Light Engine, Driver, and System Including the Light Engine and Driver

Abstract

A light engine with a driver interface is provided. The light engine is configured to be driven by a driver via the driver interface. The light engine comprises an LED circuit, wherein the LED circuit comprises a number of LED stands each comprising a number of LEDs. The light engine further comprises a control unit comprising a memory unit for storing a maximum allowable current value for the light engine, and a digital interface for receiving and/or sending data, wherein the control unit is configured to output the maximum allowable current value stored in the memory unit via the digital interface for configuring the driver so that the electric current provided by the driver does not exceed the maximum allowable current value of the light engine. A driver and a system are further specified.

Claims

1. A light engine having a driver interface, wherein the light engine is configured to be driven by a driver via the driver interface, the light engine comprising: an LED circuit comprising at least one light-emitting diode (LED) strand comprising at least one LED; a first control unit comprising a first memory unit configured for storing a maximum allowable current value for the light engine; and a first digital interface configured for at least one of receiving data and sending data, wherein the first control unit is configured to output a maximum allowable current value stored in the first memory unit via the first digital interface for configuring the driver so that an electric current provided by the driver does not exceed the maximum allowable current value of the light engine.

2. The light engine according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one LED strand comprises two or more LED strands; and the light engine further comprises a power distribution unit configured for controlling a distribution of power provided by the driver to the two or more LED strands.

3. The light engine according to claim 2, wherein: the first memory unit is further configured to store calibration data of the at least one LED; and the first control unit is further configured to control the power distribution unit such that the distribution of power provided by the driver to the two or more LED strands is at least partially based on the calibration data.

4. The light engine according to claim 1, wherein: the light engine further comprises a sensor system comprising at least one sensor configured for providing at least one sensor signal; and the first control unit is configured to control the at least one LED strand at least partially based on the at least one sensor signal.

5. The light engine according to claim 4, wherein the sensor system comprises at least one of: at least one operating sensor configured for detecting one or more current operational parameters; and at least one environmental sensor configured for detecting one or more current environmental parameters.

6. The light engine according to claim 4, wherein: the sensor system comprises a temperature sensor configured for detecting a current temperature of the light engine; and the first control unit is configured to at least one of: determine the maximum allowable current value based on the current temperature; and update the maximum allowable current value stored in the first memory unit.

7. The light engine according to claim 1, wherein the light engine further comprises a power supply unit configured for autonomously supplying power to the first control unit.

8. The light engine according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one LED comprises a plurality of LEDs of different types distributed on two or more circuit boards; and only LEDs of one type are present on one circuit board.

9. A driver having a light engine interface, wherein the driver is configured for driving the light engine according to claim 1, the driver comprising: a driver circuit configured for providing an electric current to drive the light engine; a second control unit; and a second digital interface configured for at least one of receiving data and sending data, wherein the second control unit is configured to read the maximum allowable current value for the light engine received at the second digital interface and to control the driver circuit at least partially based on the maximum allowable current value in such a way that the electric current provided by the driver does not exceed the maximum allowable current value.

10. The driver according to claim 9, wherein: the second control unit comprises a second memory unit configured for storing the maximum allowable current value; and the second control unit is configured to store the received maximum allowable current value in the second memory unit in order to read said value out at least one of: at a later time; and repeatedly until no further maximum allowable current value has been received.

11. The driver according to claim 9, wherein the second control unit is configured to control the driver circuit such that a rate of change of the electric current does not exceed a predefined value.

12. A system comprising: a light engine having a driver interface, wherein the light engine is configured to be driven by a driver via the driver interface, the light engine comprising: an LED circuit comprising at least one light-emitting diode (LED) strand comprising at least one LED; a first control unit comprising a first memory unit configured for storing a maximum allowable current value for the light engine; and a first digital interface configured for at least one of receiving data and sending data, wherein the first control unit is configured to output a maximum allowable current value stored in the first memory unit via the first digital interface for configuring the driver so that an electric current provided by the driver does not exceed the maximum allowable current value of the light engine; and a driver having a light engine interface, wherein the driver is configured for driving the light engine, the driver comprising: a driver circuit configured for providing an electric current to drive the light engine; a second control unit; and a second digital interface configured for at least one of receiving data and sending data, wherein the second control unit is configured to read the maximum allowable current value for the light engine received at the second digital interface and to control the driver circuit at least partially based on the maximum allowable current value in such a way that the electric current provided by the driver does not exceed the maximum allowable current value; wherein: the driver interface of the light engine is electrically connected to the light engine interface of the driver; and there is a communication pathway between the first digital interface of the light engine and the second digital interface of the driver.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the system further comprises a controller configured to be in communication with the first digital interface of the light engine and the second digital interface of the driver.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the system further comprises at least one further system element configured to be in communication with the controller.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one further system element comprises at least one of: one or more interface elements; and one or more communication modules.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a system according to an embodiment example, and

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a system according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a system or lighting system according to an example. The system 1 of FIG. 1 comprises a driver 10 with a control unit 11 or control element for controlling an output parameter, in particular current, voltage and/or power, of the driver 10. The driver 10 has an LED interface is connected to a light engine 20 via a connection 13. The driver 10 comprises a light engine interface (not shown), which is connected to a driver interface (not shown) of the light engine 20 via the connection 13.

[0034] The light engine 20 comprises a power distribution unit 21 or power distributor, a control unit 22 or logic element and two LED strands 23 and 24. The control unit 22 comprises a memory unit (not shown) for storing operating and/or other parameters of the light engine 20. In particular, the memory unit is designed to store a maximum permissible current value of the light engine 20. The memory unit of the light engine 20 can in principle also be designed to store further information, such as the current temperature of the light engine, the LED type(s) and/or CCT (correlated colour temperature) of the light engine, operating hours, input voltage, input current, factory calibration data such as exact colour temperature and brightness of the individual LED channels, or the like.

[0035] In the embodiment example of FIG. 1, the control unit 22 is connected to the driver 10 via a communication line 30 or communication bus. The driver 10 comprises a digital interface (not shown), which is connected to a digital interface (not shown) of the light engine 20 via the communication line 30. The control unit 22 is configured to control the power distribution unit 21 so that the electrical power provided by the driver 10 can be distributed to the LED strands 23 and 24 according to the instructions of the control unit 22.

[0036] The light engine 20 may comprise a sensor system having a number of sensors for providing at least one sensor signal, and the control unit 22 may be configured to control the LED strands 23 and 24 based at least in part on the at least one sensor signal detected by the sensor system. The light engine 20 would thus be able to detect and process sensor signals to control the LED strands 23 and 24 autonomously (i.e., without inputs from the driver or from external controllers), taking into account the sensor signals, thereby simplifying the overall system.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a system according to another embodiment. The system 1 of FIG. 2 is essentially similar to the system 1 of FIG. 1 and further comprises a controller 31 or central control unit, which is connected to the communication line 30 between the digital interface of the driver 10 and the digital interface of the light engine 20. In contrast to the system 1 of FIG. 1, communication between the driver 10 and the Light Engine 20 takes place via the controller 31. FIG. 2 also shows further communication connections 40 (shown dashed) to which further system elements 41 or additional elements are connected. The further system elements 41 can in particular be designed as signal transmitters and receivers. In particular, the further system elements 41 can be designed to provide the controller 31 with further information relevant for the operation of the system 1.

[0038] In particular, the further system elements 41 or modules connected via the communication connections 40 may be in the form of sensors, user interfaces, for example in the form of switches, buttons, indicators, screens, or other forms of interaction. The system elements 41 may further comprise communication modules, in particular for communication via a standard protocol, such as ZigBee ®, Bluetooth DALI ®, Thread ®, and/or the like.

[0039] In some embodiments, the further system elements 41 or additional elements are connected directly to the communication line 30 between the driver 10 and the light engine 20.

[0040] Through the connection to the controller 31, the light engine 20 becomes part of the network or LMS and receives the information, for example, about colour temperature or spectrum from the communication line 30, 40 or communication bus and not indirectly through the currents from the driver 8. Through the connection of additional elements to the controller 31, the system can basically be expanded as desired. The controller 31, in particular with a communication bus, in particular communication line 30 or communication connection 40, thus represents a type of basic module that can be expanded into an arbitrarily complex LMS by successively connecting additional modules or system elements 41 as required.

[0041] Although the problems and solutions described here refer to constant-current drivers, parts of them are also valid for constant-voltage drivers and can be adopted accordingly for constant-voltage drivers. This applies in particular to the distribution of the power or current to the separate LED strands. The maximum current can be set in particular by means of resistors on the light engine. However, it should be noted that this determines the output voltage, analogue to the maximum current.

[0042] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been shown in the foregoing description, various changes and modifications may be made. The aforementioned embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing description provides the person skilled in the art with a plan for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, wherein numerous changes in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment may be made without departing from the scope of protection of the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Furthermore, according to the principles described herein, several modules or several products can also be connected with each other in order to obtain further functions.

[0043] List of reference signs

[0044] 1 system

[0045] 10 driver

[0046] 11 control unit

[0047] 13 connection

[0048] 20 light engine

[0049] 21 power distribution unit

[0050] 22 control unit

[0051] 23 LED strand

[0052] 24 LED strand

[0053] 30 communication line

[0054] 31 controller

[0055] 40 communication connection

[0056] 41 additional element