Patent Description:
Today the lighting industry has opportunity to create dynamic and coherent lighting environments. There is endless technology, networks and light sources that end consumers can choose between. A system of a plurality of wirelessly connected LED devices requires simplified and compact devices where all functionality is built into each LED device.

In the following some patent documents will be briefly presented, disclosing technical solutions in this technical field, and specifically various solutions where units having different functionalities may be connected to a LED lighting apparatus.

<CIT> relates to a lightning device comprising two connectors to connect e.g. various sensing portions, using e.g. DALI.

<CIT> relates to lighting apparatus provided with a connector to detachably install a wireless communication module.

<CIT> discloses lamp provided with a detachable sensing module, the sensor module may comprise light sensors and IR-sensors.

<CIT> discloses a LED-drive provided with a control module to which a data transmission connection plug may be connected.

<CIT> relates to an LED-module to replace a conventional lighting apparatus, where different functionality may be provided via an interface.

<CIT> relates to a lighting apparatus having a communication module detachably coupled to a connector.

When installing a LED module, the customer does not always know exactly what functionality a given LED module should have. The installer must therefore provide a number of LED modules having different functionality. Furthermore, the demand for several different models of LED modules requires storage space for these which increase costs.

Thus, it has been identified that still further improvements are needed to meet the demands of today in particular with regard to size of the device and in achieving a device having full functionality. Thus, the object of the present invention is to achieve an improved LED assembly that is compact, and having all functionality integrated into the device. In particular, a LED assembly where all safety standards set up by regulatory authorities are met, and also with regard to storage aspects, and not need to bring a large number of different models of LED modules when installing the LED module.

The above-mentioned objects are achieved by the present invention according to the independent claim.

According to a main aspect, the present invention relates to a light emitting diode (LED) assembly <NUM> comprising a LED module <NUM> that comprises at least one LED, and a high voltage circuitry <NUM>, e.g. <NUM> VAC drive circuitry, to receive power supply from a high voltage source and to convert and supply energy to drive said at least one LED. The LED module <NUM> has a flat and thin extension with a height H in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> in a direction corresponding to the main direction of light to be emitted from said at least one LED.

According to one embodiment, the module housing <NUM> has a flat configuration having a predetermined maximum height, a width and a length. The receiving recess <NUM> is shaped and structured such that the plane of the functional module <NUM>, when attached to the connector unit <NUM>, is essentially parallel to the flat extension of the LED module <NUM>. Preferably, the predetermined maximum height is <NUM>, the maximum width is <NUM>, and the maximum length is <NUM>. Thereby, the functional module, when mounted, will not shadow the light.

According to another embodiment, the connector unit <NUM> is arranged such that it is available on a side of the LED module <NUM> of the main direction of light to be emitted from the at least one LED, enabling the functional module <NUM> to be attached when the LED module <NUM> is mounted to e.g. a wall. This will make the attachment of the functional module installation easy.

According to still another embodiment, the at least one of said connector pins <NUM> is/are configured to supply low voltage to said functional module <NUM> via at least one of the connecting members <NUM>, and wherein at least one of said connector pins <NUM> is/are configured to provide bi-directional communication between said LED-module <NUM> and said functional module <NUM>. The at least one low voltage connector pin <NUM> is/are arranged a predetermined distance from the at least one bi-directional communication connector pin <NUM>, and that the predetermined distance d is at least <NUM> to meet regulatory requirements.

According to another embodiment, the set of functional modules <NUM> comprises at least two functional modules configured to implement at least two different functions of the following: Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI), DALI Device Type <NUM> (DT8), Zigbee (wireless), Bluetooth, motion sensor, light sensor, <NUM>-10V, and Built-in Dimmer (Push, Potentiometer or Pulse). By including functional modules configured to implement the above different functions the required function will in most cases be met.

The present disclosure relates to high voltage LED modules where the driver stage is integrated directly into the LED module. Thus, no external voltage adapters are required and the LED module may be directly connected to mains. According to the present invention the module is equipped with a so-called connector unit where different functional modules easily can be connected. If no functional module is connected, the LED module works as usual (normal mode).

In short, the technical solution comprises that a connector unit is provided and included in an LED module. The connector unit is preferably designed so that regulatory requirements regarding electrical connections are met in this context. In addition, a number of functional modules is provided, each having a unique functionality. Furthermore, the various functional modules are shaped and designed so that they can be connected and attached to the LED module by the connector unit.

Thus, by implementing the LED assembly according to the present invention a functional module may be mounted on the LED module on site at the customer or even at the end customer. Thereby, the customer's final needs can easily be met and the stock of LED modules having different functionality may be reduced. The prerequisites are still a LED module with driver unit integrated directly into lighting fixtures without extra adapters.

The LED assembly will now be described in detail with references to the appended figures. Throughout the figures the same, or similar, items have the same reference signs. Moreover, the items and the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

With references to <FIG> a light emitting diode (LED) assembly <NUM> is provided, comprising a LED module <NUM> that comprises at least one LED, and a high voltage circuitry <NUM>, e.g. <NUM> VAC drive circuitry, to receive power supply from a high voltage source and to convert and supply energy to drive the at least one LED. In <FIG>, the power supply from a high voltage source is indicated by the arrow from below to the high voltage circuitry. The LED module <NUM> has a flat and thin extension (see e.g. <FIG>, with a height H in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> in a direction corresponding to the main direction of light to be emitted from the at least one LED. The number of LED:s varies in dependence of the intended use of the LED assembly, an may be as many as <NUM>-<NUM>.

The LED assembly <NUM> further comprises a connector unit <NUM> provided with connector pins <NUM> (see <FIG>), and a functional module receiving recess <NUM> (see <FIG>) shaped and structured to receive and releasably attach a functional module <NUM> by mechanical cooperation with attachment members <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the functional module <NUM>. The recess <NUM> is shaped and structured such that the connector pins <NUM> are positioned to be connected to connecting members <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the functional module <NUM>.

The LED assembly <NUM> also comprises a set of at least two functional modules <NUM>. Each functional module within the set has a unique function available when the functional module <NUM> is connected to the LED module <NUM>. All functional modules <NUM> of the set have identically shaped module housings <NUM> provided with attachment members <NUM>, and connecting members <NUM> being configured to receive supply energy to the functional module <NUM>, from the LED module <NUM>, and to establish bi-directional communication between the LED module <NUM> and the functional module <NUM> when attached to the LED module.

According to an embodiment, the functional module receiving recess <NUM> is shaped and structured to provide electrical insulation of an attached functional module <NUM> from the high voltage circuitry <NUM>, except the electrical connection via the connector pins. The recess is made from an electrically insulating material, e.g. any plastic material.

Preferably, the module housing <NUM> has a flat configuration having a predetermined maximum height, a width and a length, and the receiving recess <NUM> is shaped and structured such that the plane of the functional module <NUM>, when attached to the connector unit <NUM>, is essentially parallel to the flat extension of the LED module <NUM>. This is illustrated in the perspective view of <FIG>, but also in the side views shown in <FIG>. In addition, the connector unit <NUM> is arranged beside the LED:s. Thereby is achieved that the functional module, when attached to the LED module, does not shadow the LED. In one exemplary embodiment, the predetermined maximum height is <NUM>, the maximum width is <NUM>, and the maximum length is <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, the connector unit <NUM> is arranged such that it is available on a side of the LED module <NUM> of the main direction of light to be emitted from the at least one LED, enabling the functional module <NUM> to be attached when the LED module <NUM> is mounted to e.g. a wall. This is illustrated e.g. in <FIG> showing the procedure of attaching the functional module to the LED module.

Preferably, the at least one of connector pins <NUM> is/are configured to supply low voltage to the functional module <NUM> via at least one of the connecting members <NUM>, and at least one of the connector pins <NUM> is/are configured to provide bi-directional communication between the LED-module <NUM> and the functional module <NUM>. The at least one low voltage connector pin <NUM> is/are arranged a predetermined distance from the at least one bi-directional communication connector pin <NUM>, and that the predetermined distance d is at least <NUM> to meet regulatory requirements (see <FIG>). The connector unit is also provided with connections <NUM> to be electrically connected to electrical lines of the printed circuit board where the connecter unit is mounted. The predetermined distance of at least <NUM> enables to achieve so-called Functional Extra Low Voltage (FELV). A FELV control signal is insulated for low voltage supply (e.g. to DALI and <NUM> to <NUM> V). In addition, it is possible to provide current for sensors, etc..

In <FIG> is also illustrated attachment members <NUM>. These may be protrusions to be applied to hold the connector unit within the recess by snap-fitting to mating grooves at inner walls of the recess.

In <FIG> a block diagram of the LED module is shown. The LED module <NUM> comprises a control unit <NUM> configured to determine the mode of operation for the LED assembly <NUM> to be in a normal mode when no functional module <NUM> is attached (see <FIG>) or in a functional module mode (see <FIG>) when a functional module <NUM> is attached to the LED module <NUM>. Preferably, the control unit <NUM> is configured to determine the mode of operation by detecting an electrical load connected to the connector pins <NUM>. When in the functional module mode, the LED assembly <NUM> works according to functions defined by the attached functional module <NUM>. It is determined in the respective hardware of the LED module and the attached functional module from where the energy comes from. The reason is the different standards applied in different functional modules, i.e. the energy source to be applied is determined in dependence of the function of the attached functional module.

The set of functional modules <NUM> comprises at least two functional modules configured to implement at least two different functions of the following: Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI), DALI Device Type <NUM> (DT8), Zigbee (wireless), Bluetooth, motion sensor, light sensor, <NUM>-10V, and Built-in Dimmer (Push, Potentiometer or Pulse). These functions will be discussed more in detail below.

Each of the functional modules comprises a processing unit, a power conversion unit, and a functional unit, and that the functional unit comprises circuitry to implement the unique function of each of the functional modules.

Digital addressable lightning interface, or DALI, is a global standard that allows ballasts, controllers, switches and sensors to communicate with other DALI-compatible devices. DALI began in the late <NUM>, but has since undergone drastic changes that expand its scope and improve its efficiency. The main focus of DALI has been to facilitate the installation and use of ballasts and relay switches that enable dimmable, adaptable lighting.

This is a standard solution based upon DALI, adapted for Human Centric Lighting. A two-channel LED solution that meets the standard for CCT change.

ZigBee is a low-cost, low-power, wireless mesh network standard targeted at battery-powered devices in wireless control and monitoring applications. ZigBee delivers low-latency communication. ZigBee chips are typically integrated with radios and with microcontrollers. ZigBee operates in the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio bands.

A communication protocol based on Bluetooth, e.g. Casamabi, Wirepas, Bluetooth Mesh.

Often designed with high frequency sensors. The sensor should respond to movements within a predefined area. The light sensor is configured to detect people in the predefined area. It does require movement within close proximity of the sensor.

To turn the unit on or off depending on whether there is light around it or not. The functional unit includes the option to change the settings for activation, e.g. not turn on during the day when it is bright.

Standard lighting protocols in certain areas.

By using a pulse or a rotary switch in different settings, there may be an opportunity for construction equipment.

As mentioned above, each functional module comprises a processing unit configured to implement control of the function of the functional module. The control unit is configured to bi-directionally communicate with the LED module via the connector unit. The communication is performed at a voltage level below <NUM> V. This provides a prerequisite for the LED assembly, i.e. the LED module and an attached functional module, to connect to the outside world.

The control unit may then be enabled to control circuitry within the functional module, e.g. to establish a wireless communication link to an external communication source. The control unit may then receive operating instructions from the external source and in turn apply control signals to the LED module to control the LED module according to the received operating instructions.

The functional module is installed by the customer according to his/her needs. These LED modules have not functional module mounted but are fully expandable according to the function of an attached functional module, e.g. for DALI or other functions. Without the functional module mounted, it works just as usual.

By integrating a connector unit into the LED module, it will be possible to easily introduce new functions into our LED modules.

Claim 1:
A light emitting diode (LED) assembly (<NUM>) comprising a LED module (<NUM>) that comprises at least one LED, and a high voltage circuitry (<NUM>), e.g. <NUM> VAC drive circuitry, to receive power supply from a high voltage source and to convert and supply energy to drive said at least one LED, said LED module (<NUM>) has a flat and thin extension with a height H in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> in a direction corresponding to the main direction of light to be emitted from said at least one LED, said LED assembly (<NUM>) comprises:
- a connector unit (<NUM>) provided with connector pins (<NUM>), and a functional module receiving recess (<NUM>) shaped and structured to receive and releasably attach a functional module (<NUM>) by mechanical cooperation with attachment members (<NUM>) of said functional module (<NUM>), said recess (<NUM>) is shaped and structured such that said connector pins (<NUM>) are positioned to be connected to connecting members (<NUM>) of said functional module (<NUM>),
characterized in that said LED assembly (<NUM>) further comprises:
- a set of at least two functional modules (<NUM>), each functional module within the set has a unique functionality, wherein all functional modules (<NUM>) of said set have identically shaped module housings (<NUM>) provided with attachment members (<NUM>), and connecting members (<NUM>) being configured to receive supply energy from said LED module (<NUM>), and to establish bi-directional communication between said LED module (<NUM>) and said functional module (<NUM>) when attached to said LED module,
wherein said module housing (<NUM>) has a flat configuration having a predetermined maximum height, a width and a length, and wherein said receiving recess (<NUM>) is shaped and structured such that the plane of said functional module (<NUM>), when attached to the connector unit (<NUM>), is essentially parallel to the flat extension of said LED module (<NUM>), such that said functional module does not shadow the light, and
wherein said connector unit (<NUM>) is arranged such that it is available on a side of the LED module (<NUM>) of the main direction of light to be emitted from said at least one LED, enabling the functional module (<NUM>) to be attached when the LED module (<NUM>) is mounted to e.g. a wall.