RADAR MODULE FOR LIGHTING SYSTEMS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a radar module for a lighting system. Technical field

[0002] Radar sensors can be used to control lighting systems. The radar sensors detect objects, such as people, and use the signal from the radar sensor to control the function of the lighting system. A radar sensor, or a radar module consisting of several radar sensors, can send signals to the control unit of the lighting system, thus switching the lights on / off, dimming, etc., depending on the presence or absence of an object. Stand der Technik

[0003] According to the prior art, lighting systems already incorporate radar sensors. However, the detection range of these radar sensors is fixed and can only be adjusted to the application by changing the sensitivity, which limits the possibilities for using radar sensors to control lighting systems. DE20302167U1 discloses a motion detector connected to an optical and / or acoustic alarm device and which has the form of a portable consumer product. Darstellung der Erfindung

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a radar module for a lighting system.

[0005] This problem is solved by means of the features of claim 1. The invention is further developed by the features of the dependent claims.

[0006] The radar sensor preferably includes a radar detector unit and is preferably equipped with a lens module for radar beams, which can be replaced to adjust the detection range of the radar sensor.

[0007] A radar detector unit is understood to be a detector unit that is capable of detecting radar radiation and generating a signal depending on the intensity of the detected radar radiation.

[0008] A lens module for radar beams is understood here to be a lens module which is able to refract radar radiation and, depending on the shape of the lens module, to focus radar radiation differently.

[0009] The lens module is preferably shaped to provide a circular contour of the radar sensor's detection area.

[0010] The lens module is preferably shaped to provide an oval contour for the radar sensor's detection area, with the oval contour preferably oriented vertically in space. An oriented contour is particularly suitable for use in corridors, such as those between high-bay warehouses, and can enable more efficient object detection in such a specific application than a circular contour.

[0011] The lens module preferably allows for adjustment of the distance between the radar detector unit and the lens module through different shapes. For example, a different thickness of the lens module allows for adjustment of the effective distance between the refractive plane of the lens module and the radar detector unit, thus adapting the detection area to the respective application and / or location of the radar sensor.

[0012] The lens module mounting device preferably allows the lens module to be replaced by means of a plug connection, a screw connection or an interlocking retaining connection.

[0013] Replacing the lens module here refers to a reversible and non-destructive replacement of the lens module.

[0014] Several different lens modules are provided for each radar sensor, which are removable. Simply replacing the lens module allows for quick and easy adjustment of the radar sensor's detection range to the specific application and / or location.

[0015] The lens module's mounting device preferably includes an adjustment mechanism that allows the distance between the radar detector unit and the lens module to be adjusted, for example, by turning a thread. Adjusting the distance between the radar detector unit and the lens module allows the radar sensor's detection area to be changed, thus enabling the detection area to be adapted to the specific application and / or location of the radar sensor.

[0016] The invention comprises a radar module for a lighting system, wherein the brightness of the lighting system can be controlled depending on the signal of the radar module, and which is characterized in that the radar module contains at least two radar sensors which are connected to each other via a control unit for radar sensors.

[0017] A control unit for radar sensors is understood to be an electrical or electronic, preferably an electronic, component which can process the signals from at least two radar sensors and generate a single, common signal from them in order to control the brightness of the lighting system.

[0018] The radar module contains at least two radar sensors that differ in the contour of their detection range. The combination of at least two radar sensors with different detection ranges allows for extensive adaptation of the radar module's detection area to the specific application and / or location.

[0019] One embodiment further comprises a lighting system. The lighting system includes at least one light, preferably two or more lights, and a radar module. The at least one light is optionally connected to a control unit for lighting systems, which communicates with a radar sensor or a radar module.

[0020] A change in the signal from the radar sensor or radar module can be caused by an object, such as a person or vehicle, moving into the detection range. This change in a motion detection signal can be used by the control unit for lighting systems to switch at least one light of the lighting system on or off depending on the presence or absence of an object, or to regulate the brightness of the at least one light.

[0021] The at least one luminaire of the lighting system can communicate wirelessly or wired (for example via a bus such as a DALI bus), preferably wirelessly, with the radar sensor or radar module. If the at least one luminaire is connected to a control unit for lighting systems, the control unit for lighting systems communicates wirelessly or wired (for example via a bus such as a DALI bus), preferably wirelessly, with the radar sensor or radar module.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, a radar module according to the invention can also be integrated into the housing of a lamp and communicate with a control device of the lamp, for example to switch the lamp on / off or to regulate its brightness.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of a lighting system, several luminaires, each having an integrated radar sensor or an integrated radar module, can be interconnected wirelessly or via wired connections (for example, via a bus such as a DALI bus), optionally via a control unit for lighting systems, so that they form a system.

[0024] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 show designs of a radar sensor 1. Fig. 3 shows configurations of a lens module 3. Fig. 5 shows the design of a radar module according to the invention. 8. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show designs of a lighting system 10.

[0025] The in Fig. 1 radar sensor shown 1 a radar detector unit 2,a lens module 3 as well as a mounting device for the lens module 4 (as examples of radar optics). Furthermore, an adjustment device is included. 5 present, which causes a change in the distance between the radar detector unit 2 and the lens module 3 This enables the change in distance between the radar detector unit. 2 and the lens module 3 In the case of the radar sensor shown, the Fig. 1 realized through a relative rotation and by means of a threaded connection. Fig. 1a shows a smaller distance, while Fig. 1b a greater distance between the radar detector unit 2 and the lens module 3 shows.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows two different embodiments of the lens modules according to the invention. 3n and 3m to adjust the effective distance between the refractive plane of the lens module 3and the radar detector unit 2. This embodiment makes it possible to move between a fixed, smaller distance ( Fig. 2a ) and a fixed further distance ( Fig. 2b ) to choose. The lens modules in Fig. 2a und Fig. 2b They cover different detection ranges. Therefore, they are interchangeable with the radar detector unit. 2 connected, for example by means of screws, bayonet fittings, plug-in fittings, etc.

[0027] Fig. 3 shows two different embodiments of a lens module according to the invention. 3 to adjust the detection range 6 of the radar sensor. The in Fig. 3a The depicted shape of the lens module has a circular detection area. 6 up, while the in Fig. 3b The depicted shape of the lens module has an oval detection area. 6 exhibits. Again, the lens modules cover in Fig. 3a und Fig. 3b They have different detection ranges. Therefore, they are interchangeably connected to the radar detector unit 2, for example by means of screws, bayonet fittings, plug-in mounting, etc.

[0028] The in Fig. 4 shown configurations of a radar sensor 1 illustrate the different possibilities of a lens module 3 with a mounting device for the lens module 4 to connect, whereby the connection option involves replacing the lens module. (3) through a plug connection 7a ( Fig. 4a ), a screw connection or bayonet connection 7b ( Fig. 4b ) or an interlocking holding connection 7c ( Fig. 4c ) allowed. The in Fig. 4 The configurations shown here are for two different geometries of the lens module. 3a and 3b shown.

[0029] Fig. 5 shows an example of a radar module according to the invention 8, consisting of two radar sensors 1 with associated recording areas 6, which includes a control unit for radar sensors 9 are interconnected.

[0030] The in Fig. 6 lighting system shown 10 has a radar sensor 1 (for example with an oval detection area) which wirelessly or wired (for example via a bus such as a DALI bus) sends a motion detection signal to a control unit for lighting systems 11 It sends this signal. This signal is received by the control unit for lighting systems. 11 processed and used to, for example, (here: three) lights 12 to control and, for example, the three lights 12 to turn them on / off or to adjust their brightness.

[0031] The in Fig. 7 lighting system shown10 features two radar sensors 1 (for example, with a circular detection area), each of which is placed in the housing of a light fixture. 12 are integrated and control this light to, for example, switch the light on / off or regulate its brightness, either wirelessly or wired (for example via a bus such as a DALI bus) via a control unit for lighting systems 11 are interconnected.

Claims

1. Radar module (8) for a lighting installation (10), wherein a brightness of the lighting installation can be controlled based on a signal of the radar module, the radar module (8) comprising at least two radar sensors (1) that are interconnected via a control unit (9) for radar sensors, wherein the at least two radar sensors (1) differ from each other in terms of the contour of a detection area (6), each of the at least two radar sensors (1) monitors a specific detection area (6) and the brightness of the lighting installation (10) is controllable based on signals from the radar sensors (1), and wherein the respective detection area (6) is adjustable by altering a radar optics arranged in front of the respective radar sensor.

2. Radar module (8) for a lighting installation (10) according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the respective detection area (6) is adaptable by changing the radar optics.

3. Radar module (8) for a lighting installation (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each radar sensor (1) comprises a radar detector unit (2) and has a lens module (3) as radar optics, the lens module (3) being replaceable in order to adapt the detection area (6) of the respective radar sensor.

4. Radar module (8) for a lighting installation (10) according to claim 3, wherein the lens module (3) provides a detection area (6) of circular contour for the respective radar sensor.

5. Radar module (8) for a lighting installation (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the lens module (3) provides a detection area (6) of oval contour for the respective radar sensor.

6. Radar module (8) for a lighting installation (10) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein differently shaped lens modules (3) allow an adjustment of the distance between the radar detector unit (2) and the lens module (3).

7. Radar module (8) for a lighting installation (10) according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein a receptacle (4) for the lens module allows the lens module (3) to be replaced by a plug connection (7a), a screw connection (7b), or an interlocking retaining connection (7c).

8. Radar module (8) for a lighting installation (10) according to claim 7, wherein the receptacle (4) of the lens module has an adjusting device (5) which enables adjustment of the distance between the radar detector unit (2) and the lens module (3).

9. Lighting installation (10), comprising at least one luminaire (12) that is connectable to a control unit (11) for lighting installations, and further comprising a radar module (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is in communication with said at least one luminaire.

10. Lighting installation (10) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one luminaire (12) is in wireless communication with the radar module (8).

11. Lighting installation (10) according to claim 10, wherein the control unit (11) for lighting installations of the at least one luminaire (12) is in wireless communication with the radar module (8).

12. Lighting installation (10), comprising at least one luminaire (12), wherein a radar module (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is integrated into said at least one luminaire and is configured to control the luminaire to switch it on or off or to regulate its brightness.

13. Lighting installation (10) according to claim 12, wherein the lighting installation (10) comprises at least two luminaires (12) each with an integrated radar module (8), which are in wireless communication with each other via a control unit (11) for lighting installations.