AT13365U1 - Control of lamps by means of defined manipulation of the supply voltage - Google Patents

Abstract

It is proposed a lighting device (8) having an input for a pulsating supply voltage, from which at least one lamp can be supplied with electrical power, detection means (R1, R2, R3, R4) for separately detecting the positive voltage component and the negative Voltage component and for generating a measuring signal (Vacdc), to which both voltage components are weighted differently, an evaluation unit (13) for evaluating the measuring signal (Vacdc) by means of a threshold value transmitter (52, 53) and / or an integrating circuit (55) and / or a differentiating circuit (54), and a control unit (15) which is designed to close on the basis of the evaluation by the evaluation unit (13) carried out to a logical state, and depending on this logic state, a control signal (18) for control the degree of dimming and / or color and / or color temperature of the connected light by means of (8).

Description

Austrian Patent Office AT13 365U1 2013-11-15

description

CONTROL OF LUMINANCES BY DEFINED MANIPULATION OF THE SUPPLY VOLTAGE

The invention relates to the operation of AC line voltage i. AC voltage supplied bulbs, e.g. LED lamps, especially retrofit LED lamps. Furthermore, the invention relates to the control of lighting means via a supply voltage and in particular the influencing or changing of the lamp operation, e.g. in the form of dimming based on control information.

For the transmission of control information for dimming luminaires, there are different possibilities and approaches, such as e.g. Powerline method, coding method using phase angle, short-term power interruptions, radio controls, etc.

Meanwhile, incandescent lamps are increasingly being used e.g. replaced by new types of lamps for the sake of energy saving, in particular by LED lamps, preferably by retrofit LED lamps, if an existing, designed for incandescent infrastructure to be reused. Under "Retrofit LED bulbs " are to be understood lamps that use one or more LEDs as the light source, but are designed for mechanical and electrical connection such that they can be used as a substitute for other bulbs, such as incandescent or halogen lamps. Retrofit LED lamps are e.g. provided with screw or bayonet sockets which are compatible with the versions designed for incandescent lamps.

Typically, an operating device for controlling the LEDs is integrated in such an LED lamp.

However, this mechanical adjustment alone is not yet sufficient for the replacement. Because of the different modes of operation of incandescent lamps, on the one hand, which can handle alternating current half-waves with both polarities, and LED lamps, on the other hand, which are effective only on alternating half-waves of a certain polarity, the dimming methods developed especially for incandescent lamps can be based on e.g. on a phase gating dimmer are not readily used for retrofit LED lamps.

For the dimming of LED lamps, in particular of retrofit LED lamps, it is known from DE 10 2011 003 593 to transmit a dimming signal by temporarily rectifying the input voltage provided to the LED lamp or the operating device. Such a supply voltage V3 is shown in FIG. 3 in the time period T3. The negative half waves are manipulated to have a positive voltage. So two logic states are transmitted via the supply voltage, which can affect the dimming behavior of the bulb. The first logic state is represented by the non-rectified, ie bipolar AC voltage, and the second logic state by the rectified AC voltage V3.

From DE 10 2011 089 821 it is further known that the second logic state is not transmitted by rectification of the AC voltage, but by targeted suppression of the negative half-waves of the retrofit LED lamp. The corresponding voltage V5 is shown in FIG. 3 in the time period T5. This second logic state, which is represented by a temporary blanking of the negative half-waves, can be interpreted by the lamp in such a way that the brightness is changed continuously or gradually in this period T5.

The invention is based on the technical problem of improving these known circuits, and in particular to specify further possibilities of manipulating the supply voltage, and in particular to specify possibilities with regard to the evaluation of the applied supply voltage.

This problem is now due to the combination of the features of the independent 1/20 Austrian Patent Office AT13 365U1 2013-11-15

Claims solved. The dependent claims further advantageously form the central idea of the invention.

In a first aspect of the invention is provided an operating device for to be connected-emitting light source, for example. One or more LED (s). "LED " always includes "OLED". The operating device comprises an input for a preferably pulsating supply voltage. Starting from this supply voltage, at least one light source can be supplied with electrical power. The operating device comprises detection means for separately detecting the positive voltage component and the negative voltage component of the supply voltage. The detection means serve to generate a corresponding measurement signal in which both voltage components are weighted differently. The operating device comprises an evaluation unit for evaluating the measuring signal with the aid of a threshold value transmitter and / or an integrating circuit (low-pass filter) and / or a differentiating circuit (high-pass filter). The operating device comprises a control unit, which is designed to close on the basis of the evaluation carried out by the evaluation unit to a logical state, i. E. Depending on this logic state, the control unit generates a control signal for controlling a parameter of the connectable lamps.

In a further aspect of the invention, an operating device for lighting means is provided. The operating device comprises an input for a pulsating supply voltage, starting from which at least one connectable light source can be supplied with electrical power. The operating device comprises an evaluation unit comprising a differentiating circuit for evaluating whether the supply voltage has a Phasenab- or -anschnitt. The operating device comprises a control unit which is designed to generate a control signal for changing a parameter of the connectable luminous means as a function of this evaluation.

In a further aspect of the invention, a method for operating at least one light source is provided. Starting from a pulsating supply voltage, at least one light source is supplied with electrical power. The positive voltage component and the negative voltage component of the supply voltage are detected separately. A corresponding measurement signal, in which both voltage components are weighted differently, is generated. The measuring signal is evaluated by means of a threshold value transmitter and / or an integrating circuit and / or a differentiating circuit. On the basis of the evaluation carried out, a logical state is concluded. Depending on this logic state, a control signal for controlling a parameter of the connectable light source is generated.

In a further aspect of the invention, an integrated circuit is provided, in particular ASIC or microcontroller or a hybrid version thereof, which is designed to implement such a method.

The operating device may comprise rectifying means, which are designed so that they decompose the supply voltage into the positive and the negative voltage component.

Each of the two voltage components can form a voltage source for a separate measuring circuit. The detection means may comprise two measuring resistors of different value, wherein these measuring resistors are each arranged in one of the two measuring circuits.

The measuring signal may be a voltage across a measuring resistor common to both measuring circuits.

The threshold value can respond at a lower and an upper threshold value such that the presence of a positive or negative voltage component in the supply voltage can be derived therefrom.

The threshold can be formed by two comparators connected in parallel, of which the one next to the measuring voltage of the lower threshold and of which the other in addition to the measuring voltage of the upper threshold is supplied. Alternatively, the 2/20 Austrian Patent Office AT 13 365 U1 2013-11-15

Threshold be formed by a single comparator, which is alternately supplied to one of the two thresholds in addition to the measurement voltage, wherein the alternating supply of the two threshold values via a switch.

Depending on the frequency with which the threshold responds at the lower and at the upper threshold, and in particular depending on whether this frequency corresponds to the mains voltage frequency or twice the mains voltage frequency, the control unit can identify the shape and optionally the polarity of the supply voltage.

The integrating circuit or Tiefpasschaltung may form an average value of the supply voltage. This average value can be compared with at least one threshold value in such a way that the control unit identifies the shape of the progression and optionally the polarity of the supply voltage.

At least one of the following forms may be identifiable: bipolar AC voltage, fully rectified AC voltage, half-wave rectified AC voltage, or constant DC voltage.

Depending on the identified shape and the optionally identified polarity of the supply voltage, the control unit can conclude a logical state.

The differentiating circuit or high-pass circuit may preferably form the differential value of the supply voltage.

This differential value can be compared with a threshold value, so that it can be evaluated whether the supply voltage has a Phasenab- or -anschnitt. Depending on the evaluation of whether a Phasenab- or -anschnitt is present, the control unit can close to a logical state.

The parameter may in particular be the degree of dimming and / or the color and / or the color temperature of the connected lighting means.

The parameter can be changed stepwise, in particular increased or decreased, as long as the logic state is detected.

At least two logic states can be detected, wherein upon detection of a first or second logic state, a control signal in the form of an up-dimming or down-dimming signal is generated.

To generate the control signal, the temporal duration of the logic state can be detected.

With the present invention, now a way to create at least one of the following ways of manipulating the supply voltage for the operating device to recognize: a bipolar AC voltage, a fully rectified AC voltage, a half-rectified AC voltage, a phase-cut pulsating AC voltage, and a constant DC voltage , The aim is to be able to recognize different situations and to operate the light sources accordingly.

For this purpose, the input device provided to the input voltage is tapped by means of a voltage divider and then reduced via another voltage divider such that a measurement voltage is generated. This is then analyzed in different ways to recognize the different situations.

The subsequently arranged logic evaluates this measurement voltage in different ways or has different possibilities to recognize the different types of manipulation of the supply voltage can. In particular, comparators are provided, via which a Threshold over- or undershooting is detected. There is also a low-pass filter, with the help of another or additional type of investigation of the voltage is made. Another third essential component is funds for the 3/20 Austrian Patent Office AT13 365U1 2013-11-15

Deriving or differentiating the voltage. These are of high relevance insofar as, in addition to the previously described options for influencing the supply voltage, it is now also to be recognized whether an intersection of the phases of the AC supply voltage is carried out, for example, for transmitting dimming signals. With the aid of the means for deriving the examined measuring voltage, a corresponding Phasenab- or -anschnitt can be detected, since the resulting in the derivation here stage can be detected.

These three described possibilities for the evaluation of the measuring voltage are to be understood as examples. Of course, there are other options for evaluating this voltage. For example, in particular, the period over which a corresponding adjustment or manipulation of the supply voltage is made to flow into the review.

The device according to the invention is able to detect a variety of evaluation of the supplied supply voltage different ways of influencing the voltage to allow the transmission of dimming information.

Further features, advantages and features of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of embodiments.

[0043] [0041] [0043] [0043] [0043]

Show it:

1 is a schematic representation of a system according to the present invention,

2 is a schematic representation of a lighting means, in particular a retrofit LED lamp, according to the present invention,

3 shows the possible time profile of the supply voltage for a luminous means according to the present invention,

4 shows the time profile of a measuring signal of an evaluation unit according to the present invention,

5 shows the time profile of a first evaluation signal according to the present invention,

6 shows the time profile of a second evaluation signal according to the present invention,

7 shows a schematic illustration of an evaluation unit of a luminous means according to the present invention, and

8 shows an evaluation of the supply voltage based on an averaging according to the present invention.

The invention finds particular application in the field of so-called retrofit LED lamps, which are used as a replacement e.g. used by incandescent or halogen lamps. Retrofit lamps accordingly have connection bases with which they are incorporated into known lamp sockets, e.g. screwed or plugged, can be.

The LED lamps have one or more LED (s), of which at least one preferably emits white light with color conversion. However, alternatively or in addition to the white LED (s), monochromatic LEDs, preferably emitting in the red spectrum, may also be present.

With reference to Fig. 1, a schematic structure of a lamp or retrofit lamp according to the invention, in particular retrofit LED lamps will now be described. However, it is to be understood that other, appropriately designed operating devices for lighting means should be included. The retrofit LED lamp L according to the present invention comprises a screw base 2, a glass bulb 3 and lighting means, e.g. one or more inorganic light bulbs 4/20 Austrian Patent Office AT13 365U1 2013-11-15 LED or OLED bulbs 8. Other bulbs, such as halogen bulbs or gas discharge bulbs can be operated by the operating device.

The screw base 2 is suitable for a socket of a corresponding incandescent lamp, which is to be replaced by the retrofit LED lamp L. A metal screw thread 5 and an end pole 4 of the lamp L form connection contacts, via which the retrofit LED lamp L is fed by a signal generator 1 with a supply voltage Vmains. The supply voltage Vmains is generated by the signal generator 1, starting from the mains AC voltage VN. Possible forms of the supply voltage Vmains are shown in FIG.

The signal generator comprises a switch S and a push-button T. Upon actuation of the switch S, the signal generator is disconnected from the mains AC voltage, so that the output side no supply voltage Vmains is present. The button T is responsible for manipulating the mains voltage VN. If this button T is not pressed, the supply voltage Vmains corresponds to the mains voltage VN. On the other hand, the waveform of the supply voltage Vmains is changed as long as the button is pressed. It is also possible to provide a plurality of buttons, so that a plurality of different forms of the supply voltage Vmains can also be generated.

The arrow 9 indicates that and how the supply voltage Vmains is forwarded, for example in the form of alternating voltage half-waves, to an operating device 6 located in the LED lamp L. This will be explained in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 2 and 7. The operating device 6 generates a DC voltage which - as indicated by the arrow 10 - is supplied to an LED module 7, on which sit the light emitting LEDs 8.

The somewhat more detailed but still schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 operating device 6 includes an AC / DC converter 11, a DG / DC converter 12, an evaluation unit 13 and a control unit 15th

The supply voltage Vmains is supplied to the AC / DC converter 11. This rectifies the supply voltage Vmains equal and delivers a pulsating DC voltage to the DC / DC converter 12. This in turn reduces the amplitude of the DC voltage to a value suitable for the LEDs 8 and leads them to the LED module 7, on which the LEDs are mounted.

The evaluation unit 13 is also supplied from the signal generator 1, the supply voltage Vmains. The evaluation unit 13 is preferably designed to identify or identify at least one of the following possible time profiles of the supply voltage Vmains: [0053] fully rectified AC voltage, [0054] single-ended rectified AC voltage, phase-cut or pulsed pulsed output AC voltage, and [0056] - constant DC voltage.

The evaluation unit 13 is preferably also designed to detect whether the supply voltage Vmains is a bipolar AC voltage. For evaluation of the supply voltage Vmains, the evaluation unit 13 may have a polarity sensor 14, a phase-angle sensor 16, and a timepiece 17.

If the evaluation unit 13 can identify the supply voltage Vmains as a fully rectified AC voltage, half-wave rectified AC voltage, or phase-cut or -angeschnittene pulsating AC voltage, this is reported to the control unit 15. In particular, it can be communicated to the control unit 15 as to whether the waveform of the supply voltage Vmains corresponds to a fully rectified AC voltage, a half-wave rectified AC voltage, or a phase-cut or truncated pulsating AC voltage, e.g. on the basis of the polarity sensor 14 or the phase sensor 16. Furthermore, the control unit 15 can be provided with parameters relating to the identified type of progression, such as, for example, the control unit 15. the total temporal length of the identified waveform, e.g. based on the timepiece 17.

From the information obtained by the evaluation unit 13, the control unit 15 generates a control signal 18, e.g. in the form of a dimming signal. This is fed to the DC / DC converter 12, whose output signal is varied accordingly. The brightness of the retrofit LED lamp can therefore be adjusted according to the detected shape or its overall time length. Alternatively or additionally, the color or the color temperature of the retrofit LED lamp L can be adjusted.

3 shows the possible time profile of the supply voltage Vmains.

In the periods T1, T2, the supply voltage Vmains corresponds to a bipolar alternating voltage V1, V2 with alternating positive and negative half-waves. The waveform of the voltage V1 corresponds to the mains voltage VN with successive half-waves of different polarity. The voltage V2 is phase-shifted by 180 ° with respect to the mains voltage VN.

The voltage applied to the retrofit LED lamp L supply voltage Vmains can be a fully rectified AC voltage V3, V4. This is preferably generated by the signal generator 1 when pressing the button T. The other signal forms V5 to V8 shown in FIG. 3 can also be generated when the pushbutton T or a further pushbutton (not shown) is pressed. During the period of pressure by a user, the signal generator 1 ensures that the polarity of each second mains half-wave is reversed, so that the AC voltage V3, V4 consists only of mains half-waves of the same polarity. The voltage V3 consists only of positive half-waves, and the voltage V4 only of negative half-waves. The period of time measured by the measuring device 17, via which this rectification takes place, can then be interpreted by the control unit 15 in such a way that a changed brightness of the LEDs should be made for this period or that the brightness is to be changed continuously or gradually for this period of time. The positive half-wave voltage V3 may be e.g. cause an increase in brightness, while the voltage V4 with negative half-waves can result in a lowering of the brightness.

The mains voltage can also be transformed by the signal generator 1 such that a half-wave rectified AC voltage V5, V6 is applied to the retrofit LED lamp L. In this case, the mains voltage VN is not rectified by the signal generator 1, but it selectively targeted the half-waves of a certain polarity hidden. For example, at the voltage V5, the negative or at the voltage V6, the negative half-waves are hidden. Also in this case, the temporary hiding of the half-waves may be interpreted by the control unit 15 that at this time period the brightness should preferably be raised or lowered continuously or gradually. Again, the control unit 15 can interpret the positive or negative polarity of the half-waves of the half-wave rectified AC voltage respectively as a command to increase or decrease the brightness of the LEDs 8.

A third type of manipulation of the mains supply VN by the signal generator 1 consists in a Phasenab- or -anschnitt the mains supply VN. The resulting phase-cut pulsating AC voltage is designated V7 in FIG. The voltage V8 was additionally phase-shifted. In addition to the possibilities described above for influencing the supply voltage via full rectification or half-wave rectification, it should now also be recognized whether an intersection of the phases of the mains voltage VN is carried out, for example, for transmitting dimming signals. As long as such a phase cut-off or gate is detected by the evaluation unit 13, the control unit 15 can be used e.g. the brightness of the LEDs 8 preferably continuously or gradually change. For example, Only the positive or only the negative half-waves of the mains voltage VN can have a phase angle, which in turn is detected by the evaluation unit 13, and interpreted by the control unit 15 respectively as a command to increase or decrease the brightness of the LEDs 8 365U1 2013-11-15 will be.

In connection with Figs. 4 to 8, the evaluation of the supply voltage Vmains will now be explained in more detail.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the evaluation unit 13 for identifying the shape of the supply voltage Vmains and preferably for determining further parameters thereof.

The supply voltage Vmains to be tested can be used as alternating voltage with successive half waves of different polarity V1, V2, as a pulsating fully rectified voltage with successive half waves of the same polarity V3, V4, as a half-wave rectified AC voltage V5, V6, or as phase-cut pulsating AC voltage V7, V8 available. With the evaluation unit 13, the type of voltage should be identified. For this purpose, it can first pass through an optional filter in the form of a parallel-connected capacitor C4.

The output of the capacitor C4 is applied to terminals A1 and A2 of the one diagonal of a bridge rectifier, which is formed by four bridge diodes D1, D2, D3 and D4. The supply voltage Vmains is preferably applied to the terminals A1 and A2. The bridge rectifier corresponds to the AC / DC converter 11. A port A4 of the other diagonals of the bridge rectifier is grounded. The other terminal A3 of the other bridge diagonal leads a voltage which is preferably supplied to the DC / DC converter 12.

The circuit includes two measuring circuits M1 and M2. The first measuring circuit M1 is shown in dotted lines. The current of the first measuring circuit M1 starts from the terminal A1 of the bridge rectifier and continues to flow through a separate resistor R1, a series resistor R3 common to both circuits, a measuring resistor R4, also common to both circuits, via ground, through the bridge diode D4 to the terminal A2 of the bridge rectifier ,

The second measuring circuit M2 is shown in dashed lines. The current of the second measuring circuit M2 starts from the terminal A2 of the bridge rectifier and continues to flow through the separate resistor R2, the common series resistor R3, the common measuring resistor R4, via ground, through the bridge diode D2 to the terminal A1 of the bridge rectifier.

At the terminals A1 and A2 of a bridge diagonal two partial voltages of different polarity arise, which form the voltage sources for the two measuring circuits M1 and M2 and are the cause of the flow of currents in the two measuring circuits. In the measuring circuit M1, a current flows 11, as long as the terminal A1 is positive and the terminal A2 negative. Conversely, in the measuring circuit M2, a current I2 flows when the terminal A2 is positive and the terminal A1 is negative.

Both currents 11, I2 flow through the series resistor R3 and the measuring resistor R4 in the same direction. In order to distinguish the currents flowing through the measuring resistor R4 according to whether they belong to the measuring circuit M1 or to the measuring circuit M2, the resistance values of the separate resistors R1 and R2 are chosen differently. As a result, the currents of the two measuring circuits M1, M2 are different, because the resistor R1 belongs only to the measuring circuit M1 and the resistor R2 only to the measuring circuit M2. This serves to weight the positive and negative voltage components of the supply voltage Vmains differently in the measuring voltage Vacdc dropping across the measuring resistor R4.

FIG. 4 shows, for each of the types of supply voltage Vmain shown in FIG. 3, the corresponding voltage Vacdc which drops across the measuring resistor R4. The voltage V1 'to V8' detected at the measuring resistor corresponds in each case to the supply voltage V1 to V8.

The measured via the measuring resistor R4 voltage Vacdc is a pulsating DC voltage having positive half-waves, these half-waves are optionally Phasenab- or -angeschnitten 7/20 Austrian Patent Office AT 13 365 Ul 2013-11-15. There are half waves with higher and those with lower amplitude. This is due to the different resistance of the resistors R1 and R2. The higher amplitude halfwaves are indicative of the current in the second sense circuit M2 and reflect the negative half waves of the supply voltage Vmains, while the lower amplitude halfwaves are indicative of the current in the first sense circuit M1 and positive halfwaves of the supply voltage Vmains. Alternatively, the half-waves with a higher or lower amplitude can also identify the other measuring circuit M1 or M2 in each case, with the following explanations being adapted accordingly.

According to the invention, various possibilities are provided for recognizing the type or profile of the supply voltage Vmains. This detection is preferably carried out by means of the measured voltage Vacdc, wherein this voltage Vacdc is first preferably processed by an analog-to-digital converter 51.

The first way of detecting the voltage type is based on the use of comparators. A comparator 52, on the one hand, is supplied with the measuring voltage Vacdc, which drops across R4, and, on the other hand, as the threshold value, the voltage Vref. A comparator R3 is likewise supplied with the measuring voltage Vacdc and, as a threshold value, the voltage Vref2. The output voltage of the comparator 52 is designated Voutl, while the output voltage of the comparator 53 is designated Vout2. FIGS. 5 and 6 now show the profile of the output voltage Vout1, Vout2 of the respective comparator 52, 53.

During the period T1, T2 when applying the bipolar AC voltage V1, V2, the comparator 53 with the lower threshold Vref2 at its output Vout2 can be a pulse train corresponding to that of the measured signal V1 ', V2' in Fig. 4 , In contrast, at the output Voutl of the comparator 52 with the higher threshold value Vref, only the half waves with the higher amplitude can cause a reaction, so that according to FIG. 5 only every second half wave, and that with the higher amplitude, produces an output pulse. If the supply voltage Vmains is an ordinary mains voltage with the frequency of 50 Hz, so occur at the output of the comparator 52 pulses at the pulse repetition frequency of 50Hz, while at the output of the comparator 53 pulses occur at the pulse repetition frequency of 100Hz. This combination thus makes it possible to identify an ordinary mains voltage as the operating voltage.

During the period T3 when applying the fully rectified AC voltage with positive half-waves V3, a current flows only in the measuring circuit M1. At the output Voutl of the comparator 52 no voltage occurs, while at the output Vout2 of the comparator 53 pulses with a pulse repetition frequency of 100 Hz - double mains frequency - occur. This voltage pattern is indicative of the fully rectified AC voltage with positive half waves V3.

During the period of time T4 when the fully rectified AC voltage is applied with negative half-waves V4, a current flows only in the measuring circuit M2. At the output Voutl, Vout2 of both comparators 52, 53 pulses now occur at a pulse repetition frequency of 100 Hz. This pattern of the voltages Voutl, Vout2 is indicative of the fully rectified AC voltage with negative half-waves V4.

During the period of time T5, the application of the half-wave rectified AC voltage with positive half waves V5 is detected by the evaluation unit 13 that no voltage occurs at the output Voutl of the comparator 52, while at the output Vout2 of the comparator 53 pulses having a pulse repetition frequency of 50 Hz, what the mains frequency corresponds to occur.

During the period of time T6, the presence of the half-wave rectified AC voltage with negative half-waves V6 is detected by the evaluation unit 13 that at the output Voutl, Vout2 of both comparators 52, 53 pulses having a pulse repetition frequency of 50 Hz -. Mains frequency - occur. A supply voltage in the form of a constant DC voltage can also be detected, in which the outputs Vout1, Vout2 of the comparators 52, 53 remain at a constant value. A constant DC voltage can be applied, for example, in the case of an emergency lighting situation as a supply voltage. This can be done for example by means of a central-fed emergency lighting, which detects a failure of the supply voltage on the network and turns on, for example, a battery-backed emergency lighting. Often, such centrally supplied emergency lighting supplies feed a constant DC voltage as the supply voltage. By means of the evaluation unit 13, the operating device 6 can detect such an emergency lighting situation on the basis of the concern of a constant DC voltage and, for example, limit the brightness of the light source 8 accordingly, in order to reduce the energy consumption and thus the consumption of energy available by the battery of the centrally supplied emergency light supply.

Alternatively, a fully rectified AC voltage with positive or negative half-waves can be connected as a supply voltage in an emergency lighting situation.

Since an emergency lighting supply in an emergency lighting situation is usually switched on over a relatively long period of time, for example from several minutes to several hours, the evaluation unit 13 can also distinguish whether the change in the supply voltage takes place over a short period of time or a longer period of time. In the event of a change over a short period of time, such a change can be detected as a dimming signal; in the case of a change over a longer period of time, this can be detected as information about an emergency lighting situation.

In an alternative to the Fig. 7 embodiment of the evaluation unit 13, it is also possible, instead of the two comparators 52, 53 to provide a single comparator whose input for the reference voltage via a switch alternately a higher and a lower reference voltage Vref or Vref2 is supplied. In order to be able to evaluate the output voltage of the single comparator, the switching frequency of the changeover switch must then additionally be taken into account. This case is not shown in the drawings.

A second way of detecting the type of voltage is based on the use of an integrating circuit or integrator stage, e.g. in the form of a low-pass filter 55. With the aid of the low-pass filter 55, a different type of investigation of the supply voltage Vmains can be made.

In the low-pass filter, the mean value MW of the measured voltage Vacdc is formed. As can be seen from FIG. 4, this mean value depends directly on the shape of the supply voltage Vmains. Depending on the height of the mean value, a bipolar alternating voltage V1, V2, a fully rectified AC voltage V3, V4, or a one-way rectified AC voltage V5, V6 can be deduced.

The fully rectified AC voltage with negative half-waves V4 causes, as already seen, in the corresponding measured voltage V4 'an uninterrupted series of half waves with a higher amplitude. The mean value in this case is the largest among the mentioned courses V1 to V6.

The waveform with the next lowest mean value is the bipolar AC voltage V1, V2. This has in the measured voltage V1 ', V2' namely an alternating sequence of half-waves with higher and lower amplitude.

The waveform with the next lowest mean value would then be the one-way rectified AC voltage with negative half-waves V6. Namely, in the corresponding measured voltage V6 ', the half-waves with a lower amplitude are missing with respect to the voltage VT, V2.

The measured voltage V3 ', which results when applying a fully rectified AC voltage with positive half-waves V3, again consists of a continuous series of half-waves with lower amplitude, s. Period T3 in Fig. 4. The resistances 9/20 Austrian Patent Office AT13 365U1 2013-11-15 the separate resistors R1 and R2 are preferably selected so that the average value of the voltage V6 'above the average of the voltage V6' is.

The lowest mean voltage waveform is the one-way rectified AC voltage with positive half-waves V5, since the voltage V5 'has half the half-waves of lower amplitude than the voltage V3'.

As shown in FIG. 8, different thresholds MWref, MWref2, MWref3, MWref4 can be set in order to deduce the form of the supply voltage Vmains based on the mean value MW of the measured voltage Vacdc. The value of the threshold values depends on the height of the half-waves of the measured voltage Vacdc and thus on the resistance of the resistors R1 and R2.

The identification of the supply voltage Vmains on the basis of comparators 52, 53 or the integrating circuit 55 is adapted accordingly when the resistors R1, R2 are selected such that a positive or negative half-wave of the supply voltage Vmains in the measuring voltage Vacdc by a half-wave larger or lower amplitude is reproduced.

Detection of the profile or the polarity of the supply voltage Vmains can be based on the comparators 52, 53, or on the integrating circuit 55, or on a combination of the comparators 52, 53 and the integrating circuit 55.

The following voltage forms can be identified with the first and the second option for detecting the voltage type: [0097] - bipolar alternating voltage V1, V2, [0098] - fully rectified alternating voltage with positive half waves V3, [0099] - fully rectified alternating voltage with negative Half-waves V4, [00100] - half-wave rectified AC voltage with positive half waves V5, [00101] - half-wave rectified AC voltage with negative half waves V6, [00102] - constant DC voltage (not shown).

Meanwhile, the identification can be limited to two, three or four of these five voltage forms. Each voltage form corresponds to a logical state.

A third way of detecting the type of voltage is based on the use of a differentiating circuit 54 or a means for deriving or differentiating. As a result, a phase-cut or -anged AC voltage V7, V8 can be identified.

The differentiating circuit is e.g. designed in the form of a high pass. The differentiating circuit 54 is supplied on the input side, the measured voltage Vacdc. Its output AA is compared with a threshold value. If the output AA or the absolute value of the output AA exceeds the prevailing threshold value, the evaluation unit 13 concludes the presence of a phase cut-off or a phase-cut pulsating alternating voltage V7, V8. A supply voltage Vmains with Phasenab- or -anschnitt forms a logical state, a supply voltage Vmains without Phasenab- or -anschnitt forms another logical state.

These three ways of detecting the shape of the voltage applied to the lamp supply voltage Vmains can be implemented separately or in combination in the evaluation unit 13 and control unit 15, depending on which possible waveform of the supply voltage Vmains is to identify.

The comparators 52, 53 and / or the integrating circuit 55 can be used to identify at least one of the following waveforms: fully rectified AC voltage V3, V4, and half-wave rectified AC voltage V5, V6.

The differentiating circuit 54 is used to detect a phase-cut pulsating AC voltage V7, V8.

These waveforms form logical states, of which depending on the LEDs 8, 8 'are controlled by the control unit 15.

When a certain logic state is detected at the input, for example, a fully rectified AC voltage with positive half-waves V3, the brightness of the LEDs 8, 8 'is adjusted. The logical state is recognized as a dimming command. The adaptation of the brightness of the LEDs 8, 8 'can be effected in particular by a change in the control of the LEDs 8, 8' by the DC / DC converter 12.

Based on these logic states, analog or digital signal protocols can be implemented. Analogously, for example, an evaluation by a control unit in the operating device of the luminous means, e.g. with regard to the duration and / or a repetition rate of the respective logical state. These protocols may be addressed or unaddressed. In the case of addressing, data or signals may be part of the protocol.

The AC line voltage, which must anyway be supplied to the operating device for its operation, is thus modified so that it contains the control information for influencing or changing at least one parameter of the lighting means, in particular a retrofit LED lamp. This is achieved by identifying the shape of the waveform or a phase angle of the supply voltage.

The temporary concern of a fully rectified AC voltage V3, V4, a one-way rectified AC voltage V5, V6, or a phase-cut pulsating AC voltage V7, V8 on the retrofit LED lamp L is detected by the evaluation unit 13 and interpreted by the control unit to the effect that eg an adjustment of the brightness should be made.

As already mentioned, the color or the color temperature of the retrofit LED lamp L can be adjusted. The color may e.g. be changed between two colors. An increase in color may mean a change from a first color to a second color, and a decrease in color may then refer to a change back toward the first color. The color temperature can be increased or decreased. This adjustment of the color or color temperature is particularly useful in retrofit lamps with LEDs of different colors or with multiple LED modules, each LED module having LEDs 8 of a specific color or a specific wavelength range. In Fig. 2, the supply of an additional LED module 7 'having LEDs 8' with a DC voltage 10 'is shown correspondingly in dashed line. When adjusting the color or the color temperature of the retrofit LED lamp L, the brightness of the LEDs of at least one of the LED modules 7, 7 'is then changed.

The response of the control unit 15 to the detection of a particular logical state may be different. For example, the light output may be e.g. be increased or decreased every 10 or 20 ms as long as this particular logical state is detected. Instead of 10 or 20 ms, another time interval is conceivable until the next increase or decrease.

[00116] The brightness is changed step by step. When the logic state is left again, the brightness reached at the end of the logic state is preferably to be maintained constant. By correspondingly short or long pressing of the button T, a user can thus set the light output and a desired dimming level.

The logic state, and thus the waveform and / or the phase gating may be e.g. determine the dimming direction or the dimming speed.

Additional information may be in the polarity of the supply voltage Vmains. The polarity of a series of mains voltage half-waves of the same polarity can e.g. also set the dimming direction or the dimming speed (dimming rate).

The fully rectified or one-way rectified AC voltage with positive 11/20 Austrian Patent Office AT 13 365 Ul 2013-11-15

Half-waves V3, V5 may respectively define a first dimming direction or a first dimming speed. The fully rectified or half-rectified AC voltage with negative half-waves V4, V6 then defines a second, opposite dimming direction or a second dimming speed.

The overall time length of the logic state preferably determines the degree of influence or the change of the parameter for the operation of the luminous means.

During the period of a certain logical state, e.g. cyclically up and down dimming ("switch dimming") are performed until the user stops manual operation of the T button again.

This may also be done in response to a previous dimming operation, e.g. depending on whether an up / down dimming was done before. In a subsequent dimming operation, dimming in the opposite dimming direction (down / up dimming) can then take place accordingly.

The occurrence of a particular logic state may also be e.g. trigger a predetermined dimming jump. For the duration of the logic state, the illuminant may also be operated at a certain reduced or increased dimming level, e.g. after a sensor such as e.g. a motion and / or light sensor registers an event.

The control unit 15 may also adjust or change the operation of the AC / DC converter 11 and / or the DC / DC converter 12 based on the evaluation carried out by the evaluation unit 13. For example, parameters of a control loop can also be adapted or certain functions or circuit parts can be activated or deactivated (for example a partial shutdown of additional functions in the event of detection of an emergency lighting situation).

The control unit 15 may also be designed, during the duration of the application of a half-wave rectified AC voltage with negative or positive half waves, the operation of other components of the operating device 6, for example, the operation of the AC / DC converter 11, and / or electrical consumers for at least partially compensating a reduced power supply during the period of application of the half-wave rectified AC voltage.

The operating device 6, for example, as a driver circuit only a single-stage converter such as a floating flyback converter (flyback converter), which combines the functionality of the AC / DC converter 11 with that of the DC / DC converter 12.

The operating device 6 and the LED module 7 can also be arranged within a lamp as individual units. 12/20 AT 13 365 Ul 2013-11-15 Austrian

Patent office CODE LIST: L Retrofit LED lamp S switch T button Vacdc voltage measured Vmains supply voltage VN mains AC voltage 1 signal transmitter 2 screw base 3 glass bulb 4 end pole 5 screw thread 6 operating device 7, 7 'LED module 8, 8' LED 6 operating device 7 LED Module 8 LEDs 9 Forwarded supply voltage Vmains 10, 10 'DC 11 AC / DC converter 12 DC / DC converter 13 Evaluation unit 14 Polarity sensor 15 Control unit 16 Phase gating sensor 17 Timing device 18 Control signal 51 Analog-to-digital converter 52, 53 Comparator 54 differentiating circuit 55 integrating circuit 13/20

Claims (17)

Austrian Patent Office AT13 365U1 2013-11-15 Claims 1. operating device (6) for light sources (8), comprising: - an input for a pulsating supply voltage (Vmains), from which at least one light source (8) can be supplied with electrical power, - Detection means (R1, R2, R3, R4) for the separate detection of the positive voltage component and the negative voltage component of the supply voltage (Vmains) and for generating a measurement signal (Vacdc), in which both voltage components are weighted differently, - an evaluation unit (13) for Evaluating the measuring signal (Vacdc) by means of a threshold value transmitter (52, 53) and / or an integrating circuit (55) and / or a differentiating circuit (54), - a control unit (15) which is designed on the basis of that of the evaluation unit (13) performed evaluation to close a logic state, and depending on this logic state, a control signal (18) for control a parameter of the connected light-emitting means (8), in particular for controlling the brightness and / or color and / or color temperature of the connectable light-emitting means (8) to produce. 2. Operating device according to claim 1, comprising rectifying means (D1, D2, D3, D4), which are designed so that they decompose the supply voltage (Vmains) in the positive and the negative voltage component. 3. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the two voltage components forms a voltage source for a separate measuring circuit (M1, M2), and the detection means (R1, R2, R3, R4) comprise two measuring resistors of different value (R1, R2), wherein these measuring resistors (R1, R2) are each arranged in one of the two measuring circuits (M1, M2). 4. Operating device according to claim 3, wherein the measuring signal (Vacdc) is a voltage across a, both measuring circuits (M1, M2) common measuring resistor (R4). 5. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the threshold (52, 53) at a lower (Vref2) and an upper threshold (Vrefl) responds such that from the presence of a positive or negative voltage component in the supply voltage (Vmains) can be derived , 6. Operating device according to claim 5, wherein the threshold value of two parallel comparators (52, 53) is formed, of which one next to the measuring voltage (Vacdc) of the lower threshold (Vref2) and of the other in addition to the measuring voltage (Vacdc) or the threshold value transmitter is formed by a single comparator, to which one of the two threshold values (Vref, Vref2) is alternately supplied in addition to the measuring voltage (Vacdc), the alternating supply of the two threshold values (Vref, Vref2) via a changeover switch. 7. Operating device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein responsive to the frequency at which the threshold (52, 53) at the lower (Vref2) and the upper threshold (Vrefl) responds, and preferably depending on whether this frequency of the mains voltage frequency or the double Mains voltage frequency corresponds, the control unit (15) the waveform and, where appropriate, the polarity of the supply voltage (Vmains) identified. 8. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the integrating circuit (55) forms an average value of the supply voltage (Vmains), and this average value with at least one threshold value (MWref, MWref2, MWref3 , MWref4) is compared in such a way that the control unit (15) identifies the progression shape and optionally the polarity of the supply voltage (Vmains). 9. Operating device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein at least one of the following waveforms is identifiable: bipolar AC voltage (V1, V2), fully rectified AC voltage (V3, V4), or one-way rectified AC voltage (V5, V6). 10. Operating device according to claim 7 or 8 or 9, wherein, depending on the identified shape and the optionally identified polarity of the supply voltage (Vmains), the control unit (15) closes the logic state. 11. operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the differentiating circuit (54) forms the differential value of the supply voltage (Vmains), and this differential value is compared with a threshold value, so that it is evaluated whether the supply voltage (Vmains) a Phasenab- or has, depending on the evaluation of whether a Phasenab- or -anschnitt is present, the control unit (15) closes on the logic state. 12. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the parameter is changed stepwise, in particular increased or decreased, as long as the logic state is detected. 13. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two logic states are detected, wherein upon detection of a first or second logical state, the control signal (18) in the form of an upward dimming or. Down dimming signal is generated. 14. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein for generating the control signal (18), the temporal duration of the logic state is detected. 15. operating device (6) for lighting means (8), comprising: - an input for a pulsating supply voltage (Vmains), starting from which at least one light source (8) can be supplied with electrical power, - an evaluation unit (13) comprising a differentiating circuit ( 54) for evaluating whether the supply voltage (Vmains) has a Phasenab- or cut, - a control unit (15) which is designed, depending on this evaluation, a control signal (18) for controlling a parameter of the connected light source (8) , in particular for controlling the brightness and / or color and / or color temperature of the connected lighting means (8) to produce. 16. A method for operating at least one light source, wherein: - starting from a pulsating supply voltage (Vmains) at least one light source (8) can be supplied with electrical power, - the positive voltage component and the negative voltage component of the supply voltage (Vmains) are detected separately, and a measuring signal (Vacdc), in which both voltage components are weighted differently, is generated, - the measuring signal (Vacdc) is evaluated by means of a threshold value transmitter (52, 53) and / or an integrating circuit (55) and / or a differentiating circuit (54) , is closed on the basis of the evaluation carried out to a logical state, and depending on this logical state, a control signal for controlling a parameter of the connected light-emitting means (8), in particular for controlling the brightness and / or color and / or color temperature of the connected light-emitting means ( 8) is generated. 15/20 Austrian Patent Office AT 13 365 Ul 2013-11-15 17. Integrated circuit, in particular ASIC or microcontroller or a hybrid version thereof, which is designed to implement a method according to claim 16. 4 sheets of drawings 16/20