 zeigt ein System mit einer Betriebsschaltung nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel.
• FIG. 2 zeigt ein Schaltbild einer Leistungsfaktorkorrekturschaltung einer Betriebsschaltung nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel.
• FIG. 3 ist eine schematische Darstellung eines Steuersignals für einen steuerbaren Schalter der Leistungsfaktorkorrekturschaltung zur Erläuterung der Wirkungsweise der Betriebsschaltung nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel.
• FIG. 4 ist eine schematische Darstellung eines Steuersignals für einen steuerbaren Schalter der Leistungsfaktorkorrekturschaltung zur Erläuterung der Wirkungsweise der Betriebsschaltung nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel.
• FIG. 5 ist eine schematische Darstellung eines Zustandssignals der Betriebsschaltung zur Erläuterung der Wirkungsweise der Betriebsschaltung nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel.
• FIG. 6 ist ein Blockdiagramm zur Erläuterung der Funktionsweise der Betriebsschaltung nach Ausführungsbeispielen.
• FIG. 7 ist ein Blockdiagramm zur Erläuterung der Funktionsweise der Betriebsschaltung nach Ausführungsbeispielen.
• FIG. 8 ist ein Schaubild zur Erläuterung der Funktionsweise der Betriebsschaltung nach Ausführungsbeispielen.
• FIG. 9 ist ein Schaubild zur Erläuterung der Funktionsweise der Betriebsschaltung nach Ausführungsbeispielen.
• FIG. 10 ist ein Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens, das von einer Betriebsschaltung nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel ausgeführt wird.
• FIG. 11 veranschaulicht ein Steuersignal, das in einer Folge von Halbwellen übertragen wird.
• FIG. 12 zeigt eine Leuchte nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel.

The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings with reference to preferred embodiments, wherein identical or similar reference numerals designate identical or similar units.

• FIG. 1 shows a system with an operating circuit according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram of a power factor correction circuit of an operating circuit according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a control signal for a controllable switch of the power factor correction circuit for explaining the operation of the operating circuit according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a control signal for a controllable switch of the power factor correction circuit for explaining the operation of the operating circuit according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a state signal of the operating circuit for explaining the operation of the operating circuit according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 6 FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of the operation circuit according to embodiments. FIG.
• FIG. 7 FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of the operation circuit according to embodiments. FIG.
• FIG. 8th is a diagram for explaining the operation of the operation circuit according to embodiments.
• FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the operation circuit according to embodiments.
• FIG. 10 FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method performed by an operation circuit according to an embodiment. FIG.
• FIG. 11 illustrates a control signal transmitted in a sequence of half-waves.
• FIG. 12 shows a lamp according to an embodiment.

Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in which identical or similar reference numerals designate identical or similar elements. The features of the embodiments may be combined with each other unless expressly excluded in the following description.

Although embodiments are described in the context of transmission of control signals that control an operation circuit to trigger a dimming operation, a color control or a transmission of status information by the operation circuit, the embodiments are not limited to these applications. Embodiments may be used generally when an operating circuit includes a power factor correction circuit and is adapted for transmission of signals via power lines (PLC).

FIG. 1 FIG. 12 shows a block diagram representation of a system 1 comprising an operating circuit 51 for a lighting means 52. The lighting means 52 may comprise one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 53. The LEDs may include inorganic LEDs and / or organic LEDs.

The system 1 may include means 15 for generating control signals. The system 1 comprises a supply source 10. A luminaire 50, which comprises the operating circuit 51, is controlled by the device 12. For this purpose, the device 15 can transmit a control signal, which can be coded analog or digital, via a load line. The device 15 can be set up to generate the Control signal to generate at least one phase angle and / or a phase portion of a half-wave of a supply voltage of the operating circuit 51.

The device 15 can serve to control the brightness of the operating circuit 51 and is designed as a dimming device, which comprises an actuatable adjusting element 16. The device 15 can be designed as a control unit for the color and / or brightness control unit. The device 15 may include a user interface for generating control signals in response to an operation of the user interface. The device 15 may alternatively or additionally be set up to automatically generate control signals, for example for brightness control.

An outgoing from the mains voltage source 10 mains voltage conductor 11 is connected to the lamp 50. Another outgoing from the mains voltage source 10 power voltage conductor 12 is connected to the device 15. The mains voltage conductor 11 may be a neutral conductor, while the mains voltage conductor 12 is a phase conductor. The device 15 is connected via a load line 13 to the lamp 50. The luminaire 50 is coupled to the mains voltage conductor 11 and the load line 13 and receives its supply voltage via the load line 13 and the mains voltage conductor 11. The supply voltage of the operating circuit 51 is supplied to this on the one hand the mains voltage conductor 11 and the other via the mains voltage conductor 12, the load conductor 13 and the device 15 coupled therebetween. The device 15 can be connected so that it is connected directly to only one of the mains voltage conductors 1, 12.

The luminaire 50 comprises the operating circuit 51 and the luminous means 52. The luminous means 52 may comprise one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 53. Accordingly, the operating circuit 51 may be configured as an LED converter. The light-emitting means 52 can be implemented in various ways, for example by one or more inorganic LEDs, organic LEDs or other light sources. In addition, a combination of the aforementioned types of lamps can be used. By means of the operating circuit 51, a suitable operation of the respective luminous means 52 takes place. For this purpose, the operating circuit 51 can comprise, for example, a power supply unit which comprises a supply voltage supplied to the luminaire for the operation of the lighting means 52 generates a suitable voltage and / or a suitable current.

A control device 65 of the operating circuit 51 can convert the control signals in order to control a brightness and / or color of the luminous means 52 in dependence on the control signals. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 65 may implement the control signals to begin transmission of status information by the operating circuit 51.

As will be described in more detail below, the control device 65 is set up to detect, depending on a behavior of a power factor correction circuit 62, whether a half-wave of the supply voltage in each case has a phase angle and / or a phase section. For this purpose, the controller 65 may use logical information of a control loop of the power factor correction circuit 62.

The control device 65 can, for example, depending on how a controllable switch 71 of the power factor correction circuit is switched to detect whether a half-wave without phase angle and without phase section is present or whether the respective half-wave has a phase angle and / or a phase portion.

The behavior of the power factor correction circuit 62 may provide a variety of logical information indicating whether a phase angle and / or phase portion is present. For example, it can be determined from a time-dependent _on T _on- time, during which the controllable switch 71 of the power factor correction circuit 62 is switched to an on state, whether a phase angle and / or a phase section is present. Alternatively or additionally, it can be determined from a time-dependent of a T _off time, during which the controllable switch 71 of the power factor correction circuit 62 is switched to an off state, whether a phase angle and / or a phase section is present. Alternatively or additionally, it can be determined from a time-dependent switching cycle duration for the controllable switch 71 of the power factor correction circuit 62 whether a phase angle and / or a phase section is present.

The variation of the T _on time and / or the T _off time may be automatically performed by the power factor correction circuit 62 depending on the supply voltage to further reduce the THD. For example, the power factor correction circuit 62 may increase the _on- time over a T _on threshold value when the magnitude of the supply voltage is greater than a voltage threshold. The power factor correction circuit 62 may, for example, change the _on- time and / or the _off- time on a map-dependent basis as a function of the supply voltage.

The operation circuit 51 may include a rectifier 61, the power factor correction circuit 62, and a DC / DC converter 63. An output driver 64 may be provided in the operating circuit 51 or in the lighting means 52. Power factor correction circuit 62 provides a downstream component output voltage to operating circuit 51, also referred to as _bus voltage Vbus. Further voltage conversion and / or dimming functions may be achieved, for example, via the DC / DC converter 63, which may be configured as an LLC resonant converter, and / or the output driver 64. The controller 65 may perform various control functions.

The operation of the operation circuit 51 according to embodiments will be described with reference to FIG FIG. 2-12 described in more detail. While in FIG. 1 In a schematic representation of an operating circuit in which the power factor correction circuit 11 provides a bus voltage to other components of the operating circuit, the detection of phase slices and / or phase portions according to embodiments can also be used in an isolated power factor correction circuit with a downstream driver stage.

FIG. 2 FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of components of the operating circuit 51 according to one embodiment. An AC supply voltage U _s , for example the mains voltage, can optionally be smoothed and converted by the rectifier 61 into a rectified AC voltage which is present as input voltage U _IN at the input of the power factor correction circuit 62. While in FIG. 2 an example of one of the power factor correction circuit 62 with up-converter topology can be any other

The input voltage U _IN is supplied to an inductance 72 of the power factor correction circuit 62, which may include a coil. A resistor 73 at the input of the power factor correction circuit is also shown schematically. The inductor 72 is connected in series with a diode 74 between the input terminal and an output terminal of the power factor correction circuit 62. At the output terminal of the power factor correction circuit 62, which is coupled to an output capacitor 76, a DC voltage V _{bus is} provided which serves to supply a load, for example the DC / DC converter 63 with the lighting means 52 connected on the output side.

At a node between the inductance 72 and the diode 74 of the controllable switch 71 is connected. The controllable switch 71 may be connected via a shunt resistor 75 to ground. The switch 71 is a controllable electronic switch. The switch 71 may be an insulated gate switch. The switch 71 may be formed, for example, as a field effect transistor (FET), in particular as a MOSFET. The switch 71 is switched clocked to the on-state and the off-state to decrease the total harmonic distortion (THD).

When the switch 71 is switched on, the inductance 72 is connected to ground via the switch 71, with the diode 74 blocking, so that the inductance 72 is charged and energy is stored in the inductance 72. On the other hand, if the switch 71 is turned off, i. open, the diode 74 is conductive, so that the inductor 72 can discharge via the diode 74 in the output capacitor 76 and the energy stored in the inductor 72 is transferred to the output capacitor 76.

The switch 71 may be driven according to a control or regulation loop. A semiconductor integrated circuit 70 or other switch control may be provided separately from the controller 65. It is also possible to combine the function of the switch controller and the controller 65 in a single integrated circuit.

The integrated semiconductor circuit 70 can be designed, for example, as an application-specific special circuit (ASIC). The power factor correction is achieved by repeatedly turning on and off the switch 71, wherein the switching frequency for the switch 71 is much greater than the frequency of the rectified input AC voltage U _IN . Power factor correction circuit 62 may operate as a boost converter, but may also have a different converter topology.

The control of the controllable switch 71 can be done depending on an amount and optionally depending on a sign of the time derivative of the input voltage U _{IN of} the power _{factor correction} circuit. For example, the control of the controllable switch 71 may be such that a T _on- time, during which the controllable switch is switched to an on state in a switching cycle, is selectively increased when the amount of the supply voltage U _{s is} less than a voltage Threshold value is. Alternatively or additionally, a T _off time during which the controllable switch is switched to an off state in a switching cycle and / or a switching cycle duration for the controllable switch 71 may be varied in a manner that is different from the current value of the magnitude of the supply voltage U _s depends.

An adjustment of the control of the controllable switch 71 to reduce the THD can be performed automatically by a control loop of the power factor correction circuit 62. For this purpose, the input voltage U _IN can be monitored via an ohmic voltage divider 81, 82. Optionally, the _bus voltage V _bus can also be monitored via a further ohmic voltage divider 83, 84.

Depending on a behavior of the power factor correction circuit 62, phase cuts and / or phase sections can be detected. For example, the detection of phase gating and / or phase portions may be done depending on how switching cycles for the controllable switch 71 change while receiving a half wave of the supply voltage.

The present in the power factor correction circuit 62 logical information when at least one parameter for the switching behavior of the controllable switch 71 in certain Manner may be used to detect phase slices and / or phase slices. The parameter may be, for example, the _on time, which is automatically increased by the integrated semiconductor circuit 70 when the supply voltage U _{s has} a zero point. Alternatively or additionally, a change in another parameter can be monitored for the detection of phase cuts and / or phase sections, for example a change in the T _off time, the switching cycle duration or the ratio of T _on- time to T _off time, which of the integrated Semiconductor circuit 70 is made at the time when the supply voltage U _{s has} a zero point or its amount is smaller than the voltage threshold.

Depending on the duration for which the _on time, the _off time, a switching cycle duration or other parameter describing the behavior of the power factor correction circuit 62 is changed in a half cycle in a manner characteristic of small supply voltage values, it can be determined Whether the respective half-wave has a phase angle and / or a phase section.

For example, if the _on- time for the controllable switch 71 is selectively increased when the supply voltage has an amount smaller than a voltage threshold, the duration in which there is an increase in the _on- time may be that Duration can be used to detect phase cuts and / or phase sections. For example, a time threshold may be defined to be greater than or equal to the duration for which a half-wave of the supply voltage without phase-in and phase-out is less than the voltage threshold. If the duration in which there is an increase in the T _on time is greater than the time threshold value, it can be concluded that there is a phase angle or phase section.

Similarly, a change in the T _off time or the switching cycle duration of the controllable switch 71, which are made dependent on the time depending on the amount of the supply voltage, can be used to detect a phase angle and / or phase portion.

FIG. 3 FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary change in the operation of a switching cycle of the controllable switch 72 as may be implemented by the power factor correction circuit 62 to reduce the THD. It is in FIG. 3 the performance of the power factor correction circuit shown when no phase angle and no phase section is present.

FIG. 3 shows a control signal 91 for switching the controllable switch 71. The control signal 91 can be generated by the semiconductor integrated circuit 70. FIG. 3 also shows the course of an amount of the supply voltage | U _s | 94th

For values of the supply voltage whose magnitude 94 are close to the amplitude of the supply voltage or which are greater than a voltage threshold, the controllable switch 71 can be switched to the _on state for a _on- time 92, respectively. The controllable switch 71 remains a T _off time 96 in the off state before being turned on again.

For values of the supply voltage whose magnitude 94 is less than a voltage threshold, the controllable switch 71 may each be switched to the _on -state for a _on- time 93 that is greater than the _on- time 92. The controllable Switch 71 remains a T _off time 97 in the off state before being turned on again. The _off- time 97 may be equal to or different than the _off- time 96.

If there is no phase angle and phase phase, a first duration 95, in which the T _on time has the higher value 93, is determined by how long the magnitude of the supply voltage is less than the voltage threshold.

If there is a phase angle or phase section, the duration in which the T _on time has the higher value 93 increases as shown by FIG. 4 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 4 FIG. 12 illustrates an example change in the course of a switching cycle of the controllable switch 72 as derived from the power factor correction circuit 62 for reduction the THD can be implemented. It is in FIG. 4 the behavior of the power factor correction circuit shown when a phase angle is present.

FIG. 4 shows a control signal 101 for switching the controllable switch 71. The control signal 101 can be generated by the semiconductor integrated circuit 70. FIG. 4 also shows the course of an amount of the supply voltage | U _s | 104. Due to the phase angle 106, the amount of the supply voltage | U _s | remains 104 longer at low voltage values.

For values of the supply voltage whose magnitude 104 is less than the voltage threshold, the controllable switch 71 may each be switched to the _on -state for a _on- time 93 which is greater than the _on- time 92 for larger amounts the supply voltage. Since a phase gating 106 is present, a second duration 105, in which the T _on time has the higher value 93, is longer than the first duration 95, if there is no phase gating and no phase portion.

By monitoring the time duration in which the T _on time, the T _off time, or another parameter such as the switching cycle duration of the controllable THD reduction switch 71 is changed because the magnitude of the supply voltage | U _s | is small, it can be determined whether a phase angle and / or a phase section is present.

Even if in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 By way of example, the operation of the operating circuit according to an embodiment in connection with a selective increase of T _on time was explained for small amounts of the supply voltage, appropriate techniques can also be used when the T _off time or a switching cycle duration 98, 99 depending on the amount the supply voltage | U _s | will be changed.

FIG. 5 shows a sequence of half-waves 112-114 of the supply voltage 111. A half-wave 112 has no phase angle and no phase portion. Another half-wave 113 has a phase angle 115. Another half-wave 114 has a phase angle 116.

The power factor correction circuit 62 may be configured such that a parameter, eg, the T _on time of the controllable switch 71, is changed while the amount of the supply voltage is less than a voltage threshold, ie, the supply voltage is in a range 119.

FIG. 5 also shows a logical value L _inc which indicates whether there is an increase in the _on time each time. For half-waves without phase angle and phase section, the T _on time is increased in each case during a first duration 95. For half-waves 113, 114 with phase gating 115, 116 or phase section, the T _on time is respectively increased during a second duration 105, which is longer than the first duration 95.

Depending on the time duration in which the T _on time is respectively increased by the power factor correction circuit 62, half-waves without phase angle can be distinguished from half-waves with phase angle. Depending on the time duration in which the T _on time is respectively increased by the power factor correction circuit 62, half-waves without phase section of half-waves with phase section can be distinguished.

Information about the performance of the power factor correction circuit 62 may be detected in different ways by the controller 65. For example, the power factor correction circuit 62 may receive a signal 121 as shown in FIG FIG. 5 is shown. The signal 121 may be provided by the semiconductor integrated circuit 70 of the power factor correction circuit 62. The signal 121 may have different signal levels to indicate whether the _on time is just increased to decrease the THD or not. The signal 121 can be evaluated by the control device 131.

A control loop of the power factor correction circuit 62 may also set at least one flag indicating whether an increase in the _on time with a first duration 95, as represented by the pulse 122, or an increase in the T _on - Time with a second longer duration 105, as represented by the pulses 125, 126, is present. The control device can process this information further.

A distinction of half-waves with phase control or phase section of half-waves without phase angle and phase section can not only be made dependent on the change in T _on time. For example, such a discrimination may also be made when the T _off time or a switching cycle duration by the power factor correction circuit 62 is dependent on the magnitude of the supply voltage | U _s | is changed, so that it can be determined how long the amount of supply voltage | U _s | is less than a voltage threshold.

FIG. 6 Fig. 12 illustrates in block diagram 130 how operational circuit 50 according to one embodiment may utilize logic information present in a PFC controller to detect phase gating and / or phase portions. For example, a PFC controller 131 may provide a signal 121 that indicates when the _on- time or other parameter of the power factor correction circuit 62 is changed to reduce the THD. A detection component 132 can evaluate the signal 121 in order to determine for each half-wave of the supply voltage in each case whether it has a phase angle and / or a phase section. For this purpose, the duration in which the T _on time is changed in each case can be compared to a time threshold value which allows a distinction to be made between the first duration 95 and the second duration 105.

The PFC control 131 and the detection component 132 may be implemented in different elements of the operation circuit 51. For example, the PFC control 131 may be implemented in the semiconductor integrated circuit 70 of the power factor correction circuit 62. The detection component 132 may be implemented in the controller 65. The PFC control 131 and the detection component 132 may also be combined in only one semiconductor integrated circuit.

FIG. 7 Fig. 12 illustrates in block diagram 130 how operational circuit 50 according to one embodiment may utilize logic information present in a PFC controller to detect phase gating and / or phase portions. For example, a PFC controller 131 may set at least one flag that is evaluated by the detection component 132.

The operating circuit 51 may include a memory for at least one bit 133, 134 in which the PFC controller 131 may set a flag. For example, the PFC control 131 may set a flag indicating that a half-wave causes the T _on- time to increase by the first duration 95 by the power factor correction circuit 62. The PFC controller 131 may alternatively or additionally set a flag indicating that a half-wave causes the T _on- time to increase by the second duration 105 by the power factor correction circuit 62 so that a phase angle or phase portion is detected.

By the combination of two flags, a first flag of which is the presence or absence of an increase in the _on time by the first duration 95 by the power factor correction circuit 62, and a second flag of which is the presence or absence of an increase in the _on time second duration 105 by the power factor correction circuit 62, the error rate can be reduced.

The flag or flags may be read by the detection component 132.

As for FIG. 6 can also be described in the implementation of FIG. 7 the PFC control 131 and the detection component 132 may be implemented in different elements of the operating circuit 51. For example, the PFC control 131 may be implemented in the semiconductor integrated circuit 70 of the power factor correction circuit 62. The detection component 132 may be implemented in the controller 65. The PFC control 131 and the detection component 132 may also be combined in only one semiconductor integrated circuit.

Embodiments of the invention can be used both when a parameter of the power factor correction circuit, for example the T _on time and / or the T _off time for the controllable switch 71 is changed stepwise, as well as when the T _on time and / or the T _off time is continuously changed as a function of the magnitude of the supply voltage.

Even if in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 By way of example, a PFC controller 131 is shown, instead of the PFC controller 131, a PFC control can also be used.

FIG. 8th FIG. 12 exemplarily shows a step-like variation of the _on- time 140 by the power factor correction circuit 62 when the magnitude of the supply voltage falls below a voltage threshold value 141. The logical information as to when or for what duration the T _on time is increased in each case can be used by the control device 65 to detect half-waves with a phase angle and / or a phase section.

FIG. 9 shows by way of example a steady change of T _on- time 145 by the power factor correction circuit 62 as a function of the magnitude of the supply voltage. In this case, the duration in which the _on- time 145 for a half-wave of the supply voltage falls below the T _on- time associated with a voltage threshold 145 may still be used to detect the presence of phase slices and / or phase slices ,

FIG. 10 FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method 150. The method 150 may be automatically performed by the operating circuit 51 according to one embodiment. The method 150 may be performed to determine, depending on a behavior of the power factor correction circuit 62, for each of a plurality of half-waves, whether the half-wave has a phase angle and / or phase portion, respectively.

At step 151, a behavior of a power factor correction circuit 62 is detected. Detecting the behavior may include evaluating a signal 121 indicating when each parameter of the power factor correction circuit 62 is selectively changed depending on the magnitude of the supply voltage. Detecting the behavior may include evaluating at least one flag set by the power factor correction circuit 62.

At step 152, it may be determined whether the performance of the power factor correction circuit 62 is for a half-wave having a phase angle and / or phase portion is characteristic. For example, a duration in which the _on time, the _off time, or another parameter for reducing the THD is reduced may be compared to a time threshold.

At step 153, the transmitted control signal may be selectively decoded from the phase gating and / or phase section if there is a half-wave with phase gating and / or phase portion.

The process may return to step 151.

FIG. 11 illustrates how the operating circuit 51 can evaluate phase sections to decode a control signal.

A voltage applied to the operating circuit 51 of the lamp supply voltage 160 has a plurality of half-waves 161-168. Several of the half-waves have phase sections. The phase sections are generated by the device 14 such that a logical "0" or a logical "1" can be coded, for example, by the presence or absence of a phase section in the case of a half-wave. A first half-wave 161 of the series of half-waves may have a phase section 171. As a result, a start bit of a data packet can be coded. At least one half wave 168 of the series of half waves may include a phase portion 178 to indicate the end of the data packet. For the intermediate halfwaves 162-167, phase portions may be selectively generated to transmit a dimming value, a color value or another bit sequence. For example, with the phase sections 172, 173, 174, and 176 of the half-waves 162, 163, 164, and 166, one bit value, e.g. a logical "1", to be encoded. Due to the absence of phase sections 175 and 177 at the other half-waves 165 and 167, a different bit value, e.g. a logical "0", to be encoded. Other embodiments are possible. For example, instead of a target value for a brightness or a color that is to be approached in a crossfade operation by the operating device, only information about it in the data packet is transmitted as to whether a brightness value, a color value or another manipulated variable should be incremented or decremented.

The evaluation circuit, which monitors the received supply voltage for the presence of phase gates and / or phase sections, is implemented in the operating circuit 51 such that information about the behavior of the power factor correction circuit 62 is used to indicate the presence or absence of phase gating and / or phase portions, respectively. The operating circuit 51 may detect the start of a data packet based on at least one phase gating or phase portion. The operating circuit 51 can determine the control command transmitted with the data packet, for example a target value of a manipulated variable. The operating circuit 51 sets the control command, for example, by approaching the target value of the manipulated variable with a transition time. If an instruction for incrementing or decrementing the manipulated variable, which is coded in a series of phase sections and / or phase sections, is transmitted with the data packet, the operating circuit 51 can likewise perform a corresponding crossfading procedure.

Other exemplary control functions may be performed. For example, the operating circuit 51 may transmit status information concerning the operating circuit 51 or the lighting means 52 in response to a control signal encoded in a sequence of phase slices and / or phase slices.

As in FIG. 11 shown schematically, phase sections or phase cuts can be generated both for half-waves with a positive sign and half-waves with a negative sign in the transmission of the data packet. In other embodiments, phase sections or phase cuts may be selectively generated only for halfwaves with a sign.

A variety of other embodiments may be used to generate and evaluate control signals. For example, control signals need not be encoded in a sequence of phase sections or phase slices. A manipulated variable or a change of a manipulated variable may, for example, also be coded in a length of a phase angle or phase section which is determined by the operating circuit as described above.

The operating circuit 51 and the lighting means 52 according to embodiments may have different configurations. For example, a luminaire 50 that includes the operating circuit 51 according to an embodiment may be configured as an LED lamp. The LED lamp may include a socket 161 and a translucent material 162. The translucent material 162 may at least partially surround the illuminant 52.

While embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, modifications may be made in other embodiments. For example, the functions of the controller 65 may be performed by a plurality of separate circuits.

While embodiments have been described in which the _on- time is varied depending on an amount of the supply voltage, changes in other parameters of the power factor correction circuit depending on an amount of the supply voltage may also be used to detect phase cuts and / or phase portions. The _off- time, a quotient of _on- time and _off- time or a switching cycle duration of the controllable switch 71 are exemplary of such parameters.

While embodiments have been described in which the power factor correction circuit includes the topology of a boost converter, the embodiments may also include other power factor correction circuit topologies. For example, the power factor correction circuit may be designed as a flyback converter.

Methods and devices according to embodiments can be used in operating devices for lighting, for example in an LED converter.

Claims (16)

1. Operating circuit for a light source (52) comprising:

   - an input (60) for receiving a supply voltage (111; 160),

   - a power factor correction circuit (62), and

   - control device (65) configured to control the operating circuit (51) as a function of control signals, which are encoded in phase sections (115, 116) and/or phase sections (171, 172, 176, 176, 177) of the supply voltage (111; 160),

   characterized in that
   the control device (65) is configured to detect a phase section (115, 116) and/or phase section (171, 172, 176, 178) as a function of a behavior of the power factor correction circuit (62).
2. Operating circuit according to claim 1,

   - wherein the power factor correction circuit (62) comprises a controllable switch (71), and

   - wherein the control device (65) is configured to detect the phase section (115, 116) and/or phase section (171, 172, 176, 178), respectively, as a function of the timing of switching operations of the controllable switch (71) of the power factor correction circuit (62).
3. Operating circuit according to claim 2,
   wherein the control device (65) is configured to detect the phase section (115, 116) and/or the phase section (171, 172, 176, 178) as a function of information on a parameter of the power factor correction circuit (62), wherein the parameter is dependent on

   - a T_on time (92, 93) during which the controllable switch (71) of the power factor correction circuit (62) is switched to an on-state,

   - a T_off time (96, 97) during which the controllable switch (71) of the power factor correction circuit (62) is switched to an off- state, or

   - a switching cycle period (98, 99) of the controllable switch (71) of the power factor correction circuit (62).
4. Operating circuit according to claim 3,
   wherein the power factor correction circuit (62) is configured to change the parameter to the power factor correction at least at a null point of the supply voltage (111; 160).
5. Operating circuit according to claim 4,
   wherein the control device (65) is configured to detect the phase section (115, 116) and/or the phase section (171, 172, 176, 178) independently of a period (95, 105) when the parameter is changed at the null point of the supply voltage (111; 160).
6. Operating circuit according to claim 3 or 4,
   wherein the power factor correction circuit (62) is configured to increase the T_on time when an amount of the power supply voltage (111; 160) is lower than a voltage threshold value (141), and
   wherein the control device (65) is configured to detect the phase section (115, 116) and/or phase section (171, 172, 176, 178), respectively, as a function of a period (95,105) during which the T_on time is increased.
7. Operating circuit according to claim 5 or 6,
   wherein the control device (65) is configured to detect the phase section (115, 116) and/or phase section (171, 172, 176, 178) as a function of at least one state signal (121) of the power factor correction circuit (62),
   wherein the at least one state signal (121) is indicated, or wherein it may be deduced from the at least one state signal whether the period (95, 105) is less than or greater than a time threshold value.
8. Operating circuit according to claim 7,
   wherein the power factor correction circuit (62) comprises an integrated semiconductor circuit (70) to control the controllable switch (71), which is configured to generate the at least one state signal (121).
9. Operating circuit according to claim 7 or 8,
   wherein the at least one state signal is represented by at least two bits of a memory device (133, 134) of the operating circuit (51).
10. Operating circuit according to one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the control device (65) is configured to detect respectively whether a phase section (171, 172, 176, 178) and/or a phase section (171, 172, 176, 178) is present for a plurality of half waves (112-114; 161-168) of the supply voltage (111; 160), in order to receive a control signal encoded in a binary sequence.
11. Operating circuit according to one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the control device (65) is configured to carry out a procedure as a function of the control signals, and which is selected from a group consisting of:

    - a dimming process,

    - a color control, and

    - a transmission of status information.
12. Operating circuit according to claim 11, comprising:

    - a converter (63) connected to the power factor correction circuit (62),

    - wherein the control device (65) is configured to control the converter (63) as a function of the control signals.
13. Operating circuit according to one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the operating circuit (51) is an LED converter.
14. Luminaire comprising

    - a light source (52) comprising at least one light emitting diode (53), and

    - an operating circuit according to one of the preceding claims, which is connected to the light source (52).
15. Method for detecting a control signal which is generated in phase sections (115, 116) (115, 116) and/or phase sections (171, 172, 176, 178) of a supply voltage (111,160) of an operating circuit (51) for a light source (52),
    wherein the operating circuit (51) comprises a power factor correction circuit (62),
    wherein the method comprises:

    - controlling the operating circuit (51) as a function of a detected phase section (115, 116) and/or phase section (171, 172, 173, 176, 178)

    characterized in that
    the method further comprises the step of detecting a phase section (115, 116) and/or a phase section (171, 172, 173, 176, 178) as a function of a behavior of the power factor correction circuit (62).
16. Method according to claim 15,
    which is carried out by the operating circuit (51) according to one of claims 1 to 13 or by the luminaire (50) according to claim 14.

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