LED module and electronic ballast for a flexibly upgradable lighting system

Abstract

The invention relates to an LED module for installation in a luminaire, in particular in a street light, wherein the LED module has a power interface which is configured for detachable connection to an electronic ballast (ECG) in the luminaire in order to supply the LED module with electrical power when it is installed in the luminaire, wherein the LED module has at least one group of LEDs and the power interface is connected to the group of LEDs so that the electrical power provided at the power interface is supplied to the LED group, wherein the LED module further has a data bus interface which is configured to be coupled to a data bus in the ECG, wherein the LED module is configured to communicate an available range of functions of the LED module to the ECG via the data bus interface.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an LED module and an electronic ballast which is designed to operate the LED module, as well as to a luminaire which has these components.

[0002] Over the course of a luminaire's service life, especially an outdoor luminaire such as technical street and tunnel lights or park lights, the requirements for the lighting task can change. Changes in road layouts, peripheral development, or the creation of additional pedestrian or cycle paths can change the requirements for an already installed luminaire, necessitating the integration of additional functionalities into the luminaire.

[0003] State-of-the-art luminaires with Zhaga or NEMA sensor interfaces and electronic ballasts complying with the D4i standard are known. These can be adapted to changing lighting requirements to a certain extent by retrofitting appropriate additional components, such as appropriate sensors. With D4i luminaires, the functionality is expanded by adding additional hardware. For example, an electronic device can be mechanically and electrically connected to the luminaire via a Zhaga / NEMA socket. The luminaire provides a standardized power supply according to DIN EN 62386 Part 150 (AUX power supply) to operate the additional electronic device (described in DIN EN 62386 Part 351).In addition, the D4i luminaire provides a communication interface in accordance with DIN EN 62386 (corresponding to DALI-2) with the D4i-specific extensions Part 250 (Integrated bus power supply), Part 251 (Memory bank 1 extension), Part 252 (Energy reporting), and 253 (Diagnostic maintenance). The communication protocol provided within this interface enables the reading of a wide range of predefined luminaire operating parameters in addition to the familiar DALI-2 control functions. However, since single-channel drivers without communication between the driver and the LED module are used in accordance with the state of the art, the possibilities for functional expansion are severely limited.

[0004] A further improvement is the system described in EP 2 676 527 B1. In this system, data relating to the luminaire's parameterization is stored in a module memory of the LED module and in an operating memory of the ballast. When the LED module or the operating device is replaced, the data can be transmitted to the new device to retain the luminaire's parameterization. This allows the lighting task to be precisely fulfilled again without the need for manual parameterization of the luminaire when replacing a component.

[0005] DE 10 2010 003 797 A1 discloses an LED module according to the preamble of claim 1 and a luminaire comprising such an LED module. Further modular LED luminaires are disclosed in DE 10 2010 031 242 A1 and WO 2013 / 032752 A1.

[0006] In summary, the possibilities for functionally expanding an already installed luminaire are very limited in current luminaires. Interfaces such as D4i or one of the DALI standards allow for a limited degree of control gear functionality. Furthermore, systems are known that at least allow the LED module or electronic ballast to be replaced without having to completely reconfigure the luminaire.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an LED module for a luminaire as well as an electronic ballast and a luminaire which enable the luminaire to be adapted to new lighting tasks without having to replace the luminaire completely.

[0008] The object is achieved by an LED module according to claim 1 as well as by an electronic ballast according to claim 9 and a luminaire according to claim 10.

[0009] The LED module of the present invention comprises a group of LEDs connected to a line interface in the LED module to supply electrical power from an electronic ballast to the LED group. In this application, LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are understood to mean any form of semiconductor light source, including organic light-emitting diodes. A special feature of the inventive embodiment of the LED module is a data bus interface, which enables the electronic ballast and the LED to communicate with each other in order to forward the functionality of the LED module to the electronic ballast.

[0010] This makes it possible to subsequently replace the LED module with an LED module with an extended range of functions or to retrofit the LED module with additional functions without having to completely replace the luminaire because the extended range of functions is communicated to the electronic ballast, and the electronic ballast can control the LED module accordingly. In the prior art, it was previously only possible to influence the electronic ballast via data interfaces. An extension of the range of functions on the LED module made it necessary to also modify the electronic ballast accordingly. This is no longer necessary with the luminaire according to the invention because both devices are connected to each other via the data bus and exchange information. The electronic ballast is therefore able to recognize all the functionalities of the LED module and, if necessary, also transmit these to higher-level systems outside the luminaire.The LED module thus becomes the functional component in the luminaire and therefore differs from common luminaire concepts in which the LED module can be replaced, but an extension of the range of functions is generally not possible or is only possible by completely replacing all relevant electronic components within the luminaire.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the functional scope includes one or more of the following features available in the LED module: variable light color, variable light distribution, and / or variable dimming level. This allows, for example, the lighting task to be adapted to a changed road layout or peripheral development.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the range of functions further comprises that the LED module provides measured values ​​from one or more sensors that are integrated in the LED module or connected to the LED module, wherein the sensors can in particular comprise the following type: environmental sensors, e.g. for temperature, brightness of ambient light of the luminaire or humidity, and / or traffic flow sensors, e.g. IR sensors for detecting people or vehicles, or speed sensors for measuring vehicle speeds. Luminaires are often initially installed without sensor technology and only later is the need to also use the luminaires as sensors recognized, e.g. to change the light output of the luminaire in accordance with the measured values. In the prior art, such a retrofitting with sensor technology required also changing the control of the LED module by the electronic ballast.This is no longer necessary with the system according to the invention, since only the LED module needs to be adapted with additional sensors and the electronic ballast can be adjusted to the extended range of functions via the data bus interface so that the data from the sensors can be transmitted to a system outside the luminaire.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the range of functions further includes a function of the LED module for projecting symbols or text messages through the LED group in the LED module, for generating an acoustic signal via a loudspeaker integrated into the LED module or connected to the LED module, and / or for transmitting messages via a wireless interface, e.g., via a mobile network or WLAN. These are functions that are not yet available in currently available luminaires. Such future extensions can therefore also be integrated into existing luminaires by simply replacing the LED module.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the LED module further comprises a memory for storing parameter settings of the LED module, wherein the data interface is configured to transmit information from the memory to a connected LED module. As a result, the LED module according to the invention is backward compatible with the LED modules of the prior art, which are described, for example, in EP 2 676 527 B1.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the data bus interface is configured to receive a firmware update to update the firmware of the LED module. In this case, the LED module undergoes an upgrade without having to replace the LED module. The luminaire can receive a corresponding firmware upgrade from a system external to the luminaire via the ECG and transmit it to the LED module for installation via the data bus interface.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the power interface is designed to be connected to a single-channel driver in the electronic ballast in order to receive the electrical power of the electronic ballast via only one channel at the power interface. A common problem when expanding the range of functions of an existing luminaire is that the LED module cannot be replaced with a new module with a more complex range of functions, e.g. with variable light colors or variable light distribution, because an electronic ballast with multiple channels is required to operate the new LED module. However, many existing luminaires only have an electronic ballast with one channel installed. Since in the system according to the invention the new range of functions can be integrated into the luminaire solely by the LED module, it is possible in these embodiments to continue operating the new LED module with a single-channel ballast.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the data bus interface is configured to receive control data for operating the LED module within the scope of the available functional scope of the LED module, wherein the control data can relate in particular to one or more of the following functions of the LED module: variable dimming level related to a maximum luminous flux of the LED group in the LED module; variable fading time, in particular coded according to a DALI sequence scheme; variable light color, in particular color temperature, e.g., between 1,000 K and 10,000 K; selectable light distribution from a selection of predefined light distributions; and temporal sequence of light scenes including a dimming level, a light distribution, and / or a light color. Accordingly, the electronic ballast can fully support the extensions to the functional scope of the LED module.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the invention, an electronic ballast is provided which has a data bus interface which is configured to communicate with an LED module as described above.

[0019] Furthermore, a further aspect of the invention relates to a luminaire which has an LED module as described above and an electronic ballast as described above.

[0020] Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, which is given in conjunction with the attached figure. The figure shows the following: Figure 1 shows a schematic structure of a luminaire according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in various types of luminaires. Outdoor luminaires, especially street luminaires, are preferred, because this type of luminaire often requires the luminaire's lighting function to be adapted to changing environmental conditions, e.g., to a new road layout or changes to the surrounding development.

[0022] In the Figure 1An embodiment of the luminaire is shown schematically. The luminaire is designed as a street light and comprises a luminaire housing 3 which is mounted on a lamp post 5. An LED module 4 is integrated into the luminaire housing 3, which has the lighting means in the form of a group of LEDs (not shown in the figure). Furthermore, an electronic ballast 1 is located in the luminaire housing 3, which is primarily intended to provide the electrical power for the LED module 4. For this purpose, the LED module 4 has a power interface (not shown in the figure) which is connected to a power output interface of the electronic ballast 1. The electronic ballast 1 and the LED module 1 exchange information via the data bus, in particular information relating to the range of functions provided by the LED module 4.

[0023] Thus, the electronic ballast 1 is capable of recognizing all the functionalities of the LED module 4 and, if necessary, making them available to a higher-level system outside the luminaire. Thus, the LED module 4 becomes a functional component of the luminaire and differs from conventional luminaire concepts in which the LED module 4 contributes variant-dependent properties such as light distribution, luminous flux, and light color, but does not contribute its own functions to the system.

[0024] The LED module 4, on the other hand, can bring functions such as variable light color, variable light distribution, sensors for e.g. environmental and / or traffic flow, wireless interfaces or functions that are not yet known into an existing luminaire without making it necessary to replace the electronic ballast 1. While previously luminaire functions were only introduced into the luminaire via new electronic ballasts 1 (e.g. DALI, D4i), it is now possible to expand the range of functions of the luminaire or adapt it to new circumstances by replacing the LED module 4. Furthermore, the system is designed to be both upwards and downwards compatible, which means that luminaires in an existing system can receive functions that were not yet available on the market when the luminaire was commissioned by replacing the LED module.

[0025] In particular, the system comprising electronic ballast 1 and LED module 4 is downwardly compatible with the system described in EP 2 676 527 B1 and, in turn, ensures functional integrity of the lighting system in the event of replacement (LED module or electronic ballast) without requiring any intervention in the firmware and parameterization. While the system described in EP 2 676 527 B1 is characterized in that the system intelligence resides in the form of firmware in the electronic ballast 1, and the LED module 4 only has a memory that contains the technical data for describing the LED module 4 and serves to back up all data that the system requires after a failure and replacement of the electronic ballast 1 in order to enable functional integrity, including all settings (parameterization), the present invention relies on distributed intelligence in the LED module 4 and the electronic ballast 1.

[0026] Thus, the LED module 4 becomes an independent functional unit with functions such as tunable white or RGB. While state-of-the-art luminaires require a multi-channel driver to control an RGB or TW module, the embodiment of the invention can still use a single-channel driver that can be directly connected to a e.g. RGB module can communicate.

[0027] This is made possible by the message protocol of data bus 2, which connects several components of a luminaire, at least one LED module 4 and one electronic ballast 1. Data bus 2 thus provides the transmission of the light setting, which is structured as follows: Light quantity (dimming level, based on 100% luminaire luminous flux) Fade time (coded according to the DALI sequencer scheme) Color temperature of the light (CCT from 1000K to 10,000K) Scenes / sequence of scenes (254 different reactions, defined and interpreted via LED module) Light distribution (254 different light distributions, defined and interpreted via LED module)

[0028] EVG 1 can receive equivalents to this data via freely defined memory pages on the DALI interface. Thus, for example, an existing 3000K luminaire can be converted to a tunable-white light Light with variable light distribution RGB light be converted.

[0029] In addition, the parameter "Scenes / Sequence of Scenes" allows for additional functions that can be conceived at a later date and implemented in the LED module 4. This makes it possible, for example, to integrate an LED module 4 into the existing luminaire in the future, which Projects symbols / notes Displays color gradients Generates acoustic signals Sends messages e.g. via the mobile network.

[0030] Since the necessary HW&FW to implement these future functionalities is located in LED module 4, any conceivable actuator can be integrated and made directly available to a higher-level control system via the interface (DALI2 / D4i) described above. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0031] 1EVG 2Data bus 3Luminaire housing 4LED module 5Mast

Claims

1. LED module (4) for installation in a luminaire, in particular in a street luminaire, wherein the LED module has a power interface which is set up for detachable connection to an electronic ballast (1), EB, in the luminaire in order to supply the LED module with electrical power when it is installed in the luminaire, wherein the LED module has at least one group of LEDs and the power interface is connected to the group of LEDs, so that the electrical power provided at the power interface is supplied to the LED group, wherein the LED module furthermore has a data bus interface which is set up to be coupled to a data bus (2) in the EB, characterized in that the LED module is set up to communicate an available functional scope of the LED module to the EB via the data bus interface.

2. LED module (4) according to claim 1, wherein the functional scope has one or more of the following functional features which are available in the LED module: changeable light colour, changeable light distribution, and / or changeable dimming level.

3. LED module (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional scope furthermore comprises the LED module providing measurement values from one or more sensors which are integrated in the LED module or are connected to the LED module, wherein the sensors can in particular comprise the following types: environmental sensors, e.g.: for temperature, brightness of ambient light of the luminaire or humidity, and / or traffic flow sensors, e.g. IR sensors for detection of persons or vehicles, or speed sensors for measuring vehicle speeds.

4. LED module (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional scope furthermore comprises a function of the LED module for projecting symbols or text indications through the LED group in the LED module, for generating an acoustic signal via a loudspeaker integrated in the LED module or connected to the LED module and / or for transmitting messages via a wireless interface, e.g. via a mobile radio network or via WLAN.

5. LED module (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the LED module furthermore comprises a memory for storing parameterizations of the LED module, wherein the data interface is configured to transmit information from the memory to a connected LED module.

6. LED module (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data bus interface is configured to receive a firmware update in order to update a firmware of the LED module.

7. LED module (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the power interface is configured to be connected to a single-channel driver in the EB (1) in order to receive the electrical power of the EB via only one channel at the power interface.

8. LED module (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data bus interface is configured to receive control data for operating the LED module within the scope of the available functional scope of the LED module, wherein the control data can in particular relate to one or more of the following functions of the LED module: changeable dimming level in relation to a maximum luminous flux of the LED group in the LED module, changeable fading time, in particular coded according to a DALI sequence scheme; changeable light colour, in particular colour temperature, e.g. between 1,000 K and 10,000 K; selectable light distribution from a selection of predefined light distributions; and temporal sequence of light scenes including a dimming level, a light distribution and / or a light colour.

9. Electronic ballast (1), EB, which has a data bus interface which is configured to communicate with a data bus interface of an LED module (4) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Luminaire, in particular exterior luminaire, preferably street luminaire, comprising an LED module (4) according to one of Claims 1 to 8 and an electronic ballast according to Claim 9.

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