Lighting system controller, track, and lighting system

Abstract

The present application provides an illumination system controller, a track and an illumination system. The illumination system controller includes a power supply module, a processor, a control module for generating or processing a first control signal, a first communication interface, a second communication interface for receiving a second control signal, and a detection circuit. The processor determines the output content of the first communication interface according to the judgment result of the detection circuit. When the second control signal is input to the second communication interface, the first communication interface outputs the second control signal. When no signal is input to the second communication interface, the first communication interface outputs the first control signal. The first control signal and the second control signal use the same protocol. The illumination system controller can either be connected to an existing track system to achieve unified configuration and operation of the whole-house track, or be used alone as a controller, thereby meeting the different needs of different customers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of lighting technology, and particularly to a lighting system controller, a track, and a lighting system. Background Art

[0002] Digital lighting technology has characteristics such as being easy to control and maintain, meeting people's needs for energy conservation, emission reduction, and intelligent management, and has received extensive attention in the fields of industrial lighting and commercial lighting. As a standard communication interface and protocol, DALI has been widely used in lighting engineering with a logarithmic dimming curve and a gradual adjustment effect that conform to the human visual effect, as well as a rich dimming instruction set. The DALI protocol is established based on a master-slave control mode, including a master controller and lighting devices, and the master controller performs dimming control on the lighting devices.

[0003] In most current track light products, a DALI controller uses the track wire as the DALI bus to perform dimming and color adjustment on the lamps, achieving track joint adjustment. However, if the track lights need to be rectified subsequently, some new tracks usually need to be added. Since the track structures of the new and old track systems are different and cannot be directly connected, they cannot be uniformly controlled. Therefore, how to simply and efficiently expand the existing track lighting system and achieve unified control of different track systems has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to solve the problem that different tracks in the track lighting control system cannot be cascaded.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is to provide a lighting system controller, including a power supply module, a processor, a control module for generating or processing a first control signal, and a first communication interface. The first communication interface is connected to the control module and an external controlled device, and is characterized in that the controller further includes:

[0006] A second communication interface for receiving a second control signal;

[0007] A detection circuit connected to the second communication interface and the processor, for determining whether there is a second control signal input to the second communication interface and outputting a determination result to the processor;

[0008] The processor determines the output content of the first communication interface according to the determination result. When there is a second control signal input to the second communication interface, the first communication interface outputs the second control signal. When there is no signal input to the second communication interface, the first communication interface outputs the first control signal. The first control signal and the second control signal use the same protocol.

[0009] Preferably, the controller further includes:

[0010] A first switch circuit, the input end of the first switch circuit is connected to the control module, the output end of the first switch circuit is connected to the first communication interface, and the processor is connected to the control end of the first switch circuit and controls its opening / closing;

[0011] A second switch circuit, the input end of the second switch circuit is connected to the second communication interface, the output end of the second switch circuit is connected to the first communication interface, and the processor is connected to the control end of the second switch circuit and controls its opening / closing.

[0012] Preferably, the processor outputs opposite control signals to the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit respectively, so that only one of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit is in the conducting state at the same time.

[0013] Preferably, the detection circuit includes a first resistor, a second resistor, a third resistor, a fourth resistor and a zener diode. The first resistor, the second resistor and the third resistor are connected in series between the second communication interface and the ground in sequence. A zener diode is connected in parallel at both ends of the second resistor and the third resistor. One end of the fourth resistor is connected to the connection end of the second resistor and the third resistor, and the other end of the fourth resistor is the output end of the detection circuit.

[0014] Preferably, the first control signal and the second control signal are DALI control signals. When there is a signal input to the second communication interface, the output end of the detection circuit outputs a high level. The processor sends a high level to the control end of the second switch circuit, the second switch circuit conducts, and sends a low level to the control end of the first switch circuit, and the first switch circuit turns off;

[0015] When there is no signal input to the second communication interface, the output end of the detection circuit outputs a low level. The processor sends a low level to the control end of the second switch circuit, the second switch circuit turns off, and sends a high level to the control end of the first switch circuit, and the first switch circuit conducts.

[0016] Preferably, the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit have the same structure, including a first switching transistor, a second switching transistor, a fifth resistor, a sixth resistor, a seventh resistor, and an eighth resistor. The first switching transistor is a MOS transistor, whose source is connected to the input terminal of the first switching circuit / the second switching circuit, and whose drain is connected to the output terminal of the first switching circuit / the second switching circuit. The second switching transistor is a triode. The fifth resistor and the sixth resistor are connected in series between the input terminal of the first switching circuit / the second switching circuit and the collector of the second switching transistor. The connection terminal of the fifth resistor and the sixth resistor is connected to the gate of the first switching transistor. The emitter of the second switching transistor is grounded and connected to one end of the seventh resistor. The other end of the seventh resistor is connected to the drain of the first switching transistor. The eighth resistor is connected in series between the base of the second switching transistor and the control terminal of the first switching circuit / the second switching circuit.

[0017] The present invention also provides a track, characterized in that the track includes a track body and a first conductive strip, a second conductive strip, and a third conductive strip arranged along the extending direction of the track body. The first conductive strip is used to transmit a first control signal, the second conductive strip is used to transmit a second control signal, and the third conductive strip is used for power supply. The lighting system controller as described above is connected to the track body. The first communication interface is electrically connected to the first conductive strip, and the second communication interface is electrically connected to the second conductive strip.

[0018] Preferably, both the first control signal and the second control signal are DALI control signals.

[0019] The present invention also provides a lighting system, characterized in that it includes the track as described above, the lighting system controller as described above, and at least one lighting unit. The lighting system controller is connected to the track body. The first communication interface is electrically connected to the first conductive strip, and the second communication interface is electrically connected to the second conductive strip. The lighting unit is arranged on the track body, and the lighting unit is electrically connected to the third conductive strip to receive power supply. The lighting unit is electrically connected to the first conductive strip to receive the first control signal output by the first communication interface and respond to the first control signal.

[0020] Preferably, the lighting system further includes an upper-level track. The upper-level track includes a fourth conductive strip for transmitting a second control signal, and the fourth conductive strip is electrically connected to the second conductive strip.

[0021] Preferably, both the first control signal and the second control signal are DALI control signals. When there is the second control signal on the fourth conductive bar, the lighting system controller transparently transmits the second control signal to control the lighting unit; otherwise, the lighting system controller directly controls the lighting unit.

[0022] The lighting system controller provided by the present invention not only retains the functions of the original controller and can directly control the lighting fixture for dimming, color adjustment, etc., but also the added input interface enables it to be connected to the existing track lighting system. When connecting, connect the control signal line of the existing system to the second communication interface, and it will directly transparently transmit the uplink control signal downward. If the uplink line is not connected, the controller will control the track where it is located. The lighting system controller of the present invention can not only be connected to the existing track system to achieve unified configuration and operation of the entire house track, but also be used alone as a controller, thereby meeting the different needs of different customers. Description of the Drawings

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the controller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of the detection circuit in the controller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of the first switch circuit in the controller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of the second switch circuit in the controller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 is a peripheral circuit diagram of the processor in the controller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of the track according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 7 is a structural block diagram of the lighting system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0030] The following further elaborates on the lighting system controller, track, and lighting system proposed by the present invention in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0031] Figure 1The lighting system controller 1 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, which includes a power supply module 101, a processor 102, a control module 103, and a first communication interface 106. The above parts are the same as those of the existing controller. The power supply module 101 supplies power to the processor 102 and the control module 103. The control module 103 can generate or process a first control signal, and the first control signal is connected to an external control bus through the first communication interface 106, so as to control the controlled device. The control of lighting fixtures generally follows a certain protocol. In the embodiment of the present invention, the lighting system controller 1 is applied to a track lighting system, so a wired protocol is adopted. In this embodiment, the first control signal is a DALI control signal, the control module 103 is a DALI host, the outside of the first communication interface 106 is connected to the DALI bus, and the lighting system controller 1 controls the lighting fixtures connected to the bus.

[0032] The above modules implement all the functions of a traditional DALI controller. The improvement of the present invention lies in that the lighting system controller 1 further includes a second communication interface 105 and a detection circuit 104. The second communication interface 105 can receive a second control signal. The detection circuit 104 is connected to the second communication interface 105 and the processor 102. The function of the detection circuit 104 is to judge whether there is a signal input to the second communication interface 105 and output the judgment result to the processor 102. The processor 102 determines the output content of the first communication interface 106 according to the judgment result of the detection circuit 104. When there is a signal input to the second communication interface 105, the first communication interface 106 directly outputs the second control signal transmitted by the second communication interface 105 to achieve transparent transmission. On the contrary, when there is no signal input to the second communication interface 105, the lighting system controller 1 still works as an independent controller, and the first communication interface 106 outputs the first control signal generated by the control module 103 to control the connected lighting fixtures. Since the first communication interface 106 is connected to the DALI bus and the lighting fixtures are all controlled by the DALI protocol, the second control signal transmitted transparently needs to adopt the same protocol as the first control signal. In other preferred embodiments, it can also be other wired protocols such as DMX, but the first control signal and the second control signal also need to adopt the same protocol.

[0033] The processor 102 determines the signal source of the first communication interface 106 by controlling the switches of the first switch circuit 107 and the second switch circuit 108. The input end of the first switch circuit 107 is connected to the control module 103, the output end is connected to the first communication interface 106, and the control end is connected to the processor 102. The input end of the second switch circuit 108 is connected to the second communication interface 105, the output end is connected to the first communication interface 106, and the control end is connected to the processor 102. The processor 102 outputs opposite control signals to the first switch circuit 107 and the second switch circuit 108, so that only one of the first switch circuit 107 and the second switch circuit 108 is in the conducting state at the same time. When the first switch circuit 107 is conducting, the first communication interface 106 receives the first control signal from the control module 103. When the second switch circuit 108 is conducting, the first communication interface 106 receives the second control signal from the second communication interface 105. The output content of the first communication interface 106 is selected by switching the first switch circuit 107 and the second switch circuit 108.

[0034] In this embodiment, the specific circuit diagram of the detection circuit 104 is as Figure 2 shown. The detection circuit 104 includes a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2, a third resistor R3, a fourth resistor R4, and a zener diode D32. The first resistor R1, the second resistor R2, and the third resistor R3 are connected in series in sequence, where the first resistor R1 is connected to the second communication interface 105, and the third resistor R3 is grounded. A zener diode D32 is connected in parallel across the two ends of the second resistor R2 and the third resistor R3. One end of the fourth resistor R4 is connected to the connection end of the second resistor R2 and the third resistor R3, and the other end of the fourth resistor R4 is the output end of the detection circuit 104, which outputs a signal RXD to the processor 102.

[0035] In this embodiment, the DALI signal is input through the second communication interface 105. Through the three voltage-dividing resistors of the first resistor R1, the second resistor R2, and the third resistor R3, the DALI bus voltage is divided into a TTL level as the output signal RXD. The processor 102 identifies it as 0 or 1 to determine whether there is a signal input from the second communication interface 105. When there is a signal input from the second communication interface 105, the output signal RXD is at a high level, and the processor 102 identifies it as 1. The processor 102 controls the second switch circuit 108 to conduct, and the first switch circuit 107 to turn off. When there is no signal input from the second communication interface 105, the output signal RXD is at a low level, and the processor 102 identifies it as 0. The processor 102 controls the second switch circuit 108 to turn off, and the first switch circuit 107 to conduct.

[0036] In this embodiment, the specific structure of the first switch circuit 107 is as Figure 3As shown, since the DALI bus includes two DALI signal lines, positive and negative, an electronic circuit is included on each of the two lines, forming the first switching circuit 107, and their structures are basically the same. The first switching circuit 107 includes first switching transistors Q2, Q4, second switching transistors Q23, Q24, fifth resistors R82, R83, sixth resistors R89, R90, seventh resistors R84, R79, eighth resistors R87, R69. Among them, the first switching transistors Q2, Q4 are MOS transistors, and the second switching transistors Q23, Q24 are triodes, and in other preferred embodiments, other switching elements can also be used for replacement, and the present application does not limit this. The sources of the first switching transistors Q2, Q4 are connected to the input end of the first switching circuit 107, and the drains are connected to the output end of the first switching circuit 107. The fifth resistors R82, R83 and the sixth resistors R89, R90 are connected in series between the input end of the first switching circuit 107 and the collectors of the second switching transistors Q23, Q24. The connection ends of the fifth resistors R82, R83 and the sixth resistors R89, R90 are connected to the gates of the first switching transistors Q2, Q4. The emitters of the second switching transistors Q23, Q24 are grounded, and the bases are connected to the control end of the first switching circuit 107 through the eighth resistors R87, R69, and the control signal AG 2 is input to the control end. One ends of the seventh resistors R84, R79 are grounded, and the other ends are connected to the drains of the first switching transistors Q2, Q4. The circuit on the positive signal line side further includes a diode D34, and the diode D34 is connected in series between the drain of the first switching transistors Q2, Q4 and the output end of the first switching circuit 107.

[0037] The specific structure of the second switching circuit 108 is as Figure 4As shown, the second switch circuit 108 has the same structure as the first switch circuit 107, and a set of electronic circuits is also provided on each of the positive and negative DALI signal lines. The second switch circuit 108 includes first switching transistors Q1, Q3, second switching transistors Q22, Q22, fifth resistors R76, R75, sixth resistors R81, R88, seventh resistors R80, R85, eighth resistors R68, R86. The first switching transistors Q1, Q3 are MOS transistors, and the second switching transistors Q22, Q21 are triodes, and in other preferred embodiments, other switching elements can also be used for replacement, and the present application does not limit this. The sources of the first switching transistors Q1, Q3 are connected to the input end of the second switch circuit 108, and the drains are connected to the output end of the second switch circuit 108. The fifth resistors R76, R75 and the sixth resistors R81, R88 are connected in series between the input end of the second switch circuit 108 and the collectors of the second switching transistors Q22, Q21. The connection ends of the fifth resistors R76, R75 and the sixth resistors R81, R88 are connected to the gates of the first switching transistors Q1, Q3. The emitters of the second switching transistors Q22, Q21 are grounded, and the bases are connected to the control end of the second switch circuit 108 through the eighth resistors R68, R86, and a control signal AG 1 is input to the control end. One ends of the seventh resistors R80, R85 are grounded, and the other ends are connected to the drains of the first switching transistors Q1, Q3. The circuit on the positive signal line side further includes a diode D33, and the diode D33 is connected in series between the drain of the first switching transistor Q1, Q3 and the output end of the second switch circuit 108.

[0038] The processor 102 in this embodiment is an MCU chip as shown in Figure 5 The output signal RXD of the detection circuit 104 is connected to pin 16, pin 4 outputs a control signal AG 1 to the second switch circuit 108, and pin 22 outputs a control signal AG 2 to the first switch circuit 107. In other preferred embodiments, due to different MCU chip models, the pin numbers may be different, and the present application does not limit this. When an external DALI signal is connected to the second communication interface 105, RXD is at a high level, the MCU recognizes it as 1, and then the MCU outputs AG 1 at a high level and AG 2 at a low level. At this time, Q1, Q3 are turned on, Q2, Q4 are not turned on, the second switch circuit 108 is turned on, and the first switch circuit 107 is turned off. The lighting system controller 1 transparently transmits the external DALI signal from the second communication interface 105. When no external DALI signal is connected and RXD is at a low level, the MCU recognizes it as 0, and then the MCU outputs AG 1 at a low level and AG 2 at a high level. At this time, Q1, Q3 are not turned on, Q2, Q4 are turned on, the second switch circuit 108 is turned off, and the first switch circuit 107 is turned on. The lighting system controller 1 acts as an independent DALI controller and outputs a control signal to the lamps under it through the first communication interface 106.

[0039] The above-mentioned lighting system controller 1 can be used in any form of wired lighting control system. In a preferred embodiment, the lighting system controller 1 is attached to the track 2, and its cross-sectional view is as Figure 6 shown. The track 2 includes a track body 21 and a first conductive strip 22, a second conductive strip 24, and a third conductive strip 23 arranged along the extending direction of the track body 21. The first conductive strip 22 is used to transmit a first control signal, the second conductive strip 24 is used to transmit a second control signal, and the third conductive strip 23 is used for power supply. The lighting system controller 1 is arranged on the track body 21. The first communication interface 106 of the lighting system controller 1 is electrically connected to the first conductive strip 22, and the second communication interface 105 is electrically connected to the second conductive strip 24. In this embodiment, the lighting system controller 1 is directly arranged on the track body 21. In other preferred embodiments, the lighting system controller 1 can also be arranged outside the track body 21, and the first communication interface 106 and the first conductive strip 22, and the second communication interface 105 and the second conductive strip 24 are connected by wires. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0040] After the above-mentioned track 2 and the lighting system controller 1 are connected, together with at least one lighting unit 3 arranged on the track body 21, a lighting system in a preferred embodiment of this application is formed, and its structural block diagram is as Figure 7 shown. The lighting unit 3 is arranged on the track body 21, and the lighting unit 3 is electrically connected to the third conductive strip 23 to receive power supply. The lighting unit 3 is electrically connected to the first conductive strip 22, receives the first control signal output by the first communication interface 106, and responds to this signal and is controlled by it for dimming and color adjustment.

[0041] The lighting system further includes a superior track 4. The superior track 4 includes a fourth conductive strip 42 for transmitting a second control signal and a fifth conductive strip 41 for power supply. The fourth conductive strip 42 is electrically connected to the second conductive strip 24, and the fifth conductive strip 41 is electrically connected to the third conductive strip 23. So far, the first conductive strip 22 and the second conductive strip 24 respectively transmit the first control signal and the second control signal, and the lighting unit 3 only receives the first control signal transmitted by the first conductive strip 22. At this time, the lighting system controller 1 transfers the second control signal on the second conductive strip 24 to the first conductive strip 22 through transparent transmission to become the first control signal to control the lighting unit. In this embodiment, both the first control signal and the second control signal are DALI control signals.

[0042] The upper track 4 may be a part of an existing track lighting system. When expansion is needed, it may not be possible to purchase a track with the same structure as the original upper track 4, or it may not be possible to purchase a lighting unit 3 that can be installed on the original upper track 4. Then, by connecting to the track 2 in this embodiment, a new lighting unit 3 can be connected to the original track system. If the original system is also a DALI system, then through the transparent transmission of the control signal by the lighting system controller 1, the subsequent track lights can be connected under the same host for unified dimming and color adjustment, and a new track can be added without changing the original track system to achieve unified management. When the original track system is not a DALI system, or when the user does not require unified control, the track 2, the lighting system controller 1, and the lighting unit 3 in this embodiment can form an independently controlled lighting system, and the lighting system controller 1 can achieve autonomous DALI control just like a traditional track controller.

[0043] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present application is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to exhaust or limit the present application to the specific forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible, and these modifications and variations may be obvious to those skilled in the art and should be included within the scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lighting system controller, comprising a power supply module, a processor, a control module for generating or processing a first control signal, and a first communication interface, the first communication interface connecting the control module and a peripheral controlled device, characterized in that, The controller further includes: A second communication interface for receiving a second control signal; A detection circuit connected to the second communication interface and the processor for determining whether there is a second control signal input to the second communication interface and outputting a determination result to the processor; The processor determines the output content of the first communication interface according to the determination result. When there is a second control signal input to the second communication interface, the first communication interface outputs the second control signal. When there is no signal input to the second communication interface, the first communication interface outputs the first control signal. The first control signal and the second control signal use the same protocol.

2. The lighting system controller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller further includes: A first switch circuit, the input end of the first switch circuit is connected to the control module, the output end of the first switch circuit is connected to the first communication interface, and the processor is connected to the control end of the first switch circuit and controls its opening / closing; A second switch circuit, the input end of the second switch circuit is connected to the second communication interface, the output end of the second switch circuit is connected to the first communication interface, and the processor is connected to the control end of the second switch circuit and controls its opening / closing.

3. The lighting system controller according to claim 2, wherein The processor outputs opposite control signals to the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit respectively, so that only one of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit is in the conducting state at the same time.

4. The lighting system controller according to claim 2, wherein The detection circuit includes a first resistor, a second resistor, a third resistor, a fourth resistor and a zener diode. The first resistor, the second resistor and the third resistor are connected in series between the second communication interface and the ground in sequence. The zener diode is connected in parallel at both ends of the second resistor and the third resistor. One end of the fourth resistor is connected to the connection end of the second resistor and the third resistor, and the other end of the fourth resistor is the output end of the detection circuit.

5. The lighting system controller according to claim 4, wherein, The first control signal and the second control signal are DALI control signals. When there is a signal input to the second communication interface, the output end of the detection circuit outputs a high level. The processor sends a high level to the control end of the second switch circuit, and the second switch circuit conducts. A low level is sent to the control end of the first switch circuit, and the first switch circuit turns off; When there is no signal input to the second communication interface, the output end of the detection circuit outputs a low level. The processor sends a low level to the control end of the second switch circuit, and the second switch circuit turns off. A high level is sent to the control end of the first switch circuit, and the first switch circuit conducts.

6. The lighting system controller according to claim 5, wherein, The first switch circuit and the second switch circuit have the same structure, and include a first switch transistor, a second switch transistor, a fifth resistor, a sixth resistor, a seventh resistor, and an eighth resistor. The first switch transistor is a MOS transistor, whose source is connected to the input terminal of the first switch circuit / the second switch circuit, and the drain is connected to the output terminal of the first switch circuit / the second switch circuit. The second switch transistor is a triode. The fifth resistor and the sixth resistor are connected in series between the input terminal of the first switch circuit / the second switch circuit and the collector of the second switch transistor. The connection terminal of the fifth resistor and the sixth resistor is connected to the gate of the first switch transistor. The emitter of the second switch transistor is grounded and connected to one end of the seventh resistor. The other end of the seventh resistor is connected to the drain of the first switch transistor. The eighth resistor is connected in series between the base of the second switch transistor and the control terminal of the first switch circuit / the second switch circuit.

7. An orbit, characterized in that, The track includes a track body and a first conductive strip, a second conductive strip, and a third conductive strip arranged along the extending direction of the track body. The first conductive strip is used to transmit a first control signal, the second conductive strip is used to transmit a second control signal, and the third conductive strip is used for power supply. The lighting system controller according to any one of claims 1-6 is connected to the track body, the first communication interface is electrically connected to the first conductive strip, and the second communication interface is electrically connected to the second conductive strip.

8. The track according to claim 7, characterized in that, Both the first control signal and the second control signal are DALI control signals.

9. A lighting system, characterized in that, It includes a track according to claim 7 or 8, a lighting system controller according to any one of claims 1-6, and at least one lighting unit. The lighting system controller is connected to the track body, the first communication interface is electrically connected to the first conductive strip, the second communication interface is electrically connected to the second conductive strip. The lighting unit is arranged on the track body, and the lighting unit is electrically connected to the third conductive strip to receive power supply. The lighting unit is electrically connected to the first conductive strip to receive the first control signal output by the first communication interface and respond to the first control signal.

10. The lighting system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The lighting system further includes a superior track, and the superior track includes a fourth conductive strip for transmitting a second control signal. The fourth conductive strip is electrically connected to the second conductive strip.

11. The lighting system according to claim 10, characterized in that, Both the first control signal and the second control signal are DALI control signals. When there is the second control signal on the fourth conductive strip, the lighting system controller transparently transmits the second control signal to control the lighting unit, otherwise the lighting system controller directly controls the lighting unit.

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