Patent Grant
11785690
The present application is a national stage entry of PCT/EP2020/053652 filed Feb. 12, 2020, which claims priority to NL 2022561 filed Feb. 12, 2019, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The field of invention relates to light systems, in particular luminaires, and more in particular outdoor luminaires such as outdoor luminaires for streetlights.
Existing luminaires typically comprise a plurality of light elements, one or more drivers functioning as one or more current sources for driving the plurality of light elements, and a control module for controlling the driving.
By using control modules built into the light systems, modern lighting systems offer a plurality of operating and control possibilities for adjusting or optimizing lighting conditions. For example, brightness, light color and spectrum, light temperature, etc. can be set depending on the situation. For example, it is known to control the driving of a plurality of red, green and blue LEDs to generate white light.
Some existing systems use separate drivers for driving different groups of LEDs of the light system. Such systems have the disadvantage of an increased space and cost for the drivers.
Other existing systems, sometimes called multi-channel or multi-branch systems, use a single driver in combination with switching elements which are controlled by a control module to switch on/off certain light elements independently of other light elements. Often pulse width modulation techniques are used to control the switching elements in order to switch on/off a channel or branch with one or more lighting elements. In such systems, the power that needs to be provided by the single driver is the sum of the power that is needed in each of the branches or channels. In other words, the driver has to be able to cope with power changes. Problems encountered with such systems are amongst others flickering during switching, a current in the branches which is too high after switching. Also, these problems may be different depending on the type of driver that is being used.
The object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a lighting system with multiple branches or channels, which can be driven by a single driver, and which operates well with different types of drivers.
According to a first aspect, there is provided a light system comprising at least two parallel branches and a control module. Each branch comprises a series connection of at least one light element and a switching element. The at least two parallel branches are intended to share a common regulated current source, i.e. a common driver, for feeding the at least two parallel branches. The control module has a supply input line and at least two control output lines. The at least two control output lines are connected for controlling the switching elements of the at least two parallel branches. The control module comprises a galvanic isolation between the supply input line and the at least two control output lines. The control module is configured to generate at least two control signals on said at least two control output lines such that during a first time interval only a first switching element of said at least two switching elements is on and the other one or more switching elements of said at least two switching elements is/are off, during a subsequent overlap interval said first switching element and one other switching element of said at least two switching elements are on, and during a subsequent second time interval said first switching element is off and only said one other switching element of said at least two switching elements is on.
In other words, in such lighting systems, when switching between branches, there is a brief overlap period during which both branches will be “activated”. In that manner, visible flickering problems may be reduced or avoided. Further, the overlap period may be chosen to be sufficiently small, so that too high current peaks in the branches are avoided. More in particular, the overlap interval may be chosen such that the total current provided by the common regulated current source, i.e. the common driver, before, during and after switching remains within acceptable boundaries. This will increase the life time of the driver. The overlap interval may be fixed or may be set in function of the type of driver. The inventors have found that it may be possible to set a fixed overlap interval which works well for a plurality of different types of drivers. However, it is also possible to set an optimized overlap interval for a particular driver.
By providing a galvanic isolation in the control module between the supply input line and the at least two control output lines, the control module may use any supply voltage, e.g. a supply voltage which is coming from the driver. Indeed, some types of drivers provide as an output an auxiliary supply voltage (Vaux) which may be used as a voltage supply for the control module. By making it possible to use the auxiliary voltage supply of the driver, it is avoided that a separate protected voltage supply for the control module is required, resulting in a more compact, robust and cost-efficient solution.
The light system is preferably for use in an outdoor luminaire By outdoor luminaires, it is meant luminaires which are installed on roads, tunnels, industrial plants, campuses, parks, cycle paths, pedestrian paths or in pedestrian zones, stadiums, airports, harbors, rail stations, for example, and which can be used notably for the lighting of an outdoor area, such as roads and residential areas in the public domain, private parking areas and access roads to private building infrastructures, etc.
In exemplary embodiments, the overlap interval is between 1 and 500 ns, preferably between 5 and 100 ns. Such overlap intervals provide a well controlled switching between the branches.
In exemplary embodiments, the at least two control signals may be periodic signals. The at least two periodic signals may have the same period, or may have a different period. For example, each control signal of said at least two control signals may have a period between 1 microsecond and 1 millisecond, preferably between 1 and 500 microseconds. A first control signal may have a first duty cycle and a second control signal may have a second duty cycle. The first and second duty cycles may be the same or different. For example, when two branches are present, a first control signal could have a duty cycle of 70,1% and a second control signal could have a duty cycle of 30,1% resulting in a total overlap period corresponding with a period of 2×0.1%=0.2% of the period of the periodic signals. More generally, the sum of the duty cycles of the at least two control signals may be 100% plus the percentage of the one or more overlap periods.
In an exemplary embodiment, the control module is configured to adjust the duration of the overlap interval. In that manner the overlap interval may be adjusted e.g. to the type of driver, the type of light elements, etc. More in particular, the overlap interval may be set to reduce flicker and avoid significant current variations during switching.
In an exemplary embodiment, the galvanic isolation comprises any one of the following: an opto-coupler, an RF coupling, a transformer. The RF coupling could be a capacitive coupling or an inductive coupling.
In an exemplary embodiment, the control module is configured for controlling the switching elements of the at least two parallel branches according to at least two different control schemes comprising:
In such an embodiment, if the first and the second branch contain different types of light elements, the light observed when the first control scheme is used will be different from the light observed when the second control scheme is used. For example, the first branch may contain one or more light elements of a first color and the second branch may contain one or more light elements of a second color different from the first color. In another example, the first branch may contain one or more light elements emitting warm white light and the second branch may contain one or more light elements emitting cool white light. Also, when the first and second branches contain the same type and number of light elements, but on different positions, a different light pattern may be obtained depending on the control scheme used. In yet another example, the first branch may be associated with a first group of one or more first optical elements and the second branch may be associated with a second group of one or more second optical elements, said second group being different from the first group.
In an exemplary embodiment, the at least two branches comprise at least a first and a second branch, and the control module is configured for controlling the switching elements of the at least two parallel branches according to at least two different control schemes comprising:
In such an embodiment, the pattern of the light projected on a surface to be illuminated may be changed. Indeed, the illuminated surface area may be different according to the first or second control scheme. For example, the first branch may contain a first plurality of light elements arranged in a row, and the second branch may contain a second plurality of light elements arranged in a second row e.g. parallel to the first row. The first plurality and the second plurality are preferably the same, so that the voltage over the plurality of LEDs of a first and second branch is substantially the same. According to the second control scheme the light pattern will be observed as a pattern caused by the two rows of light elements, whilst according to the first control scheme only the second row is generating light and the observed pattern will be different. In other words the photometry of the lighting system may be changed by choosing a particular control scheme.
The skilled person understands that the light elements of a branch do not need to be arranged in a single row, but could be arranged in any suitable manner. For example the light elements of a branch may be arranged in an array of p×q elements on a PCB, wherein p>1 and/or q>1. Also, the light elements of all branches may be arranged in any suitable manner in an array on a PCB, e.g. grouped per branch or mixed. In a possible embodiment, light elements of the same branch may be located in adjacent positions within the array. However, light elements of the same branch may also be in non-adjacent positions within the array, with one or more light elements of other branches inserted between two light elements of the same branch.
By choosing an appropriate position for the lighting elements in the array on the PCB different light outputs can be achieved with different control schemes as described above. A light output may refer to a light pattern on the ground, a color, a color temperature, an intensity, a different flashing pattern, etc.
According to a second aspect there is provided a light system comprising at least two parallel branches and a control module. Each branch comprises a series connection of a plurality of light elements and a switching element. The at least two parallel branches are intended to share a common regulated current source, e.g. a commercially available LED driver, configured for providing a current to the at least two parallel branches. The control module has a supply input line and at least two control output lines. The at least two control output lines are connected for controlling the switching elements of the at least two parallel branches. Optionally, the control module may comprise a galvanic isolation between the supply input line and the at least two control output lines, as has been described above. The control module is configured for controlling the switching elements of the at least two parallel branches according to at least two different control schemes comprising:
When, in the first or second control scheme the percentage is not 0% or 100%, preferably the at least two branches are alternatively activated, optionally with some overlap as defined above.
Preferably, the first control scheme is such that the first branch of said at least two branches is never activated, i.e. the first percentage is 0%, whilst at least one other branch of the at least two branches is activated for at least a portion of an operational time during which the light system operates according to the first control scheme; and the second control scheme is such that the at least two branches are alternatively activated, i.e. the second percentage is larger than 0% and smaller than 100%, optionally with a limited amount of overlap. In such an embodiment, the pattern of the light projected on a surface to be illuminated may be changed. Indeed, the illuminated surface area may be different according to the first or second control scheme. According to the second control scheme the light pattern will be observed as a pattern caused by the light elements of the first and second branch, whilst according to the first control scheme only the second branch is generating light and the observed pattern will be different. In other words, the photometry of the lighting system, and in particular a conical envelope of the light distribution as defined below, may be changed by choosing a particular control scheme.
Preferred features described below may apply to any one of the aspects mentioned above.
According to a possible embodiment, the plurality of light elements of a first branch of the at least two branches is configured to emit substantially the same color as the plurality of light elements of a second branch of the at least two branches. For example, the first and second branch may contain identical light elements. By having a first and a second different control scheme, it will be possible to change the resulting light distribution. By light distribution, it is meant the distribution generated by the light emitted by the light elements, through the one or more optical elements (see further), if present. The light distribution is delimited by a conical envelope, typically a non-circular conical shape, containing the light leaving the one or more optical elements. The light distribution represents the emission directions and the intensity variations of the light within the envelope. Thus, the light pattern on the ground may be different according to the first or second control scheme.
According to a possible embodiment, the light elements of the at least two branches are arranged in an array comprising at least two rows, and wherein a row of said at least two rows comprises light elements of two different branches of said at least two parallel branches. For example, the light elements of a first and second branch may be arranged according to a checkerboard pattern as illustrated in
According to a further developed embodiment, at least three parallel branches are provided, and the light elements of the at least three branches are arranged in an array comprising at least two rows, and a row of said at least two rows comprises light elements of three different branches of said at least three parallel branches.
In a possible embodiment, one or more light elements of the at least two branches are associated with a distinct optical element, preferably a lens element. For example, each light element may be associated with a distinct optical element, e.g. a lens element. However, the multiple distinct optical elements may be integrated in the same optical plate, e.g. a lens plate with multiple lens elements.
According to an exemplary embodiment the one or more optical elements comprises one or more lens elements. Indeed, lens elements may be typically encountered in outdoor luminaire systems, although other types of optical elements may be additionally or alternatively present in such luminaires, such as reflectors, backlights, prisms, collimators, diffusors, and the like. According to a preferred embodiment, a lens element has a convex or planar external surface and a concave or planar internal surface facing a light element. In this manner, the light element placed at the internal surface side of the lens element has its emitted light being spread. The shape of the lens element and position of the lens element with respect to the light element will influence the distribution and intensity profile of the emitted light.
Alternatively, the one or more optical elements could be a transparent or translucent cover having a varying profile or varying optical properties (e.g. variation of thickness, transparency, diffusivity, reflectivity, refractivity, colour, etc.) along the movement direction of the second support.
The one or more optical elements may also comprise one or more light shielding structures complying with a certain glare classification, e.g. the G classification defined according to the CIE115:2010 standard and the G* classification defined according to the EN13201-2 standard. The light shielding structures may be configured for reducing a solid angle of light beams of the plurality of light elements by cutting off or reflecting light rays having a large incident angle, thereby reducing the light intensities at large angles and improving the G/G* classification of the luminaire system. The one or more light shielding structures may be an integral part of a lens plate, or may be provided as one or more separate optical elements. When they are provided as one or more separate optical elements, the one or more light shielding structures may be mounted on a lens plate.
In a possible embodiment, the light elements of the at least two branches are associated with a set containing at least two different optical elements. In other words, different optical elements may be used above different light elements or groups of light elements. The different optical elements may be used for light elements of the same branch or for light elements of a different branch.
In an exemplary embodiment, the light elements of a first branch of the at least two branches are associated with at least one first optical element and the light elements of a second branch of the at least two branches are associated with at least one second optical element which is different from the at least one first optical element. In that manner the conical envelope of the light distribution obtained with the first control scheme will be different from the conical envelope of the light distribution obtained with the second control scheme. It is noted that each light element of the first branch may be associated with an optical element of a first type and/or each light element of the second branch may be associated with an optical element of a second type different from the first type, but also other combinations are possible. For example, multiple light elements of the first branch may be put under a single optical element of the first type which is different from the one or more optical elements associated with the second branch. Also, multiple different optical elements may be associated with a single branch.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the first control scheme defines a first light distribution having a first conical envelope and the second control scheme defines a second light distribution having a second conical envelope, said second conical envelope being different from said first conical envelope.
The skilled person understands that the light elements of a branch may be arranged in any suitable manner on a PCB. For example the light elements of a branch may be arranged in an array of p×q elements, wherein p>1 and/or q>1.
Also, the light elements of all branches may be arranged in any suitable manner in an array on a PCB, e.g. grouped per branch or mixed. In a possible embodiment, light elements of the same branch may be located in adjacent positions within the array, such that groups of lighting elements which are activated together are created on the PCB. However, light elements of the same branch may also be in non-adjacent positions within the array, with one or more light elements of other branches inserted between two light elements of the same branch. This will allow obtaining a good mixing of the light between branches, e.g. a mixing of colors and/or a mixing of different whites. By choosing an appropriate position for the lighting elements in the array on the PCB a different light output can be achieved with different control schemes as described above. A different light output may refer to a different light pattern on the ground, a different color, a different color temperature, a different intensity, a different flashing pattern, etc.
Preferably each branch of the at least two branches comprises the same number of lighting elements. Preferably, each lighting element of each branch has substantially the same forward biasing voltage. When the same number of lighting elements is provided in each branch, and the lighting elements have substantially the same forward voltage, the sum of the forward voltages in each branch will also be substantially the same, such that a difference in voltage over the parallel branches when switching between branches can be avoided or reduced. However, as will be explained below the light elements and the number of light elements in each branch may also be different.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the control module is configured to receive a desired light output as an input, to select a control scheme out of a plurality of different stored control schemes in accordance with the desired light output, and to control the switching elements in accordance with the selected control scheme. In that manner a lighting system with an easily adaptable photometry is provided. A light output may refer to a light pattern on the ground, a color, a color temperature, an intensity, a flashing pattern, etc.
In a further developed embodiment, the at least two branches comprises at least a first, a second and a third branch, and the plurality of control schemes comprises at least a first control scheme for which the first branch is never activated, a second control scheme for which the second branch is never activated, and a third control scheme for which the third branch is never activated. This offers even more possibilities to change the lighting output of the lighting system.
In an exemplary embodiment, the at least two control signals consist of N control signals, wherein N>2; wherein the control module is configured to generate said N control signals using (N−1) pulse width modulated signals. This may further simplify the structure of the circuitry of the control module. In a further developed embodiment, the control module may be configured to generate three or four control signals using only two or three PWM signals, respectively.
Preferably, the control module comprises any one of the following: a field programmable gate array, an ASIC, a microcontroller. Such a component may be easily configured to generate the control signals in accordance with one or more control schemes. Optionally the control module may be provided with at least one control input line, and may be configured to control the control signals on the at least one control output line in function of the signals on the at least one control input line.
In an exemplary embodiment, the control module comprises control logic and a delay generating circuit configured for generating the at least two control signals such that the overlap interval is present. In further developed embodiments, the circuitry used to realize the galvanic isolation may also have the function of the delay generating circuit, in order to create the overlap intervals between the control signals.
In an exemplary embodiment, a first branch of the at least two branches comprises a first set of light elements and a second branch of the at least two branches comprises a second set of light elements, said second set being different from the first set. For example, the first set may comprise light elements of a first color or color temperature, and the second set may comprise light elements of a second color or color temperature. Optionally one or more dummy electronic elements, such as diodes, may be added in series with the one or more light elements of the first and/or second branch in order to compensate for a difference in forward biasing voltage between the first and the second branch. Additionally or alternatively, the number of light elements of each branch may be chosen such that the total forward voltage of a branch is the same for every branch. Noting that the individual forward voltage of a light element in different branches may be different, the number of light elements in each branch may be different.
In an exemplary embodiment, the light elements of the at least two branches are arranged in an array comprising at least two rows and at least two columns, and for each branch, the at least one light element comprises a subset of said array with at least two adjacent light elements of said array. For example the light elements may be arranged in an array of p×q elements on a PCB, wherein p>1 and/or q>1, and the light elements of the at least two branches may be grouped per branch such that the light elements of the same branch are located in adjacent positions within the array. However, in other embodiments, light elements of the same branch may also be in non-adjacent positions within the array, as explained above.
In a preferred embodiment, each light element comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs may be any one of the following: a red LED, a green LED, a blue LED, a white LED, a warm white LED, a cool white LED, etc. Optionally the LEDs may comprise a phosphor coating. In a possible embodiment LEDs with a different phosphor but with substantially the same forward biasing voltage may be used in different branches of the at least two branches.
In a preferred embodiment, each light element may be provided with an optical element such as a lens element, a collimator, a reflector, a diffusor, etc. More preferably, the light elements may be associated with an optical plate comprising a plurality of optical elements, for example a lens plate comprising a plurality of lens elements.
In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting system further comprises a driver connected to the at least two parallel branches and configured to provide a common current for feeding the at least two parallel branches, wherein said driver is further configured to deliver a supply voltage to the supply input line of the control module. In that manner the need for an external power supply for the control module is avoided, resulting in a more compact system.
Embodiments of the first or second aspect may have more than two parallel branches, e.g. at least three parallel branches, and some technical advantages will be even more pronounced when at least three parallel branches are provided. For example, the advantages related to the overlap may be more pronounced when at least three parallel branches are provided.
According to a further aspect the invention relates to a luminaire system comprising a light system according to any one of the previous claims. Preferably, the luminaire system comprises a luminaire housing and the lighting elements are arranged on a PCB in the luminaire housing. The driver may be arranged on or in the luminaire housing, or in any other suitable location of the luminaire system, such as in a pole of the luminaire system.
The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate presently preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments of luminaires of the present invention. The above and other advantages of the features and objects of the invention will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The light system further comprises a control module 20 having a supply input line Vaux and a plurality of control output lines C1 . . . Cn. The plurality of control output lines C1 . . . Cn is connected for controlling the switching elements S1 . . . Sn of the plurality of parallel branches S1 . . . Sn. The control module 20 comprises control circuitry 21 and a galvanic isolation 25 between the supply input line Vaux and the plurality of control output lines C1 . . . Cn. The control module 20 is configured to generate a plurality of control signals SC1 . . . SCn on said plurality of control output lines C1 . . . Cn. As shown in
In the lighting system of
By providing a galvanic isolation 25 in the control module 20 between the supply input line and the plurality of control output lines C1 . . . Cn, the control module 20 may use any supply voltage, e.g. a supply voltage Vaux which is coming from the driver 10, as shown in
Although the use of a galvanic isolation 25 is preferred, also other solutions (not shown) are possible which do not use a galvanic isolation. For example, the output voltage Vout of the driver 10 could be used to power the control module 20. However, this output voltage will vary, especially during start-up making it less suitable unless certain measures are taken.
It may be possible to set a fixed overlap interval Tov which works well for a plurality of different types of drivers 10. However, it is also possible to set an optimized overlap interval Tov for a particular driver 10. To that end the control module 20 may be configured to adjust the duration of the overlap interval Tov. The overlap interval Tov may be between 1 and 500 ns, preferably between 5 and 100 ns. Such an overlap interval Tov provides a well controlled switching between the branches.
The plurality of control signals SC1 . . . SCn may be periodic signals. A control signal SC1 . . . SCn may have a period between 1 microsecond and 1 millisecond, preferably between 1 and 500 microseconds.
Optionally a variable resistor Rvar may be provided in series with the parallel branches as shown in
The switching elements S1 . . . Sn of the branches B1 . . . Bn may be controlled according to at least two different control schemes comprising:
For example, in a simplified case with three branches, a number of control schemes could be as follows:
In the example provided above, the total overlap is the same for the different control schemes. However, the skilled person understands that the total overlap may also be different.
According to another example, the switching elements S1 . . . Sn of the branches B1 . . . Bn may be controlled according to at least two different control schemes comprising:
In an exemplary embodiment with at least a first, a second and a third branch B1, B2, B3, the plurality of control schemes may comprise at least a first control scheme for which the first branch B1 is never activated (see for example control schemes 1, 3 and 5 in Table 2 below), a second control scheme for which the second branch B2 is never activated (see for example control schemes 5, 6 and 7 in Table 2 below), and a third control scheme for which the third branch B3 is never activated (see for example control schemes 3, 4 and 6 in Table 2 below).
For example in a simplified case with three branches, a number of control schemes could be as follows:
The control module 20 may be configured to receive a desired light output as an input, to select a control scheme out of a plurality of different stored control schemes, e.g. the control schemes 1-7 included in Table 2 above, in accordance with the desired light output, and to control the switching elements in accordance with the selected control scheme. A light output may refer to a light pattern on the ground, a color, a color temperature, an intensity, etc. For example, if the branches contain lighting elements having different colors, by changing the percentages during which a branch is active as in Table 2 above, the color can be changed. In another example where all branches contain lighting elements of the same color, by deactivating one or more branches, the light pattern can be changed.
In the illustrated embodiment of
In another (non-illustrated) embodiment, the first branch B1 comprises a first number m1 of light elements and the second branch B2 comprises a second number m2 of light elements, wherein m1 may be different from m2. For example, the first branch B1 may comprise light elements of a first color, and the second branch B2 may comprise light elements of a second color. Optionally, one or more dummy elements may be added in series with the one or more light elements of the first and/or second branch B1, B2 in order to compensate for a difference in forward biasing voltage between the first and the second branch B1, B2. Additionally or alternatively, the number m1, m2 of light elements of each branch B1, B2 may be chosen such that the total forward voltage of a branch is substantially the same for every branch. Noting that the individual forward voltage of a light element in different branches may be different, the number of light elements in each branch may be different. It is further noted that a branch may comprise different types of light elements. For example, a single branch may comprise light elements of different colors.
In an exemplary embodiment, the light elements of the branches B1 . . . Bn are arranged in an array on a support, typically a PCB. The array may comprise at least two rows and at least two columns. For example, if n=3 and m=4, the light elements of
The light elements of each branch B1, B2, B3 may be adjacent light elements in the array on the support. For example, in the 3×4 array or in the 6×2 array above L11 . . . L14 form a subset of adjacent light elements.
The optical elements 200 may be the same or different. For example, the optical element 200 associated with light elements L11, L12, L31, L41 may be different from the optical elements 200 associated with light elements L12, L22, L32, L42. For example optical elements 200 located more centrally on a PCB 100 may be different from optical elements 200 located near the edges of the PCB 100.
Also in the other embodiments described above, one or more light elements may be provided with an optical element such as a lens element, a collimator, a reflector, a diffusor, etc. More preferably, the light elements may be associated with a lens plate comprising a plurality of lens elements.
In a preferred embodiment, each light element comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs may be any one of the following: a red LED, a green LED, a blue LED, a white LED, a warm white LED, a cool white LED, etc. Optionally the LEDs may comprise a phosphor coating. In a possible embodiment LEDs with a different phosphor but with substantially the same forward biasing voltage may be used in different branches of the at least two branches.
The control module 20 may comprise any one of the following: a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an ASIC, a microcontroller.
The PWM signals P1, P2, P3 are synchronized signals with respective duty cycles ¼, ½, ¾ as shown. Such a control circuitry 21 allows generating control signals SC1, SC2, SC3, SC4 which overlap partially due to the use of the delay generating circuits 23 and OR gates 24. By varying the PWM signals P1, P2, P3 (and in particular the period and/or duty cycle of the signals P1, P2, P3), different control signals may be generated in order to realize different control schemes.
Instead of the control circuitry 21 illustrated in
The invention further relates to a luminaire system comprising a light system according to any one of the embodiments described above. The luminaire system comprises a luminaire head, and optionally a luminaire pole. The luminaire head may be connected in any manner known to the skilled person to the luminaire pole. In other embodiments, the luminaire head may be connected to a wall or a surface, e.g. for illuminating buildings or tunnels. The luminaire head comprises a luminaire housing in which a support, typically a PCB, with the lighting elements is arranged. The driver 10 may be arranged in or on a luminaire head, in or on the luminaire pole, or in any other suitable location of the luminaire system.
According to a possible embodiment, the plurality of light elements of the first branch B1 is configured to emit substantially the same color as the plurality of light elements of a second branch B2. For example, the first and second branch B1, B2 may contain identical light elements. By having a first and a second different control scheme, as defined above it will be possible to change the resulting light distribution. By light distribution, it is meant the distribution generated by the light emitted by the light elements, through the optical elements 200. The light distribution is delimited by a conical envelope, typically a non-circular conical shape, containing the light leaving the one or more optical elements. The light distribution represents the emission directions and the intensity variations of the light within the envelope. Thus, the conical envelope and the light pattern on the ground may be different according to a first or second control scheme. The resulting light distribution according to the first and second control scheme may have a different color and/or a different light distribution. For example, according to the first control scheme the light distribution may have a first conical envelope and the light may be of a first color, and according to the second control scheme the light distribution may have a second conical envelope and a second color, wherein the first conical envelope is different from the second conical envelope and/or wherein the first color is different from the second color.
According to a possible embodiment, a row of the array comprises light elements of two different branches B1, B2. According to an exemplary embodiment the light elements of the branches B1, B2 are associated with a set containing at least two different optical elements. In other words, different optical elements 200 may be used above different light elements or groups of light elements. The different optical elements may be used for light elements of the same branch or for light elements of a different branch. In an exemplary embodiment, the light elements of the first branch B are associated with first optical elements 200 and the light elements of the second branch B2 are associated with second optical elements 200 which are different from the first optical elements. In that manner the conical envelope of the light distribution obtained with a first control scheme will be different from the conical envelope of the light distribution obtained with a second control scheme. It is noted that each light element of the first branch B1 may be associated with an optical element of a first type and each light element of the second branch B2 may be associated with an optical element of a second type different from the first type, as illustrated in
According to a possible embodiment, the plurality of light elements of the first branch B1 is configured to emit substantially the same color as the plurality of light elements of a second and third branch B2, B3. For example, the first, second and third branch B1, B2, B3 may contain identical light elements. By having multiple different control schemes, as defined above it will be possible to change the resulting light distribution as defined above. Thus, the conical envelope and the light pattern on the ground may be different according to various different control scheme. For example, the resulting light distribution according to a first and second control scheme may have a different color and/or a different light distribution. For example, according to the first control scheme the light distribution may have a first conical envelope and the light may be of a first color, and according to the second control scheme the light distribution may have a second conical envelope and a second color, wherein the first conical envelope is different from the second conical envelope and/or wherein the first color is different from the second color.
According to an exemplary embodiment the light elements of the branches B1, B2, B3 are associated with a set containing at least three different optical elements. In other words, different optical elements 200 may be used above different light elements or groups of light elements. The different optical elements may be used for light elements of the same branch or for light elements of a different branch. In an exemplary embodiment, the light elements of the first branch B1 are associated with first optical elements 200, the light elements of the second branch B2 are associated with second optical elements 200, and the light elements of the third branch B3 are associated with one or more third optical elements, wherein the first, second and third optical elements may be different. In that manner the conical envelope of the light distribution obtained with a first control scheme will be different from the conical envelope of the light distribution obtained with a second control scheme. The optical elements 200 may be any one of the optical elements as defined in the summary.
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.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022561 | Feb 2019 | NL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2020/053652 | 2/12/2020 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2020/165284 | 8/20/2020 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20090226154 | Thomas | Sep 2009 | A1 |
| 20150009677 | Catalano | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150229149 | Fahlenkamp | Aug 2015 | A1 |
| 20180110102 | Adams | Apr 2018 | A1 |
| 20180159434 | Werner | Jun 2018 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2015074881 | May 2015 | WO |
| WO20150704881 | May 2015 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| PCT International Search Report and Written Opinion, Application No. PCT/EP2020/053652, dated Jun. 25, 2020, 19 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220151042 A1 | May 2022 | US |
