CN101828429A - Interface for a luminous means operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the operation of lighting devices (3) such as fluorescent lamps and gas discharge lamps. For operating an operating device (2) for a lighting device (3), an operating device having an interface in the form of an input channel is provided. This interface can be switched to an output channel.

Description

Interfaces for operating devices for lighting installations

technical field

The invention relates to the operation of lighting devices such as fluorescent lamps and gas discharge lamps. The invention relates in particular to an operating device or an electronic ballast having an input to which a light sensor for monitoring brightness can be connected, and to a method of using the input interface.

Background technique

From EP 0965252 B1 it is basically known that an electronic ballast for operating a luminaire comprises a connection device to which a light sensor for monitoring the brightness of a specific spatial area can be connected. A light sensor for brightness control detects the actual brightness value in the area illuminated by the luminaire. These actual brightness values are fed to the operating device via the connection device. The operating device controls the lamp whose brightness is detected by the light sensor according to the actual brightness value and dims the lighting.

In addition to the first connection device, the electronic ballast comprises a further connection for receiving external control information, eg via a bus. In this way, various information or commands such as an external dimming desired value can be fed to the electronic ballast. In addition, closing and closing commands for the electronic ballast can be transmitted via these control connections.

It should be noted that this measuring connection device is used to connect light sensors or to connect resistors that vary with brightness. In the event that a light sensor is connected to the device, this is verified and recognized by the operating device, so that the brightness of the luminaire can be adjusted or dimmed depending on the sensor value. In this case, external control information related to the brightness of the luminaire is not taken into account for the operation of the luminaire.

Conversely, without a light sensor connected to the electronic ballast, the operating device can be controlled via a further digital control connection such as a DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) or DSI (Digital Signal Interface) connection. Due to the low signal transmission rate of these digital connections or interfaces, it is not possible to control the connected luminaires to quickly change the actual brightness value through external control information. Therefore, according to this prior art, it is not possible to achieve light effects with very fast light changes.

Contents of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved technique for operating a luminaire, by which in particular the versatile use of the interface is improved.

This object is achieved by the features described in the claims, wherein a combination of the claims is described as a particularly preferred solution to the above-mentioned problem.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an operating device for operating at least one lighting device, said operating device comprising an interface formed as an input channel. The interface can be switched as an output channel.

According to the invention, an operating device for operating at least one lighting device is proposed. The operating device comprises an interface which has a line which can be selectively switched as an input, for example of a light sensor, or as an output of a low volt voltage source.

Preferably, the interface may be programmable to perform different functions, for example by commands fed via the bus.

The interface can be used as an output channel for supplying voltages, in particular low voltages.

The supplied voltage can be configured to operate external devices.

The interface can be activated for powering at least one further lighting device.

Thus, preferably, the voltage provided can be used for operating emergency lights, in particular in the form of inorganic or organic light-emitting diodes.

Alternatively, or in addition, the voltage provided may be designed for operation of the transfer addressed luminaire.

Via a control connection receiving control information, the interface can be activated as an active interface or as an output interface.

According to the invention, an operating device is proposed for operating at least one lighting device, said operating device comprising an output interface for transferring data, wherein the output interface can be configured for outputting (low volts) for an external device voltage.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system for operating at least one lighting device is provided, said system comprising an operating device of this type.

The system may comprise a lighting device formed as a gas discharge lamp or a fluorescent lamp.

Preferably, the system may comprise emergency lights or emergency lighting, wherein the operating device is formed to operate the emergency lights or emergency lighting via the interface.

In particular, the emergency light may be a LED or OLED (Light Emitting Diode) emergency light.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an operating device for a lighting arrangement having an operating mode for emergency lighting or even an emergency lighting device, said operating device comprising an operating circuit of the type described above, in which operating circuit wherein the lighting device comprises at least one gas discharge lamp and a branched voltage source powers at least one light emitting diode, wherein in emergency lighting situations LEDs or OLEDs can be operated instead of gas discharge lamps.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an operating mode of the operating device, such as an emergency lighting operating mode, can also be selected externally via a control command.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an electronic ballast comprising an operating device of this type.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating a lighting device, wherein, in normal operation, ie when an alternating voltage is applied to the mains input of the operating device, a first lighting device, in particular at least one gas discharge lamp is operated, and a second lighting device different from the first lighting device is operated instead of the first lighting device when a DC voltage is applied to the power supply input of said operating device, or when a corresponding command is input via a data line, The second lighting means is in particular at least one light emitting diode LED or OLED.

Furthermore, a method for operating an operating device of a lighting device is provided, wherein the operating device comprises an interface input for connecting a light sensor. The interface input is configured optionally for connecting passive electronic devices or passive optoelectronic devices or for receiving actively transmitted signals. In particular, passive devices include light sensors for brightness control, potentiometers for dimming, resistors for addressing, or IR (infrared) sensors or light sensors for data transmission.

In particular, said passive device may be a light sensor for transmitting an actual brightness value to said operating device.

The actively transmitted signal may be an analog or digital signal.

In particular, the actively transmitted signal can be generated by a generating device, a signal generator and/or a static adjusting element or an adjusting element that can be changed by a user.

In a preferred manner, the passive device may be a potentiometer.

The potentiometer can be used for manual dimming and/or switching the lighting device on and off.

Description of drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail below by means of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows a preferred exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention;

Another exemplary embodiment of a system using a potentiometer according to the present invention, schematically shown in FIG. 2 ; and

Fig. 3 schematically shows another exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention.

Detailed ways

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1 according to the invention. The system 1 essentially comprises an operating device 2 for operating one or several luminaires 3 . The operating device 2 can in particular be an electronic ballast 2 for at least one lamp 3 , in particular for at least one fluorescent lamp, for example a gas discharge lamp. However, the lighting means can also be, for example, light emitting diodes.

The illustrated electronic ballast 2 comprises inputs 4a and 4b for a light sensor interface 5 and two control inputs 6a and 6b for connection to a preferably digital control bus or control lines 7a and 7b.

The inputs 4 a , 4 b and the control inputs 6 a and 6 b are connected to a control device 8 of the electronic ballast 2 .

An external resistor can be connected to the light sensor interface 5 of the electronic ballast 2 . In particular, a light sensor or a photoresistor can be connected to the light sensor interface 5 . A known light sensor of this type (not shown) is designed to measure the brightness of light incident on the sensor.

If a light sensor is actually connected to the sensor interface 5, the actual brightness value of the area monitored by this sensor provided by the light sensor is fed to the electronic ballast 2, wherein the control device 8 of the electronic ballast 2 can then Actual brightness value, dimming the lamps used to illuminate the monitoring area.

As illustrated in Figure 1, in a system 1 an analog or digital signal source is connected to a sensor interface 5 for receiving luminance values.

Fig. 2 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a system 1' according to the invention.

In this case, the inputs 4 a , 4 b of the sensor interface 5 are used for connecting a potentiometer 11 . Using the potentiometer 11 allows manual control or dimming of the luminaire 3 since the brightness of the luminaire 3 is controlled according to the selected resistance of the potentiometer 11 .

Thus, it is also possible to change the brightness of the luminaire 3 relatively quickly compared to using a light sensor. Via the connected light sensor, the electronic ballast 2 carries out a so-called slow brightness change. However, by using the potentiometer 11, the electronic ballast 2 can make a faster brightness change and can preferably adapt this faster brightness change to the reaction time of dimmers available on the market.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 , the inputs 4 a , 4 b can be used to connect a potentiometer 11 , wherein the potentiometer 11 can facilitate eg manual dimming and also make it possible to switch on/off the light fixture 3 . This exemplary embodiment can be used in existing light systems, in particular for floor lights, where the existing sensor interface 5 is used to connect the potentiometer 11 . Therefore, fast exterior lighting control can be realized in a simple manner.

Thus, the lighting system 1' can optionally be equipped with a light sensor or potentiometer 11 in a passive mode characterized by the connection of passive electronic or passive optoelectronic devices to the inputs 4a, 4b.

For example, the electronic ballast 2 can recognize whether a light sensor or a potentiometer 11 is connected, by corresponding signals via the control inputs 6a, 6b, or by actuation of a switch.

However, the electronic ballast 2 can also automatically detect whether the potentiometer 11 is used for manual dimming or on/off. First, the electronic ballast 2 induces a brightness change or dimming of the connected lamp 3 and at the same time verifies whether the resistance value at the sensor interface 5 changes. If this resistance value changes, the electronic ballast 2 asserts that the photoresistor is connected to the light sensor interface 5 . On the other hand, if this resistance value does not change during dimming, the electronic ballast 2 recognizes the potentiometer 11 for manual dimming. Depending on the result of this automatic identification, light sensor mode or potentiometer mode is activated.

According to the invention, two control inputs 6a, 6b are provided so that external control information can be fed to the electronic ballast 2 . The electronic ballast 2 can receive various types of control information such as configuration information, status queries or brightness information via the control inputs 6a, 6b.

A piece of configuration information can provide the electronic ballast 2 with information about which information is provided via the inputs 4a, 4b.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, the interface 5 or the sensor channel can be switched as an output, ie for outputting a voltage, for example outputting a small volt voltage in particular as a DC voltage. This switching process can be performed, for example, by limit commands such as bus commands.

According to the invention, moreover, the interface 5, which is preferably designed for connecting a light sensor, can be configured to be used as an output in addition to being used for connecting passive electronic devices or passive optoelectronic devices, or for receiving actively transmitted signals Wire. This configuration can take place via the control unit 56 and can be carried out on the basis of corresponding configuration or control information, wherein this control information is then preferably transmitted to the control unit 56 via the control connections 6a, 6b.

The system 50 for emergency lighting shown in Figure 3 includes an electronic ballast 51 which can perform the input functions described above and can also provide a voltage source for LEDs or OLEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) during emergency lighting operation .

The electronic ballast 51 operates the lamp 3 or supplies current to the lamp 3 via the control output 53 . This supply is realized in a typical manner not described in detail here, and the mains voltage Un is used for this purpose.

In this case, the mains voltage Un provided at the input pin 52 is intended to refer primarily to an alternating voltage of eg 220V or 230V, and also to a direct voltage of 24V or 48V.

The system 50 comprises light emitting diodes 57 , preferably several light emitting diodes, which can be connected to the battery 55 via the control unit 56 when the mains voltage Un drops below a predetermined value. In the emergency lighting mode, the control unit 56 recognizes this drop in the mains voltage Un and switches on the battery 55 so that the battery 55 operates the light-emitting diodes 57 via the interface 5 .

In the emergency lighting mode, in order to save the battery 55, the light output of the light emitting diodes 57 is preferably lower than that of the luminaire 3 operating in normal mode.

The emergency lighting system operates the emergency lights as soon as the mains supply Un or the current source fails to supply power to other lighting elements. In this case the further lighting element is a light fixture 3 .

A battery 55 or generally a DC voltage source is charged by a charging circuit 54 controlled by a control unit 56 as long as mains power is available or sufficient.

Preferably, the emergency lighting or the light-emitting diodes 57 can have an upstream further unit connected thereto, for example a boost converter.

The battery 55 or even other units of the ballast 51 shown in FIG. 3 may also be provided externally, ie outside the ballast 51 . The external battery can thus operate the emergency lighting of several ballasts 51 at the same time.

Alternatively, in the case of a system with a central emergency lighting _power supply, the operating equipment (i.e. The control unit 56) can recognize this switching of the emergency lighting power supply and switch the mode of operation from gas discharge lamp operation to LED operation.

Alternatively, the control command informing the control unit 56 of the prevailing emergency lighting situation can also be transmitted via the interface (control inputs 6a and 6b), or the control command can be transmitted by a signal via the power line directly to the input pin 52. is teleported. Furthermore, switching conditions or even other configuration parameters for switching the operating modes can be specified or changed by control commands via the interfaces (control inputs 6a and 6b). For example, a configuration parameter may specify the type of external emergency operating power supply (in order to identify it) or specify a brightness value, ie a corresponding dimming value, by which the emergency lighting elements will be operated.

Various types of luminaires can be selected as emergency lighting elements. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the emergency light comprises one or several light emitting diodes. Alternatively, conventional incandescent lamps can be used. It is also possible to use fluorescent lamps as emergency lights, wherein it must be taken into account that such fluorescent lamps require a certain amount of time, at least a few minutes, in order to warm up and be able to operate at maximum intensity.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the sensor channel as a whole thus becomes active, ie connected to a voltage source. Thus different further light sources can be provided. An example is an emergency light LED.

However, connected light sources, in particular LEDs, can also be used, for example, for transfer addressing. The addressing may be the addressing of the luminaires 3 in a lighting system such as a DALI lighting system. Preferably and in a known manner, this transfer is done by modulating the light emitted by a light emitting diode.

Claims (18)

1. An operating device for a lighting installation capable of emergency operation, said operating device being formed to operate in normal operation, i.e. when an AC voltage is applied to a power supply input of said operating device The first lighting device, in particular operates at least one gas discharge lamp, and the operating device is also formed such that when a direct voltage is applied to the power supply input of the operating device, or when a corresponding command is input via a data line, Operating a second lighting means different from the first lighting means instead of the first lighting means, in particular operating at least one light emitting diode LED. 2. The operating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second lighting device is operated via an interface which can also be selectively switched as a signal input. 3. The operating device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the operating device supplies a DC voltage to the second lighting device. 4. An operating device (51) for operating at least one lighting device (3), said operating device (51) comprising an interface (5) formed as an input channel, wherein said interface (5) can be switched It is the output channel of a small volt voltage source, especially a DC voltage source. 5. The operating device (51 ) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the interface (5) is formed as a sensor input channel, in particular as a light sensor input channel. 6. The operating device (51 ) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the interface (5) is programmable to perform different functions. 7. The operating device (51 ) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the supplied voltage is configured for operating an external device. 8. The operating device (51) as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the interface (5) can be activated for powering at least one further lighting device (57). 9. The operating device (51 ) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the voltage provided is used for operating an emergency light (57), in particular a light emitting diode. 10. The operating device (51 ) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the provided voltage is configured for operating a transfer addressed luminaire. 11. The operating device (51) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface (5) is activated as an active interface or output via a control connection (6a, 6b) receiving control information interface. 12. An operating device (51) for operating at least one lighting device (3), said operating device (51) comprising an output interface (5) for transferring data, wherein said output interface can be configured for To output power supply voltage for external equipment (57). 13. A system for operating at least one lighting device (3), said system comprising an operating device (51 ) according to any one of the preceding claims. 14. A system as claimed in claim 13, comprising a lighting device (3) formed as a gas discharge lamp or a fluorescent lamp. 15. The system according to claim 13 or 14, comprising an emergency light (57), wherein the operating device (51 ) is formed to operate the emergency light (57) via the interface (5). 16. A system as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the emergency light (57) is a Light Emitting Diode (LED) emergency light. 17. An electronic ballast comprising an operating device (51 ) according to any one of the preceding claims. 18. A method for operating a lighting device, wherein a first lighting device, in particular at least one gas discharge lamp, is operated in normal operation, ie when an alternating voltage is applied to a power input of an operating device, said method is characterized in that a second lighting device different from the first lighting device is operated instead of the first lighting device when a DC voltage is applied to the power supply input of the operating device, or when a corresponding command is input via a data line , the second lighting device is in particular at least one light emitting diode LED.

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