EP4074591A2 - Light unit for mounting in a marine headlight - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting unit for installation in a ship's headlight, the lighting unit being characterized by a light colour, a luminous flux and an illumination area and comprising a first controllable light source for generating a first luminous flux, the first light source forming a first light area and at least a second controllable one Light source for generating a second luminous flux, the second light source forming a second light-emitting surface; The invention is characterized in that an overall luminous area is formed from the luminous areas of the first and at least the second luminous source.

Description

The present invention relates to a lighting unit for mounting in a ship's searchlight. In addition, the present invention relates to a ship's searchlight.

Headlights or work lights are known in principle and can be designed differently depending on the area of application.

In principle, headlights have light-generating means that are known as light sources or also as light sources. These can be designed in different ways, for example as a halogen lamp, fluorescent lamp, gas discharge lamp or as a light-emitting diode (LED).

Headlights are typically characterized by a large number of parameters. A well-known parameter is the so-called divergence.

Divergence is a term from optics and describes a measure of the opening angle of a beam path emitted by a light source or headlight.

Headlamps are known in which the opening angle of the beam path, ie the divergence, can be changed if necessary using a mechanical adjusting device.

Known mechanical adjusting devices adjust the distance between the light source and an optical system arranged in front of the light source or the distance between two optical elements within such an optical system in order to adapt the beam path of the headlight by mechanical adjustment.

It is true that an often precise and stepless adjustment of the divergence can be achieved in this way. The problem for use on ships, however, is that such mechanical adjusting devices can suffer defects due to the special conditions prevailing there.

In addition, on ships often only a repair - if possible - can be considered to restore the function in the event of a defect, and due to a lack of availability, an exchange is only possible again during the docking time in a port with the corresponding supply of spare parts. This is particularly troublesome in the case of searchlights associated with a ship's safety device.

On the one hand, external influences such as swell and wind can cause vibrations and lateral acceleration on the headlight, causing defects in the adjustment device or adjustment mechanism of a headlight. In addition, such mechanical systems tend to develop defects more quickly in environments in which mechanical vibrations act on the headlight and accordingly on the adjustment mechanism. Such an environment is regularly present on commercial shipping ships, since these are usually driven by large (diesel) engines that cause all parts of the ship to vibrate permanently.

At the same time, another challenge in ship applications is that searchlights on ships are sometimes used for very different purposes. For the aforementioned reasons, usually different headlights are used or purchased for different purposes. For example, spotlights or floodlights (with great divergence), searchlights (with little divergence), signal lights (with little divergence and possibly switchable colored light and possibly shutter function), spotlights are found on ships (with great divergence) or the so-called Suez searchlight (with a split double beam to illuminate the embankment on port and starboard and to avoid dazzling the preceding or oncoming vehicle). This large number of different ship searchlights is expensive to purchase, maintain and install and is therefore disadvantageous.

Thus, in addition to the requirement for a robust system, there is also a need to provide a spotlight that is suitable for ships and has the widest possible range of use.

The object of the present invention is therefore to address one of the problems mentioned above, to improve the general prior art or to provide an alternative to what was previously known. In particular, a solution is to be provided with which a robust adjustment of a divergence of a headlight is made possible and a wide range of applications for ship applications is made available.

According to the invention, a lighting unit according to claim 1 is proposed.

Accordingly, a lighting unit for mounting in a ship's headlight is proposed. The lighting unit is therefore prepared or set up to be installed in a ship's searchlight. A working headlight or searchlight that is suitable for use on a ship can also be understood synonymously as a ship headlight.

The lighting unit is characterized by a light color, a luminous flux and an illumination area. These are known parameters with which a light source or light source can be characterized. The light color is a technical term from optics and describes the color of a self-illuminating light source, in this case the light color of the lighting unit. Known light colors are, for example, white, e.g. B. warm white or neutral white, or red, green or blue. It goes without saying that different light colors can be assigned to different wavelength ranges. The luminous flux is also a technical term from optics and describes a quantity that indicates how much light a light source produces per unit of time, so basically how bright or dark the light unit emits light. The illumination area describes the area illuminated by the lighting unit. It goes without saying that the illumination area depends on the beam angle of the lighting unit and the distance from the illuminated object.

The lighting unit comprises a first and at least one second controllable lighting source, a lighting source board, a lighting control unit and an optical lens. It is therefore proposed that the lighting unit is a part of the ship's searchlight in an assembled state and is formed from at least the aforementioned electrical and mechanical components. The lighting unit is therefore designed accordingly with the means mentioned for generating light and can be part of a headlight or be accommodated therein.

A light source is a light-generating means, as described above, and is designed, for example, as an LED or as a plurality of LEDs.

The first controllable light source is set up to generate a first luminous flux, with the first light source forming a first light-emitting surface. A first light source is therefore proposed, the luminous flux of which can be controlled, that is to say the brightness of which can be controlled, for example by a control unit. In addition, the first light source forms a light-emitting surface, a light-emitting or luminous surface area being referred to as a light-emitting surface. With regard to an LED, the luminous surface can also be understood as the LED chip size and thus describes the surface area on which the LED lights up or emits light.

The at least second controllable light source is set up to generate a second luminous flux, with the second light source forming a second light-emitting surface. It is therefore proposed to provide at least one additional light source, ie at least one additional light source to the first light source. This at least one additional light source is also controllable and has a light area as described above for the first light source. the the two light sources can be controlled jointly or independently of one another, for example by a control unit that controls the power supply to the light sources. It goes without saying that the wording at least one second light source means that further light sources can also be provided, for example a third or fourth light source in addition to the second light source, these being essentially designed like the second light source.

In addition, a light source circuit board is provided for attaching the light sources. The light source board is a support structure for the light sources, to which the light sources described above are attached. The light source circuit board can, for example, be in the form of a printed circuit board on which the light sources are attached and connected. The light source circuit board is thus used at least for the mechanical fastening of the light sources and is preferably also used for the electrical connection of the light sources to a controller and for the power supply of the light sources. Additionally or alternatively, the light source circuit board is also set up for cooling the light sources, ie the heat generated by the light sources is to be dissipated via a cooling section.

In addition, a light control unit is provided for controlling the first and second light source, this being mounted on the light source circuit board in a particularly preferred embodiment. A control unit or controller is therefore proposed which is set up to control the light sources. The lighting control unit controls the luminous flux of the first and second light sources, ie the brightness of the light sources. The light control unit controls the light sources independently and for this purpose can be formed, for example, from an overall control or a plurality of individual controls which generate independent control signals for the light sources. For example, the light control unit is designed as an LED controller that independently controls the luminous flux of the light sources with a pulse width control. The lighting control unit is preferably set up to receive signals or switching commands, for example a default signal for an operating mode to be set. It goes without saying that the light sources are accordingly supplied with a current.

In addition, the lighting unit includes an optical lens, which has a lens surface and an optical axis. The lens surface designates a surface area of the optical lens through which the light generated by the light sources passes. The optical axis designates the axis of symmetry of a rotationally symmetrical optical system, in this case the axis of symmetry of the optical lens. The optical axis extends centrally through the lens.

In addition, a total luminous area is formed from the luminous areas of the first and at least the second luminous source. The total luminous area therefore corresponds to a sum of the luminous areas of the light sources.

In this case, the first light source is arranged essentially centered on the optical axis and has a first etendue. It is therefore proposed that the first light source is arranged in the middle and centered on the optical axis of the lens. The etendue is a technical term from optics. The etendue measures the extension of a bundle of rays. It is made up of the cross section and the solid angle of the bundle of rays.

In addition, it is proposed that at least the second light source is arranged decentrally in relation to the optical axis and adjacent to the first light source and has a second etendue. The first etendue of the first light source is smaller than the second etendue of the second light source. It is therefore proposed to arrange the second light source in the immediate vicinity of the first light source, adjacently, with the second light source having a smaller etendue, ie having a smaller extended radiation angle. The light sources and the optical lens are arranged in such a way that the light generated by both light sources passes through the optical lens or through the lens surface. Due to the central arrangement of the first light source, the light from the first light source essentially passes through the lens surface in a central area and the light from the second light source, in comparison to the first light source, passes through the lens surface in a decentralized area. It goes without saying that the lens surface is sufficiently large so that the light from both light sources passes through the optical lens or through the lens surface.

The lighting control unit is also set up to set a first illumination mode, in which the first luminous flux is switched on and the second luminous flux is switched off, in order to set a focused first illumination cone with a first divergence. In the first illumination mode, the first light source is therefore switched on and the second light source is switched off. Accordingly, in particular due to the arrangement of the first light source on the optical axis, as described above, the light generated by the first light source passes through the optical lens in a central area. A focused first illumination cone with a first divergence is thus established, which is generated by the first light source. The divergence is a term from optics and, as described above, describes a measure of the opening angle of the beam path that the light source emits.

In addition, the lighting control unit is set up to set a second illumination mode, in which the second luminous flux is switched on, in order to set a second illumination cone with a second divergence in the second illumination mode, which is greater than the first divergence. Accordingly, because of the decentralized arrangement to the optical axis and because of the adjacent arrangement to the first light source, the light from the second light source passes through the optical lens in a decentralized area. By connecting the second light source to the first light source, the divergence of the generated illumination cone of the light unit increases.

The invention is thus based on the finding that a purely electrical adjustment of the divergence is possible by switching the second light source on or off in relation to the first light source. Due to the central arrangement of the first light source in relation to the adjacent decentralized second light source, the divergence of the light unit can be increased if the second light unit is switched on in addition to the first light source. This corresponds to the second illumination mode. The divergence can also be reduced when switching from the second illumination mode to the first illumination mode. The divergence is therefore controlled accordingly by increasing or reducing the total luminous surface or by controlling the luminous flux of the first and second luminous sources. The control is carried out by the light control unit, which preferably receives control commands that are specified, for example, by a user on an operating unit.

It goes without saying that the optical lens and the light sources are arranged in such a way that the light generated by both light sources passes through the optical lens. In addition, it goes without saying that the optical lens is sufficiently large to set a second illumination cone with a greater divergence in the second illumination mode than in the first illumination mode. Furthermore, it goes without saying that a power supply or energy supply is provided in order to operate the light sources, for example in the form of an electrical storage device or in the form of an electrical supply network.

In addition, depending on the number of additional light sources to the first light source, several different divergences can be set, for example with two additional light sources to the first light source, three divergences can be set, etc.

A purely electrical change in the divergence of an illumination cone is thus provided, in that the luminous current of the various luminous sources is controlled. A very robust system for adjusting a divergence is thus provided that is less susceptible to permanent mechanical vibrations and can also be used flexibly by switching the light sources on and off.

The optical lens is preferably designed as a collimator. It is therefore proposed to design the optical lens as a collimator, which is used to generate light with an approximately parallel beam path from a divergent light source. This enables uniform illumination over greater distances, for example to illuminate the surrounding area.

In a further embodiment, the first light source is designed as a single high-power LED. A high power LED is also known as an H-LED or High Power LED. The regular LED nominal current is basically 20 mA. An LED with a rated current of more than 20mA can be called a high power LED. In addition, H-LEDs are mostly mounted on a heat sink or prepared for mounting on a heat sink. Next to it have H-LEDs greater brightness than conventional LEDs. In addition or as an alternative, it is proposed that the second light source is formed from a large number of high-power LEDs. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a nominal luminous flux of the first light source is greater than a nominal luminous flux of the second light source. It is therefore proposed to use the first light source as a centrally arranged main light source, ie as a primary light source. This reduces the demands on the adjacent light sources. In addition, the use of a large number of high-power LEDs, which are arranged around the first light source, means that the light unit forms a uniform light cone. This is more pleasant for the visual perception. It goes without saying that the H-LEDs are correspondingly designed with cooling elements in order to dissipate generated heat and can be correspondingly controlled independently or jointly by the lighting control unit.

The first controllable light source is preferably designed to be dimmable and the light control unit is set up to change the first luminous flux as a function of a dimming signal. Additionally or alternatively, the second controllable light source is dimmable and the light control unit is set up to change at least the second luminous flux as a function of the or a dimming signal. Accordingly, it is proposed that the luminous flux of the first light source and the second light source is not only switched on or off, but intermediate stages can also be set via a dimming function. The dimming signal can, for example, by a user of the headlight at a control unit, z. B. an input display on the headlight, or on an input unit, z. B. a knob on the headlight, are specified, which is received as a control signal from the light control unit. The dimming signal is therefore a control signal that is specified, for example, for the lighting control unit. In this way, the brightness of the headlight can be regulated in order to set a needs-based illumination. If both light sources are designed to be dimmable, mixed operation of the light sources can be implemented and, for example, the first light source can be readjusted in relation to the second light source.

In a further embodiment it is proposed that the second light source is arranged essentially within a ring-shaped area on the light source circuit board and the first light source is arranged in an inner area of the ring-shaped area. In a preferred embodiment, the annular surface is coaxial with the optical axis. A ring-shaped arrangement of the second light source enables particularly uniform illumination. If a large number of light sources are used in addition to the first light source, a number of independent light rings are arranged around the first light source. In this way, more than two different divergences can be set, for example when using three light rings, three different divergences, etc.

The lighting control unit is preferably set up to set a worklight mode in the second illumination mode, in which the first and second light sources emit a luminous flux and the first luminous flux is less than the second luminous flux, in order to illuminate the first light source in the worklight mode with a lower brightness than the to operate a second light source. This light mode is particularly pleasing to the eye. The specification of this mode can be triggered by a specification signal that is received from the lighting control unit.

The lighting control unit is preferably set up to set a rapid flash mode in which the first luminous flux and additionally or alternatively at least the second luminous flux are controlled such that flashes of light are emitted by the first or second luminous source at predetermined time intervals. In a preferred embodiment, the time intervals and, additionally or alternatively, a light flash brightness can be set by a default signal. It is therefore proposed to operate the lighting unit in a stroboscopic operating mode if required. A control mode for averting danger is thus provided. In a particular embodiment, it is proposed that the luminous flux of the first light source and additionally or alternatively the luminous flux of the second light source be operated briefly with a pulsed luminous flux that is above a nominal luminous flux of the first light source or second light source is located. A deliberate overloading of the light sources in the rapid flash mode is therefore permitted in order to generate flashes of light with increased brightness. The time intervals between the light flashes can also be referred to as the frequency, and the light flash brightness corresponds to the luminous flux generated by the light sources in the rapid flash mode.

In addition, it is preferably proposed that the second light source has two opposite LEDs in a horizontal direction, preferably H-LEDs, and the light control unit is set up to set an environment mode with the opposite LEDs, in which the luminous flux of the first light source is opposite to the luminous flux of the second Luminous source is reduced in order to set a split illumination or a split headlight light in a horizontal direction in the environment mode. The light emitted by the lighting unit is therefore of different brightness in a horizontal direction in this operating mode. It is therefore proposed that a pincer light is set with the lighting unit by means of the two opposite and horizontally arranged LEDs. This mode can be set when, for example, a canal is being navigated and a ship is approaching head-on. In this case, the environment mode can be activated. The first light source switches off or is at least operated with a reduced luminous flux, so that frontal illumination no longer takes place and the oncoming ship is not dazzled as a result. Lateral illumination is provided by the operation of the laterally and horizontally arranged LEDs, for example in order to illuminate the side edges of a duct. It goes without saying that this embodiment is also possible, if required, with a control of one of the two LEDs described above, in order to provide illumination in only one direction.

In a further embodiment, it is proposed that the second light source has two opposite colored LEDs in a horizontal direction and the light control unit is set up to set a leading light mode with the colored horizontally opposite LEDs, in which the first and the second light source are activated by a different light color are characterized to be three in a horizontal direction in the leading light mode set different colored light emission sectors. In a specific example, the first light source is designed as a white LED and the two opposite colored LEDs are designed as green and red. In a particularly preferred embodiment, colored H-LEDs are provided. With the horizontal arrangement of the colored LEDs, the spotlight can be used as a leading light or guide light. A leading light is a special beacon that is used in shipping to indicate a fairway area to a watercraft. A beacon is a special beacon used in shipping to indicate different colored sectors to mark a fairway.

It is preferably proposed that the light control unit is set up to set an overload mode in which the first light source and additionally or alternatively at least the second light source are operated with an overload luminous flux for an overload period, with an overload luminous flux being present when a generated thermal output of the light source is greater than one dissipated light source heat output. Here, the effect is used that modern semiconductor LEDs can be briefly overloaded in a short-term operation, which is also known as pulsed operation. The overload duration is to be understood as a maximum duration that a lighting unit or a lighting source can be operated in the overload mode without thermal damage occurring to it. Because the heat energy generated in the light sources in overload mode is greater than the heat energy dissipated, the light sources heat up. In order to prevent the light sources from overheating, it is proposed to introduce the overload duration as a limit value or switch-off or switching condition. It is proposed that the light sources be briefly allowed to heat up as desired, namely briefly for the overload period and accordingly to leave the overload mode again when the overload period is reached. It goes without saying that the duration of the overload can vary depending on the design of the LED and the cooling. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the overload duration is a predetermined duration and is stored as a threshold value in the control unit, for example in the lighting control unit. The overload period is additionally or alternatively a temperature-dependent period of time that is present, for example, until a measured light source temperature value reaches a predetermined limit temperature value. It goes without saying that temperature sensors for temperature monitoring of the lighting units or the lighting sources are arranged for this purpose in order to determine the lighting source temperature value. The light source temperature value thus describes a temperature value which is determined at at least one light source, for example by a direct temperature measurement at the light source or in the vicinity of the light source. The limit temperature value is to be understood as a maximum permissible temperature value of the light source. The lighting unit exits the overload mode when the overload time period is reached. The overload duration is therefore to be understood as a duration limit value which, as described above, can be time-dependent or temperature-dependent. The light source heat output generated is the heat output generated by the respective light source. The dissipated light source heat output is a heat output that is dissipated from the respective light source via a cooling section or a heat sink. As a rule, the heat output that is dissipated is greater than the heat output generated by the light sources so that they are not thermally damaged. In this way, free heat storage capacity of the cooling elements can be used for the overload mode. In the overload mode, brief heating of the light sources is deliberately allowed for a specific time by being operated with an overload current that occurs when the heat output generated by the light sources is greater than the heat output dissipated by the light source. It goes without saying that the system is in the thermally steady state for this purpose. The effect is therefore also used that free heat capacities of the cooling section and the light sources are used for the overload mode, but a maximum temperature in the form of a period of time is taken into account.

The overload mode is preferably exited when the overload time period is reached, for example when the predetermined time period stored in the control unit is reached or when a measured light source temperature value reaches the predetermined limit temperature value.

In a further embodiment, the lighting control unit is set up to determine an operating temperature of the first and additionally or alternatively of the second To monitor light source and set a cooling mode when a predetermined maximum temperature is reached, in which one or the heat output of the light source is smaller than a heat dissipation power of the light source. It is therefore proposed that the lighting control unit works as a temperature monitor. It goes without saying that temperature sensors are arranged accordingly on the LEDs or on the cooling elements of the LEDs. These can be part of the lighting control unit and provide their measured temperature values to the lighting control unit using signals. This is advantageous for the overload mode, for example, since the components can be protected from thermal destruction by temperature monitoring. In addition, such thermal monitoring is also advantageous during daytime operation of the headlights when the headlights are operated in a warm environment, for example on a ship in sunny regions near the equator. In this way, thermal destruction or damage to the lighting unit or the lighting sources can be avoided.

It is preferably proposed that the first and additionally or alternatively the second light source comprises at least one colored LED. In this way, ambient lighting can be set with any light colour. When selecting the color of the LED, a particularly sensible wavelength is a wavelength or a wavelength range to which the human eye is very receptive, for example in a wavelength range of approximately 400 to 600 nm, in particular 500 nm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is proposed that at least the second light source is designed with at least one colored LED. If the second light source is designed with one or more colored LEDs, the surrounding illumination is particularly pleasant for the human eye.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, a ship's searchlight is proposed. The ship's headlight comprises at least a first and a second controllable lighting unit for generating a headlight light, the lighting units each being characterized by a light colour, a luminous flux and an illumination area. The light that is generated by all light units in total is referred to as headlight.

In addition, it is proposed that at least one of the lighting units is designed according to one of the above embodiments, as described above.

The ship's searchlight can also be interpreted synonymously as a worklight that is suitable for use on a ship. The ship's searchlight can be in the form of a transportable hand-held searchlight or it can be permanently mounted on the ship and, depending on the type of attachment, it can be in the form of a built-in searchlight or a built-on searchlight. The lighting units generate the spotlight of the ship's spotlight, so they are part of the ship's spotlight and are permanently mounted in the spotlight, for example inside a housing of the ship's spotlight. The ship's searchlight is preferably encapsulated, ie weatherproof.

In a preferred embodiment or alternative embodiment according to the invention, the ship's searchlight has a third controllable lighting unit, the first, second and third lighting units being arranged next to one another in a cluster in a horizontal direction and the second lighting unit being arranged between the first and the third lighting unit. The cluster thus consists of a plurality of lighting units, namely at least of the three lighting units arranged horizontally and next to one another. A cluster can also be thought of as a series of lighting units. A cluster thus describes a number of lighting units, for example two, three or five lighting units, which are arranged adjacent to one another.

In addition, it is proposed that the ship's searchlight has a cluster control unit for controlling the lighting units, which is set up to set a cluster environment mode of the ship's searchlight in which the luminous flux of the second lighting unit is reduced compared to the luminous flux of the first and third light sources in order to be in a cluster environment mode horizontal direction to set a split headlight, or set up a cluster directional light mode of the ship's searchlight, in which the first, second and third lighting units are characterized by a different light color, in order to set three different colored light emitting sectors in a horizontal direction in the cluster directional light mode.

It is therefore proposed, in addition to or as an alternative to the guide light mode or environment mode that is set with a single lighting unit, as described above, to set an environment mode or guide light mode with a plurality of lighting units. Since these two modes take place by controlling a cluster of lighting units, these modes are referred to as cluster environment mode and cluster directing light mode. In a specific example, three lighting units arranged horizontally next to each other form a cluster. It is therefore proposed that the cluster control unit controls the lighting units. For this purpose, the cluster control unit can be embodied as a higher-level controller that is set up to control the lighting control unit. In addition or as an alternative, the cluster control unit can also be formed from a number of light control units that communicate with one another in order to set the cluster environment mode or cluster directing light mode.

The cluster environment mode, with which a pincer light or a split horizontal headlight light is generated, is thus set with the three horizontally arranged lighting units by the second lighting unit being operated with a reduced luminous flux. The first and third lighting units are still active in this mode and are used for lateral illumination in order to provide lateral illumination.

The cluster aiming light mode is therefore set with three horizontally arranged colored light units. It goes without saying that the lighting units are each designed with different light colors, for example red, white and green. The ship's searchlight can be used as a leading light or guide light.

It is preferably proposed that the multiple lighting units are designed as a matrix field, the matrix field being formed from a first operating cluster and a reserve cluster, with the operating cluster and the reserve cluster each being formed from at least two lighting units. In a preferred embodiment, the clusters are formed from at least three lighting units, for example five lighting units each. It is thus proposed that the ship's searchlight consists of at least two clusters is trained. A cluster of several lighting units that is switched on during normal operation is referred to as an operating cluster. The reserve cluster serves as a backup or in case the operational cluster suffers a defect. This increases the reliability of the ship's searchlight.

The lighting units are preferably aligned with the same focus.

In a further embodiment, the ship's searchlight also includes a lighting unit monitoring unit for detecting and monitoring a functional state of the lighting units. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the status of the light sources is monitored. It is therefore proposed to monitor whether the lighting units are working correctly. It goes without saying that the functional state of the lighting units can be monitored in different ways, for example by checking the power consumption or the operating voltage of the lighting sources. It is also understood that the lighting unit monitoring unit is set up accordingly with measuring sensors to monitor the operating state of the lighting units.

In addition, it is preferably proposed that the lighting unit monitoring unit operates as a regulated power source and is set up to control a power supply for the luminous flux regulation of the lighting units depending on the functional state of the lighting units. It is therefore proposed to react to a defect in a lighting unit by adjusting the power supply. If, for example, a lighting unit fails, measures can thus be implemented in order to reduce or avoid damage to the remaining lighting units as a result of the failure and to compensate for the failure of one lighting unit with the other lighting units.

In a further embodiment, the lighting units or some of the lighting units are connected in series for the power supply and the lighting units each have a controllable bridge switching means for bridging a current input and a current output. In this case, the lighting unit monitoring unit is set up to switch the bridge switching means depending on the detected functional state of the lighting sources. In a In a preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the or a lighting unit monitoring unit reduces the power supply in the event of a defective lighting unit to avoid an overload and switches through the respective bridge switching means arranged on the defective lighting unit. For this purpose, the lighting unit monitoring unit works as a controlled power source and is set up to monitor the functional state of the lighting units. The bridge switching means are in the form of electrical switches and are controlled by the lighting unit monitoring unit with a control signal. For example, if a lighting unit fails completely due to a defect, the bridge switching means makes electrical contact with the current input and the current output of the defective lighting unit. The defective lighting unit is thus bypassed. In this way, the operation of the cluster in series connection can be maintained. In addition to bridging, it is proposed to reduce the power supply in the event of a defective lighting unit in order to avoid overloading the remaining lighting units.

The lighting units or a part of the lighting units are preferably connected in parallel for the power supply and the lighting unit monitoring unit keeps the power supply constant in the event of a defective lighting unit and the remaining lighting units are operated with a higher luminous flux in order to implement a constant brightness of the ship's searchlight in the event of a defect in a lighting unit . It is thus proposed that the lighting unit monitoring unit is set up to work as a controlled current source and to keep the current constant if a lighting unit fails. It is usually provided that when there are no light sources connected in parallel, the load current is reduced in order to prevent the other light sources from being overloaded. In the present case, the effect is exploited that certain light sources, such as LEDs, are capable of being overloaded. This effect is used to implement a constant brightness of the ship's searchlight in the event of a defect in a lighting unit by operating the remaining lighting units with a constant current. It goes without saying that if the power supply is kept constant, the other light sources consume more power and shine correspondingly brighter if one of the light units is defective.

The lighting unit monitoring unit is preferably set up to display the detected functional state on a user display of the headlight. It is therefore proposed that a user display is part of the ship's searchlight and that the functional state of the searchlight or the lighting units is displayed on it.

In a further embodiment, the cluster control unit and additionally or alternatively the light control unit are set up to display the currently set operating mode on a user display of the headlight.

Thus, a simple monitoring of the functional status of the headlight and the current operating status can be implemented.

Fig. 1

zeigt schematisch in einer Draufsicht eine Prinzipskizze einer Leuchteinheit in einer Ausführungsform.

Fig. 2

zeigt schematisch in einer Seitenansicht eine Prinzipskizze einer Leuchteinheit in einer Ausführungsform.

The present invention will now be explained in more detail below by way of example using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures, the same reference numbers being used for identical or similar assemblies:

1

shows a schematic plan view of a basic sketch of a lighting unit in one embodiment.

2

shows a schematic side view of a basic sketch of a lighting unit in one embodiment.

1 shows a lighting unit 100 in two different operating modes, namely in a first illumination mode A and in a second illumination mode B.

The lighting unit 100 is provided for installation in a ship's searchlight and is characterized by a light colour, a luminous flux and an illumination area. The lighting unit 100 has a first controllable light source 110 for generating a first luminous flux, the first light source 110 forming a first light-emitting surface 112 . The glow of the luminous surface is in the figure 1 and in the figure 2 illustrated by black coloring. The black area 112 in the figure 1 is therefore a first luminous surface. The first light source 110 is formed as individual high power LEDs, also known as H-LEDs. The first light source 110 is dimmable.

In addition, the lighting unit 100 has a second controllable light source 120 for generating a second luminous flux, the second light source 120 forming a second light-emitting surface 122 . The second light source 120 is formed from a multiplicity of high-power LEDs which have a smaller luminous flux rating than the first light source 120 . The second light source 120 is also dimmable. As can be seen, the second light source 120 is arranged essentially within an annular area on the light source circuit board and the first light source 110 is arranged in the inner region of the annular area, with the annular area being coaxial with the optical axis, which is the case, for example, in FIG figure 2 is illustrated. The shape of the luminous surfaces is shown as round. However, the luminous surfaces can also be of angular design. Ring-shaped therefore means that the second light source is essentially arranged around and adjacent to the first light source.

The lighting unit 100 also includes a light source board 130 for mounting the light sources 110 and 120, which are shown in FIG figure 1 is indicated only schematically as a dotted rectangle. The light source circuit board 130 is designed as a printed circuit board, for example, and thus serves as a supporting structure, for electrical contacting, for powering the light sources and also for cooling. In the figure 2 For example, cooling fins are indicated on the back of the printed circuit board for the purpose of cooling.

The lighting unit 100 also includes a lighting control unit 140 which is also mounted on the light source circuit board 130 and is used to control the first and second light sources 110 and 120 . For this purpose, the lighting control unit 140 is connected to the two lighting units via electrical connections. The light control unit 140 is set up to receive control signals or default signals S _rx and to control the light sources as a function of the signal received. Depending on the control signal S _rx , the light control unit causes the light sources 110, 120 to be dimmed, for example, when a dimming signal is received or a signal for setting a predetermined operating mode is received. A predetermined mode of operation may be illuminate mode, rapid flash mode, flash mode, perimeter mode, leading light mode, overload mode, or cool mode as previously described.

In addition, the lighting unit 100 has an optical lens 150, which is shown in FIG figure 1 not shown due to the plan view. The optical lens 150 is in the figure 2 shown. This can be designed as a collimator, for example. To illustrate the basic principle, the optical lens is shown as a rectangle in the figure 2 shown.

A total luminous area is formed from the luminous areas 112 and 122 of the first and at least the second luminous source 110 or 120, as in FIG figure 1 is recognizable. The luminous surfaces 112 and 122 thus form the total luminous surface.

The lighting control unit 140 is set up to set a first illumination mode A, in which the first luminous flux of the first luminous source 110 is switched on and the second luminous flux of the second luminous source 120 is switched off, in order to set a focused first illumination cone with a first divergence d1. Like in the figure 1 , A, only the luminous surface 112 of the first luminous source 110 lights up.

In addition, the lighting control unit 140 is set up to set a second illumination mode B, in which the second luminous flux of the second light source 120 is switched on, in order to set a second illumination cone with a second divergence d2 in the second illumination mode, which is greater than the first divergence d1. Like in the figure 1 , B, the luminous surface 122 of the second luminous source also lights up in addition to the luminous surface 112 of the first luminous source 110 . For clarity, the entire annular area is black in the figure 1 inked.

Not in the figure 1 it is shown that the first or the second light source 110 or 120 comprise colored LEDs in order to set an environment mode or a guiding light mode, for example.

The change in divergence resulting from switching on and off the light sources 110 and 120 is shown in FIG figure 2 shown.

2 shows a lighting unit 100, such as in FIG figure 1 shown in two operating states, namely in a first illumination mode A and in a second illumination mode B in a side view.

In comparison to figure 1 is in the figure 2 an optical lens 150 with a lens surface and an optical axis is also shown. In addition, the luminous flux emitted by the light sources 110 and 120 is shown in principle.

In addition, a heat sink on the light sources 110 and 120 for heat dissipation is illustrated. Temperature sensors can be arranged on the heat sink, which transmit a measured temperature to the power control unit. The lighting control unit is set up in accordance with the temperature sensors to monitor an operating temperature of the first and second light source and, when a predetermined maximum temperature is reached, to set a cooling mode in which the heat output of the light source is less than the heat output of the light source that is dissipated.

The first light source 110 is arranged substantially centered on the optical axis of the optical lens 150 and has a first etendue. The optical axis is represented by a dashed and dotted line passing through the center of optical lens 150 .

The second light source 120 is arranged decentrally with respect to the optical axis and adjacent to the first light source 110 and has a second etendue. The first etendue of the first light source 110 is smaller than the second etendue of the second light source 120.

As before for figure 1 described, the lighting control unit 140 is set up to set a first illumination mode A, in which the first luminous flux of the first luminous source 110 is switched on and the second luminous flux of the second luminous source 120 is switched off, in order to set a focused first illumination cone with a first divergence d1. Like in the figure 2 , A to recognize, only the luminous surface 112 of the first light source 110 lights up, which the lighting unit 100 generates a first illumination cone with the first divergence d1. The divergence d1 is indicated by a double arrow at the end of the beam path in FIG figure 2 , A illustrated.

In addition, the lighting control unit 140 is set up to set a second illumination mode B, in which the second luminous flux of the second light source 120 is switched on, in order to set a second illumination cone with a second divergence d2 in the second illumination mode, which is greater than the first divergence d1. Like in the figure 2 , B, the luminous surface 122 of the second luminous source 120 also lights up in addition to the luminous surface 112 of the first luminous source 110. The divergence d2 or the opening angle of the beam path shown, which the luminous sources 110 and 120 form, is therefore greater in the second illumination mode B . The divergence d2 is indicated by a double arrow at the end of the beam path in FIG figure 2 , B illustrated.

Thus, a first illumination mode A with a smaller divergence can be set and a second illumination mode B can be set with a greater divergence compared to illumination mode A by driving the first and second light source by means of the lighting control unit 140 . There is therefore a purely electrical adaptation of the divergence without an adjustment mechanism.

Claims (20)

Lighting unit for installation in a ship's searchlight, the lighting unit being characterized by a light colour, a luminous flux and an illumination area and comprising: - A first controllable light source for generating a first luminous flux, the first light source forming a first light-emitting surface; - At least one second controllable light source for generating a second luminous flux, the second light source forming a second light-emitting surface; - a light source board for mounting the light sources; - a lighting control unit, preferably mounted on the lighting source board, for controlling the first and second lighting sources, and - an optical lens, the lens having a lens surface and an optical axis, characterized in that - a total luminous area is formed from the luminous areas of the first and at least the second light source, - the first light source is arranged substantially centered on the optical axis and has a first etendue, - at least the second luminous source is arranged decentralized with respect to the optical axis and adjacent to the first luminous source and has a second etendue, the first etendue being smaller than the second etendue, and - the lighting control unit is set up to a) setting a first illumination mode in which the first luminous flux is on and the second luminous flux is off to set a focused first illumination cone with a first divergence and b) setting a second illumination mode, in which the second luminous flux is switched on, in order to set a second illumination cone with a second divergence which is greater than the first divergence in the second illumination mode. Lighting unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that the optical lens is designed as a collimator. Lighting unit according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first light source is designed as a single high-power LED and/or the second light source is designed from a multiplicity of high-power LEDs, with a nominal luminous flux of the first light source preferably being greater than a nominal luminous flux of the second light source. Lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first controllable light source and/or at least the second controllable light source are dimmable and the light control unit is set up to change the first luminous flux and/or at least the second luminous flux as a function of a dimming signal. Lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second light source is arranged essentially within an annular area on the light source board and the first light source is arranged in the inner region of the annular area, the annular area preferably being coaxial with the optical axis. Lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting control unit is set up to set a work light mode in the second illumination mode, in which the first and the second light source emit a luminous flux and the first luminous flux is smaller than the second luminous flux in order to operate the first light source in the worklight mode with a lower brightness than the second light source. Lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting control unit is set up to set a rapid flash mode in which the first luminous flux and/or at least the second luminous flux is controlled in such a way that flashes of light are emitted by the first or second luminous source at predetermined time intervals be, preferably the time intervals and / or a light flash brightness can be adjusted by a default signal. Lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second light source has two opposite LEDs in a horizontal direction, preferably H-LEDs, and the light control unit is set up to set an environment mode with the opposite LEDs, in which the luminous flux of the first light source is reduced compared to the luminous flux of the second light source in order to set a split illumination in a horizontal direction in the surround mode. Lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second light source has two opposite colored LEDs in a horizontal direction, preferably colored H-LEDs, and the lighting control unit is set up to set a directing light mode with the colored horizontally opposite LEDs, in which the the first and the second light source are characterized by a different light color in order to set three differently colored light emission sectors in a horizontal direction in the guide light mode. Lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting control unit is set up to set an overload mode in which the first light source and/or at least the second light source are operated with an overload luminous flux for an overload period, with an overload luminous flux being present when a generated light source heat output is greater than a dissipated light source heat output, the overload period preferably - is a predetermined period of time and is stored as a threshold value in a control unit, in particular is stored in the lighting control unit and/or - is a temperature-dependent period of time, which lasts in particular until a measured light source temperature value reaches a predetermined limit temperature value. Lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting control unit is set up to monitor an operating temperature of the first and/or second light source and, when a predetermined maximum temperature is reached, to set a cooling mode in which one or the light source thermal output is less than a light source heat dissipation output . Lighting unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and/or the second light source comprise at least one colored LED, wherein preferably at least the second light source is formed with at least one colored LED, in particular in order to illuminate the surroundings with a predetermined light colour. Ship searchlight including: - at least one first and one second controllable lighting unit for generating a headlight, the lighting units each being characterized by a light colour, a luminous flux and an illumination area, characterized in that
at least one of the lighting units is designed according to one of the preceding claims. Ship searchlight according to claim 13 or the preamble of claim 13, characterized in that the ship's searchlight has a third controllable lighting unit, the first, second and third lighting units being arranged next to one another in a cluster in a horizontal direction and the second lighting unit being arranged between the first and the third lighting unit, and a cluster control unit is set up to control the lighting units, - to set a cluster environment mode of the ship's searchlight in which the luminous flux of the second lighting unit is reduced compared to the luminous flux of the first and third lighting sources to set a split headlight light in a horizontal direction in the cluster environment mode, or - to set a cluster light mode of the ship's searchlight, in which the first, second and third lighting units are characterized by a different light color, in order to set three differently colored light emission sectors in a horizontal direction in the cluster light mode. Ship searchlight according to Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the plurality of lighting units are designed as a matrix field, the matrix field being formed from a first operating cluster and from a reserve cluster, the operating cluster and the reserve cluster each being formed from at least two lighting units, preferably from at least three lighting units are formed, in particular are formed from five lighting units each. Ship searchlight according to one of the preceding claims 13 to 15, characterized in that
the lighting units are aligned to the same focus. Ship searchlight according to one of the preceding claims 13 to 16, characterized in that
the ship's searchlight also comprises a lighting unit monitoring unit for detecting and monitoring a functional state of the lighting units, in particular the state of the light sources, and preferably - The lighting unit monitoring unit works as a regulated power source and is set up to control a power supply for luminous flux regulation of the lighting units depending on the functional state of the lighting units. Ship searchlight according to claim 17, characterized in that - the lighting units or a part of the lighting units are connected in series for the power supply and the lighting units each have a controllable bridge switching means for bridging a current input and a current output, and the lighting unit monitoring unit is set up to switch the bridge switching means depending on the detected functional state, and in particular - the or a lighting unit monitoring unit reduces the power supply in the event of a defective lighting unit to avoid an overload and switches through the respective bridge switching means arranged on the defective lighting unit. Ship searchlight according to Claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the lighting units or a part of the lighting units are connected in parallel for the power supply and the lighting unit monitoring unit keeps the power supply constant in the event of a defective lighting unit and the remaining lighting units are operated with a higher luminous flux, in particular around to implement a constant brightness of the ship's searchlight in the event of a defect in a lighting unit. Ship searchlight according to one of Claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the lighting unit monitoring unit is set up to display the detected functional state on a user display of the searchlight and/or
that the cluster control unit and/or the light control unit is set up to display the currently set operating mode on a user display of the headlight.

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