Interface circuit, driving system, lighting system and controlling method
The interface circuit with a controller and relay system allows control of fixed output drivers, addressing the challenge of integrating them into smart lighting systems without costly replacements or rewiring.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-04
AI Technical Summary
Fixed output drivers in lighting systems are difficult to control due to the lack of an interface, necessitating costly replacements or rewiring when integrated with smart lighting systems.
An interface circuit with a controller, relay, and sensor ports that control the connection/disconnection of live wire ports to power fixed output drivers on or off, allowing control through a relay circuit activated by sensor signals.
Enables the control of fixed output drivers, reducing the need for costly replacements and rewiring by integrating them into smart lighting systems.
Smart Images
Figure CN2024134442_04062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
INTERFACE CIRCUIT, DRIVING SYSTEM, LIGHTING SYSTEM AND CONTROLLING METHODTECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of lighting, and more particularly, to an interface circuit, a driving system, a lighting system and a controlling method.BACKGROUND
[0002] This section introduces aspects that may facilitate better understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is in the prior art or what is not in the prior art.
[0003] The consumers are used to the convenience of the smart lighting. However, a fixed output driver advantage of low cost. The fixed output drivers are the most selling products while they can only be manually turn on / off. It is hard to control the fixed output driver since it has no interface.
[0004] The current masters are only support Dali / Wireless drivers which leave these fixed output drivers in an awkward situation. These fixed output drivers either need to be replaced or create a master for them which also might need to change the wiring. Both of the solutions will lead huge cost to customers and manufactures.SUMMARY
[0005] The inventor found that there is no feasible solution to control the fixed output drivers.
[0006] In general, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an interface circuit, a driving system, a lighting system and a controlling method. In the embodiments, an interface circuit comprises a controller, a relay, a live wire output port L’a nd a live wire input port L, the controller controls the relay to connect or disconnect the live wire output port L’ to the live wire input port L, so that a driver connected to the live wire output port L’may be powered on or off. Therefore, the driver can be controlled by the interface circuit, and more particularly, when the driver is a fixed output driver, the solution to control the fixed output driver is realized.
[0007] In a first aspect, there is provided an interface circuit, including:
[0008] a pair of sensor ports, configured to receive a first signal;
[0009] a neutral wire input port (N) , configured to be connected with a neutral wire;
[0010] a live wire input port (L) , configured to be connected with a live wire;
[0011] a live wire output port (L’ ) ;
[0012] a relay circuit (10) ; and
[0013] a controller (20) , configured to generate a second signal according to the first signal, the second signal being outputted to the relay circuit (10) to connect or disconnect the live wire output port (L’ ) to the live wire input port (L) .
[0014] In at least one embodiment, the relay circuit (20) comprises a driving circuit and a relay,
[0015] the driving circuit comprises a first switch (M41A) being connected between a first voltage terminal (VCC U4) and the relay,
[0016] a controlling terminal of the first switch (M41A) is connected to a ground terminal via a first resistor (R8) ,
[0017] when the first switch (M41A) is turned on, the relay is activated by a voltage on the first voltage terminal (VCC U4) ,
[0018] when the first switch (M41A) is turned off, the relay is deactivated.
[0019] In at least one embodiment, when the relay is activated, the live wire output port (L’) is connected to the live wire input port (L) ,
[0020] when the relay is deactivated, the live wire output port (L’ ) is disconnected to the live wire input port (L) .
[0021] In at least one embodiment, the relay comprises a first movable terminal and a second movable terminal, the first movable terminal and the second movable terminal are electrically coupled,
[0022] when the relay is activated, the first movable terminal contacts with the live wire input port (L) , and the second movable terminal contacts with the live wire output port (L’ ) ,
[0023] when the relay is deactivated, the first movable terminal is detached form the live wire input port (L) , and the second movable terminal is detached from the live wire output port (L’ ) .
[0024] In at least one embodiment, when the second signal is at a high level, the first switch (M41A) is turned on,
[0025] when the second signal is at a low level, the first switch (M41A) is turned off.
[0026] In at least one embodiment, the driving circuit further comprises an optical coupler (U4) , the optical coupler (U4) is connected with the controller, the first switch (M41A) , the first voltage terminal (VCC U4) and the first resistor (R8) ,
[0027] when the second signal is at the high level, the voltage on the first voltage terminal (VCC U4) is applied on the first resistor (R8) , the first switch (M41A) is turned on.
[0028] In at least one embodiment, the pair of sensor ports are configured to be connected to a sensor, the first signal is outputted from the sensor.
[0029] In a second aspect, there is provided a driving system, including:
[0030] the interface circuit according to any one of the above embodiments;
[0031] a driver, comprising a first input power port (N1) , a second input power port (L1) and a pair of output ports,
[0032] the first input power port (N1) is configured to be connected with a neutral wire, the second input power port (L1) is configured to be connected with the live wire output port (L’ ) of the interface circuit,
[0033] the pair of output ports output driving current.
[0034] In a third aspect, there is provided a lighting system, including:
[0035] the driving system according to the above embodiment; and
[0036] a lighting device, configured to be connected with the pair of output ports of the driving system.
[0037] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a controlling method for an interface circuit, the interface circuit includes:
[0038] a pair of sensor ports, configured to receive a first signal;
[0039] a neutral wire input port (N) , configured to be connected with a neutral wire;
[0040] a live wire input port (L) , configured to be connected with a live wire;
[0041] a live wire output port (L’ ) ;
[0042] a relay circuit; and
[0043] a controller,
[0044] the controlling method includes:
[0045] the controller generates a second signal according to the first signal, the second signal being outputted to the relay circuit to connect or disconnect the live wire output port (L’) to the live wire input port (L) .BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] The above and other aspects, features, and benefits of various embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully apparent, by way of example, from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals or letters are used to designate like or equivalent elements. The drawings are illustrated for facilitating better understanding of the embodiments of the disclosure and not necessarily drawn to scale, in which:
[0047] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an interface circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0048] Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of the interface circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0049] Fig. 3 is a diagram of the relay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0050] Figure 4 is a diagram of application of the interface circuit of the first aspect of embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0051] The present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to several example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are discussed only for the purpose of enabling those skilled persons in the art to better understand and thus implement the present disclosure, rather than suggesting any limitations on the scope of the present disclosure.
[0052] As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” refer to different elements. The singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises, ” “comprising, ” “has, ” “having, ” “includes” and / or “including” as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components and the like, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof. The term “based on” is to be read as “based at least in part on. ” The term “one embodiment” and “an embodiment” are to be read as “at least one embodiment. ” The term “another embodiment” is to be read as “at least one other embodiment. ” Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below.First aspect of embodiments
[0053] An interface circuit is provided in a first aspect of embodiments.
[0054] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an interface circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of the interface circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a diagram of the relay in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0055] As shown in Fig. 1, an interface circuit 100 includes: a pair of sensor ports DA+, DA-; a neutral wire input port N; a live wire input port L; a live wire output port L’ ; a relay circuit 10; and a controller 20.
[0056] The pair of sensor ports DA+ and DA-are configured to receive a first signal. For example, the pair of sensor ports DA+ and DA-are configured to be connected to a sensor 200, the first signal is outputted from the sensor 200. The sensor 200 may detect whether there is a people presence, for example, when there is a people presence, the sensor 200 outputs the first signal with high level (e.g, the high level is above 5v) , when there is no people presence, the sensor 200 outputs the first signal with low level (e.g, the low level is between 0v and 2v) . This disclosure may not be limited thereto, the sensor 200 may detect other objects and output the first signal at other situation, for example, the sensor may detect environment temperature, when the sensor 200 detects the temperature higher than a threshold, it outputs the first signal with high level, when the sensor 200 detects the temperature lower than the threshold, it outputs the first signal with low level.
[0057] The neutral wire input port N is configured to be connected with a neutral wire.
[0058] The live wire input port L is configured to be connected with a live wire.
[0059] The live wire output port L’ may be connected with a driver 300, the driver 300 is a fixed output driver.
[0060] The relay circuit 10 may control the live wire output port L’ connect or disconnect with the live wire input port L.
[0061] The controller 20 is configured to generate a second signal according to the first signal. The second signal may be outputted to the relay circuit 10 to connect or disconnect the live wire output port L’ to the live wire input port L.
[0062] When the live wire output port L’ connects to the live wire input port L, voltage on the live wire input port L can be transmitted to the driver 300 via the live wire output port L’ , so that the driver 300 can be powered on. When the live wire output port L’ disconnects to the live wire input port L, voltage on the live wire input port L cannot be transmitted to the driver 300 via the live wire output port L’ , and the driver 300 is powered off.
[0063] According to the disclosure, the driver 300 connected to the live wire output port L’ may be powered on or off under the control of the interface circuit 100. Therefore, the driver 300 can be controlled by the interface circuit 100, and more particularly, when the driver 300 is a fixed output driver, the solution to control the fixed output driver is realized.
[0064] As shown in Fig. 2. the relay circuit 10 includes a driving circuit 101 and a relay 102.
[0065] The driving circuit 101 includes a first switch M41A. In at least one example, the first switch M41A is NMOS (N channel Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) . This disclosure may not be limited thereto, the first switch M41A may be PMOS or bipolar transistor.
[0066] As shown in Fig. 2, the first switch M41A is connected between a first voltage terminal VCC U4 and the relay 102. For example, a drain of the first switch M41A is connected to the first voltage terminal VCC U4, and a source of the first switch M41A is connected to the relay 102. A controlling terminal of the first switch M41A is connected to a ground terminal via a first resistor R8. For example, the controlling terminal of the first switch M41A is a gate of the first switch M41A.
[0067] When the first switch M41A is turned on, the relay 102 is activated by a voltage on the first voltage terminal VCC U4. When the first switch M41A is turned off, the relay 102 is deactivated.
[0068] In at least one example, when the relay 102 is activated, the live wire output port L’ is connected to the live wire input port L in the interface circuit 100. When the relay 102 is deactivated, the live wire output port L’ is disconnected to the live wire input port L in the interface circuit 100.
[0069] As shown in Fig. 3, the relay 102 includes a first movable terminal K1-c and a second movable terminal K1-b. The first movable terminal K1-c and the second movable terminal K1-b are electrically coupled. The first movable terminal K1-c is located nearby the live wire input port L, and the second movable terminal K1-b is located nearby the live wire output port L’ .
[0070] When the relay 102 is activated, the first movable terminal K1-c contacts with the live wire input port L, and the second movable terminal K1-b contacts with the live wire output port L’ , so that voltage on the live wire input port L will be transmitted to the live wire output port L’ .
[0071] When the relay 102 is deactivated, the first movable terminal K1-c is detached form the live wire input port L, and the second movable terminal is detached from the live wire output port L’ , voltage on the live wire input port L will not be applied to the live wire output port L’a s a result.
[0072] As shown in Fig. 2, when the second signal outputted by the controller 20 is at a high level, the first switch M41A is turned on; when the second signal outputted by the controller 20 is at a low level, the first switch M41A is turned off.
[0073] For example, the driving circuit 101 further includes an optical coupler U4. The optical coupler U4 is connected with the controller 20, the first switch M41A, the first voltage terminal VCC U4 and the first resistor R8.
[0074] When the second signal is at high level, the voltage on the first voltage terminal VCC U4 is applied on the first resistor R8, thus the controlling terminal (e.g., the gate) of the first switch M41A is at high level, and the first switch M41A is turned on. The voltage on the first voltage terminal VCC U4 is applied on the relay 102 via the first switch M41A to activate the relay 102.
[0075] When the second signal is at low level, the voltage on the first voltage terminal VCC U4 will not be applied on the first resistor R8, thus the controlling terminal (e.g., the gate) of the first switch M41A is at low level, and the first switch M41A is turned off. The voltage on the first voltage terminal VCC U4 will not be applied on the relay 102, so the relay 102 is deactivated.
[0076] As shown in Fig. 2, the driving circuit 101 may further include other components, such as a capacitor C4, diodes D4 and D5, resistors R6, R7 and R9. Their functions may be referred to the related art.
[0077] As shown in Fig. 1, the interface circuit 100 may include a pair of output ports LED+, LED-, so as to drive a lighting device.Second aspect of embodiments
[0078] A driving system and a lighting system are provided in the second aspect of embodiments.
[0079] In the second aspect of embodiments, the driving system is used for driving a lighting device, for example, the lighting device may be LED.
[0080] As shown in Fig. 1, the driving system 30 includes an interface circuit 100 according to the first aspect of embodiments and a driver 300. For example, the driver 300 is a fixed output driver.
[0081] The driver 300 includes a first input power port N1, a second input power port L1 and a pair of output ports LED1+, LED1-.
[0082] The first input power port N1 is configured to be connected with a neutral wire, the second input power port L1 is configured to be connected with the live wire output port L’ of the interface circuit 100. The pair of output ports LED1+ and LED1-output driving current, for example, the pair of output ports LED1+ and LED1-are connected to a lighting device 400, the driving current is used to drive the lighting device 400.
[0083] The lighting system 500 may include the driving system 30 and the lighting device 400.
[0084] In one example of the driving system 30, when the sensor 200 detects a people presence, it sends the first signal at high level during this people still in the range of the sensor 200 detecting area. Once the controller 20 receives the first signal at high level, it will generate a second signal at high level. The voltage on the first voltage terminal VCC U4 is applied on the first resistor R8, thus the controlling terminal (e.g., the gate) of the first switch M41A is at high level, and the first switch M41A is turned on. The voltage on the first voltage terminal VCC U4 is applied on the relay 102 via the first switch M41A to activate the relay 102. Voltage on the live wire input port L will be transmitted to the live wire output port L’ , and the driver 300 will be powered on, so that the lighting device 400 is turned on.
[0085] In another example of the driving system 30, when the sensor 200 detects people absence, it sends the first signal at low level. Once the controller 20 receives the first signal at low level, it will generate a second signal at low level. The voltage on the first voltage terminal VCC U4 is not applied on the first resistor R8, thus the controlling terminal (e.g., the gate) of the first switch M41A is at low level, and the first switch M41A is turned off. The voltage on the first voltage terminal VCC U4 is not applied on the relay 102, and the relay 102 is deactivated. Voltage on the live wire input port L will not be transmitted to the live wire output port L’ , and the driver 300 will be powered off, so that the lighting device 400 is turned off.
[0086] According to the disclosure, the driver 300 can be controlled by the interface circuit 100, and more particularly, when the driver 300 is a fixed output driver, the solution to control the fixed output driver is realized.Third aspect of embodiments
[0087] A controlling method of an interface circuit. The interface circuit is provided in the first aspect of embodiments. The same contents as those in the first aspect of embodiments are omitted.
[0088] Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a controlling method of the interface circuit 100.
[0089] As shown in Fig. 4, the controlling method includes:
[0090] Block 41: the controller generates a second signal according to the first signal, the second signal being outputted to the relay circuit to connect or disconnect the live wire output port L’ to the live wire input port L.
[0091] In at least one example, the relay circuit comprises a driving circuit and a relay, the driving circuit comprises a first switch M41A be connected between a first voltage terminal VCC U4 and the relay, a controlling terminal of the first switch M41A is connected to a ground terminal via a first resistor R8, when the first switch M41A is turned on, the relay is activated by a voltage on the first voltage terminal VCC U4, when the first switch M41A is turned off, the relay is deactivated.
[0092] In at least one example, when the relay is activated, the live wire output port L’ is connected to the live wire input port L; when the relay is deactivated, the live wire output port L’ is disconnected to the live wire input port L.
[0093] In at least one example, the relay comprises a first movable terminal and a second movable terminal, the first movable terminal and the second movable terminal are electrically coupled, when the relay is activated, the first movable terminal contacts with the live wire input port L, and the second movable terminal contacts with the live wire output port L’ . When the relay is deactivated, the first movable terminal is detached form the live wire input port L, and the second movable terminal is detached from the live wire output port L’ .
[0094] In at least one example, when the second signal is at a high level, the first switch M41A is turned on, when the second signal is at a low level, the first switch M41A is turned off.
[0095] In at least one example, the driving circuit further comprises an optical coupler U4, the optical coupler U4 is connected with the controller, the first switch M41A, the first voltage terminal VCC U4 and the first resistor R8, when the second signal is at the high level, the voltage on the first voltage terminal VCC U4 is applied on the first resistor R8, the first switch M41A is turned on.
[0096] Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.
[0097] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
Claims
1.An interface circuit, comprising:a pair of sensor ports, configured to receive a first signal;a neutral wire input port (N) , configured to be connected with a neutral wire;a live wire input port (L) , configured to be connected with a live wire;a live wire output port (L’) ;a relay circuit (10) ; anda controller (20) , configured to generate a second signal according to the first signal, the second signal being outputted to the relay circuit (10) to connect or disconnect the live wire output port (L’) to the live wire input port (L) .2.The interface circuit according to claim 1, wherein,the relay circuit (20) comprises a driving circuit and a relay,the driving circuit comprises a first switch (M41A) being connected between a first voltage terminal (VCC U4) and the relay,a controlling terminal of the first switch (M41A) is connected to a ground terminal via a first resistor (R8) ,when the first switch (M41A) is turned on, the relay is activated by a voltage on the first voltage terminal (VCC U4) ,when the first switch (M41A) is turned off, the relay is deactivated.3.The interface circuit according to claim 2, wherein,when the relay is activated, the live wire output port (L’) is connected to the live wire input port (L) ,when the relay is deactivated, the live wire output port (L’) is disconnected to the live wire input port (L) .4.The interface circuit according to claim 3, wherein,the relay comprises a first movable terminal and a second movable terminal, the first movable terminal and the second movable terminal are electrically coupled,when the relay is activated, the first movable terminal contacts with the live wire input port (L) , and the second movable terminal contacts with the live wire output port (L’) ,when the relay is deactivated, the first movable terminal is detached form the live wire input port (L) , and the second movable terminal is detached from the live wire output port (L’) .5.The interface circuit according to claim 2, wherein,when the second signal is at a high level, the first switch (M41A) is turned on, when the second signal is at a low level, the first switch (M41A) is turned off.6.The interface circuit according to claim 5, wherein,the driving circuit further comprises an optical coupler (U4) , the optical coupler (U4) is connected with the controller, the first switch (M41A) , the first voltage terminal (VCC U4) and the first resistor (R8) ,when the second signal is at the high level, the voltage on the first voltage terminal (VCC U4) is applied on the first resistor (R8) , the first switch (M41A) is turned on.7.The interface circuit according to claim 1, wherein,the pair of sensor ports are configured to be connected to a sensor, the first signal is outputted from the sensor.8.A driving system, comprising:the interface circuit according to any one of claims 1～7;a driver, comprising a first input power port (N1) , a second input power port (L1) and a pair of output ports,wherein,the first input power port (N1) is configured to be connected with a neutral wire, the second input power port (L1) is configured to be connected with the live wire output port (L’) of the interface circuit,the pair of output ports output driving current.9.The driving system according to claim 8, wherein,the driver is a fixed output driver.10.A lighting system, comprising:the driving system according to any one of claims 8～9;a lighting device, configured to be connected with the pair of output ports of the driving system.11.A controlling method for an interface circuit, the interface circuit comprising:a pair of sensor ports, configured to receive a first signal;a neutral wire input port (N) , configured to be connected with a neutral wire;a live wire input port (L) , configured to be connected with a live wire;a live wire output port (L’) ;a relay circuit; anda controller,the controlling method comprising:the controller generates a second signal according to the first signal, the second signal being outputted to the relay circuit to connect or disconnect the live wire output port (L’) to the live wire input port (L) .12.The controlling method according to claim 11, wherein,the relay circuit comprises a driving circuit and a relay,the driving circuit comprises a first switch (M41A) be connected between a first voltage terminal (VCC U4) and the relay, a controlling terminal of the first switch (M41A) is connected to a ground terminal via a first resistor (R8) ,when the first switch (M41A) is turned on, the relay is activated by a voltage on the first voltage terminal (VCC U4) ,when the first switch (M41A) is turned off, the relay is deactivated.13.The controlling method according to claim 12, wherein,when the relay is activated, the live wire output port (L’) is connected to the live wire input port (L) ,when the relay is deactivated, the live wire output port (L’) is disconnected to the live wire input port (L) .14.The controlling method according to claim 13, wherein,the relay comprises a first movable terminal and a second movable terminal, the first movable terminal and the second movable terminal are electrically coupled,when the relay is activated, the first movable terminal contacts with the live wire input port (L) , and the second movable terminal contacts with the live wire output port (L’) ,when the relay is deactivated, the first movable terminal is detached form the live wire input port (L) , and the second movable terminal is detached from the live wire output port (L’) .15.The controlling method according to claim 12, wherein,when the second signal is at a high level, the first switch (M41A) is turned on,when the second signal is at a low level, the first switch (M41A) is turned off.16.The controlling method according to claim 15, wherein,the driving circuit further comprises an optical coupler (U4) , the optical coupler (U4) is connected with the controller, the first switch (M41A) , the first voltage terminal (VCC U4) and the first resistor (R8) ,when the second signal is at the high level, the voltage on the first voltage terminal (VCC U4) is applied on the first resistor (R8) , the first switch (M41A) is turned on.17.The controlling method according to claim 11, wherein,the first signal is outputted from the sensor.