SE2050248A1

SE2050248A1 - Light emitting diode assembly

Info

Publication number: SE2050248A1
Application number: SE2050248A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Stefan Larsson
Original assignee: Optoga Ab
Priority date: 2020-03-05
Filing date: 2020-03-05
Publication date: 2021-09-06
Also published as: SE545023C2; EP3876674A1

Abstract

A light emitting diode (LED) assembly (2) comprising a LED module (4) that comprises at least one LED, and a high voltage circuitry (6), to receive power supply from a high voltage source and to convert and supply energy to drive said at least one LED, said LED module (4) has a flat and thin extension. The LED assembly (2) comprises:-A connector unit (8) provided with connector pins (10), and a functional module receiving recess (12) shaped and structured to receive and releasably attach a functional module (14) by mechanical cooperation with said functional module (14). The recess (12) is shaped and structured such that said connector pins (10) are positioned to be connected to connecting members (18) of said functional module (14).-A set of at least two functional modules (14), each functional module within the set has a unique function available when said functional module (14) is connected to said LED module (4). All functional modules (14) of said set have identically shaped module housings (20) provided with connecting members (18) being configured to receive supply energy to said functional module (14), and to establish bi-directional communication between said LED module (4) and said functional module (14).

Description

Light emitting diode assembly Technical field The present disclosure relates to a light emitting diode (LED) assembly and in particular toa compact LED assembly comprising a LED module that comprises a high voltagecircuitry, e.g. 230 VAC drive circuitry, to receive power supply from a high voltagesource, and at least one LED. The LED module has a flat and thin extension with a heightH in the range of 5-20 mm in a direction corresponding to the main direction of light emitted from the at least one LED.

BackgroundToday the lighting industry has opportunity to create dynamic and coherent lighting environments. There is endless technology, networks and light sources that end consumerscan choose between. A system of a plurality of wirelessly connected LED devices requires simplified and compact devices where all functionality is built into each LED device.

In the following some patent documents will be brieﬂy presented, disclosing technicalsolutions in this technical field, and specifically various solutions where units having different functionalities may be connected to a LED lighting apparatus.

US20l70l67709 relates to a lightning device comprising two connectors to connect e. g.various sensing portions, using e. g. DALI.

US20150289349 relates to lighting apparatus provided with a connector to detachablyinstall a wireless communication module.

US20l900l4642 discloses lamp provided with a detachable sensing module, the sensormodule may comprise light sensors and IR-sensors.

US20l603605 80 discloses a LED-drive provided with a control module to which a datatransmission connection plug may be connected.

US20180112837 relates to an LED-module to replace a conventional lighting apparatus, where different functionality may be provided via an interface.

When installing a LED module, the customer does not always know exactly Whatfunctionality a given LED module should have. The installer must therefore provide anumber of LED modules having different functionality. Furthermore, the demand forseveral different models of LED modules requires storage space for these Which increase costs.

Thus, it has been identified that still further improvements are needed to meet the demandsof today in particular With regard to size of the device and in achieving a device havingfull functionality. Thus, the object of the present invention is to achieve an improved LEDassembly that is compact, and having all functionality integrated into the device. Inparticular, a LED assembly Where all safety standards set up by regulatory authorities aremet, and also With regard to storage aspects, and not need to bring a large number of different models of LED modules When installing the LED module.

SummaThe above-mentioned objects are achieved by the present invention according to the independent claim.

Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

According to a main aspect, the present invention relates to a light emitting diode (LED)assembly 2 comprising a LED module 4 that comprises at least one LED, and a highvoltage circuitry 6, e. g. 230 VAC drive circuitry, to receive power supply from a highvoltage source and to convert and supply energy to drive said at least one LED. The LEDmodule 4 has a flat and thin extension With a height H in the range of 5-20 mm in adirection corresponding to the main direction of light to be emitted from said at least oneLED.

The LED assembly 2 comprises: -a connector unit 8 provided With connector pins l0, and a functional module receivingrecess l2 shaped and structured to receive and releasably attach a functional module 14 bymechanical cooperation With attachment members l6 of the ﬁ1nctional module l4, the recess l2 is shaped and structured such that said connector pins l0 are positioned to be connected to connecting members 18 of the ﬁanctional module 14, and -a set of at least two functional modules 14, each functional module within the set has aunique function available when said functional module 14 is connected to said LEDmodule 4, wherein all functional modules 14 of the set have identically shaped modulehousings 20 provided with attachment members 16, and connecting members 18 beingconf1gured to receive supply energy to the ﬁanctional module 14, from said LED module4, and to establish bi-directional communication between said LED module 4 and said functional module 14 when attached to said LED module.

According to one embodiment, the module housing 20 has a ﬂat configuration having apredeterrnined maximum height, a width and a length. The receiving recess 12 is shapedand structured such that the plane of the functional module 14, when attached to theconnector unit 8, is essentially parallel to the ﬂat extension of the LED module 4.Preferably, the predeterrnined maximum height is 5 mm, the maximum width is 10 mm,and the maximum length is 25 mm. Thereby, the functional module, when mounted, willnot shadow the light.

According to another embodiment, the connector unit 8 is arranged such that it is availableon a side of the LED module 4 of the main direction of light to be emitted from the at leastone LED, enabling the functional module 14 to be attached when the LED module 4 ismounted to e.g. a wall. This will make the attachment of the functional module installation easy.

According to still another embodiment, the at least one of said connector pins 10 is/ areconf1gured to supply low voltage to said ﬁanctional module 14 via at least one of theconnecting members 18, and wherein at least one of said connector pins 10 is/ areconfigured to provide bi-directional communication between said LED-module 4 and saidfunctional module 14. The at least one low voltage connector pin 10 is/are arranged apredeterrnined distance from the at least one bi-directional communication connector pin10, and that the predeterrnined distance d is at least 2.50 mm to meet regulatory requirements.

According to another embodiment, the set of ﬁ1nctional modules 14 comprises at least two functional modules configured to implement at least tWo different functions of thefollowing: Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI), DALI Device Type 8 (DTS),Zigbee (Wireless), Bluetooth, motion sensor, light sensor, 0-10V, and Built-in Dimmer(Push, Potentiometer or Pulse). By including functional modules configured to implement the above different functions the required function Will in most cases be met.

The present disclosure relates to high voltage LED modules Where the driver stage isintegrated directly into the LED module. Thus, no extemal voltage adapters are requiredand the LED module may be directly connected to mains. According to the presentinvention the module is equipped With a so-called connector unit Where differentfunctional modules easily can be connected. If no functional module is connected, the LED module Works as usual (normal mode).

In short, the technical solution comprises that a connector unit is provided and included inan LED module. The connector unit is preferably designed so that regulatory requirementsregarding electrical connections are met in this context. In addition, a number offunctional modules is provided, each having a unique functionality. Furthermore, thevarious ﬁanctional modules are shaped and designed so that they can be connected and attached to the LED module by the connector unit.

Thus, by implementing the LED assembly according to the present invention a ﬁanctionalmodule may be mounted on the LED module on site at the customer or even at the endcustomer. Thereby, the customer°s final needs can easily be met and the stock of LEDmodules having different functionality may be reduced. The prerequisites are still a LED module With driver unit integrated directly into lighting fixtures Without extra adapters.

Brief description of the drawings Figure l is a schematic illustration of a LED assembly according to the present invention,Where no functional module is attached to the LED module.Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a LED assembly according to the present invention, Where a functional module is attached to the LED module.

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the connector unit according to the presentinvention.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a ﬁanctional module according to the presentinvention.

Figures 5-8 show perspective views of a LED module illustrating the procedure ofattaching a functional module to the LED module.

Figures 9-12 show side views of a LED module illustrating the procedure of attaching afunctional module to the LED module.

Figure 13 shows a perspective View of a LED assembly according to the present invention.

Detailed descriptionThe LED assembly will now be described in detail with references to the appended figures. Throughout the figures the same, or similar, items have the same reference signs.Moreover, the items and the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

With references to figures 1 and 2 a light emitting diode (LED) assembly 2 is provided,comprising a LED module 4 that comprises at least one LED, and a high voltage circuitry6, e.g. 230 VAC drive circuitry, to receive power supply from a high voltage source and toconvert and supply energy to drive the at least one LED. In figures 1 and 2, the powersupply from a high voltage source is indicated by the arrow from below to the high voltagecircuitry. The LED module 4 has a ﬂat and thin extension (see e. g. figures 9-12, with aheight H in the range of 5-20 mm in a direction corresponding to the main direction oflight to be emitted from the at least one LED. The number of LED:s varies in dependenceof the intended use of the LED assembly, an may be as many as 40-50.

The LED assembly 2 further comprises a connector unit 8 provided with connector pins 10(see figure 3), and a functional module receiving recess 12 (see figure 3) shaped andstructured to receive and releasably attach a functional module 14 by mechanicalcooperation with attachment members 16 (see figure 3) of the ﬁinctional module 14. Therecess 12 is shaped and structured such that the connector pins 10 are positioned to be connected to connecting members 18 (see figure 3) of the ﬁanctional module 14.

The LED assembly 2 also comprises a set of at least two functional modules 14. Eachfunctional module within the set has a unique function available when the ﬁinctionalmodule 14 is connected to the LED module 4. All functional modules 14 of the set haveidentically shaped module housings 20 provided with attachment members 16, andconnecting members 18 being configured to receive supply energy to the ﬁanctionalmodule 14, from the LED module 4, and to establish bi-directional communicationbetween the LED module 4 and the ﬁanctional module 14 when attached to the LED module.

According to an embodiment, the ﬁanctional module receiving recess 12 is shaped andstructured to provide electrical insulation of an attached functional module 14 from thehigh voltage circuitry 6, except the electrical connection via the connector pins. The recess is made from an electrically insulating material, e.g. any plastic material.

Preferably, the module housing 20 has a ﬂat configuration having a predeterrninedmaximum height, a width and a length, and the receiving recess 12 is shaped andstructured such that the plane of the ﬁanctional module 14, when attached to the connectorunit 8, is essentially parallel to the ﬂat extension of the LED module 4. This is illustratedin the perspective view of figure 13, but also in the side views shown in figures 9-12. Inaddition, the connector unit 8 is arranged beside the LED:s. Thereby is achieved that thefunctional module, when attached to the LED module, does not shadow the LED. In oneexemplary embodiment, the predeterrnined maximum height is 5 mm, the maximum width is 10 mm, and the maximum length is 25 mm.

According to another embodiment, the connector unit 8 is arranged such that it is availableon a side of the LED module 4 of the main direction of light to be emitted from the at leastone LED, enabling the functional module 14 to be attached when the LED module 4 ismounted to e. g. a wall. This is illustrated e.g. in figures 5-8 showing the procedure ofattaching the ﬁinctional module to the LED module.

Preferably, the at least one of connector pins 10 is/ are configured to supply low voltage tothe ﬁanctional module 14 via at least one of the connecting members 18, and at least one of the connector pins 10 is/ are configured to provide bi-directional communication between the LED-module 4 and the ﬁanctional module 14. The at least one low voltage connectorpin 10 is/ are arranged a predeterrnined distance from the at least one bi-directionalcommunication connector pin 10, and that the predeterrnined distance d is at least 2.50mm to meet regulatory requirements (see figure 3). The connector unit is also providedwith connections 11 to be electrically connected to electrical lines of the printed circuitboard where the connecter unit is mounted. The predeterrnined distance of at least 2.50mm enables to achieve so-called Functional Extra Low Voltage (FELV). A FELV controlsignal is insulated for low voltage supply (e. g. to DALI and 0 to 10 V). In addition, it is possible to provide current for sensors, etc.

In figure 3 is also illustrated attachment members 16. These may be protrusions to beapplied to hold the connector unit within the recess by snap-fitting to mating grooves at inner walls of the recess.

In figures 1 and 2 a block diagram of the LED module is shown. The LED module 4comprises a control unit 22 configured to determine the mode of operation for the LEDassembly 2 to be in a normal mode when no functional module 14 is attached (see figure1) or in a functional module mode (see figure 2) when a functional module 14 is attachedto the LED module 4. Preferably, the control unit 22 is configured to determine the modeof operation by detecting an electrical load connected to the connector pins 10. When inthe ﬁanctional module mode, the LED assembly 2 works according to functions defined bythe attached functional module 14. It is deterrnined in the respective hardware of the LEDmodule and the attached functional module from where the energy comes from. Thereason is the different standards applied in different functional modules, i.e. the energysource to be applied is deterrnined in dependence of the function of the attached functional module.

The set of functional modules 14 comprises at least two functional modules configured toimplement at least two different functions of the following: Digital Addressable LightingInterface (DALI), DALI Device Type 8 (DT8), Zigbee (wireless), Bluetooth, motionsensor, light sensor, 0-10V, and Built-in Dimmer (Push, Potentiometer or Pulse). These functions will be discussed more in detail below.

Each of the ﬁanctional modules comprises a processing unit, a power Conversion unit, anda functional unit, and that the ﬁanctional unit comprises circuitry to implement the unique function of each of the ﬁanctional modules. 1. DALI Digital addressable lightning interface, or DALI, is a global standard that allows ballasts,controllers, switches and sensors to communicate with other DALI-compatible devices.DALI began in the late 1990s, but has since undergone drastic changes that expand itsscope and improve its efficiency. The main focus of DALI has been to facilitate theinstallation and use of ballasts and relay switches that enable dimmable, adaptablelighting. 2. DALI DT8 (Device Type 8) This is a standard solution based upon DALI, adapted for Human Centric Lighting. A two-channel LED solution that meets the standard for CCT change. 3. Zigbee ZigBee is a low-cost, low-power, wireless mesh network standard targeted at battery-powered devices in wireless control and monitoring applications. ZigBee delivers low-latency communication. ZigBee chips are typically integrated with radios and withmicrocontrollers. ZigBee operates in the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radiobands. 4. Bluetooth A communication protocol based on Bluetooth, e. g. Casamabi, Wirepas, Bluetooth Mesh.5. Motion sensor Often designed with high frequency sensors. The sensor should respond to movementswithin a predefined area. The light sensor is configured to detect people in the predefinedarea. It does require movement within close proximity of the sensor. 6. Light sensor To tum the unit on or off depending on whether there is light around it or not. Thefunctional unit includes the option to change the settings for activation, e.g. not tum onduring the day when it is bright. 7. 0- 1 0V Standard lighting protocols in certain areas. 8. Built-in dimmerBy using a pulse or a rotary switch in different settings, there may be an opportunity for construction equipment.

As mentioned above, each ﬁanctional module comprises a processing unit configured toimplement control of the function of the functional module. The control unit is conf1guredto bi-directionally communicate With the LED module via the connector unit. Thecommunication is performed at a voltage level below 20 V. This provides a prerequisitefor the LED assembly, i.e. the LED module and an attached functional module, to connectto the outside World.

The control unit may then be enabled to control circuitry Within the functional module,e.g. to establish a Wireless communication link to an extemal communication source. Thecontrol unit may then receive operating instructions from the extemal source and in tumapply control signals to the LED module to control the LED module according to the received operating instructions.

The ﬁanctional module is installed by the customer according to his/her needs. These LEDmodules have not functional module mounted but are fully expandable according to thefunction of an attached functional module, e.g. for DALI or other ﬁ1nctions. Without thefunctional module mounted, it Works just as usual.

By integrating a connector unit into the LED module, it Will be possible to easily introduce new functions into our LED modules.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments.Various altematives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the aboveembodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, Which is defined by the appending claims.

Claims

1. A light emitting diode (LED) assembly (2) comprising a LED module (4)that comprises at least one LED, and a high voltage circuitry (6), e. g. 230 VAC drivecircuitry, to receive power supply from a high voltage source and to convert and supplyenergy to drive said at least one LED, said LED module (4) has a flat and thin extensionWith a height H in the range of 5-20 mm in a direction corresponding to the main directionof light to be emitted from said at least one LED, characterized in that said LED assembly (2) comprises: -a connector unit (8) provided With connector pins (10), and a ﬁanctional module receivingrecess (12) shaped and structured to receive and releasably attach a ﬁanctional module (14)by mechanical cooperation With attachment members (16) of said ﬁ1nctional module (14),said recess (12) is shaped and structured such that said connector pins (10) are positionedto be connected to connecting members (18) of said functional module (14), and -a set of at least tWo functional modules (14), each functional module Within the set has aunique function available When said functional module (14) is connected to said LEDmodule (4), Wherein all functional modules (14) of said set have identically shapedmodule housings (20) provided With attachment members (16), and connecting members(18) being configured to receive supply energy to said ﬁanctional module (14), from saidLED module (4), and to establish bi-directional communication between said LED module (4) and said functional module (14) When attached to said LED module.

2. The LED assembly (2) according to claim 1, Wherein said ﬁanctional modulereceiving recess (12) is shaped and structured to provide electrical insulation of an attached functional module (14) from said high voltage circuitry (6).

3. The LED assembly (2) according to claim 1 or 2, Wherein said modulehousing (20) has a ﬂat configuration having a predeterrnined maximum height, a Widthand a length, and Wherein said receiving recess (12) is shaped and structured such that theplane of said functional module (14), When attached to the connector unit (8), is essentially parallel to the ﬂat extension of said LED module (4).

4. The LED assembly (2) according to claim 3, Wherein said predeterrnined maximum height is 5 mm, the maximum width is 10 mm, and the maximum length is 25

5. The LED assembly (2) according to any of claims 1-4, wherein saidconnector unit (8) is arranged such that it is available on a side of the LED module (4) ofthe main direction of light to be emitted from said at least one LED, enabling the functional module (14) to be attached when the LED module (4) is mounted to e.g. a wall.

6. The LED assembly (2) according to any of claims 1-5, wherein at least oneof said connector pins (10) is/ are configured to supply low voltage to said functionalmodule (14) Via at least one of said connecting members (18), and wherein at least one ofsaid connector pins (10) is/ are configured to provide bi-directional communicationbetween said LED-module (4) and said functional module (14), wherein said at least onelow Voltage connector pin (10) is/are arranged a predeterrnined distance from said at leastone bi-directional communication connector pin (10), and wherein said predeterrnined distance d is at least 2.50 mm to meet regulatory requirements.

7. The LED assembly (2) according to any of claims 1-6, wherein said LEDmodule (4) comprises a control unit (22) conf1gured to determine the mode of operationfor the LED assembly (2) to be in a normal mode when no functional module (14) isattached or in a functional module mode when a functional module (14) is attached to the LED module (4).

8. The LED assembly (2) according to any of claim 7, wherein said control unit(22) is configured to determine the mode of operation by detecting an electrical load connected to said connector pins (10).

9. The LED assembly (2) according to any of claim 7 or 8, wherein saidfunctional module mode comprises that the LED assembly (2) works according to functions defined by the attached functional module (14).

10. The LED assembly (2) according to any of claims 1-9, wherein said set of functional modules (14) comprises at least two functional modules configured toimplement at least two different functions of the following: Digital Addressable LightingInterface (DALI), DALI Device Type 8 (DTS), Zigbee (Wireless), Bluetooth, motion sensor, light sensor, 0-l0V, and Built-in Dimmer (Push, Potentiometer or Pulse).