Driver system for a light emitting device

Abstract

A luminaire driver system comprising: a package with input connections for connection to a power supply and output connections for connection to a light emitting device; a predetermined set of circuits arranged in said package; said predetermined set of circuits being adapted to perform a driving functionality of the light emitting device; a receiving means configured for receiving a pluggable module comprising a further circuit, such that the pluggable module can be received from outside of the package, wherein the further circuit is connected to the predetermined set of circuits when the pluggable module is plugged in the receiving means; and connections which are connected to the further circuit when the pluggable module is plugged in the receiving means; wherein the connections are accessible by a user from outside of the package.

Claims

1. A first device for steering a second device, in particular a second device of a luminaire, said first device comprising: a package with input connections for connection to a power supply and output connections for connection to said second device; a predetermined set of circuits arranged in said package; said predetermined set of circuits being adapted to perform steering of said second device; a pluggable module comprising a further circuit; a receiving means configured for receiving said pluggable module, such that the pluggable module can be received from outside of the package, wherein the further circuit is connected to the predetermined set of circuits when the pluggable module is plugged in the receiving means; wherein the further circuit is configured to contribute to the steering of the second device; wherein said receiving means is separate from the output connections; wherein the pluggable module is configured to receive a further pluggable module, so that the further pluggable module can be stacked on the pluggable module and communicate with it or loop the connection through to the first device.

2. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined set of circuits is configured to switch the second device on and off.

3. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means is at least partly situated in the package and/or is part of the package.

4. The first device according to claim 1, wherein different types of pluggable modules can be plugged-in in the receiving means.

5. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the further circuit comprises dimming control circuitry, and preferably any one of the following: DMX (Digital MultipleX) control circuitry, DALI control circuitry, 0-10 V dimming control circuitry.

6. The luminaire system according to claim 5, wherein the receiving means is configured to receive at least two different types of pluggable modules containing different dimming control circuitry.

7. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the further circuit comprises communication circuitry, and preferably any one of the following: ENOCEAN control circuitry, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) control circuitry, ZigBee control circuitry, NFC (Near Field Communication) control circuitry, Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) circuitry such as LoRa, Sigfox, Narrow-Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT).

8. The luminaire system according to claim 7, wherein the receiving means is configured to receive at least two different types of pluggable modules containing different communication circuitry.

9. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the further circuit comprises at least one of: a Li-Fi Control circuitry; a digital signal processing circuitry; a firmware update handling circuitry, a sensor control circuitry, preferably any one of the following: IR camera daylight sensing circuitry, motion sensor circuitry, video/image processing circuitry, air quality sensing circuitry, sound sensor circuitry.

10. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the package is provided with a recess for receiving the pluggable module.

11. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined set of circuits is provided on a circuit board in the package.

12. The first device according to claim 11, wherein the receiving means comprise a slot provided on the circuit board, said slot being configured to receive a part of a circuit board of the pluggable module.

13. The first device according to claim 12, wherein the package is provided with a recess for receiving the pluggable module, and wherein the recess is provided in a top surface of the package opposite the slot.

14. The first device according to claim 1, comprising a second pluggable module comprising a second further circuit, and a second receiving means configured for receiving said second pluggable module, such that the second further circuit is connected to the predetermined set of circuits when the second pluggable module is plugged in the second receiving means.

15. The first device according to claim 14, wherein the receiving means is configured to receive different first types of pluggable modules selected from any one of the following: ENOCEAN control circuitry, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) control circuitry, ZigBee control circuitry, NFC (Near Field Communication) control circuitry, such as LoRa, Sigfox, Narrow-Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT), and wherein the second receiving means is configured to receive different second types of pluggable modules with Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) circuitry.

16. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means comprises a mechanical means comprising a biunique fitting mechanism configured to hold the pluggable module.

17. A first device for steering a second device, in particular a second device of a luminaire, said first device comprising: a package with input connections for connection to a power supply and output connections for connection to said second device; a predetermined set of circuits arranged in said package; said predetermined set of circuits being adapted to perform steering of said second device; a receiving means configured for receiving a pluggable module comprising a further circuit, such that the pluggable module can be received from outside of the package, wherein the further circuit is connected to the predetermined set of circuits when the pluggable module is plugged in the receiving means; wherein the further circuit is configured to contribute to the steering of the second device; wherein said receiving means is separate from the output connections; further comprising internal circuitry configured to recognize the presence and the type of the pluggable module when plugged in; further comprising signal switching and/or signal adaption circuitry, wherein the internal circuitry is configured to set the signal switching and/or signal adaption circuitry in function of the recognized type, for enabling use of the plugged-in module.

18. The first device according to claim 17, wherein the further circuit comprises dimming control circuitry, and preferably any one of the following: DMX (Digital MultipleX) control circuitry, DALI control circuitry, 0-10 V dimming control circuitry.

19. The first device according to claim 17, wherein the further circuit comprises communication circuitry, and preferably any one of the following: ENOCEAN control circuitry, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) control circuitry, ZigBee control circuitry, NFC (Near Field Communication) control circuitry, Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) circuitry such as LoRa, Sigfox, Narrow-Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT).

20. A pluggable module configured for use in a luminaire comprising a first device, the first device comprising: a package with input connections for connection to a power supply, output connections for connection to a second device; a predetermined set of circuits arranged in said package, said predetermined set of circuits being adapted to perform steering of the second device; a receiving means configured for receiving the pluggable module comprising a further circuit, such that the pluggable module can be received from outside of the package, wherein the further circuit is connected to the predetermined set of circuits when the pluggable module is plugged in the receiving means; wherein the pluggable module is configured to receive a further pluggable module, so that the further pluggable module can be stacked on the pluggable module and communicate with it or loop the connection through to the first device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 describes conceptually a state-of-the-art multi-functional driver (100).

(2) FIG. 2 describes conceptually a multi-functional driver (100) in accordance with the invention,

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invented driver with more driving functionality.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invented driver with more processing functionality.

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invented driver.

(6) FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the invented driver, including optional functions to be received via multiple external modules.

(7) FIG. 7 illustrates a further embodiment of the invented driver, while referring to the concept of a pluggable module in terms of mechanical/electrical integration.

(8) FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the invented driver, while referring to the concept of a pluggable module in terms of mechanical/electrical integration.

(9) FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the driver according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) In the following, identical features or features that are functioning identically may be described with identical numerals if this is useful.

(11) FIG. 1 describes conceptually a state-of-the-art multi-functional driver 100′ and its target device, a light emitting device 110, e.g. a LED, in a typical arrangement 130′ such as a luminaire. The driver 100′ comprises a plurality of permanently installed circuits 200′, 210′, 220′. Arrow 140 indicates the connection of the driver system with the light emitting device 110.

(12) FIG. 2 describes conceptually a multi-functional driver 100 in accordance with the present invention and in a typical arrangement such as a luminaire 130. Circuits 200, 210 and 220 provide the same functionality as circuits 200′, 210′, 220′. However, one of the circuits 200, 210 and 220, i.e. circuit 220, is no longer part of the driver but is provided as a removable added further circuit being part of a module 300 while the multi-functional driver 100 is accordingly adapted with a corresponding means 310 in order to receive the module 300. Means 310 include mechanical and electronic means as will be described below. For example, receipt of the module 300 is realized by bringing the module 300 into a slot of the receiving means 310. The process of plugging-in module 300 (in order to attach the further circuitry 220) is indicated by arrow 150.

(13) Note that FIG. 2 is conceptually. In reality, in a preferred embodiment with the original dimension of such multi-functional driver 100 at least an enclosure wherein such one or more modules 300 may fit will be provided. The enclosure may be part of the housing. According to another embodiment of the invention, the enclosure or another part of the basic driver system may also provide a locking device fixing the once added module permanently to the driver system. The invention also relates to the (pluggable) modules, adapted for providing the required portion of driver functionality and its appropriate dimensions and/or electronic interfacing means. The layout of the predetermined set of drivers of the driver system 100 is not identical to the set of driver system 100′ since the circuits of driver system 100 need to be adjusted to provide a basic driving functionality and to be able to integrate with the added further circuits.

(14) FIG. 3 illustrates schematically the presence of electronic means to receive the further circuits comprising internal circuitry 320 capable to at least taking the steps to set the right signal switching and/or signal adaptation circuitry within the driver 100. The alternative configurations wherein recognition signal generating circuits and/or signal adaptation circuitry are located in the module 300 are not shown here.

(15) FIG. 4 illustrates schematically the presence of digital signal processing circuits 400, 410 in said module 300 and driver 100 as electronic means on the driver and on the module side to facilitate communication between the modules. The digital signal processing units might comprise a MPU and/or A/D or D/A converters.

(16) Note that the invention is adapted to enable that the electrical/mechanical integration within the luminaire remains unchanged irrespectively of the selected functionality. Furthermore the invention provides for a solution wherein the electrical/thermal performances related to its functions can be again guaranteed irrespective of the selection functionality, and hence ensuring electrical safety/standards compliance.

(17) Note that the figures referred to above only illustrate the use of one external module but the invention also relates to use of a plurality of even quite different modules, as is for instance illustrated in FIG. 6.

(18) A further detailed description of the invention is now further provided below. Recall that the invention is built on the idea that a driver system 100 such as a LED driver shown in FIG. 6 is at least including some blocks (further called ‘A’ & ‘B’ & ‘Z’ in relation to their function) that are mandatory to ensure the primary function of a LED driver. Some optional blocks might be also part of the LED driver in order to offer some optional functions in addition to the primary function.

(19) Based on such conceptual assumptions the existing prior art might be described as follows: A manufacturer of LED drivers offers a portfolio of drivers. Each model includes the hardware required for the primary functions (A+B+Z). Some models offer a hardware design including one or a plurality of optional functions that are combined with the primary functions (not shown here) Such optional functions might then be enabled or disabled through hardware and/or software means, i.e. for instance a (hardware) switch might be used to enable or disable an optional function instead of just enabling or disabling via only software means.

(20) Contrary to the state-of-the-art an embodiment of the provided invention might be described as follows and is shown in FIG. 6: The LED driver system is designed in such a way that the electronic hardware circuit required to ensure the primary function also includes some electrical/mechanical interconnection means so that an external module can be (at least) partially fitted within the driver to provide one or a plurality of optional functions. Additionally the use of some connections available on the driver (block A or Z) might be influenced by the presence and the type of the external module.

(21) In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the invention provides for a basic LED driver (with building blocks or circuits A, B, Z) but adapted to be able to receive either one or more of additional modules, wherein module 300 (including circuits C and D) when added results in a LED driver with both, 1-10V dimming capability (circuit C) and with DALI dimming functionality (circuit D) and a further module 301 (circuit E) when added results in even more advanced dimming functionality. Alternatively, circuit C or D may also provide real time clock functionality in order to use dimming time dependent dimming profiles.

(22) In a concrete exemplary embodiment function A may relate to the mains input circuitry and connections, function B may relate to voltage to current regulating circuitry while function Z relates to LED output circuitry and connections while the other optional functions C, D, E may respectively relate to 1-10V dimming control circuit, a DALI dimming control circuit and a computing resource to offer automated more advanced dimming functionality.

(23) FIG. 6 illustrates this concept and actually illustrates the different circuits 200, 210, 230 within the driver and their relation e.g. the preserving of the signaling via link 510 of the driving functionality to the light emitting device 110 irrespectively of having a pluggable module. In this embodiment light emitting device 110 is a LED. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6 the pluggable module 300 may have multiple circuits 220, 240.

(24) As further illustrated in FIG. 5, the driver 100 comprises a package with input connections 441 of a connector 440 for connection to a power supply, e.g. the mains, and with output connections 431 of a connector 430 for connection to the light emitting device 110. When connected to a power supply, the input connections 441 provide power to input power circuitry 200, and the output connections 431 provide a suitable output signal for driving the light emitting device 110.

(25) FIG. 6 also illustrates that the connection that the receiving means 310—and hence corresponding module 300, 301—has, may be directed to one circuit 210 via signal link 500, and will possibly be focused to control signals as described further, while another circuit 200 may provide the power towards the module 300, 301 via link 520. An alternative powering from circuit Z via signal 540 is also indicated.

(26) Finally, FIG. 6 also illustrates that the use of some connections available on the driver 100, particularly connected to circuit block 230, might be influenced by the presence and the type of the pluggable module 300, 301 via signal 550. Such signals might be bidirectional such that the pluggable modules 300, 301 can adapt signals coming from the connections and/or can adapt signals to be transferred to the connections of the driver circuit block 230. Hence, it is noted that the pluggable module may influence the type of signals available on the connections of the driver 100. Furthermore, the pluggable module 300, 301 may also adapt signals from the connections in order to influence primary function B through link 500, and/or may adapt signals available from primary function through another link 560 prior to making such adapted signal available to the connectors of the circuit block 230 due to the signal relation 550.

(27) Generally the invention may typically overcome oversizing up to more than 50% up to even 70% while offering a driver solution (invented driver and to be used modules) that is in line with customer needs in 60% up to 90% of the cases.

(28) FIG. 5 provides an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 also illustrates some additional aspects, being of interest for all the embodiments of the invention, including as illustrated in FIG. 6.

(29) The first of those additional aspects is to note that most likely the module 300 will have active components and most likely the module 300 will not have its own power source. Hence the multi-functional driver 100 preferably provides a power connection 520 and a power source 200 (power supply input circuitry A with converters to convert power from an external power supply, e.g. the mains, into suitable power signals) adapted in that it can provide power to the internal circuitry of the multi-functional driver 100 but should also be able to deliver a suitable power to the pluggable module (or modules) 300 of various kind. The connection between the LED driver 100 and the pluggable module (or modules) 300 must be able to carry such power signals.

(30) The second of those additional aspects is to emphasize that the contribution of one or more pluggable modules 300, 301 to realize different driving functionalities will typically lie in providing a different control functionality, and hence the signals it generates are typically control signals to the control bus of the driver. Although the modules shown in FIG. 5 each provide different functionality (as disclosed in the corresponding boxes), the different modules are generally depicted with numeral ‘300’. Functionalities that may be provided for include near field communication control (NFC control), Bluetooth Low Energy control (BLE control), ENOCEAN control, DALI control, DMX control, 0-10 V control, Via receiving means 310 the modules 300 communicate through connection 570 with circuit 410 comprising e.g. control bus functionality and an MPU.

(31) In an exemplary embodiment which may be used in any of the described embodiments the further circuit comprises dimming control circuitry, and preferably any one of the following: DMX (Digital MultipleX) control circuitry, DALI control circuitry, 0-10 V dimming control circuitry. Preferably, the receiving means 310 are configured to receive at least two different types of pluggable modules containing different dimming control circuitry.

(32) In an exemplary embodiment which may be used in any of the described embodiments the further circuit comprises communication circuitry, and preferably any one of the following: ENOCEAN control circuitry, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) control circuitry, ZigBee control circuitry, NFC (Near Field Communication) control circuitry, Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) circuitry such as LoRa, Sigfox, Narrow-Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT). Preferably, the receiving means are configured to receive at least two different types of pluggable modules containing different communication circuitry.

(33) In an exemplary embodiment which may be used in any of the described embodiments the further circuit comprises a Li-Fi Control circuitry.

(34) In an exemplary embodiment which may be used in any of the described embodiments the further circuit comprises digital signal processing circuitry.

(35) In an exemplary embodiment which may be used in any of the described embodiments the further circuit comprises, firmware update handling circuitry.

(36) In an exemplary embodiment which may be used in any of the described embodiments the further circuit comprises sensor control circuitry, preferably any one of the following: IR camera daylight sensing circuitry, motion sensor and video/image processing circuitry, air quality sensing circuitry, sound sensor.

(37) The third of those additional aspects is to emphasize that the LED driver 100 is preferably constructed in that access by the user to one or more of the pluggable modules 300, 301, is possible without passing through internal circuitry of the LED driver. In FIG. 5 this accessibility is realized by means of a separate connector 420. Connector 420 comprises connections 421 whose functionality changes dependent on the plugged in module 300. The external connections 421 are connected through internal connections 580 to the receiving means 310. Another connector 430 also comprises connections 431 whose use are as well influenceable by the type of module 300 being connected. For instance, connections 431 may provide different levels of power supply according to a dimming level being controlled with one of the modules 300.

(38) Note that in an alternative embodiment the power source might be provided through a separate connector 420 and hence the separate connector 420 and the corresponding connection of the module 300 should then be designed to carry such power signals.

(39) FIG. 7 shows a driver 100 with a housing or package 700 comprising a recess 710 through which a module 300 can be inserted. Preferably, the module 300 has a housing or packaging 720 cooperating with the housing 700 such that the outside surfaces 730 and 740 are flush with each other when the module 300 is installed. Two connectors 420 and 430 comprise respective connections 421 and 431 that are influenced once the module 300 is installed and the driver system is in operation, as has been explained above in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6. Further the housing 700 is provided with a connector (not shown) for connection to a power supply, e.g. the mains.

(40) The cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 discloses part of the interior of the housing 700 with a slot 810 receiving the corresponding part of a circuit board 820 with further circuits of module 300. Slot 810 is attached to a circuit board 830 provided at the bottom of housing 700, and comprising a predetermined set of circuits (not shown) for a basic driving functionality. Preferably the slot 810 comprises contact terminals (not visible in FIGS. 7 and 8) and the circuit board 820 of the pluggable module 300 comprises corresponding contact terminals 825 such that the contact terminals of the slot 810 contact the corresponding contact terminals 825 when the pluggable module is plugged in.

(41) Another driver system according to the invention may comprise means to receive two modules 300. Such an embodiment is illustrated schematically in FIG. 9. The luminaire driver system comprises a package 700 with external input connections 441 for connection to a power supply 10, e.g. the mains, and external output connections 431 for connection to a light emitting device 110. A predetermined set of circuits (not drawn) is arranged in package 700. The predetermined set of circuits are adapted to perform a basic driving functionality of the light emitting device 110, and may comprise mains input circuitry A, voltage to current regulating circuitry B, and LED output circuitry Z. The predetermined set of circuits may be provided on a circuit board (not drawn) in the package 700, e.g. as described in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8.

(42) The package 700 is provided with a first receiving means 310 in package 700. The first receiving means is accessible through a first recess 710 and is configured for receiving a first pluggable module 300 comprising a further circuit, such that the pluggable module 300 can be received from outside of the package 700, through the first recess 710, in the first receiving means 310. The further circuit of module 300 is connected to the predetermined set of circuits arranged in the package 700 when the pluggable module 300 is plugged in the receiving means 310. The package 700 is further provided with a second receiving means 310′ configured for receiving a second pluggable module 300′ comprising a second further circuit, such that the second further circuit is connected to the predetermined set of circuits when the second pluggable module 300′ is plugged in the second receiving means 310′. The second pluggable module 300′ is inserted through a second recess 710′.

(43) Preferably, the first receiving means 310 is configured to receive different first types of pluggable modules 300 configured for performing a dimming control function, e.g. a DMX control function, a DALI control function and a 0-10 V dimming control function. In that manner a user can choose whether to use e.g. a DALI control dimming module 300 or a 0-10 V dimming control module 300. Preferably the second receiving means 310′ is configured to receive different second types of pluggable modules 300′ having a further circuit configured for performing a communication function, e.g. a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) control circuitry and a ZigBee control circuitry. In that manner a user can choose whether to use a BLE communication module 300′ or a ZigBee communication module 300. The skilled person understands that many other communication protocols exist, and that the module 300′ may also include other communication circuitry.

(44) The first and second receiving means 310, 310′ may each comprise a slot as described above in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8.

(45) In other embodiments, the different first and second types of modules 300, 300′ may be any one or more of the following: DMX (Digital MultipleX) control circuitry, DALI control circuitry, 0-10 V dimming control circuitry. ENOCEAN control circuitry, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) control circuitry, ZigBee control circuitry, NFC (Near Field Communication) control circuitry, Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) circuitry such as LoRa, Sigfox, Narrow-Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Li-Fi Control circuitry, communication circuitry, digital signal processing circuitry, firmware update handling circuitry, IR camera daylight sensing circuitry, motion sensor and video/image processing circuitry, air quality sensing circuitry, sound sensor circuitry.

(46) The package 700 is provided with external connections 421 which are connected (see 580) to the further circuit of module 300 when the first pluggable module 300 is plugged in the first receiving means 310. The connections 421 are accessible by a user from outside of the package. In that manner input and/or output signals 20 can be exchanged between the further circuit of module 300 and a device outside of the package 700, e.g. a control unit controllable by a user. The electrical input/output signals 20 through connections 421 will be different depending on the module 300 that is inserted.

(47) The package 700 may comprise internal circuitry configured to recognize the presence and/or the type of the pluggable module 300 when plugged-in. Alternatively the connections 421 may be connected to a control device capable of recognizing the module 300.

(48) In summary the invention relates to particular carefully considered design architectures for a driver system for a light emitting device, especially for a LED driver, and its corresponding modules taking into account its context (like the luminaire) whereby both functionality, electrical—including (galvanic) isolation—and/or thermal considerations are taken into account. Furthermore the careful consideration in a joint design context of use of additional circuitry to enable the placement outside the original package in terms of costs in view of different use scenarios is notable here. It is worth stressing that the original circuits (remaining in the original package) may typically require change. E.g. a switching circuit selecting between various modes has now to be able to cope with a variable load and/or amount of inputs. Furthermore while the prior art LED drivers may benefit from integration of parts of the functionality in one circuit, now deliberately the overall functionalities are here provided on a sort of board level instead.