Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
  • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
  • H05B45/30—Driver circuits
  • H05B45/37—Converter circuits
  • H05B45/3725—Switched mode power supply [SMPS]
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
  • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
  • H05B45/30—Driver circuits
  • H05B45/357—Driver circuits specially adapted for retrofit LED light sources
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
  • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
  • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
  • H05B47/16—Controlling the light source by timing means
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
  • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
  • H05B45/30—Driver circuits
  • H05B45/36—Circuits for reducing or suppressing harmonics, ripples or electromagnetic interferences [EMI]
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
  • Y02B20/00—Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
  • Y02B20/30—Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for driving a light source.
• the invention further relates to a lamp comprising the device, and to a method for controlling a driver.
• Examples of such a device are drivers.
• Examples of such a lamp are retrofit tubes.
• WO 2010 / 069983 Al discloses a light emitting diode system for retrofitting fluorescent lighting and discloses at its page 13 lines 9-12 that a problem might occur when two or more of such lamps are used in a series combination.
• a device for driving a light source, the device comprising
• a driver for driving the light source the driver being operable in different modes, including a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being a preset-mode and the second mode being a feedback-mode, and
• the controller is configured to operate the driver in the first mode and in the second mode
• the controller is responsive to a detection of a value of an input voltage, that is supplied to the device, such that the driver is operated in the first mode in case the value of the input voltage is smaller than a threshold value, and the driver is operated in the second mode in case the value of the input voltage is larger than the threshold value.
• a driver drives a light source.
• the driver is operable in different modes.
• An input voltage is supplied to the device.
• a controller detects a value of the input voltage and brings the driver into one of the different modes in response to a detection result.
• the drivers of the two or more devices may start reacting to each other. This may result in one of the devices lighting up and another one going out or staying off.
• the device can distinguish between being placed in a series combination (lower value of the input voltage) and being used solely or in a parallel combination (higher value of the input voltage) and can react to the different situations by selecting a suitable mode for the driver.
• the device can be used solely or in a series combination or in a parallel combination, without a person who is installing (a lamp comprising) the device needing to check the situation. This is a great improvement.
• An embodiment of the device is defined by the different modes comprising a first mode and a second mode, the driver being brought into the first mode in case the value of the input voltage is smaller than a threshold value, and the driver being brought into the second mode in case the value of the input voltage is larger than the threshold value.
• the first mode may be suitable for devices used in a series combination
• the second mode may be suitable for devices used solely or in a parallel combination.
• An embodiment of the device is defined by the first mode comprising a preset- mode and the second mode comprising a feedback-mode.
• the drivers of the devices may start reacting to each other, therefore the first mode should be a preset- mode, without using feedback information from the light source.
• the second mode may be a feedback-mode wherein feedback information from the light source is used.
• An embodiment of the device is defined by a combination of the light source and the driver in the preset-mode showing a substantially constant-resistor-load-behavior.
• drivers that in combinations with light sources show substantially constant-resistor-load-behaviors, will stay stable and will not react to each other.
• An embodiment of the device is defined by the driver comprising a switch that in the preset-mode is operated at a constant conducting time and that in the feedback-mode is operated in response to feedback-information derived from the light source.
• a switch of a driver is operated at a constant conducting time, a combination of the driver and the light source will show a substantially constant-resistor-load-behavior.
• An embodiment of the device is defined by the controller being configured to, at start-up, keep the driver de-activated during a time-interval. When, at start-up, keeping a driver de-activated, a value of an input voltage can be determined better.
• An embodiment of the device is defined by the device further comprising a rectifier circuit for rectifying an alternating-current voltage into a direct- current voltage, the value of the input voltage being a value of the direct-current voltage.
• a supply may provide, possibly via an electromagnetic ballast, an alternating-current voltage that via a rectifier circuit can be rectified into a direct-current voltage.
• An embodiment of the device is defined by the controller comprising a comparator circuit for comparing the value of the input voltage with a threshold value and for in response to a comparison result producing a first control signal defining the comparison result.
• a comparator circuit is a low cost, simple and robust solution for detecting a value of an input voltage.
• An embodiment of the device is defined by the controller comprising a trigger circuit for in response to a presence of the input voltage producing a second control signal defining a time-interval from start-up during which the driver is to be kept de-activated.
• a trigger circuit is a low cost, simple and robust solution for at start-up defining a time-interval during which a driver is to be kept de-activated.
• a lamp comprising the device as defined above.
• the lamp may further comprise a light source.
• the lamp In a first mode the lamp is suitable to be used in a series combination with another lamp, and a second mode the lamp is suitable to be used solely or in a parallel combination with another lamp.
• An embodiment of the lamp is defined by the light source comprising a light emitting diode circuit.
• a light emitting diode circuit comprises one or more light emitting diodes of whatever kind and in whatever combination.
• An embodiment of the device is defined by the lamp being in the form of a retrofit tube.
• a method for controlling a driver for driving a light source, the driver being operable in different modes, including a first and a second mode, the method comprising a step of, in response to a detection of a value of an input voltage, that is supplied to the driver, bringing the driver in the first or the second mode, the driver being brought into the first mode in case the value of the input voltage is smaller than a threshold value, and the driver being brought into the second mode in case the value of the input voltage is larger than the threshold value, the first mode comprising a preset-mode and the second mode comprising a feedback-mode.
• a basic idea is that a value of an input voltage may be used to determine a mode of a driver.
• a problem to provide an improved device has been solved.
• a further advantage is that, in addition to the fact that a person who is installing the device or the lamp does not need to check the kind of connection, the device is low cost, simple and robust.
• Fig. 1 shows a prior art situation
• Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a device
• Fig. 3 shows a characteristic
• Fig. 4 shows two serial lamps fed via a ballast
• Fig. 5 shows two serial lamps without a ballast
• Fig. 6 shows one lamp and two parallel lamps without a ballast
• Fig. 7 shows an alternative solution
• Fig. 8 shows a flow chart
• the device 1 comprises a driver 2 and a rectifier circuit 4. Inputs of the rectifier circuit 4 are coupled to outputs of an optional EMI filter 6 (electromagnetic interference filter). Outputs of the rectifier circuit 4 are coupled to inputs of the driver 2. Outputs of the driver 2 are coupled to terminals of a light source 5.
• EMI filter 6 electromagnetic interference filter
• the driver 2 comprises an interface 21 with a first input 22 for receiving a feedback-signal carrying feedback- information from the light source 5.
• This feedback- information may for example define a value of an amplitude of a current flowing through (a part of) the light source 5 or may for example define a value of an intensity of light coming from (a part of) the light source 5.
• the interface 21 derives / calculates from this feedback- information a value of a conducting time of a switch of the driver 2 at which conducting time a converter 25-28 is to be operated.
• the interface 21 may derive / calculate from this feedback- information a value of a duty cycle or a value of a frequency or a value of a peak current to be delivered or a value of an amount of power to be delivered etc. for example in case other kinds of converters are used.
• An output of the interface 21 is coupled to a control electrode of a switch 25 here in the form of a transistor.
• This switch 25 is conducting during a conducting time (on- time) and is non-conducting during a following non-conducting time (off-time).
• a duty cycle is defined by a combination of the conducting time and the non-conducting time.
• a first main electrode of the switch 25 is coupled via an inductor 27 to a first input and a first output of the driver 2, and a second main electrode of the switch 25 is coupled to a second input of the driver 2.
• the first main electrode of the switch 25 is further coupled via a diode 26 to a second output of the driver 2. Between the first and second outputs of the driver 2, a capacitor 28 is present.
• the components 25-28 form a buck-boost converter, but other kinds of converters are not to be excluded.
• the interface 21 further comprises a second input 23 for receiving a parameter-signal carrying parameter-information and a third input 24 for receiving an on-off- signal carrying on-off-information.
• the driver 2 can be operated in different modes.
• a first mode such as for example a preset-mode
• the driver 2 is operated in response to the parameter-information, such as a fixed value of a conducting time or a fixed value of a duty cycle or a fixed value of a frequency or a fixed value of a peak current to be delivered or a fixed value of an amount of power to be delivered etc. and the feedback-information is ignored.
• a second mode such as for example a feedback-mode
• the parameter-information is ignored and the feedback- information is used for operating the driver 2. So, here in the Fig. 1, the driver 2 is operated in the feedback-mode.
• the device 1 comprises the driver 2 already shown in and discussed for the Fig. 1 and further comprises a controller 3 located between the rectifier circuit 4 and the driver 2.
• the controller 3 may comprise a comparator circuit 31 having a first input coupled to a first output of the rectifier circuit 4 and having a second input coupled to a first source 36 for comparing a value of a direct-current voltage as supplied by the rectifier circuit 4 with a first threshold value and for in response to a comparison result producing a first control signal defining the comparison result.
• the first control signal is for example used for controlling a first switch 34 and a second switch 35. In case the value of the direct-current voltage as supplied by the rectifier circuit 4 is smaller than the first threshold value as provided by the first source 36, the device
• the driver 2 should be operated in the preset-mode, and the second switch 35 is brought into a conducting mode, and the parameter-signal as for example generated by a generator 33 is provided to the second input 23 of the interface 21.
• the first switch 34 is brought into a non-conducting mode, and the feedback-signal cannot reach the first input 22 of the interface 21.
• the device 1 is probably solely used or forms probably part of a parallel combination.
• the driver 2 can be operated in the feedback-mode, and the first switch 34 is brought into a conducting mode, and the feedback-signal is provided to the first input 22 of the interface 21.
• the second switch 35 is brought into a non-conducting mode, and the parameter-signal as for example generated by a generator 33 cannot reach the second input 23 of the interface 21.
• the value of the direct-current voltage as supplied by the rectifier circuit 4 is equal to the first threshold value as provided by the first source 36, one of both options may be chosen. Instead of using the switches 34 and 35, it might be possible to activate and de-activate the inputs 22 and 23, or to activate and de-activate the feedback- signal and the parameter-signal.
• the controller 3 may further comprise a trigger circuit 32 for in response to a presence of the direct-current voltage as supplied by the rectifier circuit 4 producing a second control signal defining a time-interval from start-up during which the driver 2 is to be kept de-activated.
• the trigger circuit 32 for example compares a value of a voltage of a serial-resistor-capacitor-network with a second threshold value as provided by the second source 37 and produces an on-signal as soon as the voltage across the capacitor of the serial- resistor-capacitor-network has exceeded the second threshold value. So, at start-up, the driver
• a time-interval such as for example 100 msec, or 200 msec, or 500 msec. etc. to give the comparator circuit 31 time to make a comparison and to select a mode for the driver 2.
• a generator may be used for at start-up generating an off-signal to be supplied to the third input 24 of the interface 21, with the comparator circuit 31 as soon as being ready providing an on-signal to be supplied to the third input 24 of the interface 21 and overruling the off-signal.
• the device 1 comprises a driver 2 for driving a light source 5, which driver 2 is operable in different modes, and comprises a controller 3 for, in response to a detection of a value of an input voltage, that is supplied to the device 1 possibly via an electromagnetic ballast, bringing the driver 2 in one of the different modes.
• the different modes may for example comprise a first mode and a second mode.
• the driver 2 may be brought into the first mode in case the value of the input voltage is smaller than a threshold value.
• the driver 2 may be brought into the second mode in case the value of the input voltage is larger than a threshold value.
• the first mode may comprise a preset-mode and the second mode may comprise a feedback-mode.
• the device 1 may further comprise a rectifier circuit 4 for rectifying an alternating-current voltage into a direct-current voltage.
• the value of the input voltage may be a value of the direct-current voltage.
• the rectifier circuit 4 may be left out, for example in case the driver 2 has an in-built rectifier circuit or in case the driver 2 can handle an alternating-current voltage.
• the controller 3 may have an in-built rectifier circuit or the controller 3 may be able to handle an alternating- current voltage.
• a characteristic is shown (horizontal axis Volt, vertical axis Ampere) of a combination of a driver 2 and a light source 5 comprising a light emitting diode circuit when showing a substantially constant-resistor-load-behavior (dotted line) and a substantially constant-power-load-behavior (solid line).
• the substantially constant-resistor-load-behavior is to be preferred. This behavior is realized by operating the driver 2 at a fixed value of a conducting time while ignoring the feedback- information.
• the substantially constant-power-load-behavior or a substantially constant-current-load-behavior is to be preferred. This behavior is realized by operating the driver 2 in response to the feedback- information.
• a first lamp comprises a first EMI filter 6, a first device 1 and a first light source 5 as discussed for the Fig. 1-3, and a second lamp comprises a second EMI filter 16, a second device 11 and a second light source 15 in line with the first ones. Both lamps are coupled serially to each other and the serial combination is coupled via an electromagnetic ballast 7 to a supply 8 such as mains.
• a supply 8 such as mains.
• a first lamp comprises a first EMI filter 6, a first device 1 and a first light source 5 as discussed for the Fig.
• a second lamp comprises a second EMI filter 16, a second device 11 and a second light source 15 in line with the first ones. Both lamps are coupled serially to each other and the serial combination is coupled to a supply 8 such as mains, without an electromagnetic ballast being present. Alternatively, such an electromagnetic ballast may be added.
• a first lamp comprises a first EMI filter 6, a first device 1 and a first light source 5 as discussed for the Fig. 1-3
• a second lamp comprises a second EMI filter 16, a second device 11 and a second light source 15 in line with the first ones.
• the first lamp is coupled to a supply 8 such as mains, without an electromagnetic ballast being present.
• a supply 8 such as mains
• an electromagnetic ballast may be added.
• both lamps are present, they are coupled in parallel to each other and the parallel combination is coupled to a supply 8 such as mains, without an electromagnetic ballast being present.
• such an electromagnetic ballast may be added.
• a low pass filter 43 receives the feedback-signal from the light source 5, such as a value of a current flowing through the light source 5, and low pass filters it.
• a generator 41 produces a reference value, and a subtracter 42 subtracts the filtered value from the reference value and supplies a difference value to a compensator 44.
• the compensator 44 supplies a compensated difference value to a first main contact of a third switch 46. This compensated difference value is to be used in the feedback- mode.
• a second main contact of the third switch 46 receives the fixed value of the conducting time to be used in the preset-mode from a generator 45.
• a detector 47 controls the third switch 46 in response to a detection of a value of the input voltage supplied to the device possibly via the electromagnetic ballast.
• a modulator 48 uses the compensated difference value or the fixed value to calculate a pulse width modulation signal and a driving circuit 49 converts this pulse width modulation signal into a driving signal destined for a control electrode of the switch 25.
• the parts 45-47 may form part of the controller 3, and the parts
• the parts 41-44, 46, 48 and 49 may form part of the driver 2, with the parts 41-44 for example being external parts.
• the parts 41-44, 46, 48 and 49 may form part of the driver 2, with the parts 45 and 47 forming part of the controller 3.
• only the part 47 may form part of the controller 3, with all other parts forming part of the driver 2.
• the entire controller 3 may form part of the driver 2.
• the controller 3 and the interface 21 may be partly or fully integrated.
• Block 51 Start.
• Block 52 De-activate the driver.
• Block 53 Detect a value of an input voltage.
• Block 54 Compare the value of the input voltage with a threshold value. If larger, go to block 55, if smaller, go to block 59.
• Block 55 Select a feedback-mode for the driver.
• Block 56 Activate the driver.
• Block 57 Determine a value of a conducting time in response to a value of a current flowing through the light source.
• Block 58 End, one lamp or parallel lamps in operation.
• Block 59 Select a preset-mode for the driver.
• Block 60 Activate the driver.
• Block 61 Select a fixed value of a conducting time.
• Block 62 End, serial lamps in operation.
• First and second elements can be coupled directly without a third element being in between and can be coupled indirectly via the third element.
• Values of input voltages and values of direct-current voltages may be average values, root-mean-square values, peak values or other kinds of values.
• devices 1 for driving light sources 5 comprise drivers 2 operable in different modes and controllers 3 for, in response to detections of values of input voltages supplied to the devices 1, bringing the drivers 2 in one of the different modes.
• Such devices 1 can be used solely and in series and parallel combinations.
• a first / second mode is selected.
• the first mode is a preset-mode
• the second mode is a feedback-mode.
• a combination of the light source 5 and the driver 2 may show a constant-resistor-load-behavior in the preset-mode.
• the device 2 may comprise a switch 25 that in the preset-mode is operated at a constant conducting time and that in the feedback-mode is operated in response to feedback- information derived from the light source 5. At start-up, the driver 2 may be kept de-activated during a time-interval. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Landscapes

• Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
• Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
• Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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Cited By (3)

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• 2015
  • 2015-07-15 WO PCT/EP2015/066199 patent/WO2016008943A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2015-07-15 EP EP15736299.7A patent/EP3170369B1/en active Active
  • 2015-07-15 US US15/326,257 patent/US10225895B2/en active Active
  • 2015-07-15 JP JP2017501645A patent/JP6646645B2/ja active Active
  • 2015-07-15 CN CN201580038924.3A patent/CN106576407B/zh active Active

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