LIGHT STRIP SYSTEM FOR DATA COMMUNICATION

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting rail system comprising a mounting rail and connectable electrical conductors running within the mounting rail, wherein luminaires and other electrical loads or further components such as sensors, loudspeakers or cameras can be connected to the mounting rail system such that the luminaires and the further components are coupled to electrical conductors of the mounting rail. Furthermore, a continuous lighting system, which in addition to the mounting rail system also comprises electrical loads, and a method for data communication within the continuous lighting system are specified.

[0002] Mounting rails with a mounting rail profile and a conductor rail held in the mounting rail profile are known from the prior art and are used, for example, to implement elongated continuous lighting systems. A known continuous lighting system is marketed by the applicant under the name "TECTON" and is characterized by the fact that luminaires or other electrical devices can be flexibly positioned along the entire length of the system on the mounting rail, whereby the luminaires or other electrical devices are both mechanically coupled to the mounting rail and electrically connected to the electrical conductors arranged inside the mounting rail.

[0003] In general, lighting systems with a DIN rail system should be as flexible as possible to allow for use in a wide variety of application scenarios. Often, existing DIN rail systems are retrofitted with additional components beyond those originally planned, but the electrical wiring inside the DIN rail cannot be adapted to the new configuration without considerable effort. Therefore, newly added components must be designed so that they can be controlled via the existing communication lines of the lighting system, for example, via a DALI bus.

[0004] It is known from the prior art that data signals can be transmitted via the main power supply line and received and processed by a suitably designed additional component. In this process, a data signal to be transmitted is placed on the main power supply line of the lighting system, with the corresponding additional components being designed to receive and process the data signals transmitted via the main power supply line in addition to supplying power. This type of data communication via the main power supply line is also known as Powerline Communication (PLC).

[0005] It is also conceivable to control additional components subsequently coupled to the mounting rail wirelessly, so that the additional components only need to be connected to a power supply of the mounting rail system.

[0006] However, existing methods for supplying additional components with data signals have proven disadvantageous in practice. For example, the use of dedicated signal lines, such as DALI lines for DALI signals, to control other components via the DALI bus is only intended for lighting components, thus significantly limiting the design of the lighting or linear lighting system. Furthermore, these dedicated signal lines have slow data transmission speeds, making this type of data transmission unsuitable for other applications, such as video data transmission or internet connectivity. While wireless data transmission offers the possibility of faster data transfer, it increases the risk of data interception and / or manipulation by unauthorized parties.Furthermore, there is a risk that the increasing number of wireless communication devices will disrupt the communication of other components, since the usual wireless communication methods use the same frequency band.

[0007] The option of data communication via the main power supply line (powerline communication) is not very flexible, as this type of communication is limited to power lines. This means that the number of power lines in the system is identical to the number of data connections required, making it difficult to adapt existing systems. Furthermore, the electrical energy carried on the main power supply line represents a source of interference for other data signals. This can weaken, distort, or even render unreadable the other data signals present on the main power supply line during powerline communication, thus reducing the reliability of the transmitted data signals.Furthermore, the other components that exchange data signals via Powerline Communication must be capable of handling high currents, as each component must be connected to the main power supply line, making the individual components expensive, bulky and heavy.

[0008] WO 2017 / 194310 A1 describes a lighting system with adapters that are installed in the channel of a busbar for receiving current. The busbar has a sensing conductor extending along the length of the channel, in the form of a series of individual conductor elements and a bias arrangement to press the conductor elements against each other. When an adapter is inserted, the individual conductor elements are separated by its head, thereby severing the sensing conductor by interrupting the contact between the individual conductor elements. The adapter has a locating unit for identifying its position within the channel, which includes locating terminals for establishing electrical contact with both sides of the interrupted contact of the measuring conductor.

[0009] From US patent 2014 / 111094 A1, a lighting system is known which comprises a lighting unit with a light emitter, a mounting frame that holds the lighting unit, and a control unit that controls the lighting of the lighting unit. The mounting frame includes a rail-shaped conductive element, whereby power and communication signals between the control unit and the lighting unit are transmitted through this conductive element.

[0010] US 2003 / 222587 A1 concerns intelligent lighting devices with processors, as well as networks with such intelligent lighting devices that are capable of providing lighting and detecting stimuli with sensors and / or sending signals.

[0011] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing an improved support rail system, an improved continuous lighting system, and an improved method for data communication within a continuous lighting system.

[0012] This problem is solved by a support rail system, a continuous lighting system, and a method for data communication within a continuous lighting system, comprising the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and special embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0013] According to the invention disclosed in claim 1, a mounting rail system is provided which has at least one mounting rail for attaching luminaires and other components to the mounting rail, and contactable electrical conductors running in the mounting rail. The electrical conductors include both a main power supply line and further conductors, wherein the further conductors comprise one or more of the following: a light communication line for transmitting light communication signals, in particular DALI signals, a low-voltage supply line, in particular a SELV line, a partially used supply line, in particular an emergency power supply line, a switched supply line, and another data line, in particular an audio signal line.Furthermore, the mounting rail system has a data connection for transferring further data signals, and a data transceiver for modulating the further data signals onto at least one of the further lines, wherein this at least one further line is thus a line used for transmitting the further data signals, characterized in that a line used for transmitting the further data signals already has existing signals, wherein the data transceiver is designed to transfer the further data signals onto the already existing signals.

[0014] A DIN rail system configured in this way therefore allows data signals to be transmitted via at least one of the additional lines. This means that the range of functions of a DIN rail system with its limited number of lines—which are often already designated for a specific task, such as DALI or SELV—is no longer restricted by the number of available lines. The transmission of these additional data signals is not dependent on the number of main power supply lines, which also allows for a compact and lightweight design of both the data transceiver and the other components, as high-performance components can be omitted. The data transceiver thus forms the key component for transmitting these additional data signals both within the DIN rail system and for communication with the data connection of the DIN rail system.Data transfer via the lines used to transmit additional data signals allows for high bandwidth, enabling the simple, secure, and straightforward transmission of video, multimedia, and internet data. Crucially, no new lines are required in the DIN rail system for transmitting these additional data signals. Instead, existing, standard DIN rail lines are used for this purpose in addition to their primary function, effectively repurposing at least one of these lines. Such a DIN rail system offers exceptional flexibility, allowing multiple lines to be used for transmitting additional data signals, particularly different types of data signals.The data transceiver of the mounting rail system can be flexibly and easily connected to the line required for transmitting further data signals.

[0015] This ensures that the information content of the signals already present on the respective line is essentially not distorted or disrupted, while additional data signals are also transmitted over the same line. For example, the DALI signals on the DALI line could be received and processed by a luminaire connected to the DALI line, while in addition to the DALI signals, other data signals are also transmitted over the DALI line, and these additional data signals can be received and processed by other components connected to the DALI line.

[0016] Furthermore, it may be preferentially provided that the additional data signals differ from the existing signal in their signal characteristics, for example, by differing frequencies. In particular, it may be provided that high-frequency additional data signals are modulated onto an existing low-frequency signal by the data transceiver (or vice versa), so that the signal information of the existing signal can be received and evaluated without distortion, while the signal information of the additional data signals can also be received and evaluated by the additional components.

[0017] In one embodiment, the mounting rail system is designed such that the optical communication line is used to transmit the additional data signals, wherein the existing signals are the optical communication signals, and wherein preferably the additional data signals are high-frequency signals and the optical communication signals are low-frequency signals, and wherein the data transceiver is preferably configured to modulate these additional data signals onto the optical communication signals already present on the optical communication line. This embodiment is also referred to as the HF-LF version.

[0018] This design allows the existing wiring for light communication signals in a mounting rail system for a continuous-row lighting system to also be used for controlling and exchanging data with other components. In particular, the low-frequency light communication signals are not interfered with by the high-frequency data signals, so that the light communication line, previously limited to light communication signals, especially DALI signals, can now also be used for other data types. Furthermore, the communication of the other data signals can be faster than the communication of the light communication signals.

[0019] In another embodiment, the mounting rail system is designed such that the low-voltage supply line is the line used to transmit the additional data signals, wherein the data transceiver is preferably configured to encode the additional data signals in the polarity of signals already present on the line used to transmit the additional data signals, in particular power supply signals. This embodiment is also referred to as the polarity-matched version.

[0020] With such an embodiment, the additional data signals can be transmitted via the low-voltage supply line in a simple and safe manner, without the electrical energy carried on the low-voltage supply line becoming a source of interference for the additional data signals. Thus, reliable transmission of the additional data signals is ensured. In particular, it can be provided that the additional data signals are encoded in the polarity of the supply lines, especially the low-voltage supply line or SELV line. Particularly preferred in this embodiment are the polarity-insensitive electrical loads coupled to the low-voltage supply line. A key feature of this embodiment is that the additional components are designed to receive and evaluate the additional data signals embedded in the polarity.

[0021] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the polarity-based implementation is combined with the HF-LF implementation, whereby, firstly, several of the additional lines could carry further data signals, and secondly, several different additional data signals could be transmitted on a single line, with the additional data signals contained within the polarity and additional high-frequency and / or low-frequency data signals coexisting on one of the additional lines, particularly on the low-voltage supply line, and being transmitted simultaneously. This significantly increases the flexibility and capacity of data transmission within a DIN rail system.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the mounting rail system is characterized in that the partially used supply line is the line used for transmitting the additional data signals, wherein preferably the data transceiver is designed to modulate the additional data signals onto the partially used supply line only during normal operation of the mounting rail system.

[0023] With this embodiment, lines within the mounting rail system that are not used during normal operation and therefore do not carry any existing signals during normal operation can be used to transmit additional data signals. In particular, these lines can be switched power supply lines, emergency power supply lines, or other partially used power supply lines. If normal operation is abandoned and the mounting rail system switches to emergency operation with emergency power supply, for example, the transmission of the additional data signals is interrupted. This embodiment can preferably also be combined with the two previous embodiments (polarity-based version and / or HF-LF version).

[0024] According to the invention, a continuous lighting system is further provided, wherein the continuous lighting system comprises a support rail system according to the invention as well as at least one light and a further component which are connected to the support rail system.

[0025] This creates a particularly flexible and versatile lighting system, or linear lighting system, in which the components and luminaires are connected to the electrical wiring of the mounting rail system. Consequently, the components and / or luminaires can be supplied with additional data signals besides the existing signals from the electrical wiring.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the further components is connected to the line used for transmitting the further data signals, wherein the at least one further component is configured to receive and process the further data signals.

[0027] This makes it possible for the additional data signals to be received and processed by at least one further component, and it may also be provided that at least one light is coupled to the line used to transmit the additional data signals, which in another version can itself also receive and process the additional data signals.

[0028] It is also preferred that at least one further component is further configured to modulate further data signals onto the line used to transmit the further data signals.

[0029] Such a component enables both the sending and receiving of additional data signals via the line used to transmit these signals, with the data transceiver of the linear lighting system or the mounting rail system being equally capable of both sending and receiving these additional data signals. This results in a particularly versatile and flexible linear lighting system.

[0030] Furthermore, it may be provided that at least one additional component has its own data transceiver for receiving, processing and / or modulating the additional data signals.

[0031] According to the invention disclosed in claim 9, a method for data communication within a linear lighting system is further provided. The linear lighting system comprises at least one mounting rail for attaching luminaires and other components to the mounting rail, as well as at least one luminaire and one other component, wherein contactable electrical conductors run in the mounting rail.The electrical lines include both a main power supply line and other lines, wherein the other lines include one or more of the following: a light communication line for transmitting light communication signals, in particular DALI signals, a low voltage supply line, in particular a SELV line, a partially used supply line, in particular an emergency power supply line, a switched supply line, and another data line, in particular an audio signal line, and wherein in the linear lighting system the other data signals are modulated onto at least one of the other lines, such that this other line is a line used for transmitting the other data signals.Furthermore, at least one of the additional components is connected to the line used to transmit the additional data signals, with the at least one additional component receiving and processing the additional data signals.

[0032] This method of data communication within a linear lighting system thus enables the flexible and simple expansion or configuration of the system for the transmission of additional data signals, in such a way that existing electrical conductors can be used for the transmission of these additional data signals as flexibly, simply, and reliably as possible. The method also allows for the fastest and most interference-free transmission of these additional data signals.

[0033] Preferably, the linear light system has a data port for transferring further data signals and a data transceiver, wherein the data transceiver in the linear light system modulates the further data signals onto at least one of the further lines.

[0034] Furthermore, it may be preferably provided that at least one additional component itself modulates further data signals onto the line used to transmit the further data signals.

[0035] This ensures that at least one additional component can not only receive and process the additional data signals, but also send self-generated data, such as a video stream or sensor data, as additional data signals via the line used to transmit the additional data signals, thus enabling bidirectional communication of the additional data signals.

[0036] In a further embodiment, the line used to transmit the additional data signals already contains signals before the modulation of the additional data signals. Furthermore, these existing signals are preferably low-frequency signals, wherein the additional data signals are modulated as high-frequency signals onto the existing signals, and wherein the additional data signals are preferably modulated onto the signals of the optical communication line.

[0037] The existing signals on the line used to transmit the additional data signals are not distorted by these additional data signals, so that both the existing signals and the additional data signals are present on the same line. In the embodiment where the light communication line is used to transmit the additional data signals, the existing signals are, for example, DALI signals used to control luminaires. These existing communication signals are not disturbed or distorted by the additional data signals, which are preferably superimposed on the existing signals at a higher frequency. This allows the additional data signals to be transmitted more efficiently and quickly, while maintaining the validity of the individual signals.

[0038] According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the additional data signals are encoded in the polarity of signals already present on the line used to transmit the additional data signals, and wherein the additional data signals are preferably modulated onto the signals of the low-voltage supply line.

[0039] Such a design of the modulation of the further data signals by changing the polarity of the existing signals allows for a particularly simple and secure transmission of the further data signals.

[0040] In another embodiment, the additional data signals are modulated onto the partially used supply line, preferably with the additional data signals being modulated onto the partially used supply line only during normal operation of the continuous lighting system.

[0041] This type of configuration offers the advantage that lines which would not carry signals during normal operation are now utilized by the data transceiver for transmitting additional data signals. Once normal operation ceases, for example, in emergency mode or another operating state, the transmission of further data signals stops. This configuration increases the efficiency of the data communication process, as lines that were previously only partially used are now also utilized during normal operation.

[0042] Furthermore, it may be preferably provided that several of the additional lines are used to transmit the additional data signals, such that the linear lighting system has several lines used to transmit the additional data signals.

[0043] This allows the data communication method to remain flexible and scalable, with the lines used to transmit additional data signals being selected according to the application scenario. Furthermore, it is also conceivable to combine several of the described embodiments of the method in such a way that multiple additional data signals are transmitted over a single line.

[0044] This creates a particularly flexible and secure method for data communication within a linear lighting system, as well as an extremely flexible, lightweight, versatile, and individually adaptable linear lighting system or mounting rail system, whereby, depending on the application scenario, various other components and luminaires can be coupled to the mounting rail system and can also be controlled via the cables arranged in the mounting rail system, whereby further data signals are modulated onto one of the electrical cables.

[0045] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the drawing. The drawing shows: Figure 1 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a continuous lighting system according to the invention, with a mounting rail system and further components and luminaires coupled thereto; Figure 2 shows a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a mounting rail according to the invention, with contactable electrical conductors running in the mounting rail; Figures 3-5 show sketches of exemplary embodiments of a wiring diagram of contactable electrical conductors running in an embodiment of a mounting rail according to the invention; Figure 6 shows a simplified representation of signals present on a line used for transmitting further data signals.

[0046] The one in Figure 1The illustrated continuous lighting system 1 comprises a mounting rail system 10, luminaires 200 coupled to the mounting rail system 10, and other components 300. In the illustrated configuration, the continuous lighting system 1 is a lighting system suspended from the ceiling 42 via cables 41. It is possible for the cables 41 to supply the continuous lighting system 1 with power and other communication signals. However, it is also conceivable that the mounting rail system 10, or the continuous lighting system 1, is mounted directly on the ceiling 42 or on a wall. The luminaires 200 each emit light L.

[0047] A central element of the continuous lighting system 1, or rather the mounting rail system 10, is the mounting rail 100, to which all electrical components of the continuous lighting system 1 are connected. In the illustrated version of the continuous lighting system 1 in Figure 1Several luminaires 200 are arranged on the underside of the mounting rail 100, with further components 300 attached to the top of the mounting rail 100. Of course, it is also possible to arrange the luminaires 200 and / or the further components 300 on a side face and / or an end face of the mounting rail 100.

[0048] The 200 lights are in the Figure 1 The luminaires are shown as luminaires for direct lighting, although of course luminaires for accent lighting, emergency lights and / or luminaires for indirect lighting are also conceivable as luminaires 200.

[0049] The linear lighting system 1, as illustrated, includes several additional components 300, in particular a sensor 310, a loudspeaker 320, a camera 340, and a networked luminaire 330, which is designed as a luminaire for indirect lighting. However, other configurations of the additional components 300 are of course conceivable, such as a display, a WLAN access point, or others.

[0050] Inside the mounting rail 100 run contactable electrical conductors 120, which are in Figure 2 These are examples. Figure 2Figure 1 shows a cross-section through an embodiment of a mounting rail 100, whereby, for the sake of simplicity, neither the luminaires 200 nor other components 300 coupled to the mounting rail 100 are shown. However, by way of example, a recess 104 on the top surface 103 of the mounting rail 100 is shown, through which the luminaires 200 and / or other components 300 can be coupled to the mounting rail 100 both mechanically and electrically. The luminaires 200 and components 300 could also be mounted on a side surface 101, 102 of the mounting rail 100. Preferably, however, it is provided that the luminaires 200 and the other components 300 contact the mounting rail 100 and the electrical lines 120 from a bottom surface (not shown) of the mounting rail 100, with the bottom surface being arranged opposite the top surface 103.

[0051] The electrical conductors 120 are preferably coupled to the mounting rail 100 via a current-conducting profile 110, the current-conducting profile being arranged on the two side faces 101, 102 of the mounting rail. However, it is also conceivable that electrical conductors 120 are arranged on the inside of the top surface 103, or on the inside of the bottom surface (not shown) of the mounting rail 100. The current-conducting profile 110 separates the individual electrical conductors 120 from one another and holds them securely inside the mounting rail 100. The electrical conductors 120 together with the current-conducting profile 110 form a busbar.

[0052] In the Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical lines 120 comprise eight cables 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, with two of the cables being grouped together as an example. In this case, the Figure 2Several cable groups are shown, including in particular a main power supply line 130, a lighting communication line 140, a low-voltage supply line 150, and a partially used supply line 160. Of course, the electrical lines 120 can also include other and multiple cables and cable groups, which could, for example, be additional data lines, especially an audio signal line. In the illustrated version, each cable group has two cables, but this is only for the sake of simplicity. Naturally, the individual cable groups can also contain a different number of cables.

[0053] Each of the electrical conductors 120 arranged in the mounting rail 100 is assigned a specific function. For example, the main power supply line 130 is responsible for supplying current / voltage to the mounting rail system 10 or the continuous lighting system 1, while the lighting communication line 140 is intended for transmitting lighting communication signals, in particular DALI signals. The low-voltage supply line 150, which can be a SELV line, serves as an additional power supply with low voltages. The partially used supply line 160 can be an emergency power supply line and / or a switched supply line, and thus carries an electrical signal, e.g., an emergency voltage or emergency current and / or a switched current / voltage signal, at least in one operating state of the mounting rail system 10 or the continuous lighting system 1.It can therefore be stated that in one embodiment the electrical lines 120 arranged in the mounting rail 100 are already assigned a task, so that these electrical lines 120 have an electrical signal S at least in one operating state (e.g. normal operation, emergency operation).

[0054] The electrical lines 120 can be subdivided not only with regard to the line groups or the different tasks, but also by distinguishing between the main power supply line 130 and the other lines 180, which is particularly evident in the Figures 3 to 6 is shown. The additional 180 lines thus comprise all the remaining lines of the mounting rail system 10, or of the continuous lighting system 1, which in particular are not lines for the main power supply, and therefore not lines with high energy transmission.

[0055] The mounting rail system 10 further comprises a data port 171 for the transfer of additional data signals D, wherein, for example, one of the cables 41 is connected to the data port 171 in order to exchange the additional data signals D with the mounting rail system 10, or with the linear lighting system 1. In addition, the mounting rail system 10 comprises a data transceiver 20, which is preferably coupled to the data port 171.

[0056] The data transceiver 20 serves to modulate the further data signals D onto at least one of the further lines 180, such that this at least one further line is a line 181 used for transmitting the further data signals D. Thus, further data signals D are transmitted via the data transceiver 20 onto a selected line 181 of the further lines 180, wherein, according to one embodiment, these further data signals D exist on the line 181 in addition to the electrical signals S already present on the selected line 181, which is greatly simplified in the sketch of the Figure 6 is shown.

[0057] The other data signals D can be various data signals, including in particular audio data, Ethernet data, video data, sensor data or other data.

[0058] In the Figure 6 is used to transmit further data signals DLine 181 is shown in use, with an existing signal on this line. S is present, and where the further data signals D through the data transceiver 20 to the existing signals S are modulated or transferred, whereby the information content of the signals S is not disturbed or distorted. Thus, it is ensured that in a linear lighting system, for example, one is used to transmit the further data signals. D The luminaire 200 connected to the line 181 can correctly receive and process the signals S, which can be DALI signals in particular, while, for example, another component 300, which is also connected to the line for transmitting the other data signals, D The line used, 181, is connected to the other data signals. Dcan be correctly received and processed. Therefore, line 181 can be described as a dual-purpose line, since in addition to its original task of transmitting the signals S, it now also modulates the other data signals. D on line 181, two data signal information S and D are present on the line, which can be received and processed by the electrical consumers of the continuous lighting system 1.

[0059] In the Figures 3 to 5 Various embodiments of a method for data communication in a linear lighting system 1 are shown, in which the electrical lines 120, which are arranged inside the mounting rail 100, as well as electrical consumers such as luminaires 200 and other components 300 are always shown.

[0060] Here too, in addition to the main power supply line 130, the other lines 180 are shown, with in the Figures 3, 4 and 5Each of the other lines 180 is used to transmit the further data signals. D The line used is 181. Based on the various embodiments of the Figures 3 to 5 Different modulation methods will be used for the other data signals. D The respective selected line 181 is explained.

[0061] The luminaires 200 shown and the additional components 300 are included here in the Figures 3 to 5 for example connected with various electrical lines 120, whereby other couplings are also conceivable, and whereby of course the number and connection of the lights and other components is not limited to the versions shown.

[0062] Furthermore, in the Figures 3 to 5A busbar feeder 320 is shown, which provides an interface for connecting electrical cables. For example, the conductors contained in the cables 41 can be connected to the busbar feeder 320 from an outside side of the mounting rail 100, and the electrical conductors located inside the mounting rail 100 are connected to the busbar feeder 320 from an inside side of the mounting rail 100. The busbar feeder 320 can have several electrical connections 131, 141, 151, 161, 171, with the data connection 171 being a component of the busbar feeder 320. Furthermore, the data transceiver 20 can be included in the busbar feeder 320.

[0063] However, it is also possible that the data port 171 and / or the data transceiver 20 are not included in the power rail feeder 320, but are positioned elsewhere. In particular, it may be possible that the data feed is directed to the busbar used for transmitting the other data signals. D The connection of line 181 through the data transceiver 20 is not made at the point where the electrical supply to the mounting rail system 10 is fed in, whereby other points in the mounting rail 100 or, in a further embodiment, points outside the mounting rail 100 may also be provided for this purpose. The data connection 171 can also be formed directly on the data transceiver 20. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the data connection 171 is contained in the busbar feeder 320, with the data transceiver 20 being arranged elsewhere, i.e., not in the busbar feeder 320.

[0064] In all versions of the mounting rail system 10, or the continuous lighting system 1, the transmission of further data signals is enabled. D via the main power supply line 130, whereby the further data signals D are transmitted via one of the further lines 180, the further lines 180 preferably serving only for the transmission of low power, thus avoiding interference from power supply devices, which are in particular connected to main power supply lines 130, thereby facilitating the communication of the further data signals D simplified, improved and made safer.

[0065] Furthermore, in one embodiment at least one of the additional components 300 can be configured to transmit further data signals. D on the transmission of further data signals D to modulate the used line 181. Thus, at least this additional component 300 could also carry further data signals.D transmit, thus establishing bidirectional communication. For example, at least one additional component 300 can have its own data transceiver for receiving, processing, and / or modulating the additional data signals. D Furthermore, of course, 200 lights can also be provided, which carry the additional data signals. D be able to receive and process them.

[0066] In the Figure 3 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a wiring diagram for the electrical lines 120, wherein the electrical lines 120 preferably run inside the mounting rail 100, which is not shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the optical communication line 140 is used to transmit the further data signals. D line 181 is used, where it is graphically indicated that both existing signals S as well as the other data signals Dare transmitted via the light communication line 140. In particular, these existing signals can be S DALI signals, which can be received and processed, for example, by the luminaires 200, with the further data signals D received and processed by components 300.

[0067] In this context, the light communication signals, such as DALI signals, are usually slow, low-frequency signals that are not designed to transmit large amounts of data quickly, as is particularly necessary for video streams and / or Ethernet applications. The other data signals... D are preferably high-frequency signals, which are applied to the existing signals by the data transceiver 20 S The light communication line 140 is modulated. This then allows the transmission of further data signals. D used line 181, as in Figure 6The sketch shows both the existing signals S and the additional data signals. D Currently, the two signals do not corrupt each other and can be correctly received and processed by the respective receivers, i.e., the lights 200 and / or the additional components 300. In particular, it can be provided that the additional data signals D in one of the existing signals S different frequencies on the network used to transmit further data signals D The used line 181 is modulated. The optical communication line 140, thus used for both purposes, offers a secure, reliable, and fast transmission of the other data signals. D.

[0068] Other modulation methods are also conceivable, for example, direct current modulation (DC modulation) of a power bus line of the light communication line 140 could be used, particularly for communication of the other data signals. D which is advantageous at low speed.

[0069] The Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a wiring diagram of the electrical lines 120, wherein the low-voltage supply line 150 is used to transmit the further data signals D The line used is 181. In this embodiment, the data transceiver 20 is preferably configured to modulate the further data signals. D the other data signals D in the polarity of already on the one for transmitting further data signals D used line 181 existing signals S to encode (the existing signals S are in the Figures 4 and 5 (not explicitly shown). Consequently, it is also provided here that at least two different signals are present in parallel on a selected line 181, whereby the two signals do not interfere with each other, as in Figure 6 This is shown in a sketched form. This type of modulation method offers a secure, reliable, and efficient way to transmit the other data signals. D.

[0070] The data transceiver 20 modulates the other data signals. D Consequently, the polarity of the selected line 181, which in this example is the low-voltage supply line 150, is determined. Therefore, a further component 300 (or light 200) connected to the low-voltage supply line 150 can receive both electrical energy for operation and additional data signals. D received. Furthermore, it may be provided that a support rail system 10, or a continuous lighting system 1, both of which are in Figure 3 the depicted version as well as the one in Figure 4 The depicted version combines several additional data signals. D can be transmitted. It may also be possible to transmit further data signals encoded in the polarity. D in addition to other data signals modulated in frequency D be transferred.

[0071] In the Figure 5 Another version of a wiring diagram of the electrical lines 120 is shown, in which the partially used supply line 160 is used to transmit the further data signals. D The line used is 181. Preferably, the data transceiver 20 is designed to transmit the other data signals only during the normal operation of the mounting rail system 10. Dto modulate onto the partially used supply line 160. This allows lines that were previously unused in normal operation in existing mounting rail systems 10 or continuous lighting systems 1 to be used for transmitting the additional data signals, further increasing the efficiency of the mounting rail system 10 or continuous lighting system 1. Such an implementation of the modulation by the data transceiver 20 offers an exceptionally simple, cost-effective, secure, fast, and interference-free way to transmit the additional data signals. D to transmit. If the operating state of the mounting rail system 10, or of the continuous lighting system 1, changes to a non-normal operation, e.g., to an emergency operation, the transmission of the further data signals is given priority. D interrupted. However, it may still be provided that, similar to the in Figure 3 The depicted version shows the further data signals DIt can also be transmitted during non-normal operation. In this case, particularly in a configuration with an emergency power supply line as a partially used supply line 160, which is used to transmit the additional data signals, this would be relevant. D The line used, 181, is also conceivable, as is the case that the other data signals D The signals can also be modulated onto the emergency power supply line during emergency power operation. This design offers the advantage that the emergency power supply generally provides significantly less electrical power than the main power supply during normal operation, thus enabling the transmission of the additional data signals. D It is designed for low power output only, thus allowing the use of smaller, lighter and cheaper components and filters.

[0072] It is also conceivable that the in Figure 5 shown embodiment with the embodiments of the Figures 3 and 4is combined, and it is also conceivable that several of the additional lines 180 are used to transmit the additional data signals. D are used in such a way that the continuous lighting system 1, or the mounting rail system 10, can transmit several of the further data signals. D The system has 181 used lines. Therefore, within a mounting rail system 10, or within a continuous lighting system 1, several additional data signals can be used. D, so first / second / third / ... further data signals D be transferred.

[0073] It may also be provided that further lines 180, which were previously unused within the mounting rail 100, are used for transmitting the further data signals. D be used.

[0074] Thus, the solution according to the invention provides a very simple, extremely secure, interference-free, and flexible means of data communication within a mounting rail system 10 or continuous lighting system 1. Ultimately, a method is described which uses the existing and already used electrical lines 120 in a mounting rail 100 to enable data communication by means of additional data signals. D creates, whereby the further data signals D on a channel for transmitting further data signals DThe existing line 181 is used for transmission, eliminating the need to add any additional lines to the mounting rail 100, while also leaving the cable duct routing of the electrical lines 120 unchanged. Furthermore, with this solution, continuous lighting systems 1 and mounting rail systems 10 can be manufactured in a particularly lightweight and compact manner, as bulky and heavy components required for powerline communication are eliminated. Moreover, such continuous lighting systems 1 and mounting rail systems 10 are exceptionally versatile and flexible, since the additional components 300 can be selected according to the specific situation and connected to the mounting rail 100. Data communication with this solution is particularly simple, secure, fast, and interference-free.

Claims

1. Support rail system (10) for data communication, comprising: • at least one support rail (100) for fixing luminaires (200) and further components (300) to the support rail (100), • electrical lines (120) extending in the support rail (100) and being contactable, the electrical lines (120) comprising both a main power supply line (130) and further lines (180), and the further lines (180) including one or more of the following lines: - a lighting communication line (140) for transmitting lighting communication signals, in particular DALI signals, - a low-voltage supply line (150), in particular an SELV line, - a partially utilized supply line (160), in particular an emergency supply line, - a switched supply line, and - another data line, in particular an audio signal line, • a data port (171) for transferring further data signals (D), and • a data transceiver (20) for modulating the further data signals (D) onto at least one of the further lines (180), such that said at least one further line is a line (181) used for transmitting the further data signals (D), characterized in that a line (181) used for transmitting the further data signals (D) has pre-existing signals (S) present thereon, wherein the data transceiver (20) is configured to transfer the further data signals (D) onto the pre-existing signals (S).

2. Support rail system according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting communication line (140) is the line (181) used for transmitting the further data signals (D), wherein the pre-existing signals (S) are the lighting communication signals, and wherein the further data signals (D) are high-frequency signals and the lighting communication signals are low-frequency signals, and wherein the data transceiver (20) is configured to modulate said further data signals (D) onto the signals (S) already present on the lighting communication line (140).

3. Support rail system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the low-voltage supply line (150) is the line (181) used for transmitting the further data signals (D), wherein the data transceiver (20) is configured to encode the further data signals (D) in the polarity of the signals (S) already present on the line (181) used for transmitting the further data signals (D).

4. Support rail system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the partially utilized supply line (160) is the line (181) used for transmitting the further data signals (D), wherein the data transceiver (20) is configured to modulate the further data signals (D) onto the partially utilized supply line (160) only during normal operation of the support rail system (10).

5. Lighting system (1) comprising: • a support rail system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, and • at least one luminaire (200) and one further component (300) which are connected to the support rail system (10).

6. Lighting system according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the further components (300) is connected to the line (181) used for transmitting the further data signals (D), and in that said at least one further component (300) is configured to receive and process the further data signals (D).

7. Lighting system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said at least one further component (300) is further configured to modulate additional data signals (D) onto the line (181) used for transmitting the further data signals (D).

8. Lighting system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said at least one further component (300) comprises its own data transceiver for receiving, processing and / or modulating the further data signals (D).

9. Method for data communication within a lighting system (1), the lighting system (1) comprising at least one support rail (100) for fixing luminaires (200) and further components (300) to the support rail (100), and at least one luminaire (200) and one further component (300), wherein contactable electrical lines (120) extend in the support rail (100), the electrical lines (120) comprising both a main power supply line (130) and further lines (180), and the further lines (180) including one or more of the following lines: a lighting communication line (140) for transmitting lighting communication signals, in particular DALI signals, a low-voltage supply line (150), in particular an SELV line, a partially utilized supply line (160), in particular an emergency supply line, a switched supply line, and another data line, in particular an audio signal line, and wherein in the lighting system (1) the further data signals (D) are modulated onto at least one of the further lines (180) such that said further line is a line (181) used for transmitting the further data signals (D), and wherein at least one of the further components (300) is connected to the line (181) used for transmitting the further data signals (D), said at least one further component (300) receiving and processing the further data signals (D), characterized in that the at least one further component (300) itself modulates further data signals (D) onto the line (181) used for transmitting the further data signals (D).

10. Method for data communication according to claim 9, characterized in that the line (181) used for transmitting the further data signals (D) already carries signals (S) prior to modulation of the further data signals (D), wherein these pre-existing signals (S) are low-frequency signals, and wherein the further data signals (D) are modulated as high-frequency signals onto the pre-existing signals (S), and wherein the further data signals (D) are modulated onto the pre-existing signals (S) of the lighting communication line (140).

11. Method for data communication according to claim 9, characterized in that the further data signals (D) are encoded in the polarity of signals (S) already present on the line (181) used for transmitting the further data signals (D), and wherein the further data signals (D) are modulated onto the pre-existing signals (S) of the low-voltage supply line (150).

12. Method for data communication according to claim 9, characterized in that the further data signals (D) are modulated onto the partially utilized supply line (160), wherein the further data signals (D) are modulated onto the partially utilized supply line (160) only during normal operation of the lighting system (1).

13. Method for data communication according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that several of the further lines (180) are used for transmitting the further data signals (D), such that the lighting system (1) has multiple lines (181) used for transmitting the further data signals (D).