EP1555857A1 - Central power supply having several DC output circuits - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a central unit that has a rectifier circuit (2) and can be supplied with alternating voltage (9), several operating devices (3), each with an associated light source (5) and several d.c. output stages (31-33) with which the central unit supplies the operating devices with d.c. voltage, whereby at least two d.c. output stages have different d.c. voltage levels.. An independent claim is also included a method of controlling operating devices for light sources.

Description

The present invention relates to the controller of lighting control gear starting from a central unit.

The invention proceeds from a in Fig. 2 schematically shown system. In this example this is Illuminant a gas discharge lamp 5, by a Electric ballast (ECG) 1 as operating device is controlled. In the usual way, this ECG 1 a rectifier with power factor correction circuit (PFC, Power Factor Correction) 2, an electrolyte storage capacitor 4 and an RF inverter 3, in turn, by means of its output circuit 6 the Gas discharge lamp 5 drives. The DC voltage (Bus voltage) is thus only within the ECG.

In addition, an emergency lighting controller 7 may be provided be.

The rectifier 2 in the ECG 1 is usually with AC voltage 9, for example, mains voltage supplied.

At the same time it is known that ECG 1 via a digital or To control analog bus 8, thus the lamp 5 to start, dim or turn off. be noted is that in this state of the art in each Lamp operating device (ECG 1) a separate rectifier 2 provided with PFC circuit. Such a PFC circuit known to reduce annoying harmonics in the Input current. On the other hand, these are local in everyone ECG 1 provided inverter with PFC 2 one considerable cost factor, which is the trend too extreme Low-cost manufactured electronic ballasts severely limited.

Starting point and object of the present invention It is accordingly, a control for lighting control gear to propose a more cost-effective Manufacture of control gear allows.

The central point of the invention is that the Unit rectifier / PFC no longer local in each Operating device, but central to several operating devices is provided. The connection between this center and the individual operating devices is carried out according to the invention via a DC output circuit.

At the same time, despite the central design a flexible and adapted to the needs of the connected Control gear adapted supply enabled.

According to a first aspect of the invention is a system for Control of operating devices for lamps intended. This system has a central unit, having a rectifier circuit and with AC voltage is supplied. Furthermore, several Operating devices provided, which each have at least one Illuminant is assigned. The central unit supplies the control gear with DC over several Output circuits. In this case, at least two output circuit have different DC levels. Consequently becomes a flexible power supply across the DC output circuits guaranteed.

The central processing unit may further include a power factor correction circuit (PFC) circuit.

The output circuits with different DC voltage levels can be used for control gear for different types of bulbs (for example Gas discharge lamp, LED, etc.) to be assigned.

The central unit can also be a pure Have digital signal output circuit, that is not for Power supply is used.

With the digital signal output circuit can be a control gear be connected, one of the central unit independent power supply, in particular a mains AC power supply having.

One of the output circuits of the central unit can be grounded be connected, with at least two more Output circuits have DC voltage levels that are around the Ground potential are designed symmetrically around.

Alternatively, these two other output circuits also designed asymmetrically around the ground potential around be.

At least one operating device can be equipped with output circuits be connected to different DC levels.

An output circuit can, for example, for the Providing the bulb operating power and at least one more starting point for the Provision of a low-voltage power supply from Serve logic components in a control gear.

At least one of the operating devices can be electronic ballast (ECG) for Gas discharge lamps, which is an inverter having. In this case, the operating device can also as Output converters are called.

Over at least one of the output circuits can Control signals, for example, according to a powerline technique be transmitted, these drive signals So the DC voltage are modulated.

In the central unit itself can be used for output circuits with different DC levels different Rectifier and / or PFC modules may be provided.

According to another aspect of the invention is a system for controlling control gear for bulbs provided, which has a central unit, the one Having rectifier circuit and with AC voltage (For example, mains voltage) can be supplied. It is at least one operating device for lighting with the Central unit over several DC output circuits with different voltage levels.

Thus, for example, a the operating device assigned light source by transmission of a Off command via one of the output circuits be switched off, the power supply via keep another output circuit unchanged can be.

In other aspects, the present invention relates Invention also to methods for controlling Control gear for bulbs.

Fig. 1

zeigt eine schematische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Steuersystems für Leuchtmittel-Betriebsgeräte mit zentraler Gleichrichter/PFC-Einheit und DC-Ausgangskreis,

Fig. 2

zeigt eine aus dem Stand der Technik bekannte Betriebsmittel-Ausgestaltung für Gasentladungslampen,

Fig. 3

zeigt ein Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung, bei dem Betriebsgeräte für Leuchtmittel mit der Zentraleinheit jeweils über Ausgangskreise mit unterschiedlichen Gleichspannungspegeln verbunden sind,

Fig. 4a

zeigt ein Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung, bei dem die Betriebsgeräte mit der Zentraleinheit über mehrere Ausgangskreise verbunden sind, wobei DC-Spannungspegel von wenigstens zwei Ausgangskreisen symmetrisch um das Massepotential herum ausgelegt sind,

Fig. 4b

zeigt ein Abwandlung des Ausführungsbeispiels von Fig. 4a dahingehend, dass zwei Ausgangskreise Gleichspannungspegel aufweisen, die um das Massepotential herum asymmetrisch ausgelegt sind, und

Fig. 5

zeigt ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung, bei dem die Zentraleinheit einen reinen Steuerausgang aufweist, der ein Betriebsgerät ansteuert, das seine Betriebsspannungsversorgung unabhängig von der Zentraleinheit ausgelegt hat.

Further features, advantages and features of the present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of an embodiment.

Fig. 1

shows a schematic view of a control system according to the invention for light-emitting devices with central rectifier / PFC unit and DC output circuit,

Fig. 2

shows a known from the prior art equipment design for gas discharge lamps,

Fig. 3

shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which control gear for lamps are connected to the central unit via output circuits with different DC levels,

Fig. 4a

shows an embodiment of the present invention in which the operating devices are connected to the central unit via a plurality of output circuits, wherein DC voltage levels of at least two output circuits are designed symmetrically around the ground potential,

Fig. 4b

shows a modification of the embodiment of Figure 4a in that two output circuits have DC voltage levels that are designed to be asymmetric around the ground potential, and

Fig. 5

shows a further embodiment of the present invention, in which the central unit has a pure control output, which drives a control device, which has designed its operating voltage supply independently of the central unit.

As shown in Fig. 1, a central processing unit is included For example, a rectifier 2 and possibly also a Power factor correction circuit (PFC) 10, common to several light-emitting devices 1, 1 ', 1 "provided. The central unit 2 is with (mains) AC voltage. 9 provided. The central unit 2, 10 may also be otherwise spatially separated from the operating devices and, for example. central to a room, a floor or even a building in a control cabinet, etc. are arranged.

As schematically indicated in Fig. 1, the various lamp operating devices 1, 1 ', 1 " various illuminants, such as a Gas discharge lamp 5, LEDs 5 ', etc. control. The Lamps themselves can be with DC or AC voltage operated in the latter case in the associated operating device provided an inverter is.

Furthermore, to a DC output circuit 11 of Central unit also other (eg passive) lighting technology or building services, such as a light sensor 5 "or a motion detector (not shown).

Depending on the nature of the connected bulbs 5, 5 'or Sensors 5 "are the operating devices 1, 1 ', 1" designed differently. In the event that one Gas discharge lamp 5 is to be controlled, that is corresponding operating device 3, for example. As electronic Ballast (ECG) u.a. with an inverter educated. The operating devices can also be used in this case be referred to as "output converter".

The power supply of the operating devices and Bulbs and optionally also the uni- or bidirectional communication between the central unit and the local operating devices 1, 1 ', 1 "via at least one DC output circuit 11, 12. As in FIG. 1 shown schematically can be an output circuit 11th be designed bus-like, so that starting from this central common bus 11 the different Operating devices 1, 1 ', 1 "via stubs 13, 13', 13 '' are supplied. Alternatively or additionally for individual operating devices or jointly supplied Groups of control gear individual output circuits 12 be provided.

This DC output circuit has the advantage that it is in the Less vulnerable compared to corresponding AC circuits parasitic effects.

It should be noted that according to the present invention the central unit for several operating devices in common is provided, wherein the central unit with the Operating devices by means of at least one DC output circuit connected is.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention, in the central unit 2 with a total of three output circuits drives different DC levels, namely a first output circuit 31 with a high-voltage DC voltage for example, 400 volts, a second Output circuit 32 with a low-voltage DC of for example, 12 volts and another output circuit 33, which is connected to ground.

The two shown in Fig. 3 schematically Operating devices 3, here electronic ballasts with inverters for Gas discharge lamps 5, are with each of the mentioned Output circuits 31, 32, 33 connected, so they on the one hand a DC voltage of 400 volts for the Operation of the gas discharge lamps (in general bulbs) and another DC voltage of, for example, 12 Volts are provided via an input 35. Of the Low-voltage output circuit 32 can be used to supply Logic components in the operating devices 3 or even to Signal transmission serve, for example, as a digital bus is designed. Alternatively, in the sense of a Powerline technology this 12 volt high frequency Control signals be modulated.

Finally, via the low-voltage output circuit 32 also the operating devices 2 respectively associated lighting be turned off, as schematically by a switch 36 is shown. In that turning off (indirectly) via the low voltage output circuit 32 and not (directly) via the high voltage output circuit 31 is done, the problem of spark gap with open Switch 36 significantly reduced. So if, for example the low-voltage output circuit 32, the logic components in the operating device 3 via the respective terminal 35th supplied by opening the switch 36 this corresponding logic components, such as the Control of the inverter switched off in an ECG which, in turn, will extinguish the assigned one Gas discharge lamp 5 leads.

Even if thus the associated lighting, here the Gas discharge lamps 5, are turned off, stands still before the operating voltage of 400 volts across the Output circuit 31 available, so that the corresponding Bulb starting from this standby mode be quickly turned on again at any time by For example, the switch 36 is closed again. It It should be noted that the mechanical switch 36 at any time by a transmission of corresponding digital commands can be replaced via the low-voltage output circuit 32 are transmitted and at the entrance 35 of the Operating device, for example, by a powerline demodulator (not shown) read and in a Control command for a local control unit in one Operating device to be implemented.

Alternatively, bulbs can of course be switched off be, for example, by an upstream Power switch 37, the central unit 2 in total is switched off.

Generally, the low-voltage output circuit with, for example, 12V DC in any combination as power supply for Illuminant (especially for LEDs), as Supply voltage for logic components (eg ASICs) in a control gear and / or used as a control circuit become.

While in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the both illustrated operating devices 3 each with the same output circuits 31 and 32, 33 are connected, 4 shows an embodiment in which the Voltage level of the output circuits of the CPU 2 are designed such that by appropriate Combination at the terminals of the operating devices these optionally with a high DC voltage HV, a middle one DC voltage MV or a low DC voltage LV can be supplied.

Thus, operating devices to which different types connected to bulbs, individually according to their respective requirements of the Power supply to be supplied. A high DC voltage lends itself, for example, to gas discharge lamps, while there is a low DC voltage supply For example, offers for LED bulbs.

In the embodiment of Fig. 4a are a High-voltage control gear 41 and a medium-voltage control gear 42, with 400 volts DC and 200, respectively Voltage DC be supplied. This is achieved by that the central unit 2 shown a total of three Output circuits 45, 47, 48, wherein a Output circuit 45 is connected to ground (GND) and the two other output circuits 47, 48 voltage level symmetric about this ground potential, here in the form of ± 200 volts. It should be noted that in Fig. 4a, 4b as well as in the following explained Fig. 5 the Illuminants are shown purely schematically. The However, bulbs can be of any nature and For example, in groups serially and / or in parallel to a Operating equipment can be connected.

While, for example, ECGs of all kinds with the 400V DC operated can be., the mean voltage is 200V DC For example, suitable for simple electronic ballasts, the low lamp burning voltages provide.

4b shows a modification of FIG. 4a in that that although the central unit 2 continues to several Output circuits 44, 45, 46 with different DC potential having, in addition to the ground output circuit 45th provided further output circuits 44, 46 but in this Case lead levels that are asymmetric to the above Ground potential, here in the form of +400 volts DC or -12 Volts DC are arranged. Thus, according to this Example a high voltage DC supply for a Operating device 41 or a low-voltage DC supply for a control gear 43 reach. The low voltage DC Supply of, for example, 12 volts is especially for LED bulbs suitable.

Fig. 5 now shows a modification of the already mentioned embodiments in that next the output circuits, which are a supply voltage supply, if necessary in combination with a powerline signal transmission ensure that the central unit 2 is a pure control output circuit 54, for example, according to the DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) standard. This Control output circuit 54 supplies the associated Resources, here a ballast 52 thus not with the Operating voltage. Rather, in the sense of one from the Prior art known electronic ballast with digital interface this electronic ballast 52 independent of the Central unit 2 supplied with mains voltage 55 to the Gas discharge lamp 5 to control.

The central unit can consist of several parallel modules each having a PFC 57 and an electronic one Have fuse 56. Each module is one assigned to live output circuit. Especially can use different modules output circuits supply different DC voltage levels.

With such a modular construction can be provided be that each module is preceded by a switch 58, so that modules can be switched on or off individually can, so as to the respective associated output circuits to switch. Thus, certain operating devices or Groups of them and the associated bulbs targeted be switched on and off.

Claims (18)

System for controlling operating devices for lamps, comprising: a central unit which has a rectifier circuit (2) and can be supplied with alternating voltage (9), a plurality of operating devices (1), to each of which at least one lighting means (5) is associated, and a plurality of DC output circuits (31, 32, 33), by means of which the central unit supplies the operating devices (1) with DC voltage, wherein at least two DC output circuits (31, 32, 33) have different DC voltage levels. System according to claim 1,
characterized
the central unit further comprises a power factor correction circuit. System according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that output circuits with different DC voltage levels are assigned operating devices for different lamps. System according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the central unit further comprises a pure digital signal output circuit. System according to claim 4,
characterized in that with the digital signal output circuit, an operating device is connected, which has a power supply independent of the central unit, in particular an AC power supply. System according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that one of the output circuits of the central unit is connected to ground and at least two further output circuits have DC voltage levels that are symmetrical to the ground potential. System according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that one of the output circuits of the central unit is connected to ground and at least two further output circuits have DC voltage levels which are asymmetrical to the ground potential. System according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least one operating device is connected to output circuits with different DC voltage levels. System according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least one output circuit for the provision of the lamp operating power and at least one further for the provision of a low-voltage power supply of logic components in an operating device is used. System according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least one of the operating devices is an electronic ballast for gas discharge lamps having an inverter. System according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that via at least one of the output circuits control signals are transmitted, which are aufmoduliert the DC voltage. System according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that different modules are provided in the central unit for output circuits with different DC voltage levels. System for controlling operating devices for lamps, comprising: a central unit which has a rectifier circuit and can be supplied with alternating voltage, at least one operating device for lighting means, wherein the operating device is connected to the central unit via a plurality of DC output circuits, at least two of which have different voltage levels. System according to claim 13,
characterized in that a lamp associated with the operating device can be switched off by transmitting a switch-off command via an output circuit, wherein the voltage supply is maintained by means of a further output circuit. System according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that an operating device by means of a switch in a low-voltage output circuit is switched off. Method for controlling operating devices for lamps, wherein a central unit rectifies a supplied AC voltage, and supplied with DC voltage by means of several output circuits, to each of which at least one light source is assigned, wherein at least two output circuits have different DC voltage levels. Method for controlling operating devices for lamps, wherein a central unit rectifies a supplied AC voltage, and supplies an operating device with DC voltage by means of several output circuits wherein the operating device is associated with at least one light source and at least two output circuits have different DC voltage levels. Method according to claim 16 or 17,
characterized in that a connected operating device is switched off via a low-voltage output circuit.

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