WO2016005446A1

WO2016005446A1 - Electrical apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2016005446A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/065598
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franco BERTUZZI
Original assignee: Bertuzzi Franco
Priority date: 2014-07-10
Filing date: 2015-07-08
Publication date: 2016-01-14
Also published as: CN105276542A

Abstract

An electrical apparatus (1) that comprises a supporting body (2) for at least one electrical device (3), which has at least two different operating modes, the electrical device (3) being electrically connectable to a connector (4) for connection to a power line (5) which is associated with at least one switch (6), the electrical apparatus further comprising at least one device (7) for controlling and supplying power to the electrical device (3) which is arranged between the connector (4) and the electrical device (3) and comprises at least one control circuit (7a) for controlling the operating modes of the electrical device (3), such control circuit (7a) being adapted to actuate the transition between the different operating modes of the electrical device (3) following the interruption or the activation of the electric power supply to the connector (4) for less time than a preset time.

Description

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS

The present invention relates to an electrical apparatus in general and, in particular, to a LED lighting device.

The market for domestic lightbulbs in recent years has undergone considerable changes, going from traditional incandescent lightbulbs to fluorescent lightbulbs and, more recently, to LED lightbulbs.

Such evolution has been possible thanks to the development of LED technology, with consequent reduction of production costs, and also to the greater attention and awareness on the part of users with regard to saving energy.

In fact, the luminous efficiency, expressed in lumens/watt, of LED lightbulbs is indicatively equal to 100 lumens/watt for a lifetime of approximately 60,000/70,000 hours, which is appreciably greater than that of fluorescent or "neon" lamps (80 lumens/watt for 8,000 hours), and vastly higher than the incandescent lightbulbs (12 lumens/watt for 1,000 hours of life).

In some situations and environments, including domestic, it is known to use lighting devices that have different modes of emitting light.

In practical terms, it is possible for a lighting device to, for example, emit a dim light or a stronger light or a "warm" light or a "cold" light, according to requirements.

Traditionally, in order to allow the same lighting point to operate in different modes, two power supply lines are used, each one associated with a switch or with a respective series of switches in order to control different types of lamps, or a "dimmer" control is used, which is associated with each switch.

The dimmer is an electronic regulator used to control the power absorbed by a load, which, inevitably, is associated with the switch (see the prior art shown in Figure 2).

The conventional solutions, although widely used, are not however devoid of drawbacks.

In fact, if the user wishes, at a given lighting point, to be able to use lights with different characteristics (like intensity or type), he/she will have to carry out modifications to the wiring and/or to the switches with evident inconvenience and with additional costs.

The aim of the present invention is to make available an electrical apparatus that is capable of eliminating, or at least drastically reducing, the above mentioned drawbacks.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical apparatus that can be used simply and intuitively without needing to modify the traditional (i.e. non-dimmable) power supply system and/or the existing switches.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical apparatus that is low cost, so as to make its use advantageous from an economic viewpoint as well.

This aim and this and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter, are all achieved by an electrical apparatus according to claim 1.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of an electrical apparatus according to the present invention, which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a possible diagram of the electric circuit for controlling and supplying power to the electrical apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a diagram of the power supply of an electrical apparatus according to the known art (with a dimmer associated with the switch);

Figure 3 is a diagram of the power supply of an electrical apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of an electric lamp according to the invention; Figure 5 is a cutaway perspective view of the electric lamp in Figure

4.

In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

The present invention relates to an electrical apparatus, generally indicated with the reference numeral 1.

The electrical apparatus 1 comprises a supporting body 2 for at least one electrical device 3 which is provided with at least two different operating modes.

The electrical device 3 is electrically connectable to a connector 4 for connection to a power line 5 which is associated with at least one switch 6.

Typically, the power line 5 is of the double-wire type.

According to the present invention, the electrical apparatus 1 comprises at least one device 7 for controlling and supplying power to the electrical device 3.

The control and power supply device 7 is, in particular, arranged between the connector 4 and the electrical device 3.

The control and power supply device 7 comprises at least one control circuit 7a for controlling the operating modes of the electrical device 3.

In more detail, the control circuit 7a is adapted to actuate the transition between the at least two different operating modes of the electrical device 3 following the interruption, or the activation, of the electric power supply to the connector 4 for less time than a preset time (or a switching time limit).

The interruption of the electric power supply to the connector 4 is preferably achieved by way of a rapid sequence of switching off and then immediately switching back on of the switch 6 by the user.

Similarly, the activation of the electric power supply is achieved by way of a rapid sequence of switching on then immediately switching back off of the switch 6 by the user.

It thus appears evident that it is possible to modify the operating modes of the electrical device 3 using an electrical system and a traditional switch.

Preferably, the electrical device 3 comprises at least one emitter of light 3 a.

Advantageously, the emitter of light 3 a comprises a LED lighting device.

In any case, the concept described above can also be applied to different types of electrical devices such as for example fans.

Advantageously, the electrical devices 3 enable the user to verify the operating modes visually.

Conveniently, the preset interruption time (or activation time) of the electric power supply to the connector 4 in order to obtain a change in the operating modes of the electrical device is comprised between 0.3 seconds and 1 second and, preferably, between 0.4 seconds and 0.5 seconds.

It has been found that such choice enables the user to act with a certain placidity on the switch 6.

Advantageously, the control and power supply circuit 7 comprises a control element 7b for controlling the electrical device 3.

According to a preferred embodiment, the control circuit 7a comprises a microprocessor 11 for managing the different operating modes of the electrical device 3.

The microprocessor 11 is associated with a first circuit element 12 that is connected electrically to the connector 4.

In particular, the first circuit element 12 is adapted to send a signal to the microprocessor 11 following the interruption (or activation) of the electric power supply to the connector 4 for less time than the preset time.

With reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the control and power supply device 7 comprises a second circuit element 13 for supporting at least one LED for emitting visible light.

The control element 7b comprises a third circuit element 14 for driving the electrical device 3 and, in particular, the second circuit element 13 for supporting the LEDs.

Conveniently, the control and power supply device 7 comprises, furthermore, a power supply device 15 that is connected electrically to the connector 4 and is adapted to supply a continuous source of electricity with power and voltage compatible with the power supply of the electrical device 3.

With particular reference to the diagram shown in Figure 2, the first circuit element 12 is adapted to "decipher" the interruption (or activation) of the modulated power supply in addition to correcting the problems introduced by transients, bounce and instability.

Furthermore, the first circuit element 12 is adapted to:

- create a reservoir of current at approximately 15 V for a preset time of absence of the 230/110 V AC mains;

- charge such energy reservoir with a leading edge of the voltage that is such as to render the power supply of the microprocessor 11 compatible with the power-on reset generator thereof;

- perform the rapid detection of the drop-out of the 230 V AC mains, required for reading the command to interrupt (or activate) the power supply by the switch 6 by the microprocessor 11 ;

- filter the occasional overvoltages on the mains electricity supply, especially those affecting the circuitry of the microprocessor 11, by way of capacitances and diodes which impose a safety clamping voltage;

- electronically screen out bounces of the switch 6, for a correct interpretation in particular of the command to interrupt the power supply by the microprocessor 11 by raising an interrupt line, by way of the coordination of the filter function of the clamping circuit with the active function of the circuit adapted to create an adapted reading hysteresis - in the event of the absence of the mains supply for longer than a preset time for the method of actuating the switch 6, cause the drop-out of the power supply of the microprocessor 11 in a manner compatible with its operating specifications, suitably resetting the voltage with a rapid and clean trailing edge.

With reference to what is shown in Figures 4 and 5, the electrical apparatus 1 can be constituted by a lightbulb and preferably a LED lightbulb.

The lamp comprises a supporting element 20, typically made of ABS or polycarbonate.

Such supporting element 20 has, preferably, slits or openings 20a that are adapted to favor as far as possible the outflow of the heat produced internally, within the limits of the aesthetic and space occupation requirements.

The shape and dimensions of the lamp are, conveniently, in line with those of products on the market. The supporting element 20 is connected to a connector 4, which, merely for the purpose of example, can comprise an Edison screw of type E14 or E27 connected to the support in the traditional manner.

The supporting element 20 is associated with a slightly translucent cupola 21 for the diffused emission of the light.

Advantageously, the cupola 21 can be made of a high-transmittance material made slightly translucent in order to prevent the inner parts from being clearly seen.

The supporting element 20 is associated with the second circuit element 13 for supporting the LEDs, for example circular in shape, and has a sheet-like body that is conveniently made of aluminum.

In order to optimize the dissipation of the heat generated by the light emitting diodes, the sheet-like body is made of aluminum and, applied to the other side, opposite to the surface where the LEDs are mounted (using SMT), is a special heat sink 22, conveniently constituted by finning, and also made of aluminum, in order to favor the absorption and dissipation of heat so as to ensure the maintenance of an operating temperature of the LEDs, in normal environmental conditions with an ambient temperature of approximately 25°C, lower than 100°C and, preferably, approximately equal to 60°C.

Three operations can be performed using the switch 6 of the lightbulb:

1 - Switching on the lamp:

by bringing the switch to the ON position, the lamp (or the electrical device 3 in general) is switched on and is in the state that precedes being switched off.

2 - Switching off the lamp:

by bringing the switch 6 to the OFF position, the lamp is switched off.

3 - Switching between operating modes of the lightbulb:

with the lamp previously switched on, flip the switch 6 to the OFF position for less time than the preset time (or the switching time limit) of approximately 0.5-0.7 seconds and then, within such time, flip the switch 6 back to the ON position; in this manner one can switch through the operating modes of the lightbulb in rotation.

In practice, after the 230 V AC line drops, two possible operating conditions of the circuit can arise:

A - the line can remain dead after the "switching time limit" (equal to approximately 0.7 seconds).

B - the line comes back up within the switching time limit

(approximately 0.7 seconds) from the drop-out detected by the microprocessor 11.

Case A : if the line stays dead after the "switching time limit" it is considered to be a normal switching-off of the lamp, which has no secondary effect. Case B : if the line comes back up within the "switching time limit" it is interpreted as a flipping of the switch 6 on the lamp (the user switches off and immediately after switches on again) aimed at changing the preestablished operating mode, characteristic of the type of lamp model (or of the electrical device 3 in general).

According to a first implementation method, there can be two different operating modes, for example corresponding to different power levels (for example 10 W or 3 W) of the LED device.

Another embodiment can have three or more power levels, mutually rotating.

Alternatively, the LED device can have warm-light LEDs and cold- light LEDs and, in this case, the switching operates on the tone of the light emitted.

Furthermore, it can be possible to switch the operating modes from a traditional lamp to an emergency lamp, or a combined function.

In this case, the circuit is capable of establishing, by way of a plurality of degrees of intensity (for example 9), the level of power to supply to the LEDs so as to compensate for the brightness outside (natural or otherwise), in order to keep the environment that it is designed to illuminate at a preset level of illumination established by the user by repeatedly flipping the switch 6.

All the characteristics of the invention, indicated above as advantageous, convenient or similar, may also be missing or be substituted by equivalent characteristics.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

In practice it has been found that in all the embodiments the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects.

In practice the materials employed as well as the dimensions may be any according to requirements.

Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

The disclosures in Chinese Patent Application No. 2014103278042 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. An electrical apparatus (1) comprising a supporting body (2) for at least one electrical device (3) which is provided with at least two different operating modes, said electrical device (3) being electrically connectable to a connector (4) for connection to a power line (5) which is associated with at least one switch 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one device 7 for controlling and supplying power to said at least one electrical device (3) arranged between said connector (4) and said at least one electrical device (3), said control and power supply device (7) comprising at least one control circuit (7a) for controlling the operating modes of said electrical device (3), said at least one control circuit (7a) being adapted to control the transition between said at least two different operating modes of said electrical device (3) following the interruption or activation of the electric power supply to said connector (4) for less time than a preset time.

2. The electrical apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said electrical device (3) comprises at least one emitter of light (3a).

3. The electrical apparatus (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one emitter of light (3a) comprises a LED lighting device.

4. The electrical apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said preset time is less than 1 second.

5. The electrical apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said preset time is comprised between 0.3 seconds and 1 second and, preferably, between 0.4 seconds and 0.7 seconds.

6. The electrical apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control and power supply circuit (7) comprises a control element (7b) for controlling said electrical device (3)·

7. The electrical apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control circuit (7a) comprises a microprocessor (11) for managing the different operating modes of said electrical device (3) associated with a first circuit element (12) that is connected electrically to said connector (4), said first circuit element (12) being adapted to send a signal to said microprocessor (11) following the interruption of the electric power supply to said connector (4) for less time than said preset time.

8. The electrical apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control and power supply device (7) comprises a second circuit element (13) for supporting at least one LED for emitting visible light.

9. The electrical apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control element (7b) comprises a third circuit element (14) for driving said electrical device (3).

10. The electrical apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control and power supply device

(7) comprises a power supply device (15) that is connected electrically to said connector (4) and is adapted to supply a continuous source of electricity with power and voltage compatible with the power supply of said electrical device (3).