GB2536300A

GB2536300A - Integrated light source module and housing therefore

Info

Publication number: GB2536300A
Application number: GB1504545.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kears John; Wilson Ian
Original assignee: Tridonic GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Tridonic GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2015-03-12
Filing date: 2015-03-12
Publication date: 2016-09-14
Anticipated expiration: 2035-03-12
Also published as: GB2536300B; GB201504545D0

Abstract

An integrated light source module 1 comprises a light source 4 and a LED driving unit 3, wherein the LED driving unit is configured to convert an externally applied input voltage 2 into a light source operable voltage and in which the light source and the LED driving unit are integrally arranged in a common housing. The housing further comprises an additional external voltage terminal 6 to directly supply the light source operable voltage to the light source, for example by an emergency voltage supply 7 arranged externally to the housing.

Description

Integrated light source module and housing therefore * .* * *** * * * **** * **** * *** * ** . * . . * Ci* ** * * * * * ** The invention relates to an integrated light source module and an appropriate housing, especially for an integrated LED down-light module.

"Integrated" in this context means that a light source and 10 an integrated voltage converter for supplying the light source are provided in a common housing.

Especially in lighting systems for closed buildings there is the need to provide an emergency lighting system. Such an emergency lighting system is used to guide persons inside the building to the next available emergency exist in case of an emergency occurs in the building, such as a fire alert or a power breakdown or the like.

Nowadays there exist integrated down-light engines, short integrated DLE, which are directly supplied by an alternating current voltage. Those DLEs comprise a light source and an integrated voltage converter for supplying the light source in a common housing. The LED load might be switched synchronized to the sign wave of the alternating current voltage supply. Such integrated DLE are very convenient for the luminary manufacturer and installer since no separate control gear and additional wiring has to be applied. The main voltage is easily supplied directly to such an integrated DLE.

Since the integrated DLE are supplied by a main voltage supply only, no emergency voltage supplies can be connected thereto and a supply of the light sources is only possible with the main voltage. It is therefore impossible to directly apply an emergency voltage supply to the light source as an emergency lighting.

It is therefore a need to provide an integrated light source module with an emergency option.

This problem is solved by the technical features of the independent patent claims 1 and 13. Further advantageous embodiments are obtained from the respectively dependent patent claims.

The problem is especially solved by an integrated light source module, which comprises a light source and a LED driving unit, wherein the LED driving unit is configured to convert an externally applied input voltage into a light source operable voltage. The light source and the LED driving unit are integrally arranged into a common housing. The housing comprises an additional external voltage terminal to directly supply the light source operable voltage to the light source.

* ** * . * *** * * * * **** * **** * *** * V* * * * * * 14.* * * V * * ** The additional external voltage terminal is a separate terminal for directly applying the light source operable voltage to supply the light source in a direct manner.

Advantageously, a separate wire connection from the internal light source to an emergency voltage supply is used to directly connect the light source with an emergency voltage supply. Since the emergency voltage supply incorporates a control unit comprising a standardized interface, further applications are possible, such as basic testing, auto-testing and/or monitoring. An emergency solution and monitoring solution is therefore obtained easily.

In a preferred embodiment the directly applicable light source operable voltage is generated by an emergency voltage supply externally arranged to the housing. Such standardized emergency solutions can be connected easily to the integrated light source module.

Preferably, the emergency voltage supply generates and directly applies the light source operable voltage via the external voltage terminal via a push connector technique. Such push connector techniques are standardized and allow an easy manufacturing and an easy installation. * **

* * * IP* * * * * ** * re* * *** . * * * * * * * * * ** * In a preferred embodiment, the emergency voltage supply comprises an energy storage unit for providing a first voltage value and a driving circuit for driving the light source. The energy storage unit is preferably recharged by means of a charging unit inside the emergency voltage supply, which is connected to the main voltage supply. In case of a main voltage loss, the emergency voltage supply automatically provides the light source operable voltage to the light source in the integrated light source module.

In a preferred embodiment, the emergency voltage supply comprises a control unit which is configured to receive operation commands via a lighting interface. Such a lighting interface might be the digital addressable lighting interface, short DALI, which is a data protocol and a transport mechanism to control one or more lighting devices. By receiving of operation commands in the control unit of the emergency voltage supply, automatic testing applications and/or timing applications and/or monitoring applications can be applied to the integrated light source module.

In a preferred embodiment, the externally applied input voltage is an alternating current voltage, such as 230 Volts. This is the standardized voltage for an electric voltage distribution system in European households and leads to a very flexible use of the integrated light source modules in installation of lightings in buildings.

In a preferred embodiment, the light source operable voltage is a direct current low voltage, especially in the range of less than 50 Volts. Using an alternating current as an externally applied input voltage and a direct current light source operable voltage, the internal voltage converter in the integrated light source module is an alternating to direct current LED driving unit which is internally arranged into the common housing.

Since the most emergency voltage supply solutions are based on a direct current voltage supply, it is necessary 20 to use the external voltage terminal for supplying the light source in case of an emergency. * ** * * *

*ii* * * !**** * * **** * C*** *** ra * * * * C* * * * ") * *^* According to the invention, the integrated down-light engine can assume emergency unit functionality in that external to the integrated down-light engine an emergency voltage supply can be provided, which can drive the LEDs by a dedicated electrical voltage terminal.

The emergency voltage supply will also be connected to the 30 AC-grid for maintenance and charging/recharging purposes.

Preferably, the light source is a light emitting diode, short LED. This allows efficient lighting without high power consumption.

Preferably, the emergency light source is the light source of the integrated light source module. This allows an easy installation and avoids additional light sources for the 5 emergency lighting.

Preferably the light source is an array or a string of light-emitting diodes, which allows a higher light strength.

Preferably, the emergency light source is at least a subgroup of the light source of the integrated light source module. This allows an easy installation and avoids additional light sources for the emergency lighting.

Preferably the LED driving unit is internally connected to the light source via an internal voltage interface.

The above identified problem is also solved by a housing 20 for an integrated light source as previously described, * * * * * comprising a main supply voltage interface built as a * * first push connection means and an additional external voltage terminal built as a second push connection. This allows an easy handling to connect the emergency voltage 25 supply to the integrated light source module. ** * * * **

** * The above identified problem is also solved by a lighting system which comprises at least one integrated lighting source module of the above described manner and an * * * 30 emergency voltage supply, which is externally connected to the at least one integrated light source module for directly supplying a light source operable voltage to the light source. * **

Preferably, the emergency voltage supply is configured to provide the light source operable voltage to more than one integrated light source module. Advantageously, the number of emergency voltage supplies can be reduced, which allows a cost reduction.

Following exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings. Those exemplary embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention. The same reference signs in different drawings indicate the same elements or at least the same functions unless otherwise stated.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an integrated light source module according to the prior art.

Fig. 2 shows a first exemplary embodiment of an integrated light source module with emergency option according to the invention.

* ** Fig. 3 shows a second exemplary embodiment of an * * * * * * * **** integrated light source module with emergency option according to the invention. **** * ***

Fig. 4 shows a third exemplary embodiment of an * inventive integrated light source module with emergency option.

* * * In Fig. 1 an integrated light source module 1 according to 30 the prior art is shown. The integrated light source module 1 might be an integrated down-light engine, short integrated-DLE. * e* ** * * * * * **

The integrated light source module 1 comprises a main supply voltage interface 2 on which a main voltage of an alternating current grid of an electrical voltage transmission and distribution network can be connected. The connection can be built via a push connection or a similar connection in a simple manner. The integrated light source module 1 comprises a light source 4 in form of a LED. The integrated light source module 1 further comprises a LED driving unit 3, which is arranged internally into a common housing with the light source 4 of the integrated light source module 1. An internally built voltage interface 5 between the LED driving unit 3 and the light source 4 is used to supply the light source 4 with the light source operable voltage VLED derived from the LED driving unit 3 by converting the externally applied input voltage Viaan.

Since the internal voltage interface 5 between the LED driving unit 3 and the light source 4 cannot be accessed from the outside of the housing of the integrated light source module 1, a direct current based emergency voltage * .. * *

*** * * supply cannot be connected to such an integrated light * * source module 1. Thus, such integrated light source modules 1 cannot be used in lighting systems where an emergency lighting system needs to be installed. 04O *

* * * In Fig. 2 a first exemplary embodiment of the integrated light source module 1 is shown. In addition to the light source module 1 of the prior art, the integrated light source module 1 according to the invention comprises an * 30 additional external voltage terminal 6 to directly supply the light source operable voltage VLED to the light source 4 from the outside of the housing via an emergency voltage supply 7. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the emergency voltage supply 7 is directly connected via the additional external * w* ** * * . . * ** voltage terminal 6 to the light source 4 of the integrated light source module 1. The emergency voltage supply 7 is further connected to the main supply voltage Vmain for maintenance and charging/recharging purposes as will be described in greater details according to the embodiment in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 3 a second exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. The integrated light source module 1 is connected to an emergency voltage supply 7 via the separate external voltage terminal 6. The main voltage supply 2 is also connected to the emergency voltage supply 7 via the main supply voltage interface 71. As can be seen, the main voltage supply 2 is connected in relay for emergency purposes. Since the main voltage supply 2 needs to be converted to a light source operable voltage V -LED r which is a direct current voltage, the LED driving unit 3 of Fig. 3 may be formed by a voltage converting unit, e.g. an AC/DC-converting unit. The main voltage supply 2 is mainly referred to a voltage of 230 Volts. The LED driving * 00 9 * * O00 * unit 3 may comprise a bridge rectifier whereby the AC * * voltage delivered by main voltage supply 2 is rectified to a DC voltage. The voltage converting unit as LED driving **** unit 3 may convert this voltage value down to less than 50 Volts direct current for driving the light source 4.

* * * * * * * * * * . In an alternative embodiment the LED driving unit 3 may be * * * * ..

formed by a so-called AC LED driver module for driving LEDs directly from an AC supply. 'Directly' has to be understood that there is no switch mode circuitry in this driver but a string of LEDs is directly driven from AC voltage.

Again the LED driving unit 3 may comprise a bridge rectifier whereby the AC voltage delivered by main voltage supply 2 is rectified to a DC voltage. In such case the string of LEDS may be divided in several sub-groups. Along with a raising amplitude of the sine wave of the mains AC voltage more and more stages of LEDs are switched to be operative. At the same time, each time an additional group of the series connection of LEDs is switched on, a current source with increasing power is switched on. Thus, not only an increasing number of LEDs will be switched on, but also stepwise the current through the LED string will increase in order to roughly match the shape of the sine-wave of the AC voltage. In addition the LED driving unit circuit may comprise a serial path comprising the LEDs and a constant current sink. In addition to this constant current sink, further switchable constant current devices may be connected with the serial path. Depending on the input voltage, some of the further switchable constant current devices may be switched.

The term "light source" herein refers to at least one LED * * * * * . * but can also refer to a set, array or string of LED. * * * * * *

* * * * In Fig. 4 the emergency voltage supply 7 is shown in * * * * greater details. As can be seen, the emergency voltage * * * * * 25 supply 7 comprises a charging unit 73, an energy storage * . unit 72, a driving unit 74 and connection points for * * * * * * * * supplying a main supply voltage 71 and a light source * * * * * terminal 76 for providing the light source operable voltage VLED to the external voltage terminal 6 of the 30 integrated light source module 1.

The charging unit 73 is built with a fly-back converter, which is operated by a control unit 75. The control unit 75 might be a micro-controller or the like. The control unit 75 comprises an interface 77 to obtain operation commands via a DALI-standardized interface 77. Such an interface 77 might be used for maintenance or automatic testing functions. The energy storage unit 72 might be built as a battery. To charge/recharge the battery, the charging circuit 73 is used.

In case of a main voltage loss, the main supply voltage interface 2 is not able to further provide energy to the light source 4. Therefore, the energy storing unit 72 is used which is driven by the micro-controller 75 and a flyback converter as a driver circuit 74.

In a case where the light source 4 comprises a LED driving unit 3 formed by a AC LED arrangement where the string of LEDS is divided in several sub-groups whereas depending on the level of the emergency voltage supply 7 the equivalent number of stages of LEDs may be switched to be operative. The number of LEDs to be switched on may roughly match the level of the emergency voltage supply 7. Depending on a * .. * * *

* user setting or wiring configuration it may be also * * possible to activate or deactivate additional parallel LED strings. * * * *

ea * 25 As a conclusion, the light source 4 in the integrated light source module 1 obtains an emergency lighting system and can therefore be used as an emergency lighting device in emergency lighting applications for buildings.

* * 30 Furthermore a lighting system which comprises at least one integrated lighting source module 1 of the above described manner and an emergency voltage supply 7 can be used. The emergency voltage supply 7 is externally connected to the at least one integrated light source module 1 for directly * GO ** * * * * * ** supplying the light source operable voltage VLED to the light source 4.

The emergency voltage supply 7 is furthermore configured 5 to provide the light source operable voltage VLED to more than one integrated light source module 1 to reduce the number of emergency voltage supplies 7 in a building. * ** * * * *** * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * . * * * * * Reference signs 1 Integrated Down Light Engine (DLE) 2 Main supply voltage interface 3 LED driving unit 4 Light source Internal voltage interface 6 External voltage terminal, push connection 7 Emergency voltage supply 71 Main supply voltage interface 72 Energy storage unit, battery 73 Charging unit 74 Driving unit, fly-back converter Control unit 76 Light source terminal 77 DALI-standardized interface VMain Externally applied input voltage VLED Light source operable voltage * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *** * * * Sib * * * * . * * * * * * * * * * * **

Claims

We claim: 1. An integrated light source module (1), comprising: -a light source (4); and -a LED driving unit (3), wherein the LED driving unit (3) is configured to convert an externally applied input voltage (Vman) into a light source operable voltage (VLED), - wherein the light source (4) and the LED driving unit (3) are integrally arranged into a common housing, characterized in that: - the housing comprises an additional external voltage terminal (6) to directly supply the light source operable voltage (VLED) to the light source (4).
2. The integrated light source module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the directly applicable light source operable voltage (VLED) is generated by an emergency voltage supply (7) externally arranged to the housing. * .. * * *

*
3. The integrated light source module (1) according to * * claim 2, wherein the emergency voltage supply (7) generates and directly applies the light source operable **** voltage (VLED) via the external voltage terminal (6) via a 6.0 * 25 push connector technique. ** * * * * * **

** *
4. The integrated light source module (1) according to * * * claims 2 or 3, wherein the emergency voltage supply (7) comprises an energy storage unit (72) for providing a * .. 30 first voltage value (VLED) and a driving circuit (74) for driving the light source (4).
5. The integrated light source module (1) according to claim 2 to 4, wherein the emergency voltage supply (7) * ** * * * *** * * * * 0*00 *GO* * * * * * ** * * * * ** ** * * ** comprises a control unit (75) which is configured to receive operation commands via a lighting interface (77).
6. The integrated light source module (1) according to 5 one of the preceding claims, wherein the externally applied input voltage (Vmain) is an alternating current voltage.
7. The integrated light source module (1) according to 10 one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source operable voltage (VLED) is a direct current low voltage, especially in the range of less than 50 Volts.
8. The integrated light source module (1) according to 15 one of the preceding claims, wherein the LED driving unit (3) is internally connected to the light source (4) via an internal voltage interface (5).
9. The integrated light source module (1) according to 20 one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source (4) is a light emitting diode.
10. The integrated light source module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the emergency light 25 source is the integrated light source (4).
11. The integrated light source module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source (4) is an array and/or string of light emitting diodes.
12. The integrated light source module (1) according to claim 11, wherein the emergency light source is a subgroup of the integrated light source (4).
13. A housing for an integrated light source module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a main supply voltage interface (2) built as a first push connection means and an additional external voltage terminal (6) built as a second push connection.
14. The housing according to claim 13, wherein a light source (4) inside the housing is directly supplied by an light source operable voltage (VLED) via the external 10 voltage terminal (6).
15. A lighting system, comprising at least an integrated lighting source module (1) according to one of the preceding claims and an emergency voltage supply (7), which is externally connected to the at least one integrated light source module (1) for directly supplying a light source operable voltage (VIED) to the light source (4). * a* ^ * * e** * * * * * * * ** ** * * * * * **