CN101336038B - Method for operating a multi-channel dimmer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention proposes a method for activating a multi-channel dimmer of a lighting control device for feeding at least one load, wherein a central control circuit communicates with the dimming channels via a data line connection and can control each dimming channel separately via an individual address; each dimming channel has power electronics, control electronics and an output for connecting a load. It is important that, after connecting at least one load to a single dimming channel or to a plurality of dimming channels, a test sequence is carried out and evaluated by means of the control circuit, in which the control circuit sequentially switches between a predetermined Only one single dimming channel is controlled separately during the time interval; the control electronics of all dimming channels respectively detect the voltage signal present on the output terminal and report it to the control circuit; and the control circuit determines which The dimming channels are connected in parallel to form a joint dimming group.

Description

How to start a multi-channel dimmer

technical field

The invention relates to a method for activating a multi-channel dimmer according to the general concept of claim 1 . The dimming channels of the multi-channel dimmer can be installed in the distribution box or in multiple concealed sockets.

Background technique

DE 102 47 333 A1 discloses a multi-channel dimmer, ie an electronic dimmer with several power levels (channels, outputs). These power levels are established for any parallel connection of at least two of them at the load. The multi-channel dimmer can be applied flexibly, so it is not only suitable for controlling a large number of low-power consumers individually or in groups, but also suitable for controlling single or small quantities of high-power consumers.

DE 10 2005 004 884 B3 discloses a built-in dimmer, the dimmer carrier part of which has a plug-in device on its top surface, which is in electrical contact with a corresponding plug-in device of the operating element, At the same time, the same dimmer carrier can optionally be equipped with various operating elements, such as:

- operating elements for rotary operation,

- operating elements for touch operation,

- operating elements for time control,

- Operating elements for radio control.

Generally, in a multi-channel dimmer, the output terminals of different dimming channels can be connected in parallel to increase the connection power. However, here, the individual functions of the dimming channels of the multi-channel dimmer, such as the local operation keys and extension input terminals, must be manually deactivated during start-up, which takes a certain amount of time.

Contents of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for starting a multi-channel dimmer which reduces the time spent on starting.

This object is solved according to the invention by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1 in combination with the features of the general concept.

Advantages achievable with the invention are, in particular, an increase in comfort, activation and operating reliability and activation and operating safety of the light control device. It is no longer necessary to manually deactivate the functions of the individual dimming channels of the joint dimming group during start-up, but it is done so to speak automatically. This saves startup time.

Other advantages will appear from the description below.

Advantageous refinements of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

The invention is explained below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 shows a lighting control device including a multi-channel dimmer;

Figure 2 shows one dimming channel of a multi-channel dimmer.

Explanation of reference signs:

1 lighting control equipment

3 multi-channel dimmer

5 The first joint dimming group

6 The first dimming channel of the multi-channel dimmer

7 Communication interface

8 On-site operation keys

9 L interface (supply voltage interface)

10 extension input

11 extension

12 L interface or N interface

13 output terminal (load interface)

14 load

15 N interface

16 second dimming channel of multi-channel dimmer

17 Communication interface

18 On-site operation keys

19 L interface (supply voltage interface)

20 extension input

21 output terminal (load interface)

twenty two ---

23 The third dimming channel of the multi-channel dimmer

24 communication interface

25 On-site operation keys

26 L interface (supply voltage interface)

27 extension input

28 extension

29 L interface or N interface

30 output terminal (load interface)

31 load

32 N interface

33 ---

34 The second joint dimming group

35 Fourth dimming channel of multi-channel dimmer

36 communication interface

37 On-site operation keys

38 L interface (supply voltage interface)

39 extension input

40 output terminal (load interface)

41 load

42 N interface

43 The fifth dimming channel of the multi-channel dimmer

44 communication interface

45 On-site operation keys

46 L interface (supply voltage interface)

47 Extension input

48 extension

49 L interface or N interface

50 output terminal (load interface)

51 ---

52 control circuit

53 bus

54 Power Electronic Devices

55 Control electronics

56 data cable

Detailed ways

Figure 1 shows a light control device comprising a multi-channel dimmer. The light control device 1 comprises the following main components in the illustrated embodiment:

- Multi-channel dimmer 3

- Three extensions 11, 28, 48 connected with multi-channel dimmers

- Three loads 14, 31, 41 connected to the multi-channel dimmer.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the multi-channel dimmer 3 comprises five dimming channels 6 , 16 , 23 , 35 , 43 and a central control circuit 52 . The control circuit 52 can, for example (but not necessarily) be connected to a bus 53 (bus of building automation engineering). Each dimming channel 6 or 16 or 23 or 35 or 43 has:

- Field operation keys 8 or 18 or 25 or 37 or 45,

- a communication interface 7 or 17 or 24 or 36 or 44 for connection with the control circuit 52,

- L interface (supply voltage interface) 9 or 19 or 26 or 38 or 46 for connection to the supply voltage line (phase line) of the AC grid,

- an output (load interface) 13 or 21 or 30 or 40 or 50 for connecting a load (lighting device),

-Extension input 10 or 20 or 2 7 or 39 or 47 for connecting extensions.

The control circuit 52 communicates with the communication interface 7 or 17 or 24 or 36 or 44 of the dimming channel 6 or 16 or 23 or 35 or 43 through a data line 56 .

The extension 11 is connected to the extension input 10 . The extension 28 is connected to the extension input 27 . The extension 48 is connected to the extension input 47 . The other interfaces of extension 11 or 28 or 48 are respectively used as N interface or L interface 12 or 29 or 49 for connecting with the supply voltage line or neutral line of the power supply grid.

The load 14 is connected to two parallel-connected outputs 13 , 21 . Therefore, the first dimming channel 6 and the second dimming channel 16 of the multi-channel dimmer 3 serve as a first joint dimming group 5 . A load 31 is connected to the output terminal 30 . A load 41 is connected to two parallel outputs 40 , 50 . Therefore, the fourth dimming channel 35 and the fifth dimming channel 43 of the multi-channel dimmer 3 serve as the second joint dimming group 34 .

The other ports of the load 14 or 31 or 41 are respectively used as the N interface 15 or 32 or 42 connected to the neutral line of the power supply grid.

Figure 2 shows one dimming channel of a multi-channel dimmer. The dimming channel 6 shown as an example has a controllable power electronics system 54 , which is connected via its first main connection to the L connection 9 and via its second main connection to the output 13 . A control input of the power electronics 54 is connected to an output of the control electronics 55 . The control electronics 55 can:

- with the help of the local operation key 8,

- with an extension, via extension input 10

- by means of the control circuit 52, via the communication interface 7,

Apply voltage.

Of particular importance is the tap at the output 13 , by means of which the control electronics 55 detects the voltage signal present at the output 13 . Of course, other dimming channels are constructed in the same way.

Each dimming channel 6, 16, 23, 35, 43 of the multi-channel dimmer 3 can be installed in a distribution box, or can also be installed in different concealed sockets. After the lighting control device has been wired in the desired manner, according to the invention, the test sequence described below is started and evaluated by means of the control circuit 52 . Here, the prerequisites for starting the testing process are:

- apply the supply voltage to the L interfaces (see marks 9, 19, 26, 38, 46 of Figure 1) of all dimming channels,

- the control circuit 52 can separately control each dimming channel 6, 16, 23, 35, 43 through individual address and data lines 56,

- the communication between the control circuit 52 and the dimming channels 6, 16, 23, 35, 43 via data lines (see communication interfaces 7, 17, 24, 36, 44) is a two-way communication, that is, in the dimming channels The voltage signal present at the output of the can be detected by the control electronics 55 and reported to the control circuit 52 via the data line 56 .

In a first step of the test procedure, the control circuit 52 sends a control signal for controlling the first dimming channel 6 during a certain duration. A voltage signal is therefore present at the output 13 of the dimming channel 6 . Since the outputs 13 , 21 of the two dimming channels 6 , 16 are interconnected, this voltage signal is also present at the output 21 . The control electronics 55 of the two dimming channels 6 , 16 therefore report this voltage signal to the control circuit 52 via the data line 56 . The control electronics 55 of the other dimming channels 23 , 35 , 43 report a voltage signal “Null”. The control circuit thus draws the conclusion that the output terminals 13, 21 of the two dimming channels 6, 16 are connected in parallel.

In a second step of the test procedure, the control circuit 52 sends a control signal for controlling the third dimming channel 23 during a certain duration. A voltage signal is therefore present at the output 30 of the dimming channel 25 . Therefore, only the control electronics 55 of the dimming channel 23 reports this voltage signal to the control circuit 52 via the data line 56 , while the control electronics 55 of the other dimming channels 6 , 16 , 35 , 43 report a voltage signal “Null”. The control circuit 52 draws a conclusion from this: the output end of the dimming channel 23 is not connected in parallel with other dimming channels.

In a third step of the testing procedure, the control circuit 52 sends a control signal for controlling the fourth dimming channel 35 during a certain duration. A voltage signal is therefore present at the output 40 of the dimming channel 35 . Since the outputs 40 , 50 of the two dimming channels 35 , 43 are interconnected, this voltage signal is also present at the output 50 . The control electronics 55 of the two dimming channels 35 , 43 therefore report this voltage signal to the control circuit 52 via the data line 56 . The control electronics 55 of the other dimming channels 6 , 16 , 23 report a voltage signal “Null”. The control circuit thus draws the conclusion that the output terminals 40, 50 of the two dimming channels 35, 43 are connected in parallel.

This test procedure is repeated until the group affiliation of all dimming channels is clearly determined.

After the end of the test process (or optionally after each individual step of the test process), the current assigned to the joint dimming group On-site operation parts, extension input terminals and some functions of a certain dimming channel are not activated. In the present exemplary embodiment, the local operating elements 18, 37 and the extension inputs 20, 39 are independently deactivated. The reason for this is that only one dimming channel in a joint dimming group is responsible for the operation via the local operating key or via the extension input or via the superordinated control circuit 52 and for the central monitoring of the load status and feedback of this status to the control circuit 52.

The operation of the first joint dimming group 5 now takes place exclusively via the local operating element 8, the extension input 10 and the control circuit 52 (via the bus to which the control circuit 52 is supplied with voltage).

The operation of the second joint dimming group 34 now takes place exclusively via the local operating element 45, the extension input 47 and the control circuit 52 (via the bus to which the control circuit 52 is supplied with voltage).

Of course, the foregoing is only an example showing that the various dimming channels are combined into a special combination of dimming groups, that is to say, any other configurations are achievable.

Claims (2)

1. Method for activating a multi-channel dimmer (3) of a light control device (1) for feeding at least one load (14, 31, 41), wherein the central control circuit (52) Connect with the communication interfaces (7, 17, 24, 36, 44) of the dimming channels (6, 16, 23, 35, 43) through data lines (56), and can separately control each Dimming channels, and each dimming channel has power electronics (54), control electronics (55) and outputs (13, 21, 30, 40, 50) for connection to loads (14, 31, 41) , characterized in that, - after at least one load (14, 31, 41) has been connected to a single dimming channel or to several dimming channels (6, 16, 23, 35, 43), a control circuit (52) is used to carry out and evaluate a a test procedure in which the control circuit separately controls only one unique dimming channel (6, 16, 23, 35, 43) successively during a predetermined time interval, respectively, - the control electronics (55) of all dimming channels (6, 16, 23, 35, 43) respectively detect the voltage signal present at the output terminals (13, 21, 30, 40, 50) and report it to the control circuit ,and - The control circuit (52) determines which dimming channels are connected in parallel into a joint dimming group (5, 34) by means of the reported voltage signal. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the control circuit (52) sends the parameterization signal to each dimming channel (6, 16, 23, 35, 43) of the joint dimming group (5, 34) ) of the control electronics (55) to disable the field operator and/or the extension input.

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