LED driver with improved power consumption adjustment of a power factor correction filter of the LED driver

Abstract

LED driver configured to adjust the time-averaged power consumption of a power factor correction filter (31) as follows: Significant reduction or complete suppression (11) of the power consumption of the power factor correction filter (31) for at least one correspondingly omitted network cycle with respect to a number of network cycles, Acquisition (01) of a ripple control signal (R) superimposed on a mains voltage, Defining a pattern depending on the detected ripple control signal (R), and Distribute (12) the at least one omitted network cycle over the number of network cycles according to the pattern.

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to LED drivers with adjustable power consumption of a power factor correction filter of the LED driver, which has improved properties, particularly in that the total harmonic distortion (THD) is kept as low as possible even at correspondingly low loads of the LED driver. Specifically, the invention relates to a method for adjusting the time-averaged power consumption of a power factor correction filter of an LED driver, an LED driver with a power factor correction filter, and a corresponding system. BACKGROUND

[0002] In general, with the increasing use of LED lighting in many different areas of life, there is a growing need for a method to adjust the time-averaged power consumption of a power factor correction filter of an LED driver, an LED driver with a power factor correction filter, and a corresponding system to ensure an efficient and reliable supply of LED lighting.

[0003] If known LED drivers even have a power correction filter with adjustable power consumption, this leads to an uneven load on the power supply network or to a fundamentally high Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) or at least to a high THD with a correspondingly low load on the LED driver. TASK AND SOLUTION

[0004] Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide an LED driver with adjustment of the time average of the power consumption of a power factor correction filter of the LED driver, an LED driver with power factor correction filter and a corresponding system, whereby not only is an uneven load on the supply network avoided, but also the THD is kept as low as possible in principle and especially when the load of the LED driver is correspondingly low.

[0005] The problem is solved by the features of the first independent claim. The problem is solved with respect to the LED driver with power factor correction filter by the features of the second independent claim. The problem is solved with respect to the system by the features of the third independent claim. The dependent claims contain advantageous embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to the present invention, ripple control signals are used to adjust the time average of the power consumption of a power factor correction filter of one or more LED drivers, wherein preferably their transmission time and / or transmission day are known.

[0007] Ripple control signals can be used to transmit control commands in a power grid, whereby pulse sequences in the frequency range of 110 Hz to about 2000 Hz are superimposed on the mains voltage with an amplitude of about 1 to 4% of the respective nominal voltage.

[0008] According to a first aspect, an LED driver is created with adjustment of the time average of the power consumption of a power factor correction filter of the LED driver, which is designed as follows: Significantly reducing or completely eliminating the power consumption of the power factor correction filter for at least one correspondingly skipped mains cycle over a number of mains cycles, detecting a ripple control signal superimposed on a mains voltage, defining a pattern depending on the detected ripple control signal, and distributing the at least one correspondingly skipped mains cycle over the number of mains cycles according to the pattern. Advantageously, this not only avoids uneven loading of the power supply network, but also keeps the THD as low as possible in general, and especially when the LED driver is operating at a correspondingly low load.

[0009] Regarding the significant reduction in the power consumption of the power factor correction filter, it should be noted that the power consumption of the power factor correction filter after the reduction is preferably no more than 10%, particularly preferably no more than 5%, and most preferably no more than 1% of the maximum power consumption of the power factor correction filter.

[0010] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the invention can advantageously be applied to all power factor correction filter topologies. The power factor correction filter can, in particular, be an active power factor correction filter, preferably an actively clocked power factor correction filter.

[0011] Furthermore, it should be noted that the pattern can be understood in particular as the sequence of omitted network cycles or periods of network cycle omission.

[0012] According to a first preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the LED driver is further configured to: greatly increase or completely allow the power consumption of the power factor correction filter for at least one correspondingly different mains cycle, preferably for the correspondingly remaining mains cycles, with respect to the number of mains cycles.

[0013] Advantageously, with regard to the significant increase in the power consumption of the power factor correction filter, it should be noted that the power consumption of the power factor correction filter after the increase is preferably at least 90%, particularly preferably at least 95%, and most preferably at least 99% of the maximum power consumption of the power factor correction filter.

[0014] According to a second preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the power consumption of the power factor correction filter is significantly reduced or completely eliminated depending on the load of the LED driver and / or at a correspondingly low load of the LED driver. At low loads, the power factor correction filter can advantageously be switched off for one or more mains cycles, depending on the load.

[0015] According to a further preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the power factor correction filter draws a current, preferably a current with a sinusoidal waveform, from the corresponding side of the network by significantly increasing or completely allowing the power input of the power factor correction filter. At low loads, the power factor correction filter can advantageously switch on for one or more network cycles, depending on the load.

[0016] According to a further preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the LED driver is further configured as follows: Generating, in particular randomly generating, the pattern preferably using the LED driver. Advantageously, different patterns for omitting network cycles can be used in a group of LED drivers, resulting in a balanced overall network utilization thanks to a corresponding statistical distribution.

[0017] According to a further preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the LED driver is further configured to: select, in particular randomly select, the pattern from a number of patterns, preferably using the LED driver. Advantageously, a statistical distribution can thus be generated in a particularly simple manner, in which the individual LED drivers, in particular of a group, randomly use a temporal distribution of their pattern for omitting network cycles.

[0018] According to a further preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the LED driver has the pattern. Advantageously, for example, a single pattern is sufficient to effect a random distribution of different patterns across all manufactured or delivered LED drivers, particularly by the manufacturer.

[0019] According to a further preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the LED driver is further configured to: select the pattern from a number of patterns based on an identifier assigned to the LED driver and / or generate the pattern based on an identifier assigned to the LED driver, preferably using the LED driver. Advantageously, this makes it possible, for example, to draw conclusions based on the identifier as to which LED driver uses which pattern.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the invention, an LED driver with a power factor correction filter is provided. The LED driver is configured to significantly reduce or completely eliminate the power consumption of the power factor correction filter for at least one correspondingly skipped mains cycle over a number of mains cycles. Furthermore, the LED driver is configured to distribute the at least one correspondingly skipped mains cycle over the number of mains cycles according to a pattern. Advantageously, this not only avoids uneven loading of the power supply network, but also keeps the total harmonic distortion (THD) as low as possible, especially when the LED driver is operating at a correspondingly low load.

[0021] Regarding the significant reduction in the power consumption of the power factor correction filter, it should be noted that the power consumption of the power factor correction filter after the reduction is preferably no more than 10%, particularly preferably no more than 5%, and most preferably no more than 1% of the maximum power consumption of the power factor correction filter.

[0022] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that all power factor correction filter topologies can advantageously be used. The power factor correction filter can, in particular, be an active power factor correction filter, preferably an actively clocked power factor correction filter.

[0023] Furthermore, it should be noted that the pattern can be understood in particular as the sequence of omitted network cycles or periods of network cycle omission.

[0024] According to a first preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the LED driver is configured to greatly increase or completely allow the power consumption of the power factor correction filter for at least one correspondingly different mains cycle, preferably for the correspondingly remaining mains cycles, with respect to the number of mains cycles.

[0025] Advantageously, with regard to the significant increase in the power consumption of the power factor correction filter, it should be noted that the power consumption of the power factor correction filter after the increase is preferably at least 90%, particularly preferably at least 95%, and most preferably at least 99% of the maximum power consumption of the power factor correction filter.

[0026] According to a second preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the power consumption of the power factor correction filter is significantly reduced or completely eliminated depending on the load of the LED driver and / or at a correspondingly low load of the LED driver. At low loads, the power factor correction filter can advantageously be switched off for one or more mains cycles, depending on the load.

[0027] According to a further preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the power factor correction filter draws a current, preferably a current with a sinusoidal waveform, from the corresponding side of the network by significantly increasing or completely allowing the power input of the power factor correction filter. At low loads, the power factor correction filter can advantageously switch on for one or more network cycles, depending on the load.

[0028] According to a further preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the LED driver is configured to generate the pattern, in particular to generate it randomly. Advantageously, different patterns for omitting network cycles can thus be used in a group of LED drivers, thereby achieving a balanced overall network utilization thanks to a corresponding statistical distribution.

[0029] According to a further preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the LED driver is configured to select the pattern from a number of patterns, in particular to select it randomly. Advantageously, this allows a statistical distribution to be generated in a particularly simple manner, in which the individual LED drivers, in particular those of a group, randomly use a temporal distribution of their pattern for skipping network cycles.

[0030] According to a further preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the LED driver has the pattern. Advantageously, for example, a single pattern is sufficient to effect a random distribution of different patterns across all manufactured or delivered LED drivers, particularly by the manufacturer.

[0031] According to a further preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the LED driver is configured to select the pattern from a number of patterns based on an identifier assigned to the LED driver and / or to generate the pattern based on an identifier assigned to the LED driver. Advantageously, this makes it possible, for example, to draw conclusions about which LED driver uses which pattern based on the identifier.

[0032] According to a third aspect of the invention, a system is created. The system comprises at least two LED drivers according to the second aspect of the invention or one of its preferred embodiments, and at least two LED lighting elements. The respective LED lighting elements are powered by the corresponding LED drivers. Advantageously, this not only avoids uneven loading of the power supply network, but also keeps the total harmonic distortion (THD) as low as possible, especially when the LED driver is operating at a correspondingly low load. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0033] The following is a detailed exemplary description of some embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures in the drawing. This shows: Fig. 1 an exemplary embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 further possible steps of the invention; Fig. 3 an exemplary embodiment of the LED driver according to the invention; Fig. 4 an exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention; and Fig. 5 is an example of an ideally balanced overall network utilization.

[0034] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an LED driver with adjustment of the time average of the power consumption of a power factor correction filter of the LED driver.

[0035] According to step 01 of the Fig. 1. The invention comprises the step of acquiring 01 a ripple control signal R superimposed on a mains voltage. Then, a pattern is defined depending on the acquired ripple control signal R.

[0036] According to step 11, the invention includes the significant reduction or complete elimination of the power consumption of the power factor correction filter for at least one correspondingly omitted network cycle with respect to a number of network cycles.

[0037] In this context, it should be noted that it can be particularly advantageous if the LED driver has a mains cycle skipping operating mode. This can also be the case for the LED driver 30 according to Fig. 3 apply.

[0038] It can also be particularly advantageous if the power consumption of the power factor correction filter is greatly reduced or completely prevented depending on the corresponding load of the LED driver and / or when the load of the LED driver is correspondingly low.

[0039] Furthermore, particularly with regard to significantly reducing or completely eliminating the power consumption of the power factor correction filter depending on the corresponding load of the LED driver, it can be especially advantageous if the number of skipped mains cycles is varied according to the load.

[0040] According to step 12 of the Fig. 1 The invention further comprises the distribution of the at least one correspondingly omitted network cycle over the number of network cycles according to a pattern.

[0041] According to step 13 of the Fig. 2. The invention may include the step of significantly increasing or completely allowing or permitting the power consumption of the power factor correction filter for at least one correspondingly different network cycle, preferably for the correspondingly remaining network cycles, with respect to the number of network cycles.

[0042] It can be particularly advantageous if the power factor correction filter draws a current, preferably a current with a sinusoidal waveform, from the corresponding network side by significantly increasing or completely allowing or permitting the power consumption of the power factor correction filter.

[0043] According to step 14 of the Fig. 2. The invention may further comprise the step of generating, in particular randomly generating, the pattern, preferably using the LED driver.

[0044] According to step 15 of the Fig. 2. The invention may further include the step of selecting, in particular randomly selecting, the pattern from a number of patterns, preferably using the LED driver.

[0045] It should be noted that it can be particularly advantageous if the LED driver has the pattern.

[0046] According to step 16 of the Fig. 2. The invention may further include the step of selecting the pattern from a number of patterns based on an identifier assigned to the LED driver and / or generating the pattern based on an identifier assigned to the LED driver, preferably using the LED driver.

[0047] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an LED driver 30 according to the invention with power factor correction filter 31, in particular for an LED lighting device 33.

[0048] The LED driver 30 is designed to significantly reduce or completely eliminate the power consumption of the power factor correction filter 31 for at least one correspondingly skipped mains cycle with respect to a number of mains cycles.

[0049] The LED driver 30 is also designed to detect the mains voltage and to recognize the presence of a ripple control signal R on the mains voltage.

[0050] It should be noted that the LED driver or one of its components may have a control unit configured to significantly reduce or completely eliminate the power consumption of the power factor correction filter 31 for at least one correspondingly skipped mains cycle over a number of mains cycles. Such a control unit can also be used analogously to implement at least some of the features described below.

[0051] Additionally, the LED driver 30 is configured to distribute the at least one correspondingly skipped mains cycle across the number of mains cycles according to a pattern.

[0052] Furthermore, the LED driver 30 can be configured to significantly increase or completely allow the power consumption of the power factor correction filter 31 for at least one correspondingly different mains cycle, preferably for the corresponding remaining mains cycles, with respect to the number of mains cycles.

[0053] Regarding the significant reduction or complete elimination of the power consumption of the power factor correction filter 31, it should be mentioned that it can be particularly advantageous if the power consumption of the power factor correction filter 31 is significantly reduced or completely eliminated depending on the corresponding load of the LED driver 30 and / or at a correspondingly low load of the LED driver 30.

[0054] Furthermore, particularly with regard to significantly reducing or completely eliminating the power consumption of the power factor correction filter depending on the corresponding load of the LED driver, it can be especially advantageous if the number of skipped mains cycles is varied according to the load.

[0055] Furthermore, it can be particularly advantageous if the power factor correction filter 31 draws a current, preferably a current with a sinusoidal waveform, from the corresponding network side 34 by greatly increasing or completely allowing the power consumption of the power factor correction filter 31.

[0056] Furthermore, the LED driver 30 can be configured to generate the pattern, in particular to generate it randomly.

[0057] For this purpose, the LED driver 30 or the control unit mentioned above can in particular have a random unit.

[0058] Furthermore, the LED driver 30 can be configured, in particular as an alternative to generating or randomly generating the pattern, to select the pattern from a number of patterns, in particular to select it randomly. For this purpose, the LED driver 30 or the control unit mentioned above can in particular have a memory unit which is configured to store the number of patterns, preferably a number of preconfigured patterns.

[0059] It can be particularly advantageous if the number of patterns, preferably the number of pre-configured patterns, is stored in the LED driver during its manufacture or in the storage unit.

[0060] Therefore, it can be particularly advantageous if the LED driver has the pattern or number of patterns, preferably the number of pre-configured patterns.

[0061] Furthermore, the LED driver 30 can be configured, particularly as an alternative to the aforementioned random generation or random selection of the pattern, to select the pattern from a number of patterns based on an identifier assigned to the LED driver 30 and / or to generate the pattern based on an identifier assigned to the LED driver 30. This possibility is described in more detail in the following. Fig. 4 will be explained.

[0062] Before these Fig. As described in section 4 below, further advantageous details regarding the Fig. 3 described: The Fig. Figure 3 shows that the LED driver 30 can have a converter 32. This converter 32 is preferably connected downstream of the power factor correction filter 31. In other words, the power factor correction filter 31 preferably supplies the converter 32. The converter 32 preferably supplies the LED lighting element 33.

[0063] A converter 32 can be understood, in particular, as an electrically active component which, using an electrical input signal, provides an electrical output signal that differs from the electrical input signal. The input signal and the output signal can be electrical voltage signals.

[0064] As described above, the converter 32 is preferably configured to receive the output signal of the power factor correction filter 31 as an input signal. In particular, the converter 32 can provide a dimming function for the LED lighting device 33 to be operated.

[0065] It should also be noted that the converter 32 can be designed as a component of the aforementioned control unit. As already described above, it is also possible that the converter 32 incorporates the control unit.

[0066] Regarding the power factor correction filter 31, it should also be noted that this is in particular an active power factor correction filter, preferably an actively clocked power factor correction filter.

[0067] Preferably, the LED driver 30 is configured to detect the mains voltage by means of the power factor correction filter 31 or by means of an additional mains voltage monitoring circuit and to detect the presence of a ripple control signal R on the mains voltage.

[0068] Furthermore, it can be particularly advantageous if the LED driver 30, in particular the power factor correction filter 31, is designed to detect or record the corresponding zero crossings with respect to the mains voltage of the mains side 34.

[0069] In this context, the LED driver 30, in particular the power factor correction filter 31, can preferably be configured to allow the power factor correction filter 31 to be switched on and / or off at a zero crossing with respect to the mains voltage of the mains side 34, in particular exclusively at a zero crossing with respect to the mains voltage of the mains side 34.

[0070] Fig. Figure 4 now shows an exemplary embodiment of the system 40 according to the invention.

[0071] System 40 features six of the LED drivers as examples, according to Fig. 3, namely the LED drivers 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f.

[0072] Furthermore, the system features 40 six LED lighting elements that are not explicitly included. Fig. Figure 4 shows the following. Each of the six LED lighting elements is powered by the corresponding LED driver 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f.

[0073] Furthermore, Fig. 4 not only recognize the corresponding network side 44, for example in the form of phase or conductor (L) and neutral conductor (N), but also a DALI bus (DA+, DA-), where DALI stands for "Digital Addressable Lighting Interface".

[0074] The mains voltage for the LED drivers 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f is supplied via the mains side 44, for example in the form of phase or conductor (L) and neutral conductor (N). A ripple control signal R can be superimposed on the mains voltage, for example by a central ripple control unit (not shown here).

[0075] In particular, when integrating the LED drivers 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f into the exemplary system 40, especially the DALI system, a respective identifier or ID, which is provided with the reference numbers 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e, 41f, is assigned to the LED drivers 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f. This assignment can also be referred to as commissioning.

[0076] The identifier or ID is preferably unique and differs from the identifiers or IDs of the other LED drivers. This preferably results in a distinguishing characteristic between the various LED drivers 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, each of which is specifically assigned to a pattern pre-stored in the driver. The assignment of the identifier or ID preferably enables the selection of one of several stored patterns. It should be noted that, as an alternative, it is also possible for the pattern to be generated based on the respective identifier or ID.

[0077] In particular, if no identifier or ID is assigned, the following options should be noted: One possibility involves defining the pattern used, particularly for the operating mode of mains cycle skipping, within the respective LED driver itself.

[0078] Either a pattern can be randomly generated by the LED driver itself, or the driver can be supplied with a number of pre-configured patterns, where only the selection of the pattern to be applied is random.

[0079] Although this has already become clear, for the sake of completeness it should be pointed out again that the pattern can be understood in particular as the sequence of omitted periods of network cycle omission.

[0080] Another approach uses patterns stored by the manufacturer in the respective LED driver, with each LED driver preferably receiving only a single pattern. This essentially achieves a random distribution of different patterns across all manufactured and shipped LED drivers. The respective LED driver will then apply the pattern pre-stored within it.

[0081] Advantageously, all of the aforementioned methods share the common feature of generating a statistical distribution in which the individual LED drivers randomly employ a temporal distribution of their pattern, particularly for the mains cycle skipping operating mode. Thus, no communication and / or coordinated synchronization between the individual LED drivers is required to significantly reduce or avoid uneven load on the power grid. This allows for a particularly simple and efficient way to achieve a uniform load on the power grid.

[0082] Furthermore, particularly in light of the aspects relating to the Fig. Regarding the dimming function mentioned in section 3, it should be noted that the corresponding LED driver should preferably not operate in the mains cycle skipping mode at maximum load, for example 100% dimming level.

[0083] If an LED driver, particularly one in the relevant group, changes its dimming level, for example to 10%, it preferably switches to the mains cycle skipping operating mode. This advantageously allows the THD of the corresponding LED driver to be kept low even at low dimming levels.

[0084] Using the example of a 10% dimming level, the problem of unbalanced grid load described above can be further illustrated: In the operating mode of grid cycle skipping, for example at a 10% dimming level, the corresponding LED driver only draws the maximum current every tenth grid cycle. This typically leads to an unbalanced grid load.

[0085] If LED drivers are operated particularly in a group, as described above Fig. As illustrated in Figure 4, the individual LED drivers are designed to operate in the mains cycle skipping mode according to the corresponding or respective pattern in such a way that the overall mains load is balanced as much as possible. Advantageously, this is achieved by the invention in a particularly simple and efficient manner.

[0086] Finally, an example of an ideally balanced overall network utilization is provided by the Fig. 5 illustrated.

[0087] For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that such an ideal scenario likely requires at least some communication and / or coordinated synchronization between the individual LED drivers. Nevertheless, the following illustrates Fig. 5. Ideal case shown, illustrating the improvements the invention is capable of.

[0088] Fig. Figure 5 shows an example of the current consumption of two LED drivers (X, Y). In the ideal case shown, the respective power cycle interruptions of the LED drivers are ideally distributed over time.

[0089] According to reference 53 of the Fig. In the absence of a ripple control signal, each of the two or more LED drivers exhibits an unbalanced current draw. Once a ripple control signal R superimposed on the mains voltage 51 has been detected, a pattern can be established based on the detected ripple control signal R. Subsequently, thanks to the aforementioned time distribution according to reference numeral 52, an overall balanced mains current consumption is achieved.

[0090] Taking into account the grid voltage of 51, this results in a balanced overall grid utilization.

[0091] The invention is not limited to the embodiments discussed above. All features described in the description, claimed in the claims, or shown in the drawing can be combined with one another in any way within the scope of this invention.

Claims

[1] LED driver configured to adjust the time-averaged power consumption of a power factor correction filter (31) as follows: Significant reduction or complete suppression (11) of the power consumption of the power factor correction filter (31) for at least one correspondingly omitted network cycle with respect to a number of network cycles, Acquisition (01) of a ripple control signal (R) superimposed on a mains voltage, Defining a pattern depending on the detected ripple control signal (R), and Distribute (12) the at least one omitted network cycle over the number of network cycles according to the pattern. [2] LED driver according to claim 1, which is configured to adjust the time average of the power consumption of a power factor correction filter (31) as follows: Significantly increasing or completely allowing (13) the power consumption of the power factor correction filter (31) for at least one correspondingly different network cycle, preferably for the correspondingly remaining network cycles, with respect to the number of network cycles. [3] LED driver according to claim 1 or 2, which is configured to adjust the time average of the power consumption of a power factor correction filter (31) such that the power consumption of the power factor correction filter (31) is greatly reduced or completely prevented depending on the corresponding load of the LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f) and / or at a correspondingly low load of the LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f). [4] LED driver according to one of claims 1 to 3, which is configured to adjust the time average of the power consumption of a power factor correction filter (31) as follows: Selecting (16) the pattern from a number of patterns based on an identifier (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e, 41f) assigned to the LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f) and / or generating the pattern based on an identifier (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e, 41f) assigned to the LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f), preferably using the LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f). [5] LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f) with power factor correction filter (31), wherein the LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f) is configured to greatly reduce or completely eliminate the power consumption of the power factor correction filter (31) for at least one correspondingly skipped mains cycle with respect to a number of mains cycles, the LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f) is configured to perform a detection (3) of a ripple control signal (R) superimposed on a mains voltage and to define a pattern depending on the detected ripple control signal (R), and wherein the LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f) is configured to distribute the at least one correspondingly skipped mains cycle over the number of mains cycles according to a pattern. [6] The LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f) according to claim 5, wherein the LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f) is configured to greatly increase or completely allow the power consumption of the power factor correction filter (31) for at least one correspondingly different mains cycle, preferably for the correspondingly remaining mains cycles, with respect to the number of mains cycles. [7] The LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the power consumption of the power factor correction filter (31) is greatly reduced or completely prevented depending on the corresponding load of the LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f) and / or at a correspondingly low load of the LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f). [8] The LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the power factor correction filter (31) extracts a current, preferably a current with a sinusoidal waveform, from the corresponding mains side by greatly increasing or completely allowing the power input of the power factor correction filter (31). [9] The LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the LED driver (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f) is configured to generate the pattern, in particular to generate it randomly. [10] System (40) exhibiting: at least two LED drivers (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f) according to one of claims 5 to 9, and at least two LED lighting devices, wherein each of the at least two LED lighting devices is powered by the corresponding of the at least two LED drivers (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f).

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