EP1158841B1 - Dimmer - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dimmer for controlling a load, in particular for controlling the brightness of lighting devices.

Dimmers are brightness adjusters for lighting fixtures. Dimmers allow the setting of many, different, technical devices, in particular lighting devices, which are connected to an AC mains voltage. In lighting devices, an adjustable brightness value is used to control at least one semiconductor switch. It is either by phase control or Phase section set a desired effective value of the voltage. In the phase gating and in the phase section control method, z. B. the respective zero crossing of the AC mains voltage detected and used to control the semiconductor switch.

For the simultaneous dimming of several separate lighting load circuits, for example for different rooms, or for driving a load with a very high consumer power, it is necessary to connect several dimmers of a dimmer system in parallel. Conventional dimmer systems operate as master-slave dimming systems, where adjustments are made to a master dimmer and the slave dimmers connected to the master dimmer operate in the same manner as the master dimmer.

A disadvantage of such conventional dimming systems is that the master dimmers and the slave dimmers have a different circuit design, so that the master dimmer and the slave dimmer are not arbitrarily interchangeable during installation. This makes installation much more difficult and installation errors occur more frequently.

Another disadvantage of such dimmer systems is that the adjustments are made centrally to the master dimmer, so that in case of failure of the master dimmer, the entire dimmer system fails.

In addition, the dimmer settings can only be made on the master dimmer and not on the other dimmers.

In addition, since various types of dimmers are manufactured for such conventional dimming systems, the unit costs for producing the dimmers are relatively high.

The document US-A-5,691,605 describes a ballast having a plurality of dimming inputs interface circuit comprising a line switch, a phase angle adjusting means and a control means for driving the switch in response to a dimming phase angle.

In addition, document WO-A-97/06655 describes a ballast circuit for operating an electric lamp.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dimmer for brightness adjustment of lighting fixtures, which avoids the disadvantages mentioned above and with other identically constructed dimmers for power expansion to a common load or for simultaneous dimming of separate load circuits is connected in parallel.

This object is achieved by a dimmer with the features specified in claim 1.

The invention provides a dimmer
a circuit breaker for switching a load circuit within a dimming phase angle range,
a setting device for setting a dimming phase angle, and with
control means for driving the circuit breaker in response to a dimming phase angle set by the setting means or a transmitted dimming control command.

Preferred embodiments of the brightness adjustment dimmer according to the invention are specified in the subclaims.

In addition, preferred embodiments of the dimmer according to the invention for explaining features essential to the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

Fig. 1

eine erste Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Dimmers zur Helligkeitseinstellung als Zweidraht-Dimmer mit einem Phaseneingangsanschluß und einem Phasenausgangsanschluß;

Fig. 2

eine zweite Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Dimmers als Dreidraht-Dimmer mit einem Phaseneingangs-, einem Phasenausgangs- und einem Nulleiteranschluß;

Fig. 3

eine Parallelverschaltung von mehreren erfindungsgemäßen Zweidraht-Dimmern zur Leistungserweiterung;

Fig. 4

eine Parallelverschaltung von mehreren erfindungsgemäßen Zweidraht-Dimmern zum Dimmen von getrennten Laststromkreisen;

Fig. 5

eine Parallelverschaltung von mehreren DreidrahtDimmern gemäß der zweiten Ausführungsform zur Leistungserweiterung;

Fig. 6

eine Parallelverschaltung von mehreren erfindungsgemäßen Dreidraht-Dimmern zum Dimmen von mehreren getrennten Laststromkreisen.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of the brightness adjustment dimmer according to the invention as a two-wire dimmer with a phase input terminal and a phase output terminal;

Fig. 2

a second embodiment of the dimmer invention as a three-wire dimmer with a phase input, a phase output and a neutral terminal;

Fig. 3

a parallel connection of several two-wire dimmers according to the invention for performance enhancement;

Fig. 4

a parallel connection of a plurality of two-wire dimmers according to the invention for dimming of separate load circuits;

Fig. 5

a parallel connection of a plurality of three-wire dimmers according to the second embodiment for power expansion;

Fig. 6

a parallel connection of several three-wire dimmers according to the invention for dimming of several separate load circuits.

1 shows a first embodiment of the dimmer 1 according to the invention as a two-wire dimmer with a phase input terminal 2 and a phase output terminal 3.

The phase input terminal 2 is connected via a line 4 to a power supply device 5, which is connected via a line 6 to the phase output terminal 3. At the phase input terminal 2 and the phase output terminal 3, a power switch 7 is further connected, which is connected via a power line 8 at a node 9 to the line 4 is. Further, the power switch 7 is connected to the phase output terminal 3 via a line 10. The power switch 7 is controllable via a control line 11 by a control device 12. In response to the control signal applied to the control line 11, the power switch 7 switches the AC voltage applied to the phase input terminal 2 to the phase output terminal 3. The power switch 7 is a controllable semiconductor switch, in particular a MOSFET, an IGBT or a triac. The control device 12 contained in the dimmer 1 is supplied with power by the power supply device 5 via a line 13. The power supply device 5 preferably includes a phase zero-crossing detection circuit which detects a zero crossing of the applied AC voltage. The detected phase zero crossing is evaluated for triggering the control device 12. The power supply device 5 further includes a capacitor in which an electric charge for generating the power supply for the control device 12 is stored.

The alternating voltage applied to the power supply device 5 via the line 4 preferably has a frequency of 50 Hz, which corresponds to a period of 20 ms. The AC voltage applied to the phase input terminal 2 is sinusoidal, with a half-wave divided into a phase residual angle range and a dimming phase angle range. In this case, the dimming phase angle range preferably extends from a lower phase angle, which is, for example, 35 °, up to an upper phase angle, which is 152 °, for example. The dimming phase angle range is approximately in the middle of a sinusoidal half-wave of the mains voltage, wherein the first portion of the sinusoidal half-wave, which ranges for example from 0 ° to 35 °, and the third portion of the sinusoidal half-wave, for example, from 152 ° to 180 ° , for generating the supply voltage through the Power supply device 5 is available. The average dimming phase angle range, for example, ranging from 35 ° to 152 °, is for adjusting the brightness through the dimmer. The dimming phase angle is set within the dimming phase angle range. The minimum adjustable dimming phase angle is for example 35 °, while the maximum adjustable dimming phase angle is 152 °. The higher the dimming phase angle is set, the brighter a lighting fixture connected to the phase output terminal 3 will shine.

The adjustment of the dimming phase angle is effected by an adjusting device 14, in which preferably by means of a potentiometer 15, the phase angle is manually adjustable. The setting can alternatively also be done by a rotary encoder or capacitive. The adjusting device 14 is connected via a line 16 to a first input of the control device 12. The controller 12 is preferably a multi-input microcontroller. By adjusting the potentiometer 15, for example, the charging time of a capacitor within the adjusting device 14 is affected, which is read by the microcomputer 12. The control device 12 converts the adjusted potentiometer value into a brightness value which is output via the line 11 to the power switch 7 as a control signal.

The adjusting device 14 is also connected via a line 17 to a sensor surface, for example a metallic sensor surface 18. When touching the sensor surface 18, the dimming process takes place cyclically, ie the dimmer increases the brightness up to a maximum value and lowers the brightness again after reaching the maximum value until a minimum brightness value is reached.

The control device 12 is connected to a second input via a line 19 to a protective circuit 20, which in turn rests on a line 21 to a control input 22 of the dimmer 1.

At a third input, the control device 12 is connected via a line 23 to a further protection circuit 24 which is connected via a line 25 to an extension input 26 of the dimmer 1. Via the extension input 26, the dimmer 1 can be connected to an extension for the operation of the dimmer 1.

The protection circuits 20, 24 serve to protect the control device 12 from overvoltages or too high currents which are applied to the control input 22 or the extension input 26. In addition, the protection circuits 20, 24 perform signal level adjustments for the control circuit 12. Preferably, the protection circuits 20, 24 additionally contain filter circuits for signal suppression.

The controller 12 controls the power switch 7 in response to a dimming phase angle set by the setting means 14 or a transmitted dimming control command. If the setting of the dimming phase angle at a remote, connected to the dimmer 1 dimmer, the dimmer 1 receives at its control input 22, a dimming control command transmitted via the line 21, the protection circuit 20 and the line 19 to the controller 12 becomes. The received dimming control command is preferably a digital control command, which is decoded by the controller 12. In response to the decoded dimming control command, the power switch 7 is activated.

If the adjustment of the dimming phase angle by the adjusting device 14 of the dimmer 1, generates the control device 12 by a change in the set phase angle, a corresponding dimming control command, which is transmitted via the control input 22 to the other connected dimmer. Via the control input 22 of the dimmer 1 bidirectional dimming control commands are exchanged with other dimmers. The different dimmers have equal rights and can send and receive dimmer control commands. The brightness can be set on any dimmer that sends the corresponding dimmer control commands to the other dimmers. The dimmer control commands contain information data regarding the desired phase angle.

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the dimmer 1 according to the invention for brightness adjustment. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the dimmer 1 in addition to the phase input terminal 2 and the phase output terminal 3 in addition to a neutral terminal 27. The neutral terminal 27 serves to connect the dimmer 1 to a mains neutral. The neutral terminal 27 is connected via a line 28 to the power supply device 5. Furthermore, the power switch 7 is connected via a line 29 at a node 30 to the line 28.

Since the power supply device 5 can be connected to the mains alternating voltage via the phase input terminal 2 and the neutral terminal 27, the possible dimming phase angle range in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 can be expanded as a three-wire dimmer than the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 as a two-wire dimmer become. In contrast, the embodiment of the dimmer 1 according to the invention shown in Fig. 1 has the advantage that it has only one phase input terminal 2 and a phase output terminal 3 and thus is particularly suitable for re-installation. An already installed button for controlling a lighting device can be easily replaced by the two-wire dimmer shown in Fig. 1.

3 shows an interconnection of a plurality of two-wire dimmers according to the first embodiment for power expansion. The dimmers 1 are connected with their phase input terminals 2 via phase lines 31 to a mains phase line 32. To the extension inputs 26 of the dimmer 1, a control button 34 is connected by means of a line 33, which abuts a line 35 to the mains phase line 32. The phase output terminals 3 of the dimmers are connected in parallel via lines 36 to a common voltage node 37. Between a network neutral conductor 38 and the node 37 is a load 39, which may be, for example, a lighting fixture. The control inputs 22 of the dimmer 1 are connected to each other via control lines 40. Via the control lines 40, the dimmer 1 exchange control commands for adjusting the brightness of the lighting fixture 39. The brightness can be set on any of the two-wire dimmer.

Through the control buttons 34, the individual dimmers are actuated. In this case, the dimmer 1 detects the duration of an applied to the extension input 26 actuation signal. If, in a preferred embodiment, the duration of the actuation signal is less than 50 ms, the dimmer ignores this signal as an interference signal. If the duration of the actuation signal is in a range between 50 ms and 400 ms, the dimmer 1 performs a switching operation. When the dimmer 1 is in its on state, it turns on due to the applied actuation signal. If the dimmer 1 is in the switched-on state and the duration of the applied actuating signal is between 50 and 400 ms, the dimmer switches off. If the actuation signal is present at the extension input 26 of the dimmer 1 for more than 400 ms, the dimmer will operate a dimming operation, wherein, for example, the brightness of the connected illumination device 39 is increased for the duration of the applied actuation signal until a maximum brightness value is reached.

The parallel connection of different similar dimmers 1-1 to 1-n shown in FIG. 3 makes it possible to dim a lighting device 39 whose power consumption lies above the power of the individual dimmers 1. In a preferred embodiment of the dimmer 1 according to the invention this is constructed as a flush-mounted dimmer with a capacity of 400 watts. Parallel connection of n dimmers makes it possible to dim lighting devices with a power consumption of up to n x 400 watts.

Fig. 4 shows a further Verschaltungsmöglichkeit the two-wire dimmer 1 according to the invention, as shown in Fig. 1. In the case of the parallel connection shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to simultaneously dim different separate load circuits with different lighting devices 39-1, 39-2,... 39-n. For example, the various lighting devices 39-1 to 39-n are located in different rooms of a building, and the brightness of the different rooms is made by adjusting the phase angle of one of the dimmers 1-1 to 1-n. The dimmer 1, on which the phase angle or the brightness is set, generates dimmer control commands and outputs these control commands via the control lines 40 to the remaining dimmers in the other rooms of the building. These dimmers then dim the corresponding lighting device accordingly.

FIG. 5 shows a parallel connection of several three-wire dimmers according to the second embodiment of the dimmer 1 according to the invention, as shown in FIG. 2. By the shown in Fig. 5 parallel connection of the three-wire dimmer 1, it is possible to dim a lighting device 39 whose power consumption is significantly higher than that of a single dimmer 1. The interconnection shown in FIG. 5 largely corresponds to the interconnection shown in FIG. 3 for two-wire dimmers, but in addition, the neutral terminals 27 of the various dimmers are connected in parallel to the mains neutral conductor 38 via connecting leads 41.

FIG. 6 shows another parallel connection of a plurality of three-wire dimmers 1 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. With the interconnection shown in Fig. 6, it is possible to dim different load circuits simultaneously by means of the three-wire dimmer 1. The interconnection shown in Fig. 6 largely corresponds to the parallel circuit shown in Fig. 4, but in addition the neutral terminals 27 of the dimmer 1 abut the Netznulleiter 38.

The dimmer 1 according to the invention can be interconnected with further identically constructed dimmers for the construction of a dimmer system. The brightness can be adjusted on any of the dimmers. Since all dimmers are identical and have identical connections, the installation of dimmers is very easy. By the parallel connection shown in Figs. 4 and 6, it is possible to control different separate load circuits by a single dimmer. In case of failure of a dimmer, the other dimmers can continue to work, so that there is no failure of the entire dimmer system.

Claims (14)

1. A dimmer, comprising
   a power switch (7) for switching a load-current circuit in a phase angle range for dimming, an adjuster (14) for adjusting a phase angle for dimming, and comprising a controller (12) for controlling the power switch (7) in response to a phase angle for dimming adjusted by the adjuster (14),
   characterized in that
   the controller (12) is controllable by a transmitted control command for dimming, wherein the controller (12) exchanges control commands for dimming with further dimmers via a control input (22).
2. A dimmer according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the controller (12) generates a corresponding control command for dimming when the adjusted phase angle changes, which is transmitted via the control input (22) to further dimmers.
3. A dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   a power supply means (5) for generating a power supply for the controller (12) is provided.
4. A dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   that the power supply means (5) comprises a capacitor for storing electric energy.
5. A dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the dimmer (1) comprises an extension input (26) for connecting an operating key (34).
6. A dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the adjuster (14) is connected to a sensor surface, a light barrier, a key or a rotary-type pulse generator.
7. A dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the dimmer comprises a phase input terminal (2) to be connected to an alternating voltage and a phase output terminal (3) to be connected to a load (39).
8. A dimmer according to claim 7,
   characterized in that
   the power supply means (5) is connected to the phase input terminal (2) and to the phase output terminal (3).
9. A dimmer according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that
   the dimmer (1) comprises a phase input terminal (2) to be connected to an alternating voltage, a phase output terminal (3) to be connected to a load (39) and a neutral conductor terminal (27) to be connected to a neutral conductor (38).
10. A dimmer according to claim 9,
    characterized in that
    the power supply means (5) is connected to the phase input terminal (2) and to the neutral conductor terminal (27).
11. A dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the power supply means (5) comprises a circuit for triggering the controller (12).
12. A dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the control input (22) and the extension input (26) are each provided with a limiter circuit (20, 24) for protecting the controller (12) against overvoltages and excessively high currents.
13. A dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the control input (22) and the extension input (26) are each provided with an adapter circuit for adapting the voltage level for the controller (12).
14. A dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the power switch (7) is a MOSFET, an IGBT or a Triac.

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