WO2013068108A1

WO2013068108A1 - Dimmer

Info

Publication number: WO2013068108A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/004633
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans-Wolfgang Diesing
Original assignee: Hans-Wolfgang Diesing
Priority date: 2011-11-07
Filing date: 2012-11-07
Publication date: 2013-05-16

Abstract

The invention relates to a multilevel capacitive electromechanical installation dimmer for dimming, in particular, mains voltage LED lamps, fluorescent low-pressure gas discharge lamps, filament lamps, and mains voltage halogen lamps, comprising an electrical input and an electrical output, and having at least one electrical capacity, in particular a capacitor. The electrical output of the dimmer, at at least two switching levels, can be charged with one or several electrical capacities by way of one, or several, mechanical switches, wherein the one mechanical switch, or at least one of the several mechanical switches, is a bridging switch. The invention further relates to a corresponding method.

Description

dimmer

The present invention relates to a multi-stage capacitive-electromechanical dimmer for dimming mains voltage LED lamps, fluorescent low-pressure gas discharge lamps, incandescent lamps and mains voltage halogen lamps according to the preamble of patent claim 1, and a method according to claim 7.

Not least due to the recent developments in the field of energy-saving lamps, in particular due to increasing luminosity of commercially available retrofit LED lamps, the demand for their dimmability is growing. Typically, the dimmability of the same is dedicated by manufacturing TRIAC dimmable retrofit LED lamps based on

application-specific switching regulator ICs from various semiconductor manufacturers. In contrast to the previously usual dimmer exchange for special MOSFET dimmers with considerable self-consumption and a three-wire connection, which is usually not present in a switch box, this already represents a certain

Further development stage, but also the much more expensive TRIAC dimmable retrofit LED lamps still convert a significant part of the energy to be saved, especially in the lower dimming area into heat and scoop it

1

BESTÄTIGUMGSKOPiE Energy saving potential due to dimming is not completely sufficient. This becomes particularly clear when one looks at the dimming profile shown in FIG. 1, which graphically represents the efficacy, the power consumption and the flux for a TRIAC dimming. From Fig. 1 it can be seen that in a

Passing through the entire dimming range not only monotonically decrease the power consumption and luminous flux, but also the efficiency.

In order to achieve better efficiency, DE 20 2009 010 840 Ul proposes a multistage capacitive-electromechanical installation dimmer for dimming mains voltage LED lamps, fluorescent low-pressure gas discharge lamps, incandescent lamps and mains voltage halogen lamps, in which an arrangement is provided by means of a multi-pole rotary switch of capacitance value graded

Mains voltage capacitors are electrically connected as AC resistors for lossless graded throttling of the lamp current individually.

When using such a rotary switch, however, there is a sparking on the contacts, which leads to premature wear and failure of the rotary switch due to unwanted spark erosion.

Reference is also made to DE 101 63 262 B4, from which a method for designing a network of passive components, namely resistors, inductors and capacitors is known.

Object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stage dimmer, which also has a long life at the highest possible efficiency over the entire dimming range. A further object of the present invention is to provide a corresponding method for dimming, for example, LED lamps, fluorescent low-pressure gas discharge lamps, incandescent lamps and mains voltage halogen lamps, etc.

This object is achieved by a multi-stage capacitive electromechanical dimmer for dimming mains voltage LED lamps,

Fluorescence low-pressure gas discharge lamps, incandescent lamps and

Mains voltage halogen lamps according to claim 1. Regarding the Process aspect of the invention is directed to claim 7.

The apparatus aspect of the object is achieved by a multi-stage capacitive electromechanical installation dimmer for dimming particular mains voltage LED lamps, fluorescent low-pressure gas discharge lamps, incandescent lamps and

Mains voltage halogen lamps, dissolved, having an electrical input and an electrical output, and at least one electrical capacitance, in particular a capacitor. The electrical output of the dimmer is connectable at at least two switching stages by means of one or more mechanical switches having one or more electrical capacitances, i. through the one or more switches, one or more electrical capacitances, which in possible embodiments are in the form of capacitors, are switchable between input and output, so that a circuit results in input-capacitor (s) output in the dimmer. The one (in the case where only one switch is located in the dimmer) or at least one of the plurality of mechanical switches (if two or more switches are located in the dimmer) is a bridging switch. This avoids that sparking occurs when switching.

If the output is connected with several capacitors, these can

for example serial, parallel or some of them serial and others parallel, i. be arranged in any electrical circuit type. One or more capacitances may optionally be provided for each switching stage or switching stages may be provided to which no capacitance is assigned. For example, for an off position or an undimmed on position may be provided that the output remains unconnected, in the first case, an electrical interruption between

Input and output is provided and in the second case the input is switched directly to the output.

In a further possible embodiment, the dimmer has a switch, which is designed as a multi-pole, bridging rotary switch. This ensures a space-saving design, especially for integration into existing

Installations (for example, flush-mounted installation in a conventional switch box or cavity wall box) may be provided. The dimmer may include one or more on / off switches arranged in a network consisting of electrical capacitances, such that various desired series and / or series circuits of electrical

Capacities between the electrical input and the electrical output of the dimmer can be realized. By a corresponding circuit of several capacitors in series and / or parallel can be when using, for example, four

Capacities realize 15 different relevant switching states, which by a

Wiring of the output are marked with different capacity values.

If a rotary switch is arranged in the dimmer, it can, in another possible embodiment, have a switching position in which the output is not connected to a capacitor, but in which the output is electrically isolated from the input. This serves to safely switch off the load to be dimmed. Alternatively or additionally, the input can be connected directly to the output in a further switching stage and thus realize an undimmed switching stage.

In a further embodiment, the dimmer has an electromechanical

Pressure switch for switching on and off, which is independent of the selected switching stage switchable. This allows the dimmer to remain in one switching stage while the load to be dimmed is supplied with electrical power and while it is not being supplied with electrical power. The preferred shift level remains set even after turning off, so that the ease of use is improved.

The procedural aspect of the problem is solved by a method for dimming in particular mains voltage LED lamps, fluorescent low-pressure gas discharge lamps, incandescent lamps and mains voltage halogen lamps with a dimmer, having an electrical input and an electrical output, a plurality

Switching stages, and at least one electrical capacitance, in particular capacitor, wherein starting from a switching stage to achieve another switching stage, a connection to be switched is closed before a connection to be opened is opened.

Further possible embodiments and further developments of the present invention are specified in the subclaims. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to a preferred embodiment. In the drawings shows

Fig. 1 shows a dimming profile, which graphically the efficacy, the

Power consumption and flux for TRIAC dimming, i. E. represents a dimming according to the prior art;

2 shows a schematic structure of a first embodiment of a dimmer according to the present invention, which is realized in the form of a dimmer with a rotary switch.

3 shows a schematic structure of a second embodiment of a dimmer according to the present invention, which is realized as a capacitance-switch network.

Fig. 4a shows a dimming profile, which graphically the efficacy, the

Power (Power) and the luminous flux (Flux) for a dimming with a dimmer according to the invention for a first LED experimental arrangement represents;

Fig. 4b is a dimming profile, which graphically the efficacy, the

Power (Power) and the luminous flux (Flux) for a dimming with a dimmer according to the invention for a second LED experimental arrangement represents;

Fig. 5 is a hexadecimal coding switch; and

6 shows a coding switch table for a switch according to FIG. 5 with 16

Switch positions.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a first possible embodiment of a dimmer according to the invention, which can advantageously be used in particular for fixed flush-mounted or surface-mounted installations. The dimmer has a multi-pole mains voltage rotary switch to provide a plurality of dimming levels via a bay of

value-added block capacitors to achieve in sufficient

Capacitance values for network interference are commercially available and with intended use Approvals are produced.

Fig. 2 exemplifies the circuit diagram of a tried and tested embodiment, which, together with the ten X2 MPFC blocking capacitors, the twelve-pole mains rotary switch and a base board in an ISO-standardized flush-mounted box fits. Herein, the terminals A0 and AI of the passive / electromechanical dimmer circuitarily consists only of the twelve-pole mains voltage rotary switch S and the capacitors CO to C9, connected in series with the lamp L between the terminals AI and A2.

In the proven embodiment, the ten X2 MPFC block capacitors have the following values: CO = 2.2 pF Cl = 1.5 pF C2 = 1.0 pF C3 = 0.68 pF C4 = 0.47 pF C5 =

0.33 pF C6 = 0.22 pF C7 = 0.15 pF C8 = 0.10 pF C9 = 0.068 pF.

These default values correspond to the E6 standard series, where the values are each reduced by about one-third to cover an entire capacity decade with six values. The proven staggering attenuates the current of the lamp proportionally to the respective capacitance values representing a lossless AC resistance and is designed for an approx. 10 watt mains voltage LED lamp to move from the illustrated off position with mechanical stop to the next Switching clockwise unattenuated turns on and is reduced in the next switching stages about each third. At the end of the eleventh step, a dimming to about 5% of the nominal power is achieved via C9. The logarithmic weakening turns out to be ergonomically advantageous.

According to the invention, the rotary switch is a bridging one

Rotary switch, i. a switch which already switches the switching stage to be switched on in a switching operation, while the switching stage to be switched off is still switched, and this separates only after the transition, so that sparking during

Switching operation (which usually occurs when disconnecting the switch-off stage) can be avoided, especially since a charge balance during the transition bridge has already been made and both adjacent capacitors are in the separation of the previous switch position at identical voltage potential. When connecting a capacitor does not spark, because in the commercial

Stepped switches a spring-loaded latching mechanism for an accelerated and bounce-free Closing the contacts ensures. Rotary indexing stage switches with up to 12 positions in the gaping version, as well as the bridging variant with up to 11 positions (one position is a victim of the pre-spread tap grinder) are commercially available electromechanical components that are offered by various manufacturers as an industry standard and are in the bridging version preferably as

Signal source or range switch used in electroacoustics to

Switching noise (cracking and humming through open transition impedances) should be minimized or avoided.

Basically, the dimming described above also works for

Mains voltage incandescent and halogen lamps, however, mutate gradually into infrared radiators in the corresponding dimming range. Compact fluorescent low pressure gas discharge lamps with integrated electronic ballast can also be dimmed using this concept. However, a different staggering of the capacitance values is required because most of these lamps flicker and / or go out at values below about 1.2 pF and the dimming characteristic is not proportional to the capacitance values, as with LED lamps. Therefore, these lamps also require a refined staggering in the lower dimming range. Further compacting or widening of the dimming range is currently possible, for example, with MLCC multilayer ceramic capacitors of high-voltage design instead of the larger polymer block capacitors, in particular if they are certified as adequately voltage-proof, robust and safe for a corresponding X2 protection class or a correspondingly effective overvoltage protection is ensured by varistors or protective diodes and possibly a flanking overcurrent fuse.

By an electromechanical coupling of the rotary switch with a pressure-off switch, pressure-to-switch or Druckfolalter the dimming range can be extended at least a further dimming with a predetermined number of poles of the rotary switch with the advantage that the last set dimming value is maintained when switching on again , In this embodiment, if necessary, can be dispensed with the stop of the rotary switch. However, this embodiment is not for compact fluorescent low pressure electrostatic discharge gas discharge lamps

recommended, because their cathode heating must be preheated for the first time always briefly on the brightest stage, so that the gas discharge can ignite or at the dimming does not already prematurely on one of the next dimming stages.

The advantage of the capacitive / electromechanical multistage dimmer without

Semiconductor electronics lies in the lossless dimming of mains voltage energy-saving lamps, for which there was previously no two-wire solution according to the prior art, which can be retrofitted in an existing light installation and causes no network disturbances in stationary operation. For the industrial implementation of the dimmer concept according to the invention can be commercially available, certified

Standard components, which simplifies design and manufacturing compared to alternative concepts, accelerates market entry and makes costs predictable.

In Fig. 3 is another possible embodiment of an inventive

Shown dimmer. This is a capacitor-switch network or a capacitor-switch matrix with four capacitors of equal capacity C. Further, in Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the various possible

Switching states (switch closed: X) and the resulting capacitance values in units of the using capacity C are apparent.

The circuit concept according to FIG. 3 is based on an application-specific one

complex matrix switch, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the number, values and diversity of the ceramic high-voltage chip capacitors or blocking capacitors and likewise to refine the logarithmic capacity grading so that the individual dimming steps are below the physiological threshold of perception. This concept is illustrated by way of example, such as four equivalent capacitors 15 of approximately logarithmic dimming steps from 4C to 1 / 4C by varied combinations of series and parallel connection of the four same

Capacitor values is achieved.

At least one of the switches A to L, preferably all switches are designed as bridging switches, ie at least one switch, preferably all switches already close the (switch) contact assigned to them, if another or several openable switch (s) has one more have closed switch contact / has. Only then opens the switch to be opened. This complex switching matrix can also be implemented electronically with potentiometer-controlled semiconductor switches. These needed in contrast to

electromechanical matrix switch, however, its own power supply and yet could not (or not yet) realize such low-resistance contact resistors as an electromechanical switch, both of which would run counter to the increase in efficiency due to dimming, especially in the lowest dimming range.

The example shown in FIG. 3 with 15 dimming stages provides more switching stages than the 10-stage rotary selector switch concept. By adding additional capacities even more switching stages can be realized. For example, if 7 equivalent capacitors are used instead of 4 shown here, with smaller single capacitance values, an extended dimming range and logarithmically finer staggered 127 dimming steps may be covered below the threshold of 5% brightness levels (some of which are omitted or executed)

can be skipped) which also the scope of various

Extend mains voltage standards and lamp load wattages.

In summary, it can be stated that in a structure according to FIG. 3

AC resistors via appropriate switches at a given

Set the AC voltage frequency - for example, for the ergonomically optimized, interference-free and loss-free two-wire dimming of incandescent lamps and energy-saving lamps or other electronic discharge ballast lamps without the use of active components, no minimum load requirement and no risk of overload or short circuit. Thus, a bundle of 7 block capacitors, each with a value of about 1 pF by omitting certain possible switch positions in 24 relative attenuation steps between 94% and 96% of the previous value in a physiologically quasi-continuous sequence as a seemingly stepless dimmer, in particular for Use standard wattages between 4 and 40 watts. At higher wattages, there is more of a certain saturation of the characteristic curve. An overload also by short circuit is not possible. When 4 capacitors are used, there are 15 possible different values of the resulting AC resistance at a certain AC frequency, depending on the switching state of the switches A to L. Finally, FIGS. 4a and 4b show two dimming profiles which graphically show the efficacy, the power consumption and the luminous flux for dimming with a dimmer according to the invention for a first LED test arrangement and a second LED -Versuchsanordnung represent.

From Fig. 4a it is clear that the lossless capacitive dimming the

Efficiency over the prior art (see Fig. 1) is increased by more than 55% from 96 to 149 Im / W. In a further experiment with a further LED arrangement (results of the experiment are shown in FIG. 4b), the efficiency even reached 235 Im / W and the efficiency gain due to the dimming is thus more than 200%.

As already mentioned in the introduction, the present invention also encompasses a method for dimming, in particular, mains voltage LED lamps, fluorescent low-pressure gas discharge lamps, incandescent lamps and mains voltage halogen lamps with a dimmer, having an electrical input and an electrical output, and at least one electrical capacitance, in particular capacitor, starting from a

Switching to another switching stage a connection to be switched is closed before a connection to be opened is opened.

Further, for example, commercially available hexadecimal coded rotary selectors may be used as standard electromechanical components for linearly staggered dimming of LED retrofit lamps up to the specified current carrying capacity limit of the switch contacts using four binary weighted high voltage capacitor values. Again, in one embodiment, as a bridging rotary switch, a possible embodiment, which aims at a prolonged Lenbensdauer a corresponding dimmer.

In a neutral position of the switch, the connection from the mains to the lamp load is interrupted, in the lowest dimming level the lamp load is connected to the mains connection via a minimum capacitance C and 15 times the value of C in the highest of 14 subsequent linearly graduated dimming stages. This requires the

hexadecimal encoded tap changer only the four binary weighted ones

Capacitor values IC, 2C, 4C and 8C. As commercially available high-voltage capacitors Capacitance values after the E6 decade value series (1.0 - 1.5 - 2.2 - 3.3 - 4.7 - 6.8) are the binary staggered capacitance values either by

application-specific manufactured special values to realize, substitute by

Combination with the finely graduated and also common En standard value series or by parallel connection of up to 8 pieces each of the minimum capacity, ie a total of 15 capacitors of the same value or

where appropriate, a combination of the alternatives.

The circuit diagram will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6:

Fig. 5 shows the hexadecimal coding switch H, whose four inputs are connected via a respective high-voltage capacitor Cl, C2, C4 and C8 in series to the common mains phase connection P. The output A of the coding switch H is in series with the lamp load L to the neutral mains connection N. P and N can also be reversed.

Fig. 6 shows in a coding switch table 16 switch positions (0 to 5 vertical) the contacts of the monovalent (1), the bivalent (2), the quadrivalent (4) and the achtwertigen (8) input terminal to the output terminal A, wherein the

Add capacitances Cl (monovalent), C2 (bivalent), C4 (quadrivalent) and C8 (high valued) by connecting P and A in parallel from 0 to 15 times the value of Cl. This solution provides a compromise between a complex matrix switch, as disclosed in DE10163262B4, and a simple rotary selector switch, as disclosed in US Pat

DE202009010840U1 is disclosed, is.

It can be stated that, inter alia, the following objects or methods are included in the idea of the present invention:

1. Multi-stage capacitive-electromechanical installation dimmer for dimming

in particular mains voltage LED lamps, fluorescent low-pressure gas discharge lamps, incandescent lamps and mains voltage halogen lamps, having an electrical input and an electrical output, and at least one electrical capacitor, in particular capacitor (C0-C9), wherein the electrical output of the dimmer at at least two switching stages by one or more mechanical switches (AL, S) with one or more electrical capacitances (C0-C9) can be connected, wherein the one or at least one of the plurality of mechanical switches (AL, S) is a bridging switch. Installation dimmer to 1., where

the dimmer has a switch (S), which is designed as a multi-pole, bridging rotary switch. Installation dimmer after 1st or 2nd, where

the dimmer comprises one or more on / off switches arranged in a network consisting of electrical capacitances (C0-C9), such that different desired series and / or series circuits of electrical ones

Capacities (C0-C9) between the electrical input and the electrical output of the dimmer can be realized. Installation dimmer to 1st, 2nd or 3rd, where

the dimmer has a switching stage in which the input is electrically isolated from the output. Installation dimmer to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th, where

the dimmer has a switching stage in which the input is electrically connected directly to the output. Installation dimmer after 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th, where

the dimmer has an electromechanical pressure switch for switching on and off, which is independent of the selected switching stage switchable. Installation dimmer to 1., 2., 3., 4., 5. or 6., where

the dimmer has a binary coded capacitive, especially bridging,

Dimm level switch, wherein a hexadecimal coding switch with back-connected and binary weighted capacitor values each at the four

Input terminals are connected to the AC mains via the output terminal of the coding switch in series with the lamp load between phase and neutral conductors. 8. Installation dimmer to 7., where

the particular exact, binary weighted capacitor values 1C, 2C, 4C and 8C, which may differ from the standard commercial values, each by a

Interconnection of commercially available capacity values or standard capacity values.

9. A method for dimming in particular mains voltage LED lamps, fluorescent low-pressure gas discharge lamps, incandescent lamps and mains voltage halogen lamps having a plurality of switching stages having dimmer, comprising an electrical input and an electrical output, and at least one electrical capacitance, in particular capacitor, wherein

starting from a switching stage to reach another switching stage, a connection to be switched is closed before a connection to be opened is opened.

However, while the invention will be described in terms of embodiments having fixed feature combinations, it also encompasses the other conceivable advantageous ones

Combinations as specified in particular, but not exhaustive, by the subclaims. All disclosed in the application documents features are claimed as essential to the invention, as far as they are new individually or in combination over the prior art.

Claims

claims

1. Multi-stage capacitive-electromechanical installation dimmer for dimming

in particular mains voltage LED lamps, fluorescent low-pressure gas discharge lamps, incandescent lamps and mains voltage halogen lamps, having an electrical input and an electrical output, and at least one electrical capacitor, in particular capacitor (C0-C9), wherein the electrical output of the dimmer at at least two switching stages can be connected to one or more electrical capacitances (C0-C9) by means of one or more mechanical switches (AL, S),

characterized in that

the one or at least one of the plurality of mechanical switches (A-L, S) is a bridging switch.

2. Installation dimmer according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the dimmer has a switch (S), which is designed as a multi-pole, bridging rotary switch.

3. Installation dimmer according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that

Capacities (C0-C9) between the electrical input and the electrical output of the

1 Dimmers are feasible.

4. Installation dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the dimmer has a switching stage in which the input is electrically isolated from the output.

5. Installation dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the dimmer has a switching stage in which the input is electrically connected directly to the output.

6. Installation dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the dimmer has an electromechanical pressure switch for switching on and off, which is independent of the selected switching stage switchable.

7. installation dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the dimmer comprises a binary-coded capacitive dimming stage switch, wherein a hexadecimal coding switch is connected back-to-back and binary-weighted

Capacitor values, in particular 1C, 2C, 4C and 8C respectively at the four

Input terminals are connected to the AC mains via the output terminal of the coding switch in series with the lamp load between the phase and neutral conductors.

8. installation dimmer according to claim 7,

characterized in that

the binary weighted capacitor values 1C, 2C, 4C and 8C are each represented by a

9. A method for dimming in particular mains voltage LED lamps, fluorescent low-pressure gas discharge lamps, incandescent lamps and mains voltage halogen lamps with

2 a multiple-stage dimmer, having an electrical input and an electrical output, and at least one electrical capacitor, in particular capacitor,

characterized in that

3