Patent Abstract:
The invention relates to a retrofit LED lamp ( 17 ) comprising a carrier ( 18 ) having at least one light-emitting diode (LED) ( 29 ), further comprising a driver circuit ( 12 ) for supplying power to the LED ( 29 ) and a socket ( 20 ) for electrically and mechanically connecting to a conventional lamp holder, characterized in that the retrofit LED lamp ( 17 ) comprises a carrier frequency system or power line communication (PLC) unit ( 16 ) connected to the electrical contacts ( 3, 4 ) and designed for receiving and/or transmitting data via the socket ( 20 ).

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to lamp operating devices and respectively systems and methods by means of which luminous means such as, for example, light emitting diodes or luminescence diodes (LEDs) can be operated. However, the invention relates in particular to retrofit LED lamps, that is to say LED lamps which, with regard to their mechanical and electrical connections, are configured as a replacement for incandescent lamps or halogen lamps. 
     “LED” should also be understood to include “OLED” throughout. 
     In order to realize larger and convenient lighting systems it is already known that lamp operating devices can be driven by the communication of external control commands. This external predefinition makes it possible, for example, to control the brightness of a light source operated by the lamp operating device. 
     The published patent application DE 102 30 103 A1 discloses an LED light module, for example, which has an arrangement of a number of series-connected LEDs, said arrangement being fed with AC current. Said LEDs are applied as so-called LED dice on a printed circuit board using a chip-on-board (COB) technology. The thermally conductive, ceramic printed circuit board of the LED lighting module is directly supplied with power by the power supply system. Furthermore, the LEDs of said module are dimmable, wherein driving via a microcontroller connected to a bus is proposed for dimming the brightness of the photon radiation emitted by said LEDs. 
     On account of their power-saving properties, in particular, LEDs are increasingly being used in luminous means or so-called retrofit LED lamp which can replace the traditional incandescent filament bulbs. In order that such luminous means can replace incandescent lamps in the first place, it is necessary that the design of the luminous means substantially still remains as in traditional incandescent filament bulbs, and accordingly still has a standardized base. Such a base relates, for example, to a so-called Edison base with standardized thread identifier E27, E40 or the like. The conventional lampholder is a standardized lampholder. The E14, E11 or E27 screw threads may be mentioned as further examples. Alternatively, a lampholder designed for a low-voltage connection is also conceivable, such as a G4, G5 or G6 holder. A BA9 or BA15 bayonet holder is also conceivable. 
     The same applies to LED lamps configured as a replacement for halogen luminous means. 
     With the use of LEDs in luminous means with an incandescent lamp base, however, the possibility of external driving via a bus, as disclosed in the published patent application DE 102 30 103 A1, is no longer afforded. In actual fact, an incandescent lamp base only has two electrical contacts. These are firstly the external contact of the lampholder and furthermore the base contact of the base for producing the electrical contact. 
       FIG. 1  shows a circuit arrangement with an AC voltage  7  or power supply system voltage made available between two contacts  5 ,  6 . A first series line leads from the first contact  5  to a switch or dimmer  1  and furthermore to a first electrical contact  3  of a holder  2  for an incandescent lamp and furthermore to a first electrical contact  23  of an incandescent lamp  8 . The incandescent lamp  8  has a standardized base, an incandescent element, the first electrical contact  23  to the holder  2  for the incandescent lamp and a second electrical contact  24 , which is led via the holder  2  to the second contact  6  of the AC voltage  7 . The ensemble of holder  2  for the incandescent lamp and incandescent lamp  8  is designated by the reference sign  10 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a luminous means in the form of a retrofit LED lamp  9  having the standardized incandescent lamp base and LEDs instead of an incandescent filament. The retrofit LED lamp  9  mounted in the holder  2  is designated by the reference sign  11 . As can be discerned, a control unit of the luminous means  11  cannot receive data or commands via an additional bus, since the base or the holder does not afford a corresponding connection possibility. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is now a need to provide an improved retrofit LED lamp which, in particular, is controllable in a simple manner. 
     This object is achieved according to the invention by means of the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims develop the central concept of the invention in a particularly advantageous manner. 
     The invention therefore proposes a retrofit LED lamp, more particularly LED “incandescent bulb”, comprising a carrier having at least one light emitting diode (LED), furthermore comprising a driver circuit for supplying power to the at least one LED and a base for electrical and mechanical connection to a conventional lampholder. The retrofit LED lamp comprises a carrier frequency system or powerline communication (PLC) unit designed for receiving and/or transmitting PLC-modulated data via the base. 
     The conventional lampholder is a standardized lampholder. Examples include an E14, E17 or E27 screw thread. Alternatively, a lampholder designed for a low-voltage connection is also conceivable such as a G4, G5 or G6 holder. A BA9 or BA15 bayonet holder is also conceivable. 
     The PLC unit can be designed for receiving commands with regard to the brightness, the color and/or the color temperature of the LED(s). 
     The retrofit LED lamp comprises a control unit for regulating the brightness of LED(s) in accordance with the received command. 
     The retrofit LED lamp comprises an AC-DC converter for connection to a power supply system voltage, and a DC controller connected to the AC-DC converter and serving for delivering a current for operating the LED. 
     The control unit can control the DC controller in accordance with the received command. 
     A further aspect of the invention proposes a switch for switching on, switching off and/or dimming a luminous means used in a conventional lampholder. The switch has a carrier frequency or powerline communication (PLC) unit designed for receiving and/or transmitting PLC-modulated data. 
     A further aspect of the invention proposes an arrangement for switching on, switching off and/or dimming a luminous means used in a conventional lampholder. The arrangement has, in parallel with the switch, a carrier frequency or powerline communication (PLC) unit designed for receiving and/or transmitting PLC-modulated data. 
     The PLC unit can be designed for transmitting commands with regard to the brightness of the luminous means used in a conventional lampholder. 
     A further aspect of the invention proposes a lighting system comprising at least one conventional lampholder and at least one switch defined above. 
     The lighting system can comprise at least one retrofit LED lamp defined above which is used in the conventional lampholder. 
     A further aspect of the invention proposes a lighting system, comprising a central controller for transmitting commands via a PLC transmitting unit, at least one conventional lampholder and at least one retrofit LED lamp defined above which is used in a conventional lampholder. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features, advantages and properties of the present invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings and on the basis of the detailed explanation of an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of an incandescent lamp connected to an AC voltage, 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of an LED luminous means connected to an AC voltage, 
         FIG. 3  schematically shows a first exemplary embodiment of a retrofit LED lamp for conventional power supply voltage lampholders, 
         FIG. 4  shows the construction of a retrofit LED lamp according to the invention, 
         FIG. 5  shows a schematic view of a lighting system according to the invention, and 
         FIG. 6  shows a schematic view of an alternative lighting system according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  show an embodiment according to the invention of a light emitting diode (LED) lamp having a carrier or LED module  18 . This concerns a retrofit LED lamp  17  for use in a conventional lampholder  2 . For this purpose, the bulb  17  has a conventional or standardized base  19 , for example having an E14, E17 or E27 screw thread. Alternatively, a base designed for a low-voltage connection is also conceivable, such as a G4, G5 or G6 pin base. A BA9 or BA15 bayonet base is also conceivable. 
     Since the retrofit LED lamp  17  is supplied with power supply system AC voltage  7  or with low voltage by a corresponding lampholder, current matching is required for correct operation of the LED module  18 . For this purpose, the LED lamp  17  comprises a driver circuit  12 . The latter can comprise any drive circuit conceivable for this use, such as is known from the prior art. Thus, by way of example, an AC-DC converter  13  for rectifying a power supply system AC voltage is conceivable. 
     Advantageously, downstream of the latter it is possible to connect a DC-DC converter or DC controller  14 , which regulates the current (averaged with respect to time), through the LED(s) e.g. by means of PWM or by means of the current amplitude. In this case, it is possible to use a switch (not shown) that is switched by means of pulse width modulation (PWM). A current limiting circuit connected downstream, for example by means of a transistor circuit (now shown), is also conceivable. 
     The control of the DC-DC converter  14  is performed by a control unit  15  of the driver circuit  12 , wherein the control unit  15  can detect parameters of the AC-DC converter  13 , of the DC-DC converter  14 , or of other components of the driver circuit  12  for control purposes, for example. 
     The carrier  18  can comprise one or a plurality of LEDs  29  and/or organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). In this case, in particular dye-converted LEDS e.g. blue LEDs can be used, or RGB-LED modules. The dye-converted LEDs are, in particular, at least one blue LED in which part of the emitted blue light is converted into yellow light by dye conversion means such as phosphorus. Preferably, one or a plurality of monochromatic e.g. red, LEDs are additionally used, which lead e.g. to a higher color rendering value and provide for warmer light. In this case, the red LEDs can be arranged separately from the dye-converted blue LEDs or they can be situated alongside the latter, such that part of their emitted red light is likewise dye-converted. 
     In this case, the one or the plurality of white LEDs can preferably be driven independently of the at least one monochromatic LED, namely via a PLC bus, as will be explained in greater detail below. Consequently, the brightness, the color, the color rendering (CRI value and/or the color temperature of the overall spectrum resulting from the plurality of LEDs can be predefined in the case of a white LED lamp. 
     According to the invention, the driver circuit  12  of the retrofit LED lamp  17  now has a carrier frequency or powerline communication (PLC) unit  16 . On the one hand, this PLC unit  16  is electrically connected to the supply lines of the retrofit LED lamp  17 . Preferably, the PLC unit  16  is connected to the first electrical contact or base contact  23  of the base  19  and/or to the second electrical contact or external contact  24  of the base  19 . The possibility of incorporating a switch between the first and/or second electrical contact  23 ,  24  and the PLC unit  16  is also conceivable. In this way, said PLC unit  16  can be decoupled from the supply system. 
     The PLC bus driving of the LED lamp can be unidirectional, that is to say that only control data are transmitted to the LED lamp  17 , e.g. from a bus control center or from a manual control unit. The subscriber transmitting via PLC can also be a sensor (motion detector, brightness sensor, . . . ,) or a simple operating unit (rotary controller or else touch panel). However, the PLC control unit can thus have a bus interface and thus be connected to a bus for a lighting control. 
     Alternatively or additionally, an LED lamp  17  can transmit e.g. state (temperature, aging of the data, . . . ) or fault information via the PLC bus. The state or fault information can be acquired, stored and/or output by the controller in the LED lamp automatically and/or in response to an external command. 
     The aging information can be determined by means of an operating number or operating duration counter in the LED lamp. Alternatively or additionally, the aging of the LED lamp can be implemented on the basis of at least one internal measurement, in particular an internal measurement of an electrical or optical parameter representing the aging. 
     A demodulator  20  is part of the PLC unit  16 , such that a possible data transfer via the power supply network and via the supply contacts of the retrofit LED lamp  17  can be demodulated. It is a demodulator which is known in accordance with the prior art and which, depending on the type of modulation, applies a corresponding demodulation method known to the person skilled in the art. The modulation can be based either on an analog method, such as, for example, in the case of frequency modulation (FM), and on a digital method, such as, for example, in the case of amplitude modulation ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) or quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK). The demodulator is also preferably adapted to the frequency range in which signals should be expected. 
     A demultiplexer  21  can additionally be provided in the PLC unit  16 . The advantage of this variant is that a plurality of useful signals transmitted in parallel via the power supply network can be received by the retrofit LED lamp  17 . Said useful signals are recovered by the multiplexer  21  in accordance with the multiplex technique used—time division multiplex, frequency division multiplex or code division multiplex. 
     The signal or signals obtained by the PLC unit  16  are fed to the control unit  15 , wherein said signals can be, in particular commands for switching on, switching off or dimming the retrofit LED lamp  17 . Preferably, the command consists in a desired value of the current through the LEDs  29  of the retrofit LED lamp  17 . The control unit  15 , which can be embodied as a microcontroller or as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), controls or regulates the brightness generated by the retrofit LED lamp  17  in accordance with said command. 
     One possibility for brightness control or preferably regulation can consist, for example, in the fact that in the DC controller  14  a switching regulator  25  regulates the current through the retrofit LED lamp  17  in accordance with a control signal fed to said regulator by the control unit  15 . As is known, the current through the LEDs  29  of the retrofit LED lamp  17  and thus the brightness are determined by the ratio of the switching on and switching off of the switching regulator  25 . 
     For regulating the brightness, the control unit  15  detects one or a plurality of parameters of the electrical circuit within the retrofit LED lamp  17 . By way of example, for this purpose a measuring resistor  30  in the form of an ohmic resistor can be arranged in series with the LEDs  29 . For regulating the current through the LEDs  29 , the voltage drop across the measuring resistor  30  is then detected and fed as measurement signal to the control unit  15 . In the control unit  15 , the current through the LEDs  29  detected from said measurement signal is compared with the desired value of the current through the LEDs  29  as received from the PLC unit  16 , such that the actual current through the LEDs  29  can be correspondingly regulated. 
       FIG. 5  shows a schematic view of a lighting system  35  according to the invention. The lighting system  35  comprises the retrofit LED lamp  17  shown in  FIGS. 3  and  FIG. 4 . The system  35  furthermore comprises a switch or dimmer  1 ′, for switching on and switching off and dimming the retrofit LED lamp  17 , and a conventional or standardized lampholder  2 , in which the retrofit LED lamp  17  can be used. 
     In this embodiment, the switch or dimmer  1 ′ includes a PLC transmitting unit  32  designed for modulating and transferring useful data via the power supply network. For this purpose, a modulator  33  is provided in the PLC transmitting unit  32 , wherein the modulator  33  and the demodulator  20  of the retrofit LED lamp  17  are adapted to one another. Thus, the demodulator  20  can process at least the modulation methods and the frequency ranges which are also used by the demodulator  20 . 
     Preferably, the PLC transmitting unit  32  also has a multiplexer  34  for simultaneously transferring a plurality of useful signals via the power supply network. A demultiplexer  21  is then provided in the retrofit LED lamp  17 , and can unbundle the signal generated by the multiplexer  34  again in accordance with the multiplex method used. After unbundling by the demultiplexer  21 , the demodulator  20  can then demodulate the signal. 
     In principle, the lighting system  35  can comprise a plurality of pairs of lampholders  2  and LED lamps  17 . In this case, one switch or dimmer  1 ′ serves for simultaneously switching on and off and dimming all LED lamps  17 . The PLC transmitting unit  32  correspondingly transmits only one command via the power supply network. This command is received by the different PLC units  16  of the different LED lamps  17  and all LEDs of the system  35  are driven with a similar desired brightness value. 
     As an alternative to this exemplary embodiment, the lighting system  35  can also have a plurality of switches or dimmers  1 ′ which each transmit a command for an individual LED lamp  17  or for a group of LED lamps  17  via a PLC transmitting unit  33 . 
     As an alternative thereto, it is also possible for a plurality of switches or dimmers l′ to drive a single retrofit LED lamp  17  by means of a powerline method. The PLC unit  16  of a retrofit LED lamp  17  of this type is able to receive different useful signals proceeding from different PLC transmitting units  32  and to reproduce them for the control unit  15 . In this case, the control unit  15  can employ different priority mechanisms. Thus, it can for example take account of the commands of the different PLC transmitting units  32  successively. In order to prevent brightness changes that are possibly too fast, however, after the receipt of a first command, during a specific time, the commands proceeding from other PLC transmitting units  32  can also be ignored. 
     The embodiment in  FIG. 5  provides for the switch or dimmer  1 ′ according to the invention to replace a conventional switch or dimmer  1  for controlling an incandescent lamp  8 . By way of example, it is thereby possible to replace a switch or dimmer  1  which can dim an incandescent lamp  8  on the basis of phase gating control. 
       FIG. 6  shows in this context a schematic view of an alternative lighting system  39  according to the invention, in which the conventional switch or dimmer  1  e.g. for an incandescent lamp  8  is not replaced, but rather supplemented by a PLC transmitting unit (PLC modulator)  36 . The functioning is similar to the PLC transmitting unit  32  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Therefore, in accordance with this aspect, a single manual dimming predefinition, or dimming predefinition predefined as a signal, is converted by the “combined dimmer” into at least two different protocols which have in common as physical carrier the voltage supply for the connected luminous means. Operating devices for luminous means connected to this combined dimmer can be designed to evaluate both or just one protocol. In this case, protocol should be understood to mean analog or digital signal transfer. In the case of the phase gating protocol or the amplitude modulation protocol, this signal transfer can settle directly, i.e. without signal-technological evaluation, on the luminous means power. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the PLC transmitting unit  36  is preferably connected in parallel with the switch, push button or dimmer  1 , that can alternatively also be arranged in series therewith. Switching on in parallel is advantageous insofar as the transmission of commands is also possible with an open switch or dimmer  1 . The LED lamp  7  and, if appropriate, further operating devices provided with a PLC modulator for luminous means can thus be dimmed proceeding from a conventional dimmer (e.g. a phase gating dimmer) by means of the PLC protocol. If appropriate, further operating devices, such as e.g. incandescent lamps, can be dimmed by a different protocol, in particular phase cut. 
     Consequently, both conventional lamps (incandescent lamps) and LED or other retrofit lamps (e.g. gas discharge energy saving lamps or halogen lamps with drive electronics) can be controlled via a dimmer unit. Thus, by way of example, the dimmer signal (as phase gating) can control the incandescent lamps, and the modulator unit via the modulated signal can control the retrofit lamps with drive electronics. 
     The PLC unit is a modulator unit i.e. a higher-frequency signal (preferably with a low amplitude than the power supply system voltage itself) is modulated onto the power supply system voltage at least for partial ranges of the power supply system voltage half-cycle. A phase modulation (e.g. phase shift keying) can also be applied (one particular form of phase shift keying has already been mentioned). 
     The retrofit lamp can have, in addition to the drive circuit for feeding the lamp, a basic load that can be turned off for a correct function in connection with the dimmer, particularly if the latter has a phase gating function as described. 
     The modulation can also be effected by the dimmer itself, for example in the case of an electronic dimmer containing a controllable switch. The latter can both bring about phase gating or chopping and at the same time also generate the modulated signal. However, a combination of dimmer and modulator as two system present in parallel in a dimmer housing (can also be connected in series) can presumably be realized more easily. 
     The PLC transmitting unit  36  can transmit commands independently of the switch or dimmer  1 , or can be designed to detect the actuation or the changeover of the switch or dimmer  1  and to transmit commands accordingly. 
     In the exemplary embodiments described above, the PLC unit  16  of the retrofit LED lamp  17  is designed for receiving commands proceeding from a PLC transmitter and for forwarding them to the control unit  15 . In addition thereto, or else as an alternative thereto, said PLC unit  16  itself can transmit data via the power supply network. In order to ensure this function, it comprises a modulator (not shown) and preferably also a multiplexer (not shown). Consequently, a retrofit LED lamp  17  can transmit data such as operating parameters of the LED or the like, wherein said data can be collected for example by a central controller (not shown) via a PLC receiver for the purpose of monitoring the lighting system. 
     If the LED lamps  17  of a system have the transmitting and the receiving function, they can forward among one another data such as commands or operating parameters. 
     In the exemplary embodiments described above, the PLC unit  16  of the retrofit LED lamp  17  is designed for receiving commands proceeding from a PLC transmitter in the region of a switch or dimmer  1 ,  1 ′. Alternative embodiments are also conceivable where a central controller (not shown) outputs commands and transmits them via the power supply network. The individual LED lamp  17  connected to said power supply network are accordingly able to receive these central commands and use them for the control or regulation of the LEDs  29 . 
     The commands which are transmitted and distributed by means of the powerline method can also include addressing information. A specific group of LED lamp  17  can thus be driven. 
     If a PLC unit  16  cannot demodulate the received signal and cannot reestablish the useful signal, owing e.g. to interference on the power supply network, it is advantageous for said PLC unit  16  to transmit a corresponding message in order to request further transmission of the command. 
     As an alternative or in addition thereto, provision is also made for a PLC transmitting unit  32 ,  36 , which is integrated in a switch or dimmer  1 ′, or which is connected in parallel or in series with a switch or dimmer  1 , to have a PLC receiving unit (not shown). In this way, it can receive possible feedback messages of a retrofit LED lamp  17 . In the above-described case where, e.g. owing to interference, the retrofit LED lamp  17  requests the renewed transmission of the command, the PLC transmitting unit  32 ,  36  can thus also receive this message from the LED lamp  17  and communicate the command once again via powerline methods. 
     The invention is advantageous since it is thereby possible to replace or supplement a conventional switch or dimmer  1  for controlling an incandescent lamp  8  in order to control a retrofit LED lamp  17  according to the invention which is used in a conventional or standardized holder for an incandescent lamp. 
     The invention replaces or supplements the traditional phase gating control of an incandescent lamp  8  by a powerline communication between switch and retrofit LED lamp  17 . 
     Although a conventional switch or dimmer with phase gating control cannot control an LED, the invention makes it possible, by integrating PLC modules to be able to dim an LED lamp  17  in conventional or standardized holder for incandescent lamps or halogen holders. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
           1  Switch or dimmer 
           2  Holder for incandescent lamp 
           3  Contact of the holder for the incandescent lamp 
           4  Contact of the holder for the incandescent lamp 
           5  First contact of the AC voltage 
           6  Second contact of the AC voltage 
           7  AC voltage 
           8  Incandescent lamp 
           9  Retrofit LED lamp 
           12  Driver circuit 
           13  AC-DC converter 
           14  DC controller, DC-DC converter 
           15  Control unit 
           16  Carrier frequency system or powerline communication (PLC) unit 
           17  Retrofit LED lamp 
           18  Carrier 
           19  Base 
           20  Demodulator 
           21  Demultiplexer 
           23  First electrical contact or base contact of the base 
           24  Second electrical contact or external contact of the base 
           25  Switching regulator 
           29  Light emitting diode (LED) 
           30  Measuring resistor 
           32  PLC transmitting unit (PLC modulator) 
           33  Modulator 
           34  Multiplexer 
           35  Lighting system 
           36  PLC transmitting unit 
           37  Modulator 
           38  Multiplexer 
           39  Lighting system

Technology Classification (CPC): 5