EP3280227A1 - Led lighting unit, and furniture base with a led lighting unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The LED lighting unit has a luminaire housing and at least one luminous means arranged therein with a first group of LEDs having a first color temperature and with a second group of LEDs having a second color temperature different from the first and a switching unit integrated in the luminaire housing via which the first or the second group is switchable.

Description

The invention relates to an LED lighting unit and a furniture floor, in particular a kitchen furniture floor with such an LED lighting unit.

Luminaires equipped with LEDs are increasingly used for a wide variety of lighting situations due to the low energy consumption of the LEDs. Depending on the configuration, LEDs emit light spectra with different color temperatures. These are sometimes referred to as warm white or cold white and so on. In addition to white LEDs, there are also colored LEDs. Furthermore, control devices are known, which can produce virtually any desired overall color emission spectra of a luminaire equipped with different LEDs by mixing differently colored LEDs. However, such control units are usually complex and therefore expensive.

Against this background, the present invention seeks to provide an LED lighting unit, in which a mixture can be cost-effective.

The object is achieved according to the invention by an LED lighting unit with the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are contained in the subclaims.

Such a light unit is used especially for a furniture floor, especially a kitchen furniture floor, for example, to illuminate a work surface.

In this case, the LED lighting unit comprises a luminaire housing in which at least one luminous means is arranged, wherein the at least one luminous means has a first group of LEDs with a first color temperature and furthermore a second group of LEDs with a second color temperature different from the first. Furthermore, a simple switching unit is integrated in the luminaire housing, via which selectively either the first or the second group of LEDs can be connected. Preferably, the switching unit is designed such that only either the first or the second group is switchable. Alternatively, both groups of LEDs can be switched on.

By this measure, a particularly simple and thus inexpensive LED lighting unit is created, which is preferably switchable between exactly 2 color temperatures. The two color temperatures are in particular warm white and cold white light. This embodiment is based in particular on the consideration that, for example, when lighting work surfaces in the kitchen area regularly bright, cool white work light with sufficient illuminance is desired, but at the same time, however, often on the other hand, especially in open kitchens, an ambient lighting is desired. Due to the simply designed LED lighting unit with the switch between warm white light and cold white light, it is therefore possible to switch between work lighting and ambient lighting.

An essential aspect in the present case is also to be seen in the fact that complex control measures, for example a control, for example, for adjusting the intensity of the different LEDs for generating a mixing temperature, are just dispensed with. The switching unit allows only a simple switching between the two color temperatures, which is predetermined by the LEDs of the two groups. The LEDs of each group are each identical.

In principle, it would also be possible to set a mixing temperature by switching on both groups, which automatically takes place by switching on the two groups. Preferably, however, either only the first group or alternatively only the second group can be switched on.

Due to the integration of the switching unit in the luminaire housing, the lighting unit only needs to be connected to a power supply. The connection is preferably via a two-core supply line, as is the case nowadays with recessed luminaires for kitchen furniture or other furniture. This allows for easy installation. The switching unit is generally used to turn on / off the LED lighting unit and to switch between the two groups as needed by the user in everyday life.

In the present case, bulbs are understood to mean, according to common usage, a unit having typically a plurality of LEDs, the unit generally having a base with which it can be plugged or screwed into a corresponding connection socket. Alternatively, the illuminant may also be a so-called LED stripe. The lighting means are preferably so-called radiators with a plug or pin socket, for example a GU10 socket, a G9 socket or also a GU5.3 socket. These bulbs designed as radiators typically have an (MR16) reflector.

Light unit is generally understood to mean the combination of the lamp housing with at least one such lamp, including the required electrical connection components for the lamp. In the simplest case, the luminaire housing is a frame, for example a mounting frame for a recessed luminaire (recessed spotlight). Preferably, however, the lamp housing is a housing for a body mounting, for example on the underside of a bottom of a cabinet or a shelf.

For actuating the switching unit, a manually operable switch is preferably integrated in the lamp housing. This one is specifically one mechanically actuated switch, alternatively also a non-contact switch, for example, an optical switch. Optical switches are basically known, they usually have their own light source (LED). As soon as an object passes in front of this optical switch, for example a finger, a sensor (photodiode) detects the reflected light and switches.

With regard to the manually operable switch, preferably only one switching element is integrated in the luminaire housing, which has a plurality of, in particular exactly three, switching positions. Alternatively, there is also the possibility that, for example, a simple on / off switch is integrated for each group.

As an alternative to the switch integrated in the luminaire housing, it is also possible to provide a (radio) remote control, via which a corresponding control pulse is transmitted to the switching unit integrated in the luminaire housing.

In a particularly expedient embodiment, the first group is formed with the warm white light for a lower illuminance compared to the second group. This measure is based on the fundamental consideration that the one group with the cold white light should serve for a sufficient brightness of a work surface, whereas the second group with the warm white light should only provide for an ambient lighting. This is realized in a simple manner already by a corresponding embodiment of the lamp itself, ie hardware technology. A special control unit, such as a dimmer is not required and preferably not provided. Overall, therefore, the two groups can only be either on or off. A power reduction, for example for dimming or for mixing color temperatures is currently not provided.

Conveniently, the luminous intensity is divided between the two groups of LEDs in a ratio of 80:20 to about 60:40. Preferably, a ratio of 70:30 of the illuminance of the cold white light is set compared to the warm white light. The cool white light therefore knows about the 1, 5 up to 4 times and in particular about 2 to 3 times the illuminance compared to the first group with the warm white LEDs on.

The warm-white LED's are in particular LEDs whose color temperature is between 2,500 K and 3,500 K and in particular about 3,000 K. The cold-white LEDs are LEDs, in which the color temperature is preferably in the range between 3,500 K to 4,500 K and in particular at 4,000 K.

In terms of adequate workplace lighting, the second group of cold white LEDs has a luminous intensity preferably in the range between 400 lux and 600 lux. Illuminance is understood by general definition to be a luminous flux density that strikes an object. In the present case, the specified illuminances are achieved on an illuminated surface at a distance of 0.5 m from the luminous means, wherein the surface within a beam cone is preferably homogeneously illuminated. Each individual lamp of the lighting unit preferably has the specified illuminance.

The setting of the different illuminance levels of the two groups is preferably carried out according to a first embodiment variant by a different number of LEDs of a respective group. Preferably, the different illuminance is set exclusively by the different number of LEDs in a group. Specifically, a respective LED has an at least substantially identical illuminance (at least in the range of +/- 10%), regardless of the color temperature of the respective LED. The individual LEDs therefore preferably also have the same electrical power. The different illuminance is thus adjusted only by the fact that the number of cold white LED's is greater than that of the warm white LED's per bulb. Due to the at least substantially equal performance of the individual LEDs, the ratio of the number of LEDs in the above-mentioned ranges, ie from 80:20 to 60:40, and preferably in the range of about 70:30.

Alternatively or in addition to the setting via the different number of LEDs, an (additional) consumer is integrated within a supply line for the warm white LEDs. This consumer, in particular an electrical resistance, is designed such that for the warm-white LED's overall lower electrical power is available in comparison to the cold white LED's. In this case, it is initially assumed that an equal number of LEDs for the first and second group, again, in each case the individual individual LEDs have in each case at least a substantially equal illuminance and electrical power. Due to the additional consumer or even a larger consumer compared to the supply line of cold white LED's therefore a higher proportion of the electrical energy is consumed in the consumer in the case of the connection of the warm white LED's.

In principle, these two variants can be combined with the special consumer on the one hand and with the different number of LEDs on the other hand.

In general, the individual LEDs of a respective group are uniformly distributed over the surface of the luminous means in order to ensure a uniform, homogeneous illumination of the irradiated surface with the respective light for both illumination cases, on the one hand working light and on the other hand ambient lighting.

The individual LEDs of the two groups are typically arranged on a common circuit board of the luminous means. Each lamp therefore has both groups.

In a preferred embodiment, the lighting unit is designed as a recessed light. This typically has a connection socket for the lamp, for example, an LED lamp with socket, which is usually surrounded by a mounting frame or a mounting plate. The switch is in this case, for example, in the mounting frame, in particular the Integrated mounting plate. As an alternative to the recessed luminaire, the lighting unit is designed as a surface-mounted luminaire, especially as a surface-mounted spotlight.

A respective lighting unit preferably has in each case exactly one lighting means. Alternatively, a lighting unit may also have a plurality of lighting elements, in which case only one switching unit is provided for the entirety of the lighting elements.

Especially in the arrangement of the lighting unit in a furniture floor, especially a kitchen furniture, supply lines to the built-in lighting units are usually performed through small holes in the floor. In order to be able to continue to use the standard bores, which are typically 8 mm, a two-core supply line for the LED lighting unit is provided in a preferred embodiment. By suitable interconnection, the two groups of LEDs are controlled.

Conveniently, it is provided in this case that the switching unit has only the aforementioned three switching positions, so that therefore the lighting unit is readily connectable to the only two-core supply line. Thus, the switching unit only has the switch positions "off", "warm white on", "cold white on". Preferably, the switching unit is designed here as a two-pole changeover switch with zero position. In this case, two switching contacts are each connected to the positive and the negative reference potential of a DC power source. Furthermore, the switch has two switching elements, which can be connected via the switch contacts with those with the two reference potentials, the polarity between the switch contacts depending on the switching position change. The two groups are each incorporated between the two switching elements, wherein the LEDs of the two groups are acted upon depending on the switch position with different polarity, so that either one group or the other group is connected in the direction of flow of the individual LEDs.

In a preferred development, the LED lighting unit with the integrated switching unit is designed as a master lighting unit which can be serially connected to further slave lighting units via a connecting line. The slave lighting units also each have at least one light source with the two groups of LED's with different color temperature. However, only the master light unit has the switching unit. As a result, a scalability of the overall lighting system is achieved in a simple manner by simply a plurality of simple lighting units are arranged in series one behind the other, but which can be switched together via the master lighting unit.

FIG 1

eine Aufsicht auf eine Leuchteinheit,

FIG 2

eine Gruppe von seriell angeordneten Leuchteinheiten mit einer Master-Leuchteinheit und mehreren Slave-Leuchteinheiten,

FIG 3

ein vereinfachtes Schaltbild gemäß einer ersten Variante sowie

FIG 4

ein vereinfachtes Schaltbild gemäß einer zweiten Variante.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. These show in simplified representations:

FIG. 1

a view of a lighting unit,

FIG. 2

a group of serially arranged light units having a master light unit and a plurality of slave light units,

FIG. 3

a simplified circuit diagram according to a first variant and

FIG. 4

a simplified circuit diagram according to a second variant.

The FIG. 1 shows a schematic, highly simplified representation of a plan view of a lighting unit 2. This comprises a luminaire housing 2, in which a first group 4 of first LED's 6 and a second group 8 of second LED's 10 are arranged. The two groups 4, 8 are either switched on or off via a switching unit 12. The switching unit 12 has a common manually operable switch 14. The entire lighting unit 2 is powered by a supply line 18 with energy. The supply line 18 is, in particular, a two-core supply line 18. The supply line 18 is used to connect the lighting unit 2, preferably to the usual household power supply (230V alternating voltage).

The first LEDs 6 are LEDs which emit a light spectrum having a first color temperature of preferably approximately 3000K. The second LEDs 10 are LED's which have a spectrum with a color temperature of preferably 4000 K deliver. By means of the switch 14 can be switched between the two groups and thus between a work lighting and ambient lighting.

In the embodiment according to the FIG. 1 For example, the luminous unit 2 has a luminaire housing 20, which is designed, for example, as a simple, flat-structure plate, in particular a metal plate. This has individual windows for the individual LEDs 6, 10. The individual LEDs 6, 10 are part of one in the FIG. 1 not shown illuminant, which is formed for example as a carrier board with the LED's mounted thereon 6, 10 and other required electronic components.

In the embodiment according to the FIG. 2 is a group of light units 2 shown in plan. The left-outside light unit 2 forms a master light unit with the integrated switching unit 12 and the integrated in the lamp housing 20 switch 14 via connecting lines 22, the other light units are connected, which is so-called slave light units 24. In contrast to the master light unit 2, these have no switching unit 12 and no switch 14.

In the present case, a respective lighting unit 2, 24 has in each case exactly one lighting means 26, which is designed, for example, as a spotlight with plug-in base. The lighting units 2, 24 according to FIG. 2 as well as the lighting unit 2 according to FIG. 1 are usually designed as a construction lighting units.

Based on FIGS. 3, 4 two different circuit variants for setting different illuminances on the one hand for the first group 4 of the warm white LED's and on the other hand for the second group 8 of the cold white LED's are shown.

The individual LEDs 6, 10 are integrated, for example, on a board (not shown here) of the luminous means 26. Via two connection contacts 28a, 28b, the two groups 4, 8 are connected to a DC power supply 19 by means of the switch 14.

Preferably, the lighting unit 2 has an integrated transformer, via which the AC voltage provided via the supply line 18 is converted into DC voltage with suitable voltage.

The switch 14 is designed as a two-pole changeover switch with zero position. For this purpose, the switch 14 has two first switching contacts 30 which are each connected to the positive reference potential and two second terminal contacts 32 which are each connected to the negative reference potential. The switch 14 also has two, which are respectively connected to the terminal contacts 28a and 28b. The switching elements 34a, 34b can be between a zero position (as in the FIGS. 3, 4 shown) and bring a first and second switching position. In the first switching position (deflection to the left) is the first terminal contact 28a on positive and the second terminal contact 28b to negative reference potential. In the second switching position (deflection of the switching elements 34 to the right) there is a reverse polarity.

The two groups 4, 8 are connected to the two connection contacts 28a, 28b such that the LEDs 6, 10 of a respective group 4, 8 are alternately acted upon in the flow direction and in the reverse direction in the first and second switching positions, so that in each case only one group 4, 8 is switched on.

In the embodiment according to the FIG. 3 the number of LEDs 6, 10 of the two groups 4, 8 is identical in each case. The groups 4, 8 are summarized in the exemplary embodiments in subgroups of three LEDs connected in series, wherein in turn a plurality of subgroups are connected in parallel with each other. A respective subgroup has in each case a resistor R1, R2 as a consumer. The resistors R1, R2 of a respective subgroup are typically identical in each case. To set the different luminous intensities, it is now provided that the resistors R1 of the first group 4 are larger as the resistors R2 of the second group 8 of the cold white LED's 10 are. As a result, a lower power is available overall for the first LEDs 6 than for the second LEDs 10. As a result, the different luminous intensities of the two groups 4, 8 are set.

In the embodiment according to the FIG. 4 This is achieved by a different number of LEDs 6, 10. The LEDs have in particular the same or largely the same electrical power. The resistors R1, R2 are also preferably the same.

In both variants, the entire supply voltage is basically applied to one group 4, 8 in each case. Furthermore, in each of the two exemplary embodiments, one (optional) blocking diode 36 is assigned to each group 4.8.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

light unit

4

first LED group

6

LED's

8th

second LED group

10

LED's

12

switching unit

14

switch

18

supply line

20

luminaire housing

22

connecting line

24

Slave light unit

26

Lamp

28a,

b connection contacts

30.32

switch contacts

34a, b

switching element

36

blocking diode

R1, R2

resistance

Claims (15)

LED lighting unit having a luminaire housing and having at least one illuminant arranged therein with a first group of LEDs having a first color temperature and with a second group of LEDs having a second color temperature different from the first and with a switching unit integrated in the luminaire housing via which the first or the second group is switchable. LED lighting unit according to the preceding claim, in which a manually operable switch is integrated in the luminaire housing. LED lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first group is formed for a lower illuminance than the second group. LED lighting unit according to the preceding claim, wherein the luminous intensity is distributed in a range of 80:20 to 60:40 on the two groups of LEDs, in particular in the range of 70:30. LED lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first group of LEDs emits warm white light and the first color temperature is 2500K to 3500K and in particular 3000K and in which the second group of LEDs emits cold white light and the second color temperature at 3500 to 4500K and especially at 4000K. LED lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second group of LEDs has a luminous intensity in the range of 400 to 600 lux. LED lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the different illuminance of the two groups is set by a different number of LEDs of a respective group. LED lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a respective group is connected to a first or second supply line, wherein in the first supply line for the first group with the lower luminous intensity, a consumer is integrated, which is designed such that - Compared to the second group with the higher luminosity - for the LEDs of the first group a lower power is available. LED lighting unit according to the preceding claim, wherein the consumer is at least one resistor which is arranged in series with the LEDs in the supply line LED lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two groups are arranged on a common board of the lighting means. LED lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed as recessed luminaire or as surface-mounted luminaire, especially as recessed spotlights or as surface-mounted spotlights. LED lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, which is supplied with a only two-wire supply line. LED lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the switching unit has only three switching positions, so that switchable between the two groups or all LEDs are switched off. LED lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed as a master light unit and is connectable to further slave light units via a connecting line, each slave light unit identifies each at least one light source with two groups of LEDs with different color temperatures, and wherein only the master light unit has the switching unit. Furniture floor, in particular kitchen furniture floor, with an LED lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims for illuminating a work surface.

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