Adapter for electrically connecting lighting equipment to electrical tracks

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adapter for electrically connecting a lighting device to an electrified track, wherein the electrified track comprises AC mains phases L1, L2 and L3 and a neutral line N, wherein the adapter has a housing designed to be inserted into a U-shaped profile of the electrified track, wherein the adapter has contacts for contacting the AC mains phases L1, L2 and L3 and the neutral line N of the electrified track, wherein the adapter comprises an electronic control unit in the housing, wherein the control unit is configured to select a combination of one of all connected AC mains phases L1, L2, L3 and the neutral line N for powering the lighting device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an adapter for electrically connecting a lighting device to an electrified track. The invention further relates to a system comprising the electrified track and the adapter. Background Art

[0002] EP3217090A1 proposes a lighting system comprising an electrical track with three mains phases and an adapter for electrically connecting a lighting device to the electrical track so that the lighting device can receive power from the mains. The adapter supports a lighting device, such as a spotlight. The electrical track can hold several adapters and thus several lighting devices, which are arranged in a row, for example. In order to enable an operator to adjust the number and position of adapters on the electrical track, the adapter comprises a mechanism configured to automatically pull out a contact when the adapter is fitted in the electrical track so that the contact is electrically connected to the three mains phases.

[0003] However, the known adapter presents some disadvantages and limitations. First, it has a relatively complex structure and it requires many components, thereby increasing the cost and footprint of the lighting system. Moreover, the automatic connection of the contacts to the three mains phases limits the flexibility of the electrical connection possibilities.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved adapter for electrically connecting a lighting device to an electrified track. Summary of the invention

[0005] The objects of the invention are achieved by the solutions provided in the attached independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are further defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adapter for electrically connecting a lighting device to an electrified track. The electrified track comprises AC mains phases L1, L2 and L3 and a neutral line N, the adapter having a housing designed to be inserted into a U-shaped profile of the electrified track, the adapter having contacts for contacting the AC mains phases L1, L2 and L3 and the neutral line N of the electrified track, the adapter comprising an electronic control unit located in the housing, and the control unit is configured to select a combination of one of all connected AC mains phases L1, L2, L3 and the neutral line N for supplying the lighting device.

[0007] This offers the advantage that the selection of the combination of L and N wire for supplying, for example, a connected LED load is no longer done mechanically, but electronically within the adapter.

[0008] In one embodiment, the adapter includes terminals to power a lighting device, such as an LED module.

[0009] This offers the advantage that the LED module can be efficiently supplied with power due to the fact that the selection of the combination of L and N wires for powering eg a connected LED load is no longer done mechanically but electronically within the adapter.

[0010] In another embodiment, the control unit is configured to contact one of the possible combinations L1 / N, L2 / N and L3 / N.

[0011] This provides the advantage that the electrical phase selector switch can respond to a power failure in one phase and automatically switch to another phase that is not affected by the power failure.

[0012] In another embodiment, the adapter is inserted into the electrified track in two different orientations.

[0013] This offers the advantage that the insertion of the adapter into the electrified track can be performed in a more flexible and simple manner.

[0014] In another embodiment, the two different orientations are rotated 180 degrees.

[0015] In another embodiment, when the adapter is inserted, all phases L1 , L2 and L3 of the electrified track and the neutral conductor N are contacted.

[0016] This provides the advantage that in the event of a power failure in one of the phases, the other phase can be used.

[0017] In another embodiment, the electrified track has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape.

[0018] In another embodiment, the adapter comprises the LED driver electronics and is preferably inserted flush with the U-shaped profile of the electrification track.

[0019] In another embodiment, the control unit is configured to selectively electronically contact a combination of one of L1, L2, L3 and N to output terminals within the adapter, wherein the output terminals are fed to the AC input of the LED driver electronics.

[0020] In another embodiment, the adapter further comprises a selection network for selecting the L1, L2, L2 and N lines, wherein the selection network comprises a plurality of controllable high voltage semiconductor switches, such as triacs or high voltage transistors.

[0021] This offers the advantage that the selection of a line can be performed in a simple manner by using well-known electrical components such as triacs or transistors.

[0022] In another embodiment, the control unit is further configured to select the L1, L2, L2 and N lines based on the rectifier diode network.

[0023] This offers the advantage that the selection of the lines can be performed in a simple manner by using well-known electrical components, such as diodes.

[0024] In another embodiment, the adapter further comprises a housing such that the adapter can only be inserted into the electrified track in one predetermined orientation.

[0025] In another embodiment, the control unit is connected to the interface.

[0026] This offers the advantage that the phase no longer has to be set manually.

[0027] In another embodiment, the interface is a wireless interface such as an NFC interface or a wired interface such as a DALI bus interface.

[0028] This offers the advantage that the phase is no longer set manually but can also be adjusted, for example, via a DALI bus interface.

[0029] In another embodiment, the interface comprises a mechanical device on the adapter itself.

[0030] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a system comprising an electrified track comprising AC mains phases L1 , L2 and L3 and a neutral conductor N, and an adapter according to the first aspect or any one of its implementations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 A system including an adapter for electrically connecting a lighting device to an electrified track is shown according to one embodiment;

[0033] Figure 2 shows a selection network of an adapter for electrically connecting a lighting device to an electrified track according to one embodiment;

[0034] Figure 3 shows a selection network of an adapter for electrically connecting a lighting device to an electrified track according to one embodiment;

[0035] Figure 4 shows a selection network of an adapter for electrically connecting a lighting device to an electrified track according to one embodiment;

[0036] Figure 5 shows electronics in an adapter for electrically connecting a lighting device to an electrified track according to one embodiment; and

[0037] Figure 6 Shown is a cross-sectional view of an electrified track according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Aspects of the invention are described herein in the context of an adapter for electrically connecting a lighting fixture to an electrified track.

[0039] The present invention is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various aspects of the invention are shown. However, the present invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the various aspects of the invention presented by the present disclosure. On the contrary, these aspects are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The various aspects of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings may not be drawn to scale. On the contrary, the sizes of various feature structures may be enlarged or reduced for clarity. In addition, some drawings may be simplified for clarity. Therefore, the drawings may not show all the components of a given device.

[0040] Various aspects of an adapter for electrically connecting a lighting device to an electrified track will be presented.

[0041] However, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, these aspects may be extended to aspects of an adapter for electrically connecting a lighting device to an electrified track without departing from the present invention.

[0042] It should also be understood that aspects of the present invention may include integrated circuits that are readily fabricated using conventional semiconductor technology (such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology, referred to as "CMOS" for short). In addition, aspects of the present invention may be implemented using other manufacturing processes used to manufacture optical devices as well as electrical devices. Reference will now be made in detail to specific implementations of exemplary aspects as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or similar components.

[0043] Reference now Figure 1 , Figure 1 A system 100 is shown including an adapter 103 for electrically connecting a lighting device 101 to an electrified track 102 according to one embodiment.

[0044] The electrified track 102 comprises AC mains phases L1, L2 and L3 and a neutral line N. The adapter 103 has a housing designed to be inserted into a U-shaped profile of the electrified track 102, wherein the adapter 103 has contacts for connecting the AC mains phases L1, L2 and L3 and a neutral line N of the electrified track 102.

[0045] Furthermore, the adapter 103 comprises an electronic control unit 103 a located in the housing, wherein the electronic control unit 103 a is configured to select a combination of one of all connected AC mains phases L1 , L2 , L3 and the neutral line N for powering the lighting device 101 .

[0046] Figure 2 A selection network of an adapter 103 for electrically connecting a lighting device 101 to an electrified track 102 is shown according to one embodiment.

[0047] exist Figure 2 In the circuit shown, a situation is shown in which the adapter 103 can be inserted into the electrified track 102 in two different orientations (rotated 180 degrees), so that different contacts can actually be brought into contact with the contacts of the adapter 103 depending on the insertion orientation of the adapter 103 .

[0048] According to one embodiment, when the adapter 103 is inserted, all phases L1 , L2 , L3 and N of the electrified track 102 are contacted.

[0049] A low power voltage source is provided so that already in this state (where no phase is connected to the output), the control circuit or electronic control unit 103a (e.g. a microcontroller of the driver) is powered. The control circuit then detects the insertion orientation of the adapter by sensing at which contacts voltage is actually present.

[0050] Furthermore, the control circuit is powered wirelessly or by wires by means of instructions such as which of L1 , L2 and L3 should be switched active in combination with the N line.

[0051] With this in mind, a selection network is provided that includes a plurality of controllable high voltage semiconductor switches, such as triacs U1 , U2 , U3 , U4 , U5 and U6 or high voltage transistors.

[0052] Depending on the selection, information is provided to the control circuit or electronic control unit 103a and the control circuit or electronic control unit 103a controls the semiconductor switches accordingly so that the desired phases L1 , L2 , L3 in combination with the N line are switched active.

[0053] Figure 3 A selection network of an adapter 103 for electrically connecting a lighting device 101 to an electrified track 102 is shown according to one embodiment.

[0054] exist Figure 3In the embodiment shown, the phases L1, L2, L3 and the N line selection are integrated in the rectifier diode network D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5. Semiconductors M47, M42, M40, M31 and M50 are provided, which can selectively connect the midpoint of the rectifier network to the ground potential of the driver.

[0055] Only phase L1 , L2 , L3 or N is switched active, wherein the semiconductor switches are caused to provide an electrically conductive contact between the midpoint of the rectifier network and the ground potential.

[0056] Figure 4 A selection network of an adapter 103 for electrically connecting a lighting device 101 to an electrified track 102 is shown according to one embodiment.

[0057] Figure 3 The embodiment shown is a simplified selection network with three semiconductor switches U7, U8, U9, which may be triacs, arranged before the converter electronics.

[0058] According to this embodiment, it is foreseeable that mechanical measures are integrated in the housing of the adapter 103 so that the adapter 103 can be inserted into the electrified track 102 in only one defined orientation, which can simplify the selection of the network.

[0059] Figure 5 Electronics in an adapter 103 for electrically connecting a lighting device 101 to an electrified track 102 are shown according to one embodiment.

[0060] Figure 5 The electronics in an adapter according to one embodiment are generally shown together with the terminals T1 , T2 for feeding the LED load 101 starting from the AC / DC converter.

[0061] Power Supply Microcontroller block 500 is the low voltage power supply for the microcontroller.

[0062] The switching network 502 is controlled by digital logic. This can be implemented as a μC, for example. The power supply of the μC can be done directly from the grid.

[0063] As from Figure 5 It can be seen that the microcontroller can be functionally connected to the interface 501 so that for example phase selection instructions can be provided wirelessly (NFC), in a wired manner (DALI bus, etc.), or also by mechanical means on the adapter 103 itself.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the microcontroller senses the AC voltage (in order to detect the orientation) present at the different phases L1, L2, L3 and N. This AC voltage detection can also be used for surge limiting switching, which means that the microcontroller μC 103 switches the semiconductor switches active (conductive) at a point in time close to the zero crossing of the AC sign wave.

[0065] According to one embodiment, a time sequence is stored in the μC, in which the electrical phase selection switch automatically changes the phase (weekday / weekday).

[0066] According to another embodiment, the power phase selector switch completely switches off the AC / DC section to minimize standby losses.

[0067] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of an electrified track 102 is shown according to one embodiment.

[0068] The track typically has a substantially "U" shaped cross-sectional shape.

[0069] In one embodiment, the adapter 103 with integrated LED driver electronics is inserted so as to be substantially flush with the U-shaped profile of the electrified track 102. The electrified track 102 carries four conductors, which are the AC mains phases L1 , L2, L3 and the neutral conductor N.

[0070] The adapter 103 is designed to selectively contact a combination of one of L1, L2, L3 and N. Therefore, simple addressing is possible when only a subset (preferably one of the phases L1, L2, L3) is switched in order to modify the power sent to the adapter 103 (the adapter is actively connected to the corresponding phase L1, L2 or L3).

[0071] In one embodiment, the selection of the combination of L and N wires used to power the connected LED load 101 is no longer done mechanically, but electronically within the adapter.

[0072] The adapter mechanically contacts all electrical connections provided in the electrified track 102, L1, L2, L3 and N. These mechanical connections are then selectively connected internally.

[0073] This selection is made internally by the electronic control unit 103a in the adapter 103, which selectively connects the N and L1, L2, L3 contacts to the output terminals OUT, OUT1 (see Figure 2 ), these output terminals are then fed to the AC input of the driver electronics, which are preferably also provided within the adapter 103.

[0074] The electrical track 102 may be made of an electrically insulating material. The electrical track 102 may independently hold three conductive wires or lines that are individually connected to respective mains phases L1, L2, and L3. The electrical track 102 may also hold a conductive line N that is connected to neutral or ground and is Figure 6 Symbolization in.

[0075] Additionally, the electrical track 102 may define a cavity 104 for receiving the adapter 103. Figure 6 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the adapter 103 can be fully inserted into the chamber 104 .

[0076] All features of all embodiments described, illustrated and / or claimed herein may be combined with each other.

[0077] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that these embodiments are given by way of example only and not by way of limitation. Without departing from the spirit of the scope of the present invention, various changes may be made to the embodiments disclosed in the present invention according to the disclosure herein. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments. On the contrary, the scope of the present invention should be defined according to the following claims and their equivalents.

[0078] Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to one or more specific embodiments, equivalent alternatives and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art after reading this specification and understanding of the accompanying drawings. In addition, although specific features of the present invention may be disclosed only with respect to several specific implementations, such features may be combined with one or more other features of other specific implementations according to the expectations and advantages of any given or specific application.

Claims

1. An adapter (103) for electrically connecting a lighting device (101) to an electrified track (102), wherein The electrified rail (102) comprises AC mains phases L1, L2 and L3 and a neutral conductor N, wherein the adapter (103) has a housing designed to be inserted into a U-shaped profile of the electrified rail (102), wherein the electrified rail (102) has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape, wherein The adapter (103) has contacts for contacting the AC mains phases L1, L2 and L3 and the neutral conductor N of the electrified track (102), wherein The adapter (103) comprises an electronic control unit (103a) located in the housing, wherein When the adapter (103) is inserted, all phases L1, L2 and L3 of the electrified track (102) and the neutral line N are contacted, and the electronic control unit (103a) is configured to select a combination of one of the all-contacted AC mains phases L1, L2, L3 and the neutral line N for powering the lighting device (101), in, The adapter (103) is designed to be inserted into the electrified track (102) in two different orientations, wherein the two different orientations are rotated 180 degrees, Therein, the electronic control unit (103a) detects the insertion orientation of the adapter (103) by sensing the presence of AC voltage at the different phases L1, L2, L3.

2. The adapter (103) according to claim 1, wherein the adapter (103) comprises terminals for supplying power to the lighting device (101).

3. The adapter (103) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic control unit (103a) is configured to contact one of the combinations L1 / N, L2 / N and L3 / N.

4. The adapter (103) of claim 1, wherein the adapter (103) comprises LED driver electronics.

5. An adapter (103) according to claim 4, wherein the electronic control unit (103a) is configured to selectively electronically contact a combination of one of L1, L2, L3 and N to an output terminal within the adapter (103), wherein the output terminal is fed to the AC input of the LED driver electronics.

6. The adapter (103) according to claim 1, wherein the adapter (103) further comprises a selection network for selecting the L1, L2, L2 and N lines, wherein the selection network comprises a plurality of controllable electronic switches.

7. The adapter (103) of claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit (103a) is further configured to select the L1, L2, L2, and N lines based on a rectifier diode network.

8. The adapter (103) of claim 1, wherein the adapter (103) further comprises a housing such that the adapter (103) can only be inserted into the electrified track (102) in one predetermined orientation.

9. The adapter (103) according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit (103a) is connected to an interface (501).

10. The adapter (103) according to claim 9, wherein the interface (501) is a wireless interface or a wired interface.

11. The adapter (103) of claim 9, wherein the interface (501) comprises a mechanical device located on the adapter (103) itself.

12. The adapter (103) according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit (103a) is configured to use an electronic switch to select a combination of one of the all-connected AC mains phases L1, L2, L3 and the neutral line N for powering the lighting device (101).

13. The adapter (103) according to claim 4, wherein the adapter (103) is inserted flush with the U-shaped profile of the electrified rail (102).

14. The adapter (103) according to claim 2, wherein the lighting device (101) is an LED module.

15. The adapter (103) according to claim 6, wherein the controllable electronic switch is a triac or a high voltage transistor.

16. The adapter (103) of claim 10, wherein the wireless interface is an NFC interface.

17. The adapter (103) according to claim 10, wherein the wired interface is a DALI bus interface.

18. A system (100) comprising an electrified track (102) having AC mains phases L1, L2 and L3 and a neutral conductor N, and an adapter (103) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 17.

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