LED LIGHTING SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an LED lighting system (LED - light-emitting diode), ie a circuit arrangement with one or more LED lighting means, which can be, for example, dimmable LED lighting means, ie LED lighting means whose light intensity can be varied, including circuits for supplying power to and controlling the light-emitting diodes.

[0002] Today, the lighting of work spaces, and especially living spaces, is largely achieved using LED light sources. These require less energy than other light sources, such as incandescent or fluorescent lamps, for the same illuminance. Furthermore, LED light sources, which can be used as individual LED spotlights or as LED strips with multiple individual, possibly interconnected, LED lighting elements, offer a wide range of possibilities for creative and decorative use.

[0003] However, LEDs are semiconductor components that operate on direct currents or voltages. Therefore, if the LED is not powered by a battery, a rectifier circuit, i.e., an AC / DC power converter circuit, is required to convert the available alternating current (AC) or alternating voltage, at least approximately, into direct current (DC) or voltage.

[0004] The power converter circuit can be implemented, for example, directly with the LED light source in a housing or in a module located close to but separate from the LED light source, so that the energy is transmitted via a supply line, i.e., a cable connection, between the power source and the light source or separate module with alternating current or alternating voltage. This places minimum requirements on the available space in the area of ​​the light sources to be installed and may require a separate AC / DC power converter circuit for several or each LED light source, which increases both the installation effort and the costs.

[0005] Alternatively, the AC / DC power converter circuit can be located on or near the mains voltage or power supply as the energy source, for example, in a central control cabinet, so that the energy is transmitted via the supply line between the energy source and the lighting with direct current or direct voltage. However, particular consideration must be given to electromagnetic compatibility, i.e., the extent of unwanted interference on other devices or cables or the extent of interference by other devices and cables (e.g., interference signals generated during switching operations or pulse-width modulation and the antenna effect of the cables) due to unwanted electrical or electromagnetic effects, or the extent of interference by other devices and cables, as well as the line resistance.Current flows during normal operation or induced by interference signals can heat the cable, even beyond a permissible limit temperature if the cable cross-section is too small, and then lead to damage, for example, melting of the cable and a cable fire. Therefore, cable cross-sections are often unnecessarily large for normal operation, which in turn leads to increased material requirements and, in turn, increased costs. Furthermore, the weight of the cables increases, which, for example, leads to permanently increased fuel consumption and thus, in turn, increased costs in cabling in vehicles, such as cars, trains and ships (e.g., cruise ships with multiple passenger cabins), and aircraft.

[0006] LED lighting systems, for example, can operate with a 24 V DC voltage, assuming a current consumption of 300 to 350 mA, or even up to 500 mA, 700 mA, or more per individual LED spot, or up to 1 A per channel of an LED strip. RGBW LED strips, for example, have four channels, with one channel each controlling the red, green, blue, and white light-emitting diodes. The wiring cables used for the supply line can be designed with an oversized cross-section to ensure they can conduct unexpectedly high current flows without damage.

[0007] US 20180063928 A1 shows a lighting system in which the lamps are operated with Power-Over-Ethernet (PoE), i.e. the power is supplied via an Ethernet data cable to which components of a local data network are connected, whereby it is also intended to prevent excessive heating of the cable. In this case, LED lamps are controlled via a complex electronic Power-Over-Ethernet driver circuit, which has, among other things, a microcontroller, a bridge rectifier and an LED driver chip and is connected via a data cable as an energy and communication transmission connection to a central electronic power switch, i.e. a data network coupling device which is also designed for energy transmission. In order to operate the LED lamps, both on the primary side, i.e. before the energy is fed into the supply line, and on the secondary side, i.e.After the power is transmitted via the supply line to operate the LED lamps, the power supply via the data cable requires complex circuits using a multitude of semiconductor components. Their installation requires space and effort, and incurs costs. For temperature monitoring, the PoE driver circuit monitors and evaluates the current flow through the supply line. If a fault is indicated via the supply line and the PoE switch, an alarm signal is sent to the control center of a building automation system.

[0008] WO 2016094920 A1 presents a lighting system in which LED lamps are controlled by an operating circuit, particularly implemented as an integrated semiconductor circuit, which is connected to a DC voltage source via a DC bus as a supply line. To change the parameters of the lamps, the operating circuit is configured to communicate via the DC bus and can receive control signals that are modulated onto the DC bus and transmitted by PLC ("Power Line Communication"), particularly using a DALI standard-compliant protocol (DALI - "Digital Addressable Lighting Interface"). Here, too, a circuit comprising semiconductor components is required both as the operating circuit and for modulating the data signals prior to transmission via the DC bus as a supply line. The operating circuit incurs costs and requires additional effort to install.

[0009] DE 20 2006 007 896 U1 describes a lighting system in which a control unit is provided for each light source. This control unit has a wireless communication interface for configuring and synchronizing the control units to control the light sources. In addition to the increased space required for the control units, each light source replacement requires resynchronization, thus increasing installation and commissioning effort, as well as increasing costs for the control units and installation.

[0010] EP 2 048 916 B1 shows a lighting system in which the power is supplied from a direct current source via an unshielded two-wire supply cable, with a third wire provided for transmitting control signals. The lights have control circuits that also enable communication between the lights. Instead of a third wire for the control signals, the control signals can also be transmitted by frequency modulation of the current in the supply cable.

[0011] US 9 622 329 B2 shows a system for sending control signals for light-emitting diode circuits via AC supply lines that supply the light-emitting diode circuits with AC current, which is then converted by AC / DC power converters into DC current for operating the light-emitting diodes and the control circuits on the light-emitting diode side.

[0012] US Pat. No. 9,253,842 B2 describes a dimmable LED lighting system. Among other things, it shows that the current supplied to the LED lamps is provided by a power source with a dimmer function using pulse-width modulation (PWM). The current is controlled depending on a minimum temperature of the LEDs so that a sufficient minimum current flow is always maintained to protect the LEDs from damage caused by current spikes and to improve response time.

[0013] DE 10 2013 221 033 A1 discloses a light source module and a power supply unit for operating such a light source module, which is connected to the light source module via a supply line. The light source module is provided with a temperature control unit, with which a temperature-dependent control current is applied to the power supply unit via a communication line, with the control taking place depending on the temperature of the light source module.

[0014] The object of the present invention is to provide a system which is reliable in operation even in the presence of interference and yet can be manufactured and operated cost-effectively, with which LED lamps can be supplied with energy and controlled via a supply line.

[0015] This object is achieved according to the invention with an LED lighting system according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, an LED lighting system comprises a primary-side arrangement, a secondary-side arrangement, and a supply line via which the secondary-side arrangement can be supplied with electrical energy from the primary-side arrangement. The secondary-side arrangement comprises one or more semiconductor components, and the primary-side arrangement comprises a device for providing electrical energy. It is provided that the one or more secondary-side semiconductor components are only LED lamps, and the primary-side arrangement also comprises a control device configured to control a current flow through the supply line as a function of a maximum permissible temperature of the supply line.

[0017] The secondary-side arrangement is a circuit that has at least one LED, i.e., a light-emitting diode, and is supplied with electrical energy from the primary-side arrangement via a supply line, i.e., a supply line or supply cable, which may consist of one or more wire connections or cores. The primary-side arrangement is a circuit that has a suitable device for providing the electrical energy and feeding it into the supply line, i.e., a current source or voltage source. This may be a primary source, e.g., a battery, or a secondary source, e.g., an AC / DC power converter, which in turn is supplied with alternating current, e.g., via an available power grid.

[0018] While the secondary-side arrangement can include other electrical components, such as resistors, the only semiconductor components provided are the LED lamps, i.e. the light-emitting diodes. On the secondary side, for example, there are no diodes for a rectifier circuit, i.e. an AC / DC power converter, and no processors or microcontrollers are provided for a secondary-side control circuit that can control the parameters of the LED lamps, e.g. depending on control signals received via the supply line or in some other way. This offers the advantage that, in addition to eliminating the costs for these semiconductor components, secondary-side installation is also greatly simplified and, for example, maintenance can usually be reduced to a simple checking and, if necessary, replacement of the LED lamp, without the need for it to first be adjusted and a control device to be set up and adjusted.In addition, the space required for the secondary-side arrangement is significantly reduced, as all system elements that might require more space are part of the primary-side arrangement. This is advantageous, for example, in buildings with a high degree of prefabrication. It also provides good access to the electronic components of the primary arrangement for maintenance work, while the lamps in the secondary arrangement can be replaced easily and without training, which is particularly advantageous for high installation densities and rapid commissioning.

[0019] Since LED lamps are light-emitting diodes that are operated with direct current and there is no rectifier circuit on the secondary side, the required energy is transmitted via the supply line with direct current or direct voltage. A control circuit is provided as part of the primary side arrangement, which is designed to regulate the current flow through the supply line depending on a maximum permissible temperature of the supply line. The maximum permissible temperature of the supply line is a temperature at which its level has a negative impact on the functionality or operational reliability of the supply line. This can in particular be the temperature at which the conductive metal of the supply line melts or the temperature at which the insulation of the supply line melts or burns, there is a risk of cable fire, or connection contacts, e.g.The connector plug may be damaged, or the heat may damage the lamp, or, depending on the environment in which the supply cable is installed, surrounding materials may be damaged. Controlling the current flow depending on this maximum permissible temperature includes, in particular, reducing the current flow, if necessary, to prevent the actual temperature from rising above the maximum permissible temperature. In a first alternative of the invention, a sensor is provided for this purpose, which monitors the actual temperature of the supply cable.

[0020] The described control of the current flow offers the advantage of ensuring that the supply line of the LED lighting system can be operated without damage, even in situations where large temperature increases occur, for example due to unexpectedly large current flows caused by induced interference or short circuits, or similar. This avoids having to design the supply line with such a large diameter for physical safety reasons that even very high currents that may occur in exceptional cases can be conducted without problems. This saves material costs. On the other hand, cables with a smaller diameter are usually easier to install. The supply line should preferably have wires, i.e. cables, with wire cross-sections, for example AWG22 or AWG23 (AWG - American standard for wire cross-sections). If the installation is carried out on board a mobile device, e.g.of a vehicle, aircraft, or ship, the lower weight of the supply line due to its smaller diameter also results in a permanently reduced fuel consumption. This can, for example, result in measurable energy cost savings on board cruise ships with illuminated cabins for potentially hundreds or even thousands of passengers. The LED lighting system according to the invention also enables effective and error-free installation of the components, short commissioning times, and low-maintenance operation over the entire service life of a building or mobile facility, for example in projects involving the construction of larger, interconnected residential units.

[0021] In a second alternative of the invention, the control device has a sensor unit that is designed to detect the current current flow, and the control device is designed to limit the current current flow to a maximum permissible current flow greater than zero, which is dependent on the maximum permissible temperature. Provision is made here for the current current flow through the supply line to be measured directly or indirectly and, based on the parameters of the supply line, e.g. material, line resistance, cross-section, to deduce the actual temperature or to translate the maximum permissible temperature into a maximum permissible current flow, so that the maximum permissible temperature is not exceeded by monitoring to ensure that a maximum permissible current flow is not exceeded or not exceeded for a specific period of time.The relationship between the maximum permissible temperature and the maximum permissible current flow can be determined in advance, provided no currently changing environmental parameters are to be taken into account. Limiting the maximum permissible current flow to a value greater than zero particularly involves not permanently interrupting the current flow, for example by using a fuse. Instead, the control circuit keeps the LED lighting system permanently operational or avoids a complete shutdown as long as this is possible, i.e., as long as there is no total short circuit of all lines. Maintaining basic functionality is particularly advantageous in a lighting system. It also ensures that further abnormal situations can be detected at any time and the operator can be informed.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment, the supply line comprises one or more twisted wire pairs. The use of twisted wire pairs enables consistent transmission behavior across all wire pairs. If the different wire pairs are used for different channels, for example, to control the red, green, blue, and white LEDs of an RGBW strip independently of one another, a homogeneous color mix of the light from the LEDs is still ensured. This also applies if the control device is configured to dim the light intensity of the LEDs across a range, e.g., by regulating the current flow.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the LED lighting system, the supply line has a shield against electromagnetic interference. A continuous shield of the supply line, as well as the twisting of the wire pairs, reduces the risk of additional current flows being induced in the supply line by the antenna effect of each line and high-energy switching edges. In addition, the shielding not only increases the immunity of the supply line against external electromagnetic interference, but conversely also acts as emission protection against the electromagnetic interference between different lines, for example caused by switching edges of a pulse width modulation or other modulation of the conducted current, which can be used, for example, for the purpose of dimming or limiting the power at the load or the current on the line. This offers the advantage that the supply line or lines contained therein, ieWires do not have to be dimensioned for unexpectedly large current flows, i.e. cables with smaller cross-sections can be used, which consume less conductive material and are thinner, lighter and more flexible and are therefore well suited for simple, quick installation.

[0024] In an exemplary preferred embodiment, data cables with twisted wire pairs known from network technology are used for the supply line, in particular STP cables (STP - Shielded Twisted Pair), which have a metal braid (usually a copper braid) as shielding, and FTP cables (FTP - Foiled Twisted Pair), which have a metal foil (usually an aluminum foil) as shielding. S / STP cables (S / STP - Screened STP) and S / FTP cables (S / FTP - Screened FTP) can also be used, which additionally provide shielding of wire pairs from each other. The use of pre-assembled STP or FTP cables also offers the advantage of reducing wiring errors, particularly during rapid or mass installation.

[0025] In one embodiment of the LED lighting system, the device for providing electrical energy comprises a rectifier circuit, i.e., an AC / DC converter device. Rectifier circuits serve to convert alternating current into direct current and are usually implemented using semiconductor diodes, possibly also with thyristors or transistors. This allows the secondary arrangement with the LED lamps to be supplied with direct current via the supply line, which is obtained, for example, from an available AC network, without the need for secondary-side rectification using a suitable semiconductor component circuit. Furthermore, applying the mains voltage, which may be 230 V, for example, to the supply line is avoided, enabling safe installation of the supply line and the lamps, even if errors are made in the wiring on the secondary side.

[0026] In one embodiment, the supply line can be connected to the primary arrangement and the secondary arrangement via plug-in connections. This simplifies installation, particularly when a standardized twisted pair cable, such as an STP or FTP cable, is used as the supply line. The plug-in connections can be, for example, RJ-45 plug-in connectors with connection contacts for 4x2 wires, i.e. four twisted wire pairs (plus the option of connecting the shielding). In other embodiments, the supply line can be connected to the primary arrangement and the secondary arrangement, for example, via switches or isolating points, clamp connections, screw connections, crimp connections, or other manually produced connections. In addition, the same or different connection types can be used to connect the supply line to the primary and secondary arrangements.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the LED lighting system, a minimum required size of a cross-sectional area of ​​the supply line is determined solely as a function of a maximum permissible voltage drop across the one or more light sources, and an actual size of the cross-sectional area of ​​the supply line is adapted to the minimum required size. The actual size is then adapted to the minimum required size if the sizes correspond or if the actual size slightly exceeds the minimum required size, for example, by 5%, 10%, or 20%, so that a buffer is provided to accommodate slight increases in current flow without the temperature of the supply line rising to a critical level.If the actual size is selected such that the oversized cable alone can accommodate significant increases in current flow without the supply line temperature reaching a critical level, and the control device for adjusting the current flow can be dispensed with at the expense of a significantly thicker, heavier cable, the actual cross-sectional area is no longer adjusted to the minimum required size. By determining the minimum required cross-sectional area solely based on the voltage drop across the lamp, it is ensured that the cable is dimensioned thin and light.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the LED lighting system, the supply line comprises a plurality of channels, and the control device is configured to monitor a respective associated portion of the current current flow in at least one of the channels. A channel of the supply line can, for example, correspond to one of a plurality of twisted wire pairs that together form a possibly shielded cable, with each channel supplying energy to a different light source, for example, separate light-emitting diode elements of an RGBW LED strip that emit, for example, red, green, blue, and white light. In a further embodiment, it can also be provided that one or more channels of the supply line are implemented, at least in sections, as spatially separated cables with individual wires or wire pairs, for example, if this is necessary due to the structural conditions under which the LED lighting system is installed.It may be necessary or advantageous to monitor the current flow only for one or some of the channels, for example if these are most at risk of malfunction.

[0029] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, however, the control device is configured to monitor the respective associated portion of the current current flow in the plurality of channels, i.e., to monitor each of the channels. This offers the advantage that any need to adjust the current flow can be detected.

[0030] In one embodiment of the LED lighting system, the control device is configured to implement a limitation at least for the monitored respective associated portion of the current current flow if an associated maximum permissible current flow value is exceeded.

[0031] In one embodiment, in particular, it is provided that the corresponding maximum current flow value is determined depending on the maximum permissible temperature of the supply line. This means that the current flow is adjusted by the control device if the currently detected value indicates that the temperature of the lines in the affected duct or the entire supply line is likely to rise to a critical level, i.e., a level that could cause malfunctions. This allows damage caused by overheating to be avoided without having to measure the temperature itself.

[0032] In one embodiment, the control device is also configured to detect a malfunction of the LED lighting system based on the monitored respective associated portion of the current current flow. This includes detecting malfunctions, primarily in the supply line and / or in the LED lamps and, if applicable, the connections, based on the recorded current flow values ​​and, if applicable, their progression over time. This includes detecting malfunctions, e.g., wire break detection, short circuit detection, detection of short circuits between two channels, and detection of inequalities that may, for example, indicate dirty plug connections. The control device is preferably also configured to reduce the associated current flow or, if applicable, even switch it off completely, depending on the malfunction. Furthermore, the control device can be configured to transmit associated information or an alarm to a higher-level unit, e.g., a building automation system.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the control device is configured to adjust the respective portion of the current flow through at least one of the channels depending on an assigned dimming input signal. A dimming input signal is an external signal that can be received via an input interface of the control device and can be changed, for example, by a user of the LED system. This enables regulation of the current flow in at least one, preferably several, or all channels, so that the luminous intensity of the LED lamps can be continuously changed or even suppressed. In particular, if the channels, as twisted wire pairs, form the supply line to LED lamps that illuminate in different colors, a homogeneous color mixture of the light from the LED lamps results. Separate dimming input signals for different channels that control differently colored LED lamps allow variation of the color mixture.The variation of the current flow through the respective channels of the supply line with the help of the primary-side control device thus allows the secondary-side LED lamps to be controlled according to the wishes of a user via the supply line, which also supplies the energy to the LED lamps.

[0034] In one embodiment, the one or more LED illuminants are provided on a carrier element with a connection option to a power supply. In an exemplary embodiment, the LED illuminants are comprised of an LED strip as strip LEDs.

[0035] For example, the strips can use various multi-color LED light sources, each of which contains four differently colored LEDs arranged in a housing. For example, an LED strip can also be an RGBW LED strip, in which a different LED emits red, green, blue, or white light. In other embodiments, the carrier element can also provide a planar arrangement of LED light sources.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the LED lighting system, it also comprises at least one further secondary-side arrangement and at least one further supply line, via which the at least one further secondary-side arrangement can be supplied with electrical energy from the primary-side arrangement. In this case, the at least one further secondary-side arrangement each has one or more further semiconductor components. It is provided that the respective one or more further semiconductor components are only LED lighting devices, and that the control device of the primary-side arrangement is also configured to control a respective current flow through the at least one further supply line as a function of a respective associated maximum permissible temperature of the at least one further supply line.

[0037] In other words, it is intended that the primary-side arrangement both supplies another secondary-side arrangement with energy and controls it in such a way that critical temperatures caused by excessive current flows are avoided, and the advantages of the secondary-side ease of installation and maintenance, the low material costs for the supply lines, etc., also apply to another and, in other embodiments, to many other secondary arrangements. For example, the LED lighting system can be designed to illuminate a plurality of rooms in a house or a plurality of cabins on a passenger ship, e.g.a cruise ship, in a stable and controllable manner with, for example, dimmable light, even if the supply lines from a central primary arrangement to the secondary arrangements distributed across the individual rooms have to be long for structural reasons and would otherwise be heavy and incur high material costs.

[0038] Further advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description and the figures. The invention will also be explained in more detail below in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a first example of an LED lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of an example of a control device of an LED lighting system; Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a second example of an LED lighting system according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a third example of an LED lighting system according to yet another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a fourth example of an LED lighting system according to yet another embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a fifth example of an LED lighting system according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

[0039] In the figures, identical or similar elements are provided with identical reference numerals where appropriate.

[0040] It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described above and below may be combined with one another unless specifically stated otherwise. Therefore, the description is not to be construed in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0041] In Fig. 1 A schematic representation of a first example of an LED lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. The LED lighting system 100 comprises a primary-side arrangement 101, a secondary-side arrangement 102, and a supply line 103. The secondary-side arrangement 102 is connected to the primary-side arrangement 101 via the supply line 103 and can be supplied with electrical energy by the latter.

[0042] In the simple form shown, the secondary-side arrangement 102 has an LED illuminant 104 as a single semiconductor component, for example a light-emitting diode, e.g., an LED spotlight designed for room lighting. In other embodiments, the secondary-side arrangement 102 has a plurality of LED illuminants, for example, several light-emitting diodes connected in parallel or in another way. In addition, resistors (not shown), for example, can be part of the circuit that forms the secondary-side arrangement 102. In the embodiment shown, it is also provided to use an adapter device 105 to connect the LED illuminant 104 to the supply line 103. The adapter device 105, for example, an adapter board with suitable connections, makes it possible to provide suitable connection sockets or plugs for the connection to the wires, i.e., lines, of the supply line 103, so that, for example,Cables with standardized connectors can be used, which do not necessarily match the connectors of the LED lamps. In the . Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, for example, it is provided to connect the supply line 103 to the adapter device 105 with plug connections 106, 107 of a first type, while connecting lines of the LED lamp have plug connections 108 of a second type in order to establish a conductive connection with the lines of the supply line 103 via the adapter device 105. For example, the plug connections of the first type can be connections with conventional wire terminals, while the plug connections of the second type are implemented by push-in connections. Any other plug connection suitable for connection to the adapter device 105 can also be used, i.e. in this and other embodiments, it is possible to use other plug connections that have the same effect.

[0043] The primary-side arrangement 101 has a device 109 for providing electrical energy. This is a current or voltage source that provides at least approximately direct current or direct voltage, for example a battery device with one or more batteries. In the embodiment shown, the device 109 for providing electrical energy is an AC / DC converter device that is supplied with alternating current or alternating voltage, for example via a connection (not shown) to a supply network and converts this, for example with the aid of a rectifier circuit, at least approximately into a direct current or a direct voltage and then supplies this or these to a control device 112 via a positive supply 110 and a negative supply 111. The control device 112 is designed to control the current flow through the supply line 103 over time, i.e.to control the current flow depending on a maximum permissible temperature of the supply line 103, to which the output lines of the control device are also connected via plug connections 113 in the embodiment shown. Depending on the nature of the supply line and its connections, other detachable or non-detachable connections may be provided in other embodiments.

[0044] In the Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, the control device 112 also has a dimming signal input interface 114, via which an externally provided dimming signal, e.g., one that can be changed by a user via a dimmer switch, can be received, wherein the control device 112 is configured to control the current flow through the supply line 103 also as a function of the received dimming signal in order to thus adjust the luminous intensity of the LED illuminant 104 in the secondary arrangement 102. For this purpose, a corresponding adjustment of the strength of the current flow can be provided or, taking into account the switching-on behavior of the LED illuminant 104, an adjustment of the effective luminous intensity by pulse width modulation of the current or voltage output by the control device 112.

[0045] The supply line 103 is designed as a twisted pair of wires 116 provided with a shield 115 against electromagnetic interference, wherein the shield 115 is connected to ground 118, 119 via plug connections 117 and 107, for example shield clamps, i.e., for example, is earthed.

[0046] It is intended to design the supply line 103 with a small cross-sectional area and thus low weight. The cross-sectional area of ​​the supply line 103 is the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the wires of the twisted wire pair 116, regardless of the thickness of any insulation (not shown) or the shielding 115. The minimum required size of the cross-sectional area of ​​the supply line 103 is determined solely as a function of a maximum permissible voltage drop across the LED light source 104. The actual size of the cross-sectional area is selected to match the minimum required size. For this purpose, the actual size is selected to be equal to the minimum required size. In other embodiments, it is provided that the actual size slightly exceeds the minimum required size, e.g., by 5%, 10%, or 20%.

[0047] In the following, reference is made to Fig. 2 , in which an example of a control device of an LED lighting system is schematically shown. The control device 212 shown is suitable for use as the Fig. 1 The control device 112 shown is connected to a device for providing electrical energy via the positive supply 210 and the negative supply 211 as an input interface. The control device 212 has a sensor unit in the form of a current measuring unit 220, which is configured to detect the current current flow and transmit measured values ​​to an evaluation unit 221. The evaluation unit 221 can be implemented, for example, as a logic circuit in hardware or in a programmable logic module or as a programmable device, for example a microprocessor or microcontroller. In the embodiment shown, the current measurement is performed downstream of a protection unit 222, which is a protective circuit, for example, to filter out received input current or voltage peaks.

[0048] In addition, a dimming signal input interface 214 is provided, via which an externally provided dimming signal can be received. The control device 212 has a driver unit 223 connected to the dimming signal input interface 214 and, for example, the negative supply 211. This driver unit is configured to change the current flow depending on the received dimming signal such that the luminous intensity of an LED lamp is adjusted as desired in a secondary arrangement connected to the control device 212 via a supply line connected, in the example shown, to plug connections 206. Voltage fluctuations generated thereby are recorded by a voltage measuring unit 224, and the associated measured values ​​are transferred to the evaluation unit 221.

[0049] The evaluation unit 221 of the control device 212 is configured, e.g., programmed, to limit the current flow to a maximum permissible current flow greater than zero, which depends on a maximum permissible temperature. Depending on the embodiment, the maximum permissible temperature can be determined in advance based on parameters of the supply line, e.g., material, line resistance, cross-section, or can be determined dynamically, taking into account other parameters, such as the ambient temperature. Taking into account the material properties of the supply line used, the maximum permissible temperature is translated into a maximum permissible current flow.

[0050] The evaluation unit 221 is now configured to check, based on the current measured values ​​of the current measuring unit 220, whether a maximum permissible current flow is not exceeded or at least not exceeded for a certain period of time, or to reduce the current flow in good time beforehand when approaching the permissible maximum value, e.g., by modifying the settings of the protection unit 222 and / or the driver unit 223, and to limit it to a value greater than zero.

[0051] In Fig. 3 A schematic representation of a second example of an LED lighting system according to a further embodiment of the invention is shown. The basic structure of the LED lighting system 300 shown corresponds to that in Fig. 1 LED lighting system 100 shown: The Fig. 3 The LED lighting system 300 shown comprises a primary-side arrangement 301, a secondary-side arrangement 302 and a supply line 303 via which the secondary-side arrangement 302 is supplied with electrical energy from the primary-side arrangement 301.

[0052] However, in the form shown, the secondary-side arrangement 302 has a plurality of LED lamps 304, e.g., LED spots or downlights designed for room lighting. In the embodiment shown, an adapter device 305 is used to connect the LED lamps 304 to the supply line 303. The adapter device 305 is designed as an adapter board with suitable connections, ie, connection sockets or plugs, to connect the wires, ie, lines, of the supply line 303 to the connections of the LED lamps 304. In the Fig. 3 In the embodiment shown, it is provided to connect the supply line 303 to the adapter device 305 with connection contacts 306 of an RJ-45 plug connection, while connecting lines of the LED lamps 304 have push-in plug connections 308 or other connections in order to establish a conductive connection with the lines of the supply line 303 via the adapter device 305. The Fig. 3 The supply line 303 shown, for example, has wires with wire cross-sections according to AWG22 or AWG23. This exemplary dimensioning is also suitable for wires of supply lines of the embodiments shown in the other figures.

[0053] In Fig. 3 The supply line 303 comprises a plurality of channels, realized with twisted wire pairs 316, each of which is connected to a different one of the LED lamps 304. For the supply line 303 with the four channels shown, a pre-assembled STP or FTP cable commonly used in network technology is used, with the shielding 315 being connected to ground 318, 319 via the ground connections 317 and 307. The use of STP or FTP cables otherwise used in network technology is advantageous, for example, because they are available in large quantities and thus inexpensively, are thin and therefore lightweight, and are flexible and therefore easy and thus inexpensive to install. The supply line 303 in Fig. 3 can, for example, be designed as a QSTP (quaternary STP) cable with the four twisted pairs of wires 316 for the four channels and with the shielding 315, with connection sockets or modules with a suitable plug connection (for example RJ-45 or another) being located at the beginning and end of the supply line 303.

[0054] Depending on the embodiment, the control device 312 of the primary arrangement 301 is configured to monitor the proportion of the current current flow in at least one, several or all channels.

[0055] The primary-side arrangement 301 has a device 309 for providing electrical energy, for example an AC / DC converter device, which converts an alternating current or an alternating voltage into a direct current or a direct voltage, and then supplies the direct current or voltage via a positive supply 310 and a negative supply 311 to the inputs of the control device 312, which is configured to control the current flow through each of the channels, ie each of the twisted wire pairs 316, of the supply line 303 over time as a function of a maximum permissible temperature of the supply line 303. The control device 312 is designed, for example, toprogrammed to implement a limitation for the monitored respective portion of the current current flow or for the entire current flow through all channels as soon as an associated maximum permissible current flow value is exceeded, which is determined as a function of the maximum permissible temperature of the supply line 303, to whose wires the output lines of the control device 312 are connected in the embodiment shown via connection contacts 313 of an RJ-45 plug connection, wherein it is provided that the maximum permissible temperature does not yet cause damage to the supply line 303 or other components of the LED lighting system 300, but a further increase makes this likely. In addition, the control device 312 is configured to detect a malfunction of the LED lighting system based on the monitored respective portion of the current current flow and, if necessary, to adapt the current flow in the affected channel or all channels, i.e.i.e. to reduce or, if necessary, switch off completely.

[0056] For each of the channels to be controlled, the control device 312 also has its own dimming signal input interface 314, via which either the same dimming signal or an associated dimming signal for each channel can be provided, and the control device is designed to adapt the respective associated portion of the current current flow through the channel(s) depending on the received associated dimming input signal.

[0057] In Fig. 4 A schematic representation of a third example of an LED lighting system according to yet another embodiment of the invention is shown. The basic structure of the LED lighting system 400 shown corresponds to that in Fig. 3 LED lighting system 300 shown: The Fig. 4 The LED lighting system 400 shown comprises a primary-side arrangement 401, a secondary-side arrangement 402 and a supply line 403 via which the secondary-side arrangement 402 is supplied with electrical energy from the primary-side arrangement 401.

[0058] Also in the Fig. 4 In the embodiment shown, the supply line 403 comprises a plurality of four channels, realized with twisted wire pairs 416. For the supply line 403 with the four channels shown, an STP cable or FTP cable is preferably used, wherein the shielding 415 is connected to ground 418, 419 via the ground connection connections 417 and 407. The control device 412 of the primary arrangement 401 is also configured, depending on the embodiment, to monitor the proportion of the current current flow in at least one, several, or all channels. A device 409 for providing electrical energy, for example an AC / DC converter device, converts an alternating current or an alternating voltage into a direct current or a direct voltage and then supplies this or these via a positive supply 410 and a negative supply 411 to the inputs of the control device 412, which is configured to control the current flow through each of the channels, i.e.each of the twisted wire pairs 416 of the supply line 403 over time as a function of a maximum permissible temperature of the supply line 403. The control device 412 is designed to implement a limitation for the monitored respective portion of the current current flow or for the entire current flow through all channels as soon as an associated maximum permissible current flow value is exceeded, which is determined as a function of the maximum permissible temperature of the supply line 403, to whose wires the output lines of the control device 412 are connected via connection contacts 413 of an RJ-45 connector in the embodiment shown. Furthermore, the control device 412 is configured to detect a malfunction of the LED lighting system 400 based on the monitored respective portion of the current current flow and, if necessary, to adjust the current flow in the affected channel or all channels.For each of the channels to be controlled, the control device 412 also has its own dimming signal input interface 414, via which either the same dimming signal or a separate dimming signal for each channel can be provided.

[0059] Compared to the Fig. 3 The secondary-side arrangement 402 of the LED lighting system 400 differs from the embodiment shown in that the plurality of LED illuminants are components of an LED strip 420, the input of which, in the embodiment shown, is implemented with a push-in connector 408, and is connected in parallel with the anode inputs of the LED illuminants 404. The LED strip 420 can be, for example, an RGBW LED strip, wherein each of the LED illuminants 404 can emit red light, green light, blue light, or white light. To connect the LED strip 420 to the supply line 403, the adapter device 405 is provided, which allows the continued use of an STP or FTP cable with four twisted wire pairs 416 and therefore eight output connections.The adapter device 405 is equipped as an adapter board with eight connection contacts 406, 423 of an RJ-45 plug connection required for the connection of four wire pairs, wherein a connection 421 is provided for all connections that receive the positive supply voltage via the connection contacts 406, wherein the connection 421 supplies this to the LED strip 420 via the push-in plug connection 408. The in . Fig. 4 The LED strip 420 shown, which can be an RGBW light strip with the four differently colored LED lamps 404 in an arrangement with a common anode, is therefore operated with a total operating current for all four LED lamps 404, which is proportionally guided via individual wires, i.e. lines, one per twisted wire pair 416, of the supply line 403, which can be a QSTP cable, and wherein the operating current is summarized on the adapter device 405 via the connection 421 there. This connection sums the current for the four individual circuits, so that the total current is carried in the LED strip 420 via the plug connection 408. The cathode connections of the LED lamps 404 are connected, for example, via push-in connectors 422 for each channel or twisted wire pair 416 individually to the corresponding connection contacts 423 of an RJ-45 connector.

[0060] In Fig. 5 A schematic representation of a fourth example of an LED lighting system according to yet another embodiment of the invention is shown. The basic structure of the LED lighting system 500 shown corresponds to that in Fig. 4 LED lighting system 400 shown: The Fig. 5 The LED lighting system 500 shown comprises a primary-side arrangement 501, a secondary-side arrangement 502 and a supply line 503, via which the secondary-side arrangement 502 is supplied with electrical energy from the primary-side arrangement 501, wherein the secondary-side arrangement 502 has an LED strip 520 and an adapter device 505, with which the LED strip can be connected to all twisted wire pairs 516 of the supply line 503 if the latter is designed as a standard STP or FTP cable, wherein the shielding 515 of the supply line 503 is connected to ground 518, 519 via the ground connection connections 517 and 507.

[0061] The control device 512 of the primary arrangement 501 is also configured to monitor the proportion of the current flow in one, several, or all channels. The primary arrangement 501 has a device 509 for providing electrical energy, for example, an AC / DC converter device, which converts an alternating current or an alternating voltage into a direct current or a direct voltage, and then supplies the direct current or the direct voltage via a positive supply 510 and a negative supply 511 to the inputs of the control device 512, which is configured to control the current flow through each of the channels, i.e., each of the twisted wire pairs 516, of the supply line 503 over time as a function of a maximum permissible temperature of the supply line 503.The control device 512 is designed to implement a limitation for the monitored respective portion of the current flow or for the entire current flow through all channels as soon as a corresponding maximum permissible current flow value is exceeded, which is determined depending on the maximum permissible temperature of the supply line 503, to which the output lines of the control device 512 are connected via connection contacts 513 of an RJ-45 connector in the embodiment shown. Furthermore, the control device 512 is configured to detect a malfunction of the LED lighting system 500 based on the monitored respective portion of the current flow and, if necessary, to adjust the current flow in the affected channel or all channels.For each of the channels to be controlled, the control device 512 also has its own dimming signal input interface 514, via which the same dimming signal is provided for the embodiment shown.

[0062] Compared to the Fig. 4 The secondary-side arrangement 502 of the LED lighting system 500 differs from the embodiment shown in that the LED strip 520 is a single-color power LED strip with, for example, a single LED illuminant 504, which is used for this purpose in comparison to the illuminants 404 in the Fig. 3 shown embodiment has a higher power, wherein its input and output are realized in the shown embodiment with push-in connectors 508, 522.

[0063] In order to connect the LED strip 520 to the supply line 503, the adapter device 505 is equipped as an adapter board with eight connection contacts 506, 523 of an RJ-45 plug connection required for the connection of four wire pairs, wherein a connection 521 of all connections is provided, which receive the positive supply voltage for the LED lamp 504 via the connection contacts 506, and wherein the first connection 521 supplies this to the LED strip 520 via the plug connection 508, and wherein a second connection 524 of all connections is provided, which receives the negative supply voltage for the LED lamp 504 via the connection contacts 523 of the RJ-45 plug connection and supplies this to the LED strip 520 via the push-in plug connection 522. As in the Fig. 4 In the exemplary embodiment shown, a total operating current is thus conducted proportionally via individual wires, i.e., lines, one per twisted wire pair 516, of the supply line 503, which can be a QSTP cable, with the operating current being combined on the adapter device 505 via the connection 521 there. This connection sums the current for the four individual circuits, so that in the power LED strip 520, the total current is conducted via the plug connection 408, with the total current supplying a single LED lamp 504 there.

[0064] In Fig. 6 A schematic representation of a fifth example of an LED lighting system according to yet another embodiment of the invention is shown. The basic structure of the LED lighting system 600 shown corresponds to that in Fig. 5 LED lighting system 500 shown: The Fig. 6 The LED lighting system 600 shown comprises a primary-side arrangement 601, a secondary-side arrangement 602 and a supply line 603, via which the secondary-side arrangement 602 is supplied with electrical energy from the primary-side arrangement 601, wherein the secondary-side arrangement 602 has an LED strip 620 and an adapter device 605, with which the LED strip can be connected to all twisted wire pairs 616 of the supply line 603, if this is designed, for example, as a standard STP or FTP cable, wherein its shielding 615 is connected to ground 618, 619 via ground connection connections 617 and 607.

[0065] The control device 612 of the primary arrangement 601 is also configured to monitor the proportion of the current flow in one, several, or all channels. The primary arrangement 601 has a device 609 for providing electrical energy, for example an AC / DC converter device, which converts an alternating current or an alternating voltage into a direct current or a direct voltage, and then supplies the direct current or the direct voltage via a positive supply 610 and a negative supply 611 to the inputs of the control device 612, which is configured to control the current flow through each of the channels, i.e., each of the twisted wire pairs 616, of the supply line 603 over time as a function of a maximum permissible temperature of the supply line 603.

[0066] The control device 612 is designed to implement a limit for the monitored respective portion of the current flow or for the entire current flow through all channels as soon as a corresponding maximum permissible current flow value is exceeded, which is determined depending on the maximum permissible temperature of the supply line 603, to whose wires the output lines of the control device 612 are connected via connection contacts 613 of an RJ-45 connector in the embodiment shown. Furthermore, the control device 612 is configured to detect a malfunction of the LED lighting system 600 based on the monitored respective portion of the current flow and, if necessary, to adjust the current flow in the affected channel or all channels.For each of the channels to be controlled, the control device 612 also has its own dimming signal input interface 614, via which the same or different dimming signals can be provided for the embodiment shown.

[0067] Compared to the Fig. 5 The secondary-side arrangement 602 of the LED lighting system 600 differs from the embodiment shown in that the LED strip 620 is a two-color power LED strip with, for example, two LED lamps 604 emitting light in different colors. In the embodiment shown, the input of the LED strip 620 is implemented with a push-in connector 608 and is connected in parallel with the anode inputs of the LED lamps 604. To connect the LED strip 620 to the supply line 603, the adapter device 605 is provided, which allows the continued use of an STP or FTP cable with four twisted wire pairs 616 and therefore eight output connections.The adapter device 605 is an adapter board equipped with eight connection contacts 606, 623, 625 of an RJ-45 connector required for connecting four wire pairs. A first connection 621 of all connections is provided, which receives the positive supply voltage for the LED lamps 604 via the connection contacts 606, the first connection 621 supplying this to the LED strip 620 via the plug connection 608. The cathode connections of the LED lamps 604 are connected, for example, via push-in plug connections 622 to a second connection 624, which receives the negative supply voltage from two of the four twisted wire pairs 616 via the connection contacts 623, or to a third connection 626, which receives the negative supply voltage from the two remaining twisted wire pairs 616 via the connection contacts 625. Like the one in . Fig. 5 In the embodiment shown, the operating current is thus conducted proportionally via individual wires, i.e., lines, one per twisted wire pair 616, of the supply line 603, which may be a QSTP cable. However, on the adapter device 605, two wire pairs are connected in parallel instead of all four.

[0068] If the LED lighting system 600 is, for example, a 24V system, two LED lamps 604 with a maximum power of approximately 40W can be operated via a supply line 603 implemented as a QSTP cable (e.g. network cable) with a cross-section per wire of at least AWG23 and a length of the supply line 603 of 10m.

[0069] In the Fig. 5 In comparison, in the embodiment shown, an LED lamp 504 could be operated via a supply line 503 implemented as a QSTP cable with a cross-section per wire of at least AWG23 and a length of the supply line 503 of 10 m, but with a maximum power of approx. 80 W.

[0070] And in the examples according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 In comparison, four LED lamps 304 or 404 could be operated via a supply line 303 or 403 implemented as a QSTP cable with a cross-section per wire of at least AWG23 and a length of the supply line 303 or 403 of 10 m, but with a maximum power of approx. 20 W.

[0071] The figures are not necessarily detailed or to scale and may be enlarged or reduced to provide a better overview. Therefore, the functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense, but merely as an illustrative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention.

[0072] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to specific embodiments, but only by the appended claims. List of reference symbols

[0073] 100LED lighting system 101Primary-side arrangement 102Secondary-side arrangement 103Supply line 104LED lamp 105Adapter device 106Plug connection 107Plug connection 108Push-in plug connection 109Device for providing electrical energy 110Positive supply 111Negative supply 112Control device 113Plug connection 114Dimming signal input interface 115Shielding 116Twisted pair 117Plug connection 118Ground 119Ground 206Plug connection 210Positive supply 211Negative supply 212Control device 214Dimming signal input interface 220Current measuring unit 221Evaluation unit 222Fuse unit 223Driver unit 224Voltage measuring unit 300LED lighting system 301Primary-side arrangement 302Secondary-side arrangement 303Supply line 304LED lamp 305Adapter device 306Connection contact of an RJ-45 connector 307Ground connection connection 308Push-in connector 309Device for providing electrical energy 310Positive feed311Negative feed 312Control device 313Connection contact of an RJ-45 connector 314Dimming signal input interface 315Shielding 316Twisted pair 317Ground connection connection 318Ground 319Ground 400LED lighting system 401Primary side arrangement 402Secondary side arrangement 403Supply line 404LED lamp 405Adapter device 406Connection contact of an RJ-45 connector 407Ground connection connection 408Push-in connector 409Device for providing electrical energy 410Positive feed 411Negative feed 412Control device 413Connection contact of an RJ-45 connector 414Dimming signal input interface 415Shielding 416Twisted pair Wire pair 417Ground connection 418Ground 419Ground 420LED strip 421Connection 422Push-in connector 423Connection contact of an RJ-45 connector 500LED lighting system 501Primary side arrangement 502Secondary side arrangement 503Supply line 504LED lamp 505Adapter device506Connection contact of an RJ-45 connector 507Ground connection connection 508Push-in connector 509Device for providing electrical energy 510Positive feed 511Negative feed 512Control device 513Connection contact of an RJ-45 connector 514Dimming signal input interface 515Shielding 516Twisted pair of wires 517Ground connection connection 518Ground 519Ground 520LED strip 521First connection 522Push-in connector 523Connection contact of an RJ-45 connector 524Second connection 600LED lighting system 601Primary side arrangement 602Secondary side arrangement 603Supply line 604LED lamp 605Adapter device 606Connection contact of a RJ-45 connector 607Ground connection 608Push-in connector 609Device for providing electrical energy 610Positive feed 611Negative feed 612Control device 613Connection contact of an RJ-45 connector 614Dimming signal input interface 615Shielding616Twisted pair 617Ground connection 618Ground 619Ground 620LED strip 621First connection 622Push-in connector 623Connection contact of an RJ-45 connector 624Second connection 625Connection contact of an RJ-45 connector 626Third connection

Claims

1. LED lighting system (100), comprising - a primary-side arrangement (101); - a secondary-side arrangement (102); and - a feed line (103), via which the secondary-side arrangement (102) is able to be supplied with electrical energy from the primary-side arrangement (101), wherein the secondary-side arrangement (102) has one or more semiconductor components; and the primary-side arrangement (101) has a device (109) for providing electrical energy, characterized in that - the one or more semiconductor components are only LED illuminants (104) and - the primary-side arrangement (101) additionally comprises a control device (112) configured to control a present current flow through the feed line (103) depending on a maximum permissible temperature of the feed line (103), wherein the control device (112, 212) has a sensor configured to detect an actual temperature of the feed line or wherein the control device (112, 212) has a sensor unit (220) configured to detect the present current flow, and the control device (112, 212) is configured to limit the present current flow to a maximum permissible current flow greater than zero, which is dependent on the maximum permissible temperature and is determined taking into account parameters of the feed line.

2. LED lighting system according to Claim 1, wherein the feed line (103) has one or more twisted core pairs (116) .

3. LED lighting system according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the feed line (103) has a shield (115) against electromagnetic interference.

4. LED lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device (109) for providing electrical energy comprises a rectifier circuit.

5. LED lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the feed line (103) is connectable to the primary arrangement (101) and to the secondary arrangement (102) via plug connections (106, 113).

6. LED lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a minimum required size of a cross-sectional area of the feed line (103) is determined only as a function of a maximum permissible voltage drop across the one or more illuminants (104), and an actual size of the cross-sectional area of the feed line (103) is adapted to the minimum required size.

7. LED lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the feed line (303) comprises a plurality of channels and the control device (312) is configured to monitor a respectively associated proportion of the present current flow in at least one of the channels.

8. LED lighting system according to Claim 7, wherein the control device (312) is configured to monitor the respectively associated proportion of the present current flow in the plurality of channels.

9. LED lighting system according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein the control device (312) is configured to carry out a limitation at least for the monitored respectively associated proportion of the present current flow if an associated maximum permissible current flow value is exceeded.

10. LED lighting system according to Claim 9, wherein the associated maximum current flow value is dependent on the maximum permissible temperature of the feed line (303).

11. LED lighting system according to any of Claims 7 to 10, wherein the control device (312) is configured to detect a malfunction of the LED lighting system (300) on the basis of the monitored respectively associated proportion of the present current flow.

12. LED lighting system according to any of Claims 7 to 11, wherein the control device (312) is configured to adapt the respectively associated proportion of the present current flow through at least one of the channels depending on an assigned dimming input signal (314).

13. LED lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more LED illuminants (404) are provided on a carrier element, preferably an LED strip (420), with a possibility of connection to a power supply.

14. LED lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, additionally comprising - at least one further secondary-side arrangement and - at least one further feed line, via which the at least one further secondary-side arrangement is able to be supplied with electrical energy from the primary-side arrangement, wherein the at least one further secondary-side arrangement has in each case one or more further semiconductor components; and wherein the respective one further semiconductor component or the respective plurality of further semiconductor components is / are only LED illuminants and the control device of the primary-side arrangement is additionally configured to control a respective present current flow through the at least one further feed line depending on a respectively associated maximum permissible temperature of the at least one further feed line.