Ballast for light bulbs

Abstract

Ballast (10) for light sources, in particular LED drivers, comprising: a housing (11); and a control circuit (12) which is enclosed by the housing (11); wherein the housing (11) has at least one housing area (13) which is plastically deformable; wherein the control circuit (12) is configured to detect a plastic deformation of at least one housing area (13) and to adjust at least one parameter and / or at least one property of the ballast (10) accordingly.

Description

1. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the configuration of ballasts for light sources, in particular LED drivers. 2. Background

[0002] Modern LED drivers offer numerous configuration and setting options, such as adjusting the driver's output current. It is common practice to make such adjustments via various interfaces on the LED driver. For example, the driver may have digital interfaces (e.g., DALI) or mechanical switches (e.g., DIP switches). Some drivers also allow contactless configuration using NFC (Near Field Communication). However, providing such interfaces increases the driver's cost. This is particularly problematic for very inexpensive drivers.

[0003] Furthermore, attaching mechanical switches or other input interfaces to a driver housing has the disadvantage that dust or water can penetrate the LED driver, for example, through a gap between the housing and the interface. This can limit the driver's IP protection rating (protection against water, protection against foreign objects / contact) and, for example, prevent the construction of a waterproof housing.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a ballast for light sources, in particular an LED driver, which is configurable in a simple and cost-effective manner and is protected against the ingress of foreign bodies.

[0005] These and other problems, which will be mentioned in the following description or which may be recognized by a person skilled in the art, are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims further develop the central idea of ​​the present invention in a particularly advantageous manner. 3. Detailed description of the invention

[0006] According to the present invention, a ballast for light sources, in particular LED drivers, is provided. The ballast comprises a housing and a control circuit enclosed by the housing. The housing has at least one housing area that is plastically deformable; the control circuit is configured to detect a plastic deformation of the at least one housing area and to adjust at least one parameter and / or at least one property of the ballast accordingly.

[0007] This design offers the advantage of creating a ballast that can be easily configured by manually adjusting the housing. No additional control element, such as a wireless interface or a toggle or push switch on the housing surface, is required, thus reducing costs. Since no separate control element on the housing surface is needed that is connected to the internal electronics, gaps or openings in the housing can be reduced. This minimizes the risk of foreign objects or water ingress.

[0008] The parameter or property setting can correspond to a ballast configuration. For example, the ballast's output current can be set depending on the detected deformation. The housing can have multiple localized areas, each capable of plastic deformation, with the property or parameter setting depending on which area has deformed.

[0009] The plastic deformation of at least one housing area is, in particular, a permanent deformation. This means that the housing area does not return to its original state on its own after the deformation.

[0010] The deformation can be caused by mechanical action on the housing area, for example by pressing on the housing area with a finger or a tool.

[0011] The enclosure area can be a locally limited area or section of the enclosure.

[0012] The control circuit may include electrical and / or electronic switching elements. In particular, the control circuit may include a control and / or regulating unit, such as an ASIC or a microcontroller. The control circuit, especially the control and / or regulating unit, may form internal driver logic. The control circuit may be part of a driver circuit for the ballast.

[0013] According to one embodiment, an electrical contact is established within the housing by the plastic deformation of at least one housing area, and the control circuit is configured to detect the establishment of this electrical contact. This offers the advantage that the plastic deformation can be detected in a simple manner.

[0014] According to one embodiment, an electrical contact element is arranged on the inside of at least one housing area, which, when the housing area is deformed, is pressed against a conductive structure, in particular a conductor track, to establish electrical contact. This achieves the advantage that the plastic deformation can be detected in a simple manner.

[0015] For example, by establishing an electrical contact, an electrical connection can be created between two separate sections of a conductor track. A current can then flow through this connection. This current flow, or a corresponding voltage drop, can be detected by the control circuit, for example, at the input of a control and / or regulation unit (e.g., an ASIC) within the control circuit.

[0016] According to one embodiment, at least one housing area is structurally weakened compared to the rest of the housing. This offers the advantage that the housing area can be deformed more easily (e.g., with less force).

[0017] For example, at least one area of ​​the housing has a thinner wall than the rest of the housing.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the housing has at least one bend line or bend point in or around the at least one housing region, wherein the plastic deformation of the housing region is achieved by buckling at least a part of the housing region at the bend line or bend point. This achieves the advantage that the housing region can be deformed more easily (e.g., with less force).

[0019] According to one embodiment, the housing has a number of openings or bores, in particular punched holes, in or around at least one housing area.

[0020] According to one embodiment, at least one housing area is convexly curved outwards before plastic deformation. This has the advantage that the housing area and its current actuation status are easier to recognize, especially by touch.

[0021] For example, during plastic deformation, the outwardly curved housing area becomes curved inwards.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the plastic deformation of at least one housing area can be reversed by mechanical action on the housing outside the deformed area. In this way, the parameter and / or property settings can be easily reset.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the housing has a plurality of housing areas, each of which is plastically deformable; wherein the control circuit is designed to detect which of the plurality of housing areas are deformed, and depending on this, to adjust the at least one parameter and / or the at least one property of the ballast.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the housing is a plastic or a metal housing.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the ballast further comprises a cover which is detachably attached to the housing; wherein, when attached to the housing, the cover covers at least one housing area. 4. Brief description of the characters

[0026] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a ballast for light sources according to one embodiment; Fig. 2A Sectional views of a ballast for light sources according to one embodiment; Fig. 2B a top view of a ballast for light sources according to one embodiment; and Fig. 3 A side view of a ballast for light sources according to one embodiment. 5. Detailed description

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a ballast 10 for light sources according to one embodiment. For example, the ballast 10 is an LED driver.

[0028] The ballast 10 comprises a housing 11 and a control circuit 12, which is enclosed by the housing. The housing has at least one housing area 13 that is plastically deformable. The control circuit 12 is configured to detect a plastic deformation of the at least one housing area 13 and to adjust at least one parameter and / or at least one property of the ballast 10 accordingly.

[0029] By selectively deforming at least one housing area 13, parameters and / or properties of the ballast 10 can be adjusted. This can correspond to a configuration of the ballast 10.

[0030] The control circuit 12 can therefore detect the plastic deformation of at least one housing area 13, and on the basis of this detection (or in reaction to it) adjust at least one parameter and / or at least one property.

[0031] The housing 11 can have a plurality of such housing areas 13, each of which is plastically deformable (in Fig. (Figure 1 shows three exemplary areas). The respective housing areas 13 can be locally limited sections or areas of the housing 11. The control circuit 12 can be configured to detect which of the multiple housing areas 13 are deformed and, depending on this, to adjust at least one parameter and / or at least one property of the ballast 10.

[0032] For example, different housing areas may be provided for adjusting different parameters or properties of the ballast 10. The adjustable properties of the ballast may relate to its functions or states, such as adjustable operating modes. In particular, the parameters or properties are related to the operation of the light sources connected to the ballast 10.

[0033] Possible parameters and / or properties that can be set in this way are: an output current, a droop control, a CLO (Constant Light Output) control and / or a corridor function of the ballast 10.

[0034] Furthermore, by actuating a corresponding housing area, a constant current function or a constant voltage function of the ballast could be set, or it could be switched back and forth between these two functions.

[0035] For example, the deformable housing sections 13 each form a type of switch with two distinguishable states: the undeformed state and the deformed state. The control circuit 12 can detect the state of a section 13 and, in particular, can detect a "switching" effect caused by deformation of the section 13. For example, deformation of a section 13 can activate or deactivate a function assigned to that section (e.g., activation / deactivation of the droop control mentioned above, the CLO control, or the corridor function).

[0036] The plastic deformation of at least one housing area 13 is, in particular, a permanent deformation. That is, the housing area 13 does not return to its original state on its own after the deformation.

[0037] The deformation can be caused by mechanical action on the housing area 13, for example by pressing on the housing area with a finger or a tool.

[0038] At least one housing area 13 can be color-coded or labelled, for example to indicate which parameter / property can be adjusted by deforming area 13.

[0039] The ballast 10 may also have a connection 14 for connecting to a power supply, and another connection (not shown) for connecting the light sources, e.g. LEDs.

[0040] The housing 11 can be made of plastic, for example, plastic, or of metal.

[0041] At least one housing area 13 may be structurally weakened compared to the rest of the housing 11. This can facilitate the targeted deformation of the housing area. For example, due to the structural weakening, less force needs to be applied to area 13 to deform it.

[0042] For example, the housing 11 has a thinner wall at at least one housing area 13 than the rest of the housing.

[0043] An electrical contact can be established within the housing 11 by the plastic deformation of at least one housing area 13. This is the case, for example, in Fig. 2A shown.

[0044] Fig. Figure 2A shows sectional views of the ballast 10 according to one embodiment. The upper figure of Fig. Figure 2A shows the housing area 13 before its plastic deformation, and the middle and bottom figures show examples of the deformed housing area 13. For example, the housing areas 13 in Fig. 1 according to the in Fig. 2A examples shown.

[0045] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2A, an electrical contact element 22 can be arranged on the inside of the housing area 13. The electrical contact element 22 can be a metallic coating, for example, a copper layer or a copper foil. This contact element 22 can be attached to the inside of the housing 11 by means of an adhesive strip 21, in particular in an insulating manner.

[0046] Opposite the electrical contact element 22, a conductive structure 23, in particular one or more conductor tracks, can be arranged in the housing 11. For example, the conductive structure 23 is arranged on a printed circuit board 25 (PCB). A gap 24 is located between the contact element 22 and the conductive structure 23 before the deformation of the area 13 (see the upper figure of the Fig. 2A).

[0047] When the housing area 13 is deformed, the electrical contact element 22 is pressed against the conductive structure 23 to establish electrical contact (see middle and lower figure of the Fig. 2A). For example, by establishing the electrical contact, an electrical connection is created between two areas of the conductor track 23. A current can then flow through the conductor track 23 via this connection.

[0048] The control circuit 12 can be configured to detect the establishment of electrical contact. Thus, the current flow via the conductor track 23, or the resulting voltage drop across a resistor, can be detected by the control circuit 12, for example, at the input of a control and / or regulation unit of the control circuit 12. Through this detection of electrical contact, the circuit 12 can detect the deformation of the housing area 13. The control and / or regulation unit can be an internal driver logic, for example, an ASIC or a microcontroller (µC).

[0049] The contact element 22 on the inside of the housing area 13 is used particularly when the driver housing itself is not electrically conductive (for example, in the case of a plastic housing). With a metallic housing 11, such a contact element 22 could also be omitted.

[0050] According to one example, the conductive structure 23 comprises two copper pads arranged on the circuit board 25, which serve as contact elements (e.g., as in a standard SMD resistor). In this case, the electrical contact is created by pressing the contact element 22 against the copper pads.

[0051] The conductive structure 23, for example the conductor track and / or the copper pads, can be a component of the control circuit 12, or can be electrically connected to this circuit 12.

[0052] The electrical contact established remains in place, in particular, as long as the housing area is deformed.

[0053] Optionally, the electrical contact element 22 can be designed as a copper foil with a double-sided adhesive layer. This ensures that the contact element 22 adheres to the conductive structure 23, even if the driver housing 11 were to bend, for example, due to a fall or other shocks.

[0054] To facilitate the targeted deformation of area 13, the housing can have at least one bend line or bend point 26 in or around the at least one housing area 13. The plastic deformation of the housing area 13 can then be achieved by buckling at least a portion of the housing area 13 at the bend line or bend point 26. This is illustrated by way of example in the middle cross-sectional view of the Fig. 2A shown. Due to the bend line, the deformation of the housing area 13 requires less force, for example.

[0055] Additionally or alternatively, the housing 11 can have a number of openings or bores, in particular punched holes, in or around the housing area 13. These allow, for example, a part 27 of the housing area to be pressed in, similar to a tab, to establish the electrical contact (see the lower figure of the Fig. 2A).

[0056] Fig. Figure 2B shows a top view of the ballast 10 for light sources according to an embodiment, wherein the housing area 13 is deformed, in particular dented.

[0057] Fig. Figure 3 shows a side view of the ballast 10 for light sources according to one embodiment.

[0058] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, at least one housing area can be convex outwards before plastic deformation (left and middle area 13 in Fig. 3) For example, a housing area that is convex outwards in this way will convexly inwards during plastic deformation (right area 13 in Fig. 3) Due to this curvature, the current activation status of area 13 can be more easily recognized, and even felt. In this way, the ballast can be operated particularly intuitively.

[0059] According to another example, the plastic deformation of at least one housing area 13 can be reversed by applying mechanical force to the housing outside the deformed housing area 13. This returns the area to its original state. In this way, the parameter and / or property settings can be easily reset.

[0060] Alternatively or additionally, it may also be possible to reverse the plastic deformation of an area 13 by applying pressure from the inside against the deformed area 13. For example, the housing 11 is at least partially opened for this purpose.

[0061] According to another example, the ballast can have a cover 31 which is detachably attached to the housing 11. The cover 31 can cover at least one housing area 13 when attached to the housing 11. This prevents accidental activation of area 13, for example, during transport or after installation of the ballast 10.

[0062] The parameterization of the ballast 10 described above, using plastic deformation of housing sections 13, enables novel device designs and form factors. Furthermore, the number of electrical connections leading out of the housing can be reduced. This allows the IP protection class of the ballast to be improved.

Claims

[1] Ballast (10) for light sources, in particular LED drivers, comprising: a housing (11); and a control circuit (12) which is enclosed by the housing (11); wherein the housing (11) has at least one housing area (13) which is plastically deformable; wherein the control circuit (12) is configured to detect a plastic deformation of at least one housing area (13) and to adjust at least one parameter and / or at least one property of the ballast (10) accordingly. [2] Ballast (10) according to claim 1, wherein an electrical contact is established within the housing (11) by the plastic deformation of at least one housing area (13), wherein the control circuit (12) is designed to detect the establishment of the electrical contact. [3] Ballast (10) according to claim 2, wherein an electrical contact element (22) is arranged on the inside of the at least one housing area, which is pressed against a conductive structure (23), in particular a conductor track, when the housing area (13) is deformed in order to establish the electrical contact. [4] Ballast (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one housing area (13) is structurally weakened compared to the rest of the housing (11). [5] Ballast (10) according to claim 4, wherein at least one housing area (13) has a smaller wall thickness than the rest of the housing (11). [6] Ballast (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (11) has at least one bend line or bend point (26) in or around the at least one housing area (13), wherein the plastic deformation of the housing area (13) is carried out by buckling at least a part of the housing area (13) at the bend line or bend point (26). [7] Ballast (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (11) has a number of openings or bores, in particular punched holes, in or around the at least one housing area (13). [8] Ballast (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one housing area (13) is convex outwards before plastic deformation. [9] Ballast (10) according to claim 8, wherein the outwardly curved housing area (13) is curved inwards during plastic deformation. [10] Ballast (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic deformation of the at least one housing area (13) can be reversed by mechanical action on the housing (11) outside the deformed housing area (13). [11] Ballast (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (11) has a plurality of housing areas (13) which are each plastically deformable; wherein the control circuit (12) is designed to detect which of the multitude of housing areas (13) are deformed, and depending on this to set at least one parameter and / or at least one property of the ballast (10). [12] Ballast (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (11) is a plastic or metal housing. [13] Ballast (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a cover (31) which is detachably attached to the housing (11); wherein the cover (31) when attached to the housing (11) covers at least one housing area (13).

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