Patent ID: 12245343

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS.1and2illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of a luminaire system comprising a luminaire driver system with a driver200and a surge protection module300. The driver200has a driver housing250with output connections202for connection to at least one light source110. The driver200comprises a driver circuitry210arranged in the driver housing250, seeFIG.2. The driver circuitry210is configured to perform a driving functionality of the at least one light source110. The said driver housing250is provided with a receiving means260configured for receiving the pluggable surge protection module300, such that the pluggable surge protection module300can be received from outside of the driver housing250. The surge protection module300comprises surge protection circuitry310and may optionally comprise monitoring circuitry320configured to monitor a malfunctioning of the surge protection circuitry310. However, embodiments of the invention also cover pluggable surge protection modules without monitoring circuitry320.

The surge protection module300and the receiving means260are configured such that the surge protection circuitry310is connected to a power supply and such that the surge protection circuitry310is connected to the driver circuitry210, when the surge protection module300is received in the receiving means260. This is shown inFIG.2. The driver housing250is provided with at least two power input terminals201for connection to a power supply, and the surge protection circuitry310is electrically connected via internal connections270in the driver housing250to the at least two power input terminals201. InFIG.2the at least two power input terminals comprise a terminal for connection to a neutral line N of an electrical distribution grid, and a terminal for connection to a voltage line L of an electrical distribution grid. Optionally, also a ground or equipotential terminal GND may be provided.

The luminaire system further comprises a support100, typically a PCB, with the at least one light source110arranged thereon, and optionally an indicator device400. Typically, the at least one light source110comprise a plurality of LEDs connected in series and/or in parallel. The indicator device400may also be arranged on the support100, i.e. on the same support as the support on which the at least one light source110is arranged, but could also be arranged at a different location.

The driver200may be arranged in or on a luminaire head, in or on the luminaire pole, or in any other suitable location of the luminaire system. The pluggable surge protection module300is provided in order to leverage the benefit of long life of the at least one light source110, typically a plurality of LEDs. The surge protection module300protects the driver200against surge events. The driver200, and in particular the driver circuitry210may be configured to convert an AC voltage in a DC drive current for the at least one light source110.

The optional monitoring circuitry320is configured to monitor a malfunctioning of the surge protection circuitry310and to provide an output signal based on said monitoring. InFIGS.1and2only one output terminal O for the output signal is shown, but the output signal may also be a voltage signal provided between two output terminals O1and O2as shown inFIG.7or10. The monitoring circuitry320may be connected such that said indicator device400is activated or deactivated when the output signal indicates a malfunctioning. In the embodiment ofFIG.2the monitoring circuitry320is connected such that the output signal is provided to the indicator device400, such that the indicator device400is activated or deactivated when the output signal indicates a malfunctioning. For example, as shown inFIG.7or10, the monitoring circuit320may be configured to provide, as an output signal, a voltage having a level which is suitable to power or not to power the indicator device400depending on the output signal. It is noted that a powered device may either indicate a correct functioning or may indicate a malfunctioning, depending on what is agreed upon. For example, a powered red light may indicate a malfunctioning, whilst a powered green light may indicated a normal functioning of the surge protection circuitry.

The indicator device400may comprise at least one LED. The indicator device may be configured to emit red light to indicate a malfunctioning, and so that it can be easily distinguished from the color of the at least one light source110which is usually a warm or cold white. However, the at least one indicator LED may also be configured to emit another color, e.g. green or blue. Also, the indicator device could be a flash light and/or a visible light source other than LED (e.g. laser, UV, IR, etc.). In a possible embodiment, the support100is part of a luminaire head and a transparent or translucent cover (not shown) is arranged over the at least one light source110. For example, the at least one transparent or translucent cover may form a portion of the luminaire housing in which the support100is arranged. The at least one indicator LED400may also emit through the cover. Optionally a small portion of the transparent or translucent cover is provided in a color, such that this colored portion lights up when the at least one indicator LED400is activated. In another embodiment, an optical element (e.g. a portion of an optical plate) is arranged over the at least one indicator LED, and the optical element is provided in a color.

As shown inFIG.1andFIG.4, the luminaire system may further comprise a control means500and/or a transmission means600and/or a display800. The monitoring circuitry320may be connected such that the output signal is provided to the control means500and the control means500may be configured for controlling the transmission means600and/or the display800based on the output signal. The control means500may be provided in a controller separate from the driver200, e.g. a controller connected to a luminaire housing through a socket such as a NEMA or Zhaga socket. Optionally, the transmission means600and the control means500may be provided in a single component, as illustrated inFIG.4. Optionally, the control means500may be configured to control the driver200through control lines C as illustrated inFIG.4. Also, the control means500may comprise different control portions, e.g. a first portion for controlling the transmission means600, and a second portion for controlling the display800. Optionally the first portion may be integrated with the transmission means600. Optionally the second portion may be integrated with the display800.

The transmission means600is configured for transmitting a malfunction message to a remote device700based on the output signal. By transmitting malfunction messages to a remote device, an appropriate action can be taken to replace the surge protection module300. The transmission means600may comprise an antenna. The remote device700may be any device remote from the luminaire system, e.g. a remote server, a mobile device (such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop), another luminaire system, etc. The transmission by the transmission means600may be done using a long-distance communication protocol or using a short-distance communication protocol. For example, the transmission may be done through a cellular network or may be done through a mesh network. In a possible embodiment, the transmission by the transmission means600is done using a short-distance communication protocol and the malfunction message is sent to a nearby other luminaire system. This nearby other luminaire system may then be configured with a transmission means configured to communicate the message using a long-distance communication protocol to another remote device, e.g. a remote server and/or a mobile device. In another possible embodiment, the transmission by the transmission means600is done directly to a remote device, such as a mobile device or a remote server, using a long-distance communication protocol. The transmission to a nearby mobile device may also be done using a short-distance communication protocol, such as Bluetooth.

The transmission means600may be included in the driver housing250. However, in other embodiments, the transmission means600may be included in a separate controller, e.g. a controller connected to a luminaire housing through a socket such as a NEMA or Zhaga socket.

The malfunction message may be automatically sent by the transmission means600, e.g. when the output signal indicates a malfunctioning. Alternatively or in addition, the transmission means600may be configured to receive a request for information about the functioning of the surge protection module300from a remote device700, and to send in response a malfunction message comprising an indication whether or not there is a malfunctioning of the surge protection module300based on the output signal to the remote device. In other words, a push mechanism and/or a pull mechanism may be used to transmit the malfunction message from the transmission means600to a remote device700.

The display800may be present in the luminaire system for other purposes. For example, the main purpose of the display800could be to display information, such as environmental information, advertisements, information about the area, etc. The display800may be provided to any component of the luminaire system. For example, the display800may be integrated in, positioned in, or provided to a luminaire pole of the luminaire system, a component such as a cabinet associated with the luminaire, e.g. attached to the luminaire pole or located adjacent the luminaire pole, a luminaire head, a luminaire module, e.g. a module of a modular luminaire comprising a plurality of modules arranged one above the other, etc. The display800may be a touch-screen device. The display800may be configured to display certain information automatically or upon request. For example, the display800may display a main menu allowing a user to select the information to be displayed on the display800.

The message which is displayed on the display800for indicating the malfunctioning of the surge protection circuitry310may be e.g. a symbol, a color, a text message, an image etc. The message may be displayed automatically when the output signal indicates a malfunctioning, or it may be displayed upon request, e.g. when an operator requests to display the status of the surge protection module300. Also here, a push mechanism and/or a pull mechanism may be used for displaying the malfunction message on the display800.

FIG.3illustrates another embodiment of a luminaire driver system with a driver200and a surge protection module300. The surge protection module300is provided with at least two power input terminals L, N for connection to a power supply, and optionally a ground or equipotential terminal GND. The receiving means260is provided with a connection interface265in order to connect the driver circuitry210with the power supply through the surge protection module300. The connection interface265comprises terminals L′, N′ to realize the connection with the terminals L, N, through the surge protection circuitry310. For example, the surge protection circuitry310may be implemented as illustrated in any one of theFIGS.8-12. Preferably the receiving means260is configured to receive either a power connection plug (not shown) for connecting the driver200directly to a power supply, or to receive the surge protection module300. In that manner, the driver200can be used without surge protection module300and connected via the connection interface265of the receiving means260to the power supply, or with a surge protection module300which has its own power input terminals L, N for connection to the power supply. Thus the driver can be compact and flexible at the same time. In such an embodiment, the surge protection module300may be configured to receive the power supply plug, see alsoFIG.12. Thus the receiving means260of the driver200may be similar to receiving means in the surge protection module for receiving the power supply plug.

In the embodiment ofFIG.2, the surge protection module300is provided with at least one output terminal O for outputting the output signal, which output terminal O might be externally accessible. In the embodiment ofFIG.3the output terminal O is connected to a connection interface265of the receiving means260of the driver200, such that the output signal is provided to the driver200. Optionally, the driver200may be provided with at least one output terminal for outputting the output signal (not shown inFIG.2, but this could be one of the control terminals203of the driver, see alsoFIG.5).

The monitoring circuitry320may be connected to the driver circuitry310through the connection interface265of the receiving means260such that the driver circuitry210drives an indicator device400based on the output signal at the output terminal O. The driver circuitry210may be configured to drive the indicator device400such that said indicator device is activated or deactivated when the output signal indicates a malfunctioning. Such a solution may be advantageous in terms of required connections.

FIG.5is similar to the embodiment ofFIG.4which has been described above, with this difference that the output terminal O is connected to the connection interface265of the receiving means260of the driver200, and the driver200is provided with a control output terminal O′ for outputting the output signal or a signal based thereon to the control means500, such that the transmission means600may send a message to a remote device700to indicate the malfunctioning of the surge protection module300.

FIG.6illustrates in more detail possible driver circuitry210of the driver200and possible surge protection circuitry310of the surge protection module300.

The driver200typically includes a galvanic insulation between the mains input circuitry (the so called ‘primary circuit’) and the secondary circuit including the plurality of light sources110. Looking in a downstream direction from the power supply input connector elements L′, N′ towards the output connector elements202,202′, the driver circuitry210typically comprises a rectifier and smoothing circuitry211, a power factor correction circuitry212, and an isolated power switching converter circuitry213. The rectifier and smoothing circuitry211may include one or more components, such as diodes, transistors, capacitors, and/or resistors, arranged to rectify and/or filter the voltage between the first and second power supply input connector elements L′, N′. The rectifier circuitry may include e.g. a passive diode bridge rectifier. The rectifier circuitry may further include one or more components arranged to smoothen and/or otherwise condition the rectified DC voltage. The power factor correction circuitry212may include a passive component such as inductor and capacitor. It might also include an active component such as transistor or integrated circuit. The isolated power switching converter circuitry213includes a transformer with at least one primary side winding and at least one secondary side winding, preferably with a galvanic insulation between the primary side and the secondary side. The isolated power switching converter circuitry213may comprise e.g. a flyback converter, a buck converter, a boost converter, etc. The converter circuitry is configured to drive the at least one light source110, but may also be configured to drive one or more other components of the luminaire system. The converter circuitry213may comprise voltage-to-current converter circuitry configured for generating a drive current for the at least one light source110, as well as other converter circuitry configured for generating a drive current or voltage suitable for driving the one or more other components, e.g. an indicator device400, a sensor, a camera, a controller, etc. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG.6, the converter circuitry213also drives the indicator device400via the output connector elements202′. Optionally the driver circuitry210may further comprise dimming circuitry configured to be controlled in function of a dimming control signal which may be received in a wireless or wired manner from a control means arranged inside or outside of the driver housing250, and/or possibly even at a remote location.

The driver circuitry210may also comprise control circuitry214configured for controlling the converter circuitry213, and in particular one or more switching elements of the converter circuitry214, in function of a control signal received through a control connector element C. The control signal may be a light control signal, e.g. a dimming control signal, such as a measured light intensity. The duty cycle and/or the frequency of the switching of the switching element may then be controlled in function of the received control signal to adjust the light emitted by the at least one light source110. Additional control connector elements may be provided in order to input or output other control signals. The control connector elements may be integrated in the driver housing250and may be accessible from outside of the driver housing250.

The light source110comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes. Typically, an insulation layer (not shown) electrically insulates the so-called ‘secondary circuit’ including the light source110and other non-illustrated electrical components, from an electrically conductive equipotential part of a housing of the luminaire. This insulation layer may be formed by a layer of a PCB on which the plurality of light emitting diodes is mounted and/or by an additional layer inserted between the luminaire housing and the PCB. The driver200typically includes a galvanic insulation213between the so called ‘primary circuit’211,212and the secondary circuit including the light source110. Optionally, this galvanic insulation213may be bridged over by one or more capacitors (not shown) for EMC purposes. The driver200may be arranged in the luminaire housing or on the luminaire housing, on or in a luminaire pole, or in any other location near the luminaire.

The surge protection module300or the driver housing250may be provided with an equipotential connecting part E which is available at an external surface of the surge protection module300or driver housing250, respectively, so that an operator can easily connect the equipotential connecting part E to an electrically conductive equipotential part of a luminaire housing. The equipotential connecting part E may also be called a functional earth connecting part. The driver200may comprise an insulation barrier between the primary circuit and the equipotential connecting part E. If the driver housing250is made of an electrically non-conductive material, e.g. plastic, the insulation barrier may comprise the electrically non-conductive material of the driver housing250. If the driver housing250is made of an electrically conductive material, the insulation barrier may comprise an insulation sheet arranged around the driver circuitry. The surge protection module300or the driver200further comprises a resistive circuitry330or230arranged inside the surge protection module300or inside the driver housing250, respectively, and connected between the equipotential connecting part E and the power input terminal N, bridging the insulation barrier. The resistive circuitry230or330is connected such that a resistive path is formed between the equipotential connector part E and the power input terminal N.

By including the resistive circuitry230or330and connecting the equipotential part E to the electrically conductive equipotential part of the luminaire housing, charges accumulating on the electrically conductive equipotential part of the luminaire housing can leak through the resistive circuitry230or330located between the equipotential part of the luminaire housing and the neutral line N, so that the risk of accumulation of charges over the insulation layer (e.g. a layer of the PCB) is cancelled or reduced. The resistive circuitry230or330may have any one of the properties described above in the summary. The resistive circuitry230or330may be included in any one of the other embodiments described above and below in a similar manner.

Optionally, for EMC purposes, a capacitor (not shown) may be arranged inside the surge protection module300or inside the driver housing250. The capacitor may be connected between the equipotential connecting part E and the power input terminal N or N′. Similarly, a capacitor may be connected between the equipotential connecting part E and the power input terminal L or L′.

The surge protection module300comprises surge protection circuitry310and optionally monitoring circuitry320. The surge protection circuitry310may comprise a thermal fuse311and a metal oxide varistor (MOV)313. The thermal fuse311and the MOV313are connected in series between the terminal L and the terminal N. The operation of the thermal fuse311and the MOV313will be explained in more detail below with reference toFIGS.7-10.

FIGS.7-10illustrate exemplary embodiments of a surge protection module300for use in luminaire systems of the invention.

FIG.7illustrates a surge protection module300comprising surge protection circuitry310and monitoring circuitry320. The surge protection circuitry310comprises a thermal fuse311, a metal oxide varistor (MOV)313, and a gas discharge tube (GDT)315. The thermal fuse311and the MOV313are connected in series between the terminal L and the terminal N. The gas tube315is connected between terminal N and the GND terminal. The MOV313is configured to absorb energy from an excess voltage caused by a voltage surge. The MOV313clamps the voltage between the terminals L, N to a predetermined maximum voltage that is selected to be within the limits required by the drive circuitry. The thermal fuse311will open when the temperature caused by an excess current exceeds a predetermined threshold. In that way the MOV313is protected from high currents. The threshold may be selected to open the thermal fuse311before the heat generated is so high as to cause failure of the MOV313that could damage other components of the drive circuitry. GDT315creates an effective short circuit when triggered, so that if any electrical energy (spike, signal, or power) is present on terminal N, the GDT315will short this. Once triggered, a GDT315will continue conducting until all electric current sufficiently diminishes, and the gas discharge quenches.

The monitoring circuitry320comprises a line321connecting an intermediate node between the thermal fuse311and the MOV313to an output terminal O1. The monitoring circuitry320further comprises a line322with a resistor323connecting terminal N to a second output terminal O2. When an indicator LED400is connected between O1and O2it will be on in normal operation and it will be off when the surge protection module300fails.

The terminals L, N, GND may be part of a connection interface365of the surge protection module300, wherein the connection interface365of the surge protection module300is connected to the connection interface of the receiving means of the driver200, as inFIG.2. The terminals O1, O2may also be part of this connection interface365of the surge protection module300, or may be externally accessible terminals of the surge protection module300.

FIG.8illustrates an embodiment which is similar to the embodiment ofFIG.7with this difference that the surge protection module300is intended for being connected in series and that it does not comprise a GDT. Further a diode324is included in line321. It is noted that in a simple embodiment the monitoring circuitry320may comprise only the two lines321and322without resistor323and diode324.

FIG.9illustrates a further developed embodiment of a surge protection module300comprising surge protection circuitry310and monitoring circuitry320. The surge protection circuitry310comprises two thermal fuses311,312three MOVs313,316,317and a GDT315. The thermal fuses311,312and the MOV313are connected in series between the terminal L and the terminal N with a first thermal fuse311being included in a first line LL′ between terminal L and L′, and a second thermal fuse312being included in a second line NN′ between terminal N and N′ and with MOV313being included between the first and second line, downstream of the thermal fuse311and upstream of thermal fuse312. A series connection of MOV316and GDT315is connected between the first line LL′ (downstream of thermal fuse311) and the GND terminal. Further a series connection of MOV317and GDT315is present between the second line NN′ (downstream of thermal fuse312) and the GND terminal. By including in the surge protection module300both a thermal fuse311connected to terminal L and a thermal fuse312connected to terminal N, and by providing three MOVs313,316,317, both differential surges as well as common mode surges can be dealt with efficiently.

FIG.10illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment of a surge protection module300comprising surge protection circuitry310and monitoring circuitry320. The surge protection circuitry310comprises two thermal fuses311,318and a MOV313. The thermal fuses311,318and the MOV313are connected in series between the terminal L and the terminal N with a first thermal fuse311being included in a first line LL′ between terminal L and L′, and a second thermal fuse318being connected in series with MOV313between the first line LL′, downstream of the thermal fuse311, and terminal N. The second thermal fuse318and MOV313may be provided in an integrated manner as a thermally protected MOV. The monitoring circuitry320comprises a monitoring line with a series connection of a resistor325and two anti-parallel LEDs326, said line being connected in parallel with MOV313. The monitoring circuitry320further comprises an opto-coupler327with phototransistor connected to output terminals O1, O2. In that way a galvanic isolation is provided to isolate a connection to the surge protection circuitry from the output terminals O1, O2. When thermal fuse311or318breaks, the current in monitoring line is interrupted and the phototransistor of the opto-coupler327no longer conducts. In other words, the internal impedance seen between O1and O2changes from low to high upon failure.

In the embodiments ofFIGS.8-10, the terminals L′, N′ may be part of a connection interface365of the surge protection module300, wherein the connection interface is received in the receiving means260of the driver200. The terminals O1, O2may also be part of this connection interface365(as shown inFIGS.8and10), or may be externally accessible terminals of the surge protection module300(seeFIG.9). The terminals L, N are intended to be externally accessible when the surge protection module300is plugged in the receiving means260.

By suitably connecting O1and O2of the embodiments ofFIGS.7-10with an indicator device400and/or with a display800and/or with a driver200and/or with a control means500and/or with a transmissions means600, a failure message or indication can be provided.

FIG.11illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a luminaire system. The luminaire system comprises a luminaire head1000and a luminaire pole2000. The luminaire head1000may be connected in any manner known to the skilled person to the luminaire pole2000. In other non-illustrated embodiments, a luminaire head1000may be connected to a wall or a surface, e.g. for illuminating buildings or tunnels. The luminaire head1000comprises a luminaire housing1100in which a surge protection module300, a driver200and a support100with a plurality of LEDs110is arranged. In another embodiment the surge protection module300and the driver200may be provided in the pole2000or outside of the luminaire housing1100.

The luminaire housing1100may be formed as a metal casing with a transparent or translucent cover allowing light emitted by the LEDs110to be emitted out of the luminaire housing1100. Optionally resistive circuitry may be provided as explained above in connection withFIG.6, and the equipotential part (not shown, but can be either on the driver housing250or on the surge protection module300as illustrated inFIG.6) may be connected to the electrically conductive equipotential part of the luminaire housing1100, such that charges accumulating on the electrically conductive equipotential part of the luminaire housing1100can leak through the resistive circuitry located between the equipotential part of the luminaire housing1100and the neutral line N. In that manner, the risk of accumulation of charges over the insulation layer (e.g. a layer of the PCB) is cancelled or reduced. The resistive circuitry may have any one of the properties described above in the summary.

FIG.12illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a luminaire driver system with a driver200and a surge protection module300. The driver200has a driver housing250with output connections202for connection to at least one light source110. The driver200comprises a driver circuitry210arranged in the driver housing250. The driver circuitry210is configured to perform a driving functionality of the at least one light source110, and may be configured according to any one of the embodiments disclosed above. The said driver housing250is provided with a receiving means260configured for receiving the pluggable surge protection module300, such that the pluggable surge protection module300can be received from outside of the driver housing250, see arrow P1. The surge protection module300comprises surge protection circuitry and may optionally comprise monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a malfunctioning of the surge protection circuitry.

The surge protection module300and the receiving means260are configured such that the surge protection circuitry is connected to a power supply and such that the surge protection circuitry is connected to the driver circuitry, when the surge protection module300is received in the receiving means260. The surge protection module300is provided with at least two power input terminals L, N for connection to a power supply, and with an optional ground or equipotential terminal GND for connection to a ground GND. InFIG.12a power supply plug900with terminals L, N, GND is shown. This power supply plug900is pluggable in the surge protection module300, see arrow P3.

A connection interface265(L′, N′, GND) of the receiving means260and a connection interface365of the surge protection module300are configured such that the receiving means260can either receive the power connection plug900directly, see arrow P2, or can receive the surge protection module300, see arrow P1. In other words, the driver200can be used with or without surge protection module300, in a convenient manner.

The surge protection circuitry (not shown) is electrically connected via the connection interfaces265,365to internal connection lines (not shown) in the driver housing250to connect the driver circuitry210with the power supply, when the surge protection module300is plugged in. Optionally, the surge protection module300comprises monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a malfunctioning of the surge protection circuitry and to provide an output signal based on said monitoring. InFIG.12one output terminal O for the output signal is shown, but the output signal may also be a voltage signal provided between two output terminals O1and O2as shown inFIG.7or10. The output terminal O may be connected as in any one of the embodiments described above.

The driver housing250may be provided with further externally accessible receiving means280,280′ configured for receiving one or more further pluggable modules (not shown) comprising a further circuit, said receiving means280,280′ being such that the further circuit is connected to the driver circuitry when the pluggable module is plugged in the receiving means280,280′. Also, the driver housing250may be provided with at least one, preferably externally accessible, connector element203connected to the further circuit of the further pluggable module, when the module is plugged in the further receiving means280,280′. Using such further pluggable module, the luminaire driver may be provided with an enhanced functionality and/or suitability for a large class of target devices in a flexible manner, whilst avoiding a significant increase of the cost and volume. Such embodiments have been described in detail in patent application PCT/EP2017/065304 filed on 21 Jun. 2017 in the name of the applicant, which is included here in its entirety by reference. It is noted that, in another non-illustrated embodiment, the receiving means260of the surge protection module may be similar to the receiving means280or280′ illustrated inFIG.12.

Whilst the principles of the invention have been set out above in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that this description is merely made by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of protection which is determined by the appended claims.