EP1555857B1 - Central power supply having several DC output circuits - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system having the features of the preamble of claim 1. Such a system is according to WO 94/27419 A known. In this known system, only one DC output circuit is provided for the supply of all operating devices.

Also known is the in Fig. 2 schematically illustrated system. In this example, the light source is a gas discharge lamp 5, which is controlled by an electric ballast (ECG) 1 as a control gear. In the usual way, this electronic ballast 1 has a rectifier with power factor correction circuit (PFC, Power Factor Correction) 2, an electrolyte storage capacitor 4 and an RF inverter 3, which in turn via its output circuit 6, the gas discharge lamp 5 drives. The DC voltage (bus voltage) is therefore only present within the ECG.

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

The rectifier 2 in the electronic ballast 1 is usually supplied with alternating voltage 9, for example mains voltage.

At the same time, it is known to control the electronic ballast 1 via a digital or analog bus control 8, in order thus to start, dim or switch off the lamp 5. It should be noted that in this prior art in each lamp operating device (ECG 1) a separate rectifier 2 is provided with PFC circuit. Such a PFC circuit is known to reduce spurious harmonics in the Input current. On the other hand, these inverters with PFC 2 provided locally in each ECG 1 represent a considerable cost factor, which severely restricts the trend towards extremely cost-effectively manufactured electronic ballasts.

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The invention assumes that the unit rectifier / PFC is no longer provided locally in each operating device, but centrally for several operating devices. The connection between this control center and the individual operating devices takes place via a DC output circuit.

The object of the invention is to propose a control for light-emitting devices, which further allows a cost-effective production of operating devices, while ensuring a flexible and adapted to the needs of the connected equipment supply despite the central configuration.

The object is solved by the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1.

In this context, it should be noted that after the US-A-4,626,697 a solid state device rectifier circuit is known which provides several different DC voltage levels.

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

The output circuits with different DC voltage levels can be assigned operating devices for different types of light sources (for example gas discharge lamp, LED, etc.).

In addition, the central unit can also have a pure digital signal output circuit, which therefore does not serve for the power supply.

With the digital signal output circuit, an operating device may be connected, which has a power supply independent of the central unit, in particular a mains AC power supply.

One of the output circuits of the central unit may be connected to ground, wherein at least two further output circuits have DC voltage levels which are designed symmetrically around the ground potential.

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

At least one operating device may be connected to output circuits having different DC levels.

An output circuit can serve, for example, for the provision of the lamp operating power and at least one further output circuit for the provision of a low-voltage power supply of logic components in a control gear.

At least one of the operating devices may be an electronic ballast (ECG) for gas discharge lamps, which is an inverter having. In this case, the operating device may also be referred to as output converter.

By way of example, drive signals can be transmitted via at least one of the output circuits in accordance with a powerline technique, these drive signals thus being modulated onto the DC voltage.

In the central unit itself, different rectifier and / or PFC modules can be provided for output circuits with different DC voltage levels.

An operating device associated with a light source can be switched off by transmitting a Ausschaltungsbefehles via one of the output circuits, the power supply can be maintained unchanged via a further output circuit.

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 operating devices 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 Fig. 4a in that two output circuits have DC voltage levels that are asymmetrically designed 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 in Fig. 1 A central unit, comprising, for example, a rectifier 2 and optionally also a power factor correction circuit (PFC) 10, is jointly provided for a plurality of lamp operating devices 1, 1 ', 1 " The central unit 2, 10 can also be spatially separated from the operating devices and, for example, be arranged centrally for a room, a floor or even a building in a control cabinet, etc.

As in Fig. 1 indicated schematically, the various light-emitting devices operating devices 1, 1 ', 1 "a variety of light sources, such as a gas discharge lamp 5, light emitting diodes 5', etc. Actuate the bulbs themselves can be operated with DC or AC voltage, wherein in the latter case, an inverter is provided in the associated operating device.

Furthermore, other (eg passive) lighting or building services equipment, such as a light sensor 5 "or a motion detector (not shown) may be connected to a DC output circuit 11 of the central unit.

Depending on the nature of the connected lamps 5, 5 'or sensors 5 ", the operating devices 1, 1', 1" are designed differently. In the event that a gas discharge lamp 5 is to be controlled, the corresponding operating device 3 is, for example, as an electronic ballast (EVG) u.a. formed with an inverter. In this case, the operating devices can also be referred to as "output converters".

The power supply of the operating devices and lamps 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 In this case, an output circuit 11 can be configured in a bus-like manner, so that the various operating devices 1, 1 ', 1 "are supplied via stubs 13, 13', 13 'starting from this central common bus 11. Alternatively or additionally, individual operating devices can be supplied or jointly supplied groups of operating devices individual output circuits 12 may be provided.

This DC output circuit has the advantage of being less susceptible to parasitic effects than corresponding AC circuits.

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

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

The two in Fig. 3 schematically illustrated operating devices 3, here electronic ballasts with inverters for gas discharge lamps 5, are connected to each of the mentioned output circuits 31, 32, 33, so that they on the one hand a DC voltage of 400 volts for the operation of the gas discharge lamps (generally bulbs) and a further DC voltage of, for example 12 Volts are provided via an input 35. The low-voltage output circuit 32 can serve for the supply of logic components in the operating devices 3 or also for signal transmission, for example, by being designed as a digital bus. Alternatively, in the sense of a powerline technique, this 12 volt high-frequency drive signals can be modulated on.

Finally, via the low-voltage output circuit 32 and the operating devices 2 respectively associated lighting means can be turned off, as shown schematically by a switch 36. The fact that the switching off (indirectly) via the low-voltage output circuit 32 and not (directly) via the high-voltage output circuit 31, the problem of the spark gap is significantly reduced when the switch 36 is open. If, for example, the low-voltage output circuit 32 supplies the logic components in the operating device 3 via the respective terminal 35, by opening the switch 36, these corresponding logic components, for example the control of the inverter in an electronic ballast can be switched off, which in turn causes the associated gas discharge lamp 5 to go out leads.

Even if, therefore, the associated light source, here the gas discharge lamps 5, are turned off, the operating voltage of 400 volts is still available via the output circuit 31, so that the corresponding bulbs are rapidly switched on again from this standby mode at any time, for example the switch 36 is closed again. It should be noted that the mechanical switch 36 can be replaced at any time by a transmission of corresponding digital commands transmitted via the low voltage output circuit 32 and read at the input 35 of the operating device, for example by a powerline demodulator (not shown) and in a Control command for a local control unit to be implemented in a control gear.

Alternatively, bulbs can naturally also be switched off, for example by the central unit 2 being switched off altogether by an upstream mains switch 37.

In general, the low-voltage output circuit with, for example, 12 V DC can be used in any combination as power supply for light sources (in particular for LEDs), as supply voltage for logic components (eg ASICs) in an operating device and / or as a control circuit.

While in the embodiment according to Fig. 3 the two illustrated operating devices 3 are each connected to the same output circuits 31 and 32, 33, shows Fig. 4 an embodiment in which the voltage levels of the output circuits of the central unit 2 are designed such that by appropriate combination at the terminals of the operating devices this optionally with a high DC voltage HV, a medium DC voltage MV and a low DC voltage LV supplies can be.

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

In the embodiment of Fig. 4a a high-voltage operating device 41 and a medium-voltage operating device 42 are shown, with 400 volts DC or 200th Voltage DC be supplied. This is achieved in that the central unit 2 shown has a total of three output circuits 45, 47, 48, wherein one output circuit 45 is connected to ground (GND) and the other two output circuits 47, 48 voltage level symmetrical about this ground potential, here in the form of ± 200 volts. It should be noted that in Fig. 4a, 4b as well as explained in the following Fig. 5 the bulbs are shown purely schematically. Meanwhile, the bulbs can be of any nature and, for example, also be connected in groups in series and / or in parallel to an operating device.

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

Fig. 4b shows a modification of Fig. 4a to the effect that, although the central unit 2 further has a plurality of output circuits 44, 45, 46 with different DC potential, in addition to the ground output circuit 45 provided further output circuits 44, 46 but in this case lead levels that asymmetric to said ground potential, here in the form of +400 volts DC and -12 volts DC, respectively. Thus, in accordance with this example, a high-voltage DC supply for an operating device 41 or a low-voltage DC supply for an operating device 43 can be achieved. The low-voltage DC supply, for example, 12 volts is particularly suitable for LED bulbs.

Fig. 5 now shows a modification of the aforementioned embodiments in that in addition to the output circuits that ensure a power supply, possibly in combination with a powerline signal transmission, 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 thus does not supply the associated operating means, here an electronic ballast 52 with the operating voltage. Rather, in the sense of a well-known from the prior art electronic ballast with digital interface of this electronic ballast 52 is supplied independently of the central unit 2 with mains voltage 55 to drive the gas discharge lamp 5.

The central unit may comprise a plurality of parallel modules, each having a PFC 57 and an electronic fuse 56. Each module is assigned a live output circuit. In particular, different modules can supply output circuits with different DC voltage levels.

With such a modular design, it can be provided that a switch 58 is connected upstream of each module so that modules can be switched on or off individually in order to switch the respectively assigned output circuits. Thus, certain operating devices or groups thereof and the associated bulbs can be selectively switched on and off.

Claims (14)

1. System for actuating operating devices for luminous means, having:

   a central unit (2), which has a rectifier circuit and can be supplied with AC voltage, a plurality of operating devices (1, 1', 1"; 3; 41, 42; 51-53) each of which is assigned at least one luminous means, and a first DC output circuit (11; 31, 33; 45-47), originating from the central unit (2), for supplying operating devices with a first DC voltage level,

   characterized
   in that at least one second DC output circuit (12; 31, 32, 33; 45-47) having a second DC voltage level which is different from the first DC voltage level originates from the central unit (2), wherein the second DC output circuit alternatively or additionally supplies individual operating devices or jointly supplied groups of operating devices with a second DC voltage level which is different from the first DC voltage level.
2. System according to Claim 1,
   characterized
   in that the central unit (2) also has a power factor correction circuit (10) (figure 1).
3. System according to either of the preceding claims,
   characterized
   in that operating devices (1, 1', 1") for different luminous means (5, 5', 5") are assigned to output circuits (11, 13, 13', 13"; 12) having different DC voltage levels (figure 1).
4. System according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized
   in that the central unit (2) also has a pure digital signal output circuit (54) (figure 5).
5. System according to Claim 4,
   characterized
   in that an operating device (52) is connected to the digital signal output circuit (54), said operating device having a voltage supply which is independent of the central unit (2), in particular an AC voltage supply (figure 5).
6. System according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized
   in that one of the output circuits (45) of the central unit (2) is connected to earth and at least two further output circuits (47, 48) have DC voltage levels which are symmetrical with respect to the earth potential (figure 4a).
7. System according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized
   in that one of the output circuits (45) of the central unit (2) is connected to earth and at least two further output circuits (44, 46) have DC voltage levels which are asymmetrical with respect to the earth potential (figure 4b).
8. System according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized
   in that at least one operating device (41) is connected to output circuits (44, 46) having different DC voltage levels (figure 4b).
9. System according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized
   in that at least one output circuit (31, 33) is used to provide the luminous means operating power and at least one further output circuit (32) is used to provide a low-voltage supply for logic components in an operating device (3) (figure 3).
10. System according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized
    in that at least one of the operating devices (3) is an electronic ballast for gas discharge lamps (5), said ballast having an inverter (figures 1 and 3).
11. System according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized
    in that actuation signals are transmitted via at least one of the output circuits (32), said actuation signals being modulated onto the DC voltage (figure 3).
12. System according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized
    in that different modules (57) are provided in the central unit (2) for output circuits having different DC voltage levels (figure 5).
13. System according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized
    in that a luminous means (5) associated with an operating device can be switched off as a result of the transmission of a switch-off command via an output circuit (32), wherein the voltage supply is maintained by means of a further output circuit (31, 33) (figure 3).
14. System according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized
    in that an operating device (3) can be switched off by means of a switch (36) in a low-voltage output circuit (32) (figure 3).

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