EP3627973B1 - Electric consumption module and method for operating an electric consumption module - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a consumer module having at least one electrical consumer and a control unit for activating the electrical consumer via a converter having an interface, the consumer module with its at least one electrical consumer being supplied with constant voltage via the interface of the converter and receiving control data and the converter is supplied with a control signal on the input side.

The invention also relates to an electrical load system with a converter having an interface for providing a constant voltage supply and control data for a load module to be connected or connected thereto and having at least one electrical load, the converter having a control input for receiving control data for controlling the at least one electrical consumer of the consumer module, has two contacts for the power supply and at least one contact as a data contact.

To operate electrical loads, systems are sometimes used in which the electrical load is connected to a control via a mechanical interface. In order to enable a first lamp to be easily exchanged for another lamp, the interface is typically designed according to a junction box. This is typically installed on the wall or ceiling of a lighting device. A light source to be connected to it is part of a consumer module which, in addition to the at least one light source, comprises a control unit as an electrical consumer, with which the at least one light source is controlled. The control signal specified by the user, provided by a dimmer, is present on the input side of the connection box. In a manner known per se, this control signal is transmitted by the control unit in the Consumer module in the desired control parameters - implemented and controlled at least one consumer - a control parameterization. In this concept, the control data provided by a sensor actuated by the user, for example a dimmer, is matched to the electrical consumer to be controlled. Therefore, only such a light source that can be controlled with the dimmer can be connected as an electrical consumer to such an interface that is acted upon by a specific dimmer. Although one consumer module can be replaced by another in this previously known consumer system, this requires that the at least one electrical consumer of the replacing consumer module can be controlled with the same control data as the at least one electrical consumer of the replaced consumer module. The flexibility of this previously known consumer system is therefore restricted.

If a consumer module is not equipped with a corresponding connection, for example a plug module, if the complementary interface is designed as a connection socket, in DE 20 2018 102 080 U1 proposed to equip such a consumer module with a coupling module. Such a coupling module is an adapter so that such an interface installed on the wall or ceiling can also be used by a consumer module which was originally not mechanically equipped with connection means complementary to the connection box.

U.S. 2017/0150561 A1 discloses a lighting system comprising a control module and a consumer. The control module is set up to subject the consumer to a large number of different protocols in order to find out which of the protocols the consumer reacts to. If the control module detects a reaction, the consumer is controlled with the determined protocol.

DE 10 2004 020 216 A1 relates to a signal converter to which a large number of input devices and one or more operating devices are connected are connected. Using the signal converter, analog inputs from the input devices can be converted into luminaire protocols, such as the DALI protocol. Various lamp-specific commands are stored in the signal converter, with which the lamps can be controlled.

U.S. 2012/0126707 A1 discloses a variable-color lamp that can be controlled over the widest possible color range. For this purpose, a calculation logic is proposed with which a large number of color channels of an LED light can be controlled.

Proceeding from the prior art discussed at the outset, the object of the invention is to provide a method for operating a consumer module having at least one electrical consumer and an electrical consumer system with which there is greater variability in the use of the interface.

• ein von dem Wandler empfangenes Ansteuersignal in einen unabhängig von der Art des zumindest einen elektrischen Verbrauchers des Verbrauchermoduls normierten digitalen Stellwert umgesetzt wird, welcher Stellwert an einem Datenkontakt der Schnittstelle zum Abgreifen durch das Verbrauchermodul bereitgestellt wird, und
• der zumindest eine elektrische Verbraucher des Verbrauchermoduls von der Ansteuereinheit dem am Datenkontakt anliegenden Stellwert entsprechend angesteuert wird, wobei eine Individualisierung des anliegenden Stellwertes als skalierbares Ansteuersignal in eine verbraucher- bzw. lastbezogene Ansteuerparametrierung erst im Verbrauchermodul erfolgt.

The method-related aspect of this object is achieved by a method mentioned at the outset, in which

• a control signal received by the converter is converted into a digital control value standardized independently of the type of at least one electrical load of the load module, which control value is provided at a data contact of the interface for tapping by the load module, and
• the at least one electrical load of the load module is controlled by the control unit according to the control value present at the data contact, with the control value present being individualized as a scalable control signal in a consumer or load-related control parameterization only in the consumer module.

The device-related aspect of this object is achieved by an electrical consumer system mentioned at the outset, in which the converter also has a control value transmitter for converting a received control signal into a normalized digital control value that is independent of the type of at least one electrical consumer of the consumer module and in which the consumer module comprises connection means for contacting the contacts of the converter and a control unit connected or connectable on the input side to the contact provided for data transmission, through which the at least one electrical load can be controlled in accordance with the received control value, with the applied control value being individualized as a scalable control signal in a consumer-related or load-related control parameterization only in the consumer module.

In this method--the same applies to the claimed electrical consumer system--the electrical consumer module with its at least one electrical consumer is supplied with a constant voltage by a converter. The converter has an interface to which the consumer module is connected or can be connected. This interface is preferably designed so that a load module can be or is releasably connected to it and thus a first load module can be exchanged for a second load module in a simple manner. The load module is not only supplied with a constant voltage by the converter, but also receives control data from it via the named interface, according to which the at least one electrical load is to be controlled. The converter has a control input to which a control signal, for example the output signal of a dimmer, is present. The drive signal is typically scalable. This is the case, for example, with the output signal of a dimmer. The output signal of the sensor, which is designed as a dimmer, for example, can act on the converter directly, specifically at its control input. It is also possible that the control input of the converter is connected to a data bus, typically one of a building services installation system, for example according to the KNX standard. The converter then receives its control signal via the building installation system, it being possible for the original control signal to be provided by a dimmer.

The converter converts this control signal present at its control input into a normalized digital control value, with this conversion taking place independently of the type of electrical load of the load module provided for control. For this reason, this control value is addressed as "normalized". This normalized digital control value is a control value that corresponds to the control signal present on the input side according to its scaling, if the control signal is scalable. For example, if the output of a leading-edge or trailing-edge dimmer is present at the control input of the converter, the converter decouples the dimming signal and thus the desired dimming level from the power supply of the load module and feeds it into the load module as a control value via the data contact of the interface. The control value corresponds to the dimming setting provided by the user. The at least one electrical consumer of the consumer module is actually activated by the activation unit of the consumer module, which activates the at least one electrical consumer according to the control value present at the data contact. The actual control of the at least one electrical consumer of the consumer module thus takes place with a control parameterization provided by the control unit of the consumer module. This is matched to the at least one electrical consumer. Both are part of the consumer module. Thus, a possible individualization of a scalable control signal in a consumer or load-related control parameterization only takes place in the consumer module. From this it is clear that all upstream components can be designed independently of the consumer module. Due to this concept, consumer modules with a wide variety of electrical consumers can be connected to the interface of the converter, since the internal control is carried out by the control unit of the consumer module and the control unit of the consumer module is in turn controlled by a normalized control value. Thus, not only consumer modules with different light sources can be connected as electrical consumers to such a converter and as intended operate. Rather, it is also possible to be able to connect electrical consumer modules with other electrical consumers to the converter, which, if the control input of the converter is connected to the output of a sensor providing a scalable signal, such as a dimmer, can be operated with this. For example, the at least one electrical consumer of such a consumer module can also be a radio device, a radio attachment or the like. In the case of a radio device as the electrical consumer of the consumer module, the volume and/or the station selection in the consumer module can be adjusted in this way by the dimmer.

For optimized control of the electrical consumer(s) of the consumer module, the same is controlled via the control unit integrated in the consumer module using a consumer-specific or load-specific characteristic curve or a characteristic map (also multidimensional). Such a characteristic curve or such a characteristic map is stored in a memory in the consumer module and can be called up by the control unit. The control of the electrical load or loads in the load module then takes place with the control parameter resulting from the characteristic curve or the characteristic diagram and corresponding to the control value received. In this way, the perception on the part of the user can be adapted to the changing behavior of the electrical consumer(s) when there is a change in the control parameterization. In contrast to the prior art, in which a relevant control parameterization is carried out in the sensor, ie for example in the dimmer, this only takes place in the consumer module in the control concept described in the context of this embodiment. For this reason, the interface of the converter can also be used by other consumer modules, and even those whose electrical consumers are not controlled, as is the case, for example, with a consumer module designed as a charging station, for example for a mobile phone.

Due to its individualized data interface, the interface of the converter can also be used to connect a Connect load module, which contains a sensor, such as a motion sensor, a brightness sensor or the like as an electrical load. In such an embodiment, the data line is used for communication from the load module via the converter to a control unit that is connected to the control input of the converter or can be reached via it, for example by means of a bus system or a network. Consumer modules can also be connected to the interface of such a converter, which contain one and the same electrical consumer, for example one and the same lamp, but in different stages of expansion. According to one embodiment, such a consumer module can include a non-dimmable lamp. Irrespective of the control value received by the control unit of the consumer module, it is controlled with the power provided for operating the at least one light source of the lamp as long as the consumer module is supplied with constant voltage and the control value received from the control unit exceeds a predefined value. In a second expansion stage, the lamp can be dimmed and is then controlled with a control parameterization that corresponds to the control value received from the control unit of the consumer module.

In one embodiment of such an electrical consumer system, the converter has an emergency shutdown function so that it is not damaged in an overload situation. For this purpose, the converter can have means for detecting irregular operating states of the load and for switching off the voltage supply if necessary. When designing such an emergency shutdown, it is taken into account that in the case of capacitive electrical consumers, when charging their charging capacities, a higher power is initially drawn. However, this is limited in time. Accordingly, the charging capacities to be charged in this regard will be set up in the electrical consumer module. In this respect, such an irregular operating state can be inferred if the consumption of a higher power than the nominal power lasts for a predefined period of time, for example 150 ms. In the event of a power cut in such a irregular operating state, provision can be made for the operating voltage to be applied again after a certain period of time at the interface of the converter and for a check to be carried out to determine whether the fault is still present. This can be repeated several times. If the error occurs several times in a row, it can be provided that the voltage supply to the load module can only be switched on again by a user. This faulty state can be indicated on the converter by a light signal, such as an LED.

According to another embodiment for limiting the power consumption of the converter, it is provided that the power consumption of the load module is reduced if the power consumed by it is greater than or becomes greater than the maximum power provided or that can be provided by the converter. In such a configuration, the consumer module has a power consumption limiter. The existing data line between the converter and the consumer module can be used for this purpose. According to one embodiment, it is provided that the converter transmits a load index as an indication of its maximum power to the consumer module via the data line. This load index is stored in the consumer module. When controlling the at least one electrical load of the load module, the control unit uses this load index and controls the at least one electrical load only with a control parameterization, so that the permissible maximum power of the converter expressed by the load index is not exceeded. The load index is preferably transmitted isochronously from the converter to the consumer module. It is also possible that this is done when the load module is connected to the interface of the converter. Instead of the above-described limitation of power consumption by comparing the currently consumed power with the load index transmitted by the converter, another embodiment provides for making the load index of the converter the load index of the consumer module if the load index of the consumer module calculated in the same way is greater than that of the converter.

A power consumption limit, as outlined above, is useful to ensure damage-free operation for the converter or converters used in such a consumer system, without having to use converters with an excessive maximum power for the intended functioning of such a consumer system, which is the theoretically possible maximum Power consumption of a consumer module would correspond.

The normalized digital control value is preferably provided isochronously by the converter with a predetermined repetition frequency. This means that after connecting a consumer module to the converter, it is immediately ready for operation. In addition, any complex setup measures are no longer necessary. A load index then also does not need to be stored in the electrical load module.

In a further development it is provided that the consumer module is equipped with on-site sensors. Such an on-site sensor system is a sensor system located on the load module, with which the at least one electrical load can be controlled. In the case of a lamp as an electrical consumer of such a consumer module, the on-site sensor system can be, for example, a sensor system for setting up the brightness of the lamp. By actuating the on-site sensor system, the control unit of the load module is switched to another operating state, specifically one in which the signals from the on-site sensor system are evaluated for the control of the electrical load or loads. This switching can be done by a predetermined data bit in the data stream of the on-site sensors. If the on-site sensors are activated, the light is dimmed using the on-site sensors. Such an on-site sensor system can be activated, for example, simply by actuating it. If the on-site sensor system is activated, the activation of the at least one electrical consumer of the consumer module, ie for example the lamp, is decoupled from the control value currently present and provided by the converter. Consequently, the input side of the Control unit of the electrical load module applied control value is not used to provide the control parameterization for controlling the at least one electrical load. A lamp can thus be dimmed and/or switched on and off directly on the lamp itself using such an on-site sensor system, without the user first having to move to a dimmer that may be some distance away from the lamp for this purpose. Such a configuration is expedient, for example, in the case of bedside lamps if control is also provided by a room switch, for example mounted on the wall. With such a room switch, designed for example as a dimmer, the at least one electrical consumer of the consumer module can be switched on and off and also dimmed. With the on-site sensors, however, this light can also be operated on site and thus from the bed, for example.

The control of such a light can be switched back by such a local sensor either by corresponding actuation of the local sensor, i.e. the local sensor switches the load module-side control unit back to its other operating state or by control via the converter. In the latter case, the converter that detects a change in the dimming position integrates a dedicated bit in its data stream, by means of which the evaluation unit in the electrical consumer module switches the on-site sensor system operating mode of the control unit back to the other operating state. This can be done, for example, by actuating the dimmer installed on the wall, which the converter detects and causes it to integrate the aforementioned switching bit into the data stream. In order to bring about an actually unintended switchover of the operating mode of the electrical consumer module with regard to its activation, one exemplary embodiment provides that the dimmer described above, for example. which must be actuated to the extent to deactivate the on-site sensor system control that the control value provided by the converter falls below or exceeds the control value last applied to the data contact by a predetermined size. Through this it is ensured that the on-site sensor system control is only terminated if operation is actually to take place with the sensor mounted on the wall, for example, which is noticeable in an actuation of the same over a certain control value range. In such an embodiment, the evaluation takes place in the converter. This can be done, for example, by comparing the current dimming value with a previously stored value, with the changeover bit being sent in the data stream if the deviation is greater than a specified control value. In a further development of such a deactivation concept, it is provided that, in order to avoid sudden changes in the electrical consumer, a change in the control parameterization of the at least one electrical consumer is only made if the control value present at the input of the control unit of the consumer module corresponds to the control parameterization that the last made via the on-site sensors. Such an embodiment is expedient, for example, when the load module comprises a radio device or another audio device as the electrical load, in order to avoid unpleasant jumps in volume under certain circumstances.

In addition to the already mentioned use of the data connection between the converter and the consumer module, this can also be used to transmit consumer module-specific data, for example characteristic data about the converter, to a control unit connected to the converter. This makes sense if the converter is connected to a bus system with its control input or integrated into a network. The at least one electrical consumer of the consumer module can then be controlled according to its characteristic data via the building installation bus, using the relevant options.

According to one embodiment, the interface of the converter is designed as a junction box with annular contacts arranged concentrically to one another as contact paths. The consumer module has a plug module with contact pins as connection contacts as a complement. In addition, the junction box and the Plug module equipped with holding means for holding the plug module used in the junction box.

The contacts are preferably arranged in the form described above so that the connector module inserted into the junction box can be rotated therein with respect to the junction box. In this way, for example, a lamp can be pivoted into different positions as a consumer module.

In order to make this possible, holding means are used which allow the consumer module to rotate relative to the interface of the converter. For example, magnetic holding means can be used for this. In such a case, the junction box and/or the load module has a holding magnet. This can be a permanent magnet. The respective other module, i.e. the connector module or the connection module, has a holding magnet counterpart. This can be a second magnet, which is arranged in the same direction as the holding magnet. If positive locking is provided between the connector module of a load module and the connection socket, according to one embodiment, the connection socket has at least one locking element that engages in the plug receptacle of the connection socket in the radial direction, and the plug module of the load module has a circumferential groove in which the locking element engages. The locking element is preferably spring-loaded in its locking position. Even with such a form-fitting connection, the connector module can be rotated in the junction box. Both holding means described above can be combined with each other.

In order to transfer the at least one locking element from its locking position into its unlocking position, one embodiment provides for this to be effected by a release magnet without contact with respect to the locking element. The locking element carries an actuating magnet. The release magnet can be handled manually and is guided by a user to a predetermined position on the junction box. In this, the release magnet then pulls the Positioning magnet, whereby the at least one locking element is moved out of its locking position. Then the connector module can be removed from the junction box. The advantage of this release concept is that the junction box itself does not have any organs leading to the outside and the design of the housing of such a converter is therefore unaffected.

Fig. 1:

eine perspektivische Darstellung nach Art einer Explosionsdarstellung eines elektrischen Verbrauchersystems mit einem eine Schnittstelle aufweisenden Wandler und mit einem daran anschließbaren Verbrauchermodul,

Fig. 2:

einen Schnitt durch die Schnittstelle des Wandlers der Figur 1,

Fig. 3:

ein Blockschaltbild zum Darstellen der Funktionsweise des elektrischen Verbrauchersystems der Figur 1,

Fig. 4:

den Aufbau eines als Frame ausgelegten Datenpaktes unter Vergrößerung eines darin enthaltenen Daten-Slots bei der Kommunikation zwischen dem Wandler und dem Verbrauchermodul,

Fig. 5:

ein Blockschaltbild eines weiteren elektrischen Verbrauchermoduls entsprechend demjenigen des elektrischen Verbrauchermoduls der Figur 3 in einer ersten Weiterbildung und

Fig. 6:

ein Blockschaltbild eines weiteren elektrischen Verbrauchersystems entsprechend demjenigen der Figur 3 gemäß einer weiteren Weiterbildung.

The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached figures. Show it:

Figure 1:

a perspective view in the form of an exploded view of an electrical consumer system with a converter having an interface and with a consumer module that can be connected to it,

Figure 2:

a section through the interface of the converter figure 1 ,

Figure 3:

a block diagram to show the functioning of the electrical consumer system figure 1 ,

Figure 4:

the structure of a data packet designed as a frame with the enlargement of a data slot contained therein in the communication between the converter and the consumer module,

Figure 5:

a block diagram of a further electrical load module corresponding to that of the electrical load module figure 3 in a first further training and

Figure 6:

a block diagram of another electrical consumer system corresponding to that of figure 3 according to a further development.

An electrical consumer system 1 includes a converter 2 and an electrical consumer module 3. As a rule, on the building side a large number of such converters 2 can be installed, to which one or the other electrical load module 3 can be connected as required. The electrical load module 3 of the exemplary embodiment described is a lamp which is illustrated schematically and which is designed to emit light downwards in the exemplary embodiment illustrated. The converter 2 is built into a flush-mounted box 4 on the wall side. The converter 2 is connected on the input side to the output of a trailing edge dimmer in a manner that is not shown in detail. The trailing edge dimmer is permanently installed in a building near an entrance door. The converter 2 is installed at a designated location in the room on the wall side. Typically, several such converters 2 are installed in the room or in the building, specifically at those points at which electrical consumer modules 3 are to be detachably connected to it. Even if the electrical load 3 in the exemplary embodiment shown is a lamp, other electrical loads can also be connected to such a converter 2 .

The converter 2 has a combined mechanical-electrical interface 5. This is designed as a junction box in the exemplary embodiment shown. The interface 5 forms a cup-shaped recess in a central piece 6 which is in turn surrounded by a frame 7 . In the base of the interface 5, three contacts 8, 8.1, 8.2 are arranged in a ring shape and arranged concentrically to one another and designed as contact tracks. The internal contact 8 and the external contact 8.1 are used for the power supply. The contact 8.2 located between the contacts 8, 8.1 represents a data contact. Two locking elements 9 lying diametrically opposite one another with respect to the receptacle pass through the cylindrical wall 10 enclosing the pot-shaped receptacle (see also figure 2 ). The edge of such a locking element 9 engaging in the receptacle intersects the cylindrical wall 10 in the manner of a secant. The locking elements 9 can be moved in the radial direction and in the figure 1 locking position shown held by a spring element. Against the force of a locking element 9 holding in this position Spring element is adjustable in its insertion or release position. For this purpose, the two locking elements 9 are kinematically coupled. If the locking elements 9 are to be moved out of their locking position in order to replace a first consumer module 3, a release magnet is used for this purpose. This is to be positioned at a predefined position on the outside of the frame 7 for this purpose. For this purpose, the adjustment mechanism of the locking elements 9 carries a counter magnet. Only when a user holds a release magnet at the intended release point does the release magnet interact with the actuating magnet in order to bring the locking elements 9 into their unlocked position. Below the bottom of the pot-shaped receptacle is a holding magnet H, by which the consumer module 3 is held when it is mounted on the converter 2 .

The structure of the interface 5 is also from the sectional view of figure 2 clear. The interface 5 is connected to a built-in device by means of a connector S. The built-in device, which contains the necessary components for operating the interface 5, is in figure 1 identified as part of the converter 2 with the reference symbol G. This sectional view also shows the circuit board L on which the contacts 8, 8.1, 8.2 are arranged.

The load module 3 includes a connector module 11 which fits into the cup-shaped receptacle of the interface 5 of the converter 2 . At the positions complementary to the contact tracks 8, 8.1, 8.2, the connector module 11 has spring-loaded contact pins 12 which, when the connector module 11 is inserted into the cup-shaped receptacle of the interface 5, each contact a contact 8, 8.1 or 8.2, specifically under one certain spring preload standing. In the illustrated embodiment, two contact pin arrangements 13, 13.1 are provided, which are arranged diametrically opposite one another with respect to the center of the connector module 11. The front edge of the connector module 11 has a chamfer 14 through which the locking elements 9 are adjusted when the connector module 11 is inserted into the receptacle of the interface 5 . A circumferential groove 15 is introduced into the cylindrical lateral surface of the connector module 11, into which the locking elements 9 step in when the consumer module 3 is used with its connector module 11 far enough into the receptacle of the converter 2. In the connector module 11 there is a counter magnet (not shown in the figure) for the holding magnet H installed in the converter 2. Both magnets are designed as permanent magnets and not only serve to hold the consumer module 3 and converter 2 together, but also to provide the required contact pressure to provide between the contact pins 12 and the respective contact track 8, 8.1 or 8.2.

The consumer module 3 is supplied with a constant voltage by the converter 2 . The consumer module 3 receives data relating to the desired control of the light sources located in the consumer module 3 as electrical consumers via the contact track 8 serving as a data contact. A number of LEDs are installed in the consumer module 3 as light sources.

The structure and the mode of operation of the electrical load system 1 are described below with reference to the block diagram of FIG figure 3 explained. The converter 2 is connected with its control input 16 to a dimmer, not shown in the figure. Thus, for example, a signal provided by the dimmer and dimmed in the phase segment is present at the control input 16 . A constant voltage of 12 V is provided by the converter 2 at the contacts 8, 8.1 provided for the voltage supply of the electrical consumer module 3. The phase is applied to contact 8, while contact 8.1 serves as a ground contact. The converter 2 has a control value transmitter 17, by which the dimming signal received via the control input 16 is converted into a normalized digital control value, which control value is provided in a galvanically isolated manner at the contact 8.2. The control value transmitter 17 is located in the built-in device G. The normalized control value is provided regardless of the type of at least one electrical consumer of a consumer module 3 to be connected to the converter 2 .

In addition to its plug module 11 already explained above, the electrical load module 3 has a control unit 18. The control unit 18 evaluates the control values received via the contact pin 12 applied to the contact 8.2 and controls the LEDs in the load module 3 accordingly. In the exemplary embodiment shown, two groups of LEDs 19, 19.1 are installed in the consumer module 3, specifically those that emit cold white light and those that emit warm white light. The LEDs 19 emit cold white light. The LEDs 19.1 emit warm white light. Each of these two LED groups 19, 19.1 is assigned its own switching power supply 20, 20.1. In this exemplary embodiment, the switching power supplies 20, 20.1 are controlled via a PWM control. It is provided that the switching power supplies 20, 20.1 and thus the LEDs 19, 19.1 are controlled using a characteristic curve in order to take into account the dimming behavior of the LEDs 19, 19.1 in relation to the control values received. The changing light color when the cold white LEDs 19 and the warm white LEDs 19.1 are dimmed also has an influence on the map, specifically in such a way that despite dimming the intended light color remains the same when the consumer module 3 is in operation. Accordingly, the proportions of the cold white LEDs 19 and the warm white LEDs 19.1 in the luminous flux are set up by the control unit 18 in the control parameterization.

The control value present at contact 8.2 is provided isochronously by converter 2. The control value is integrated in a data slot. The structure of such a data slot is schematized in figure 4 and includes a start, eight data, a parity, and a stop bit. The level of the data line is "high" when idle. Transmission begins with the start bit. This is followed by the individual data bits. Finally, the parity and stop bits are sent. In principle, it is sufficient if such a data slot is provided as a data packet, specifically with a predetermined repetition rate (refresh rate). In order to be able to transmit further information, for example to allow multi-channel control, a complete data packet in the illustrated exemplary embodiment comprises a number of data slots, followed by a sufficiently long pause the last data slot. The transmission takes place in the form of frames with at least one data slot, as described above. Such a data frame is not completely filled with data slots with regard to the time span defined by this. Rather, a significant portion of the data frame remains without data slots. This time interval within a data frame is available for data transmission from consumer module 3 to converter 2 or to a control unit connected to it. In the illustrated embodiment, the pause contained in the frame corresponds to approximately half the temporal extent of the frame. In order to prevent an overload situation for the converter 2, the maximum power that can be made available by the converter 2 is communicated to the electrical load module 3 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment in a data slot. For this purpose, the electrical load module 3 has a corresponding load index memory. This load index is a variable for the maximum power that can be provided by the converter 2 . When evaluating the control values received and activating its electrical consumers, here: the LEDs 19 and 19.1 or the switched-mode power supply units 20, 20.1, the evaluation unit 18 ensures that the electrical consumer module 3 only draws such power from the converter 2 that is required for the converter 2 is maximum allowed.

The electrical load module 3 can easily be exchanged for another electrical load module that works in the same way as it is described above for the load module 3 . This also applies in particular to consumer modules that are designed as lights but carry other light sources and/or have a different output. By controlling the load modules with standardized setting values, virtually any electrical load can be controlled via the dimmer installed on the wall in the exemplary embodiment shown. This applies both to switching on and off and to scalable control of the electrical consumer or consumers of such a consumer module.

In the exemplary embodiment described above, the data communication takes place unidirectionally from the converter 2 to the electrical consumer 3.

in the in figure 5 The further development shown has the electrical load module 3.1, which is also designed as a light, in addition to the components already described for the electrical load module 3 via on-site sensors 21, which in the exemplary embodiment shown is the figure 5 is a switch for the sake of simplicity. This switch is located on the consumer module 3.1. Through this, the LEDs 19, 19.1 can be switched on and off. The components of the electrical load 3.1 that have already been described for the electrical load 3 are not provided with separate reference symbols again in the figure. With regard to these components or components already described above, the statements on the electrical supply system 1 with its electrical load module 3 apply equally to the electrical load module 3.1 of FIG figure 5 . If the on-site sensor system 21 is actuated by a user, the evaluation unit 18.1 is switched to a second operating mode. The data stream sent by the on-site sensor system 21 and received by the evaluation unit 18.1 is responsible for this. From now on, the electrical consumers of the consumer module 3.1 can be controlled via the on-site sensor system 21 provided as a switch in this exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, this on-site sensor system control mode is ended when a changeover bit is contained in the data stream received from the converter by the control unit 18.1. This switches the control unit 18.1 into its control mode, in which the electrical consumers are controlled as a function of the control values received from the converter.

In a further development of such an on-site sensor system, it is provided that the LEDs 19, 19.1 can also be dimmed with this. Such a design of the electrical load system only requires unidirectional data communication from the converter 2 to the electrical load module 3.1.

It is also entirely possible to design an electrical consumer system with bidirectional data communication and thus also with a data flow from such an electrical consumer module 3.2 to the converter 2.1, as in figure 6 shown. For such communication, the pause provided for this purpose in the data packets is used, by which a time slot is provided for the communication from consumer module 3.2 to converter 2.1. The converter 2.1 is in the embodiment figure 6 connected to a KNX bus with its control input 16.1. The data received from the consumer module 3.2 is fed into the KNX bus via the converter 2.1 and evaluated by a control unit connected to it. This data can be characteristics of the electrical load module 3.2. At the in figure 6 shown embodiment is in the consumer module 3.2, a brightness sensor 22, the sensor data are transmitted to the central bus controller. The output data from the brightness sensor 22 also act on the control unit 18.2 of the consumer module 3.2 in order to be able to ensure a light output current that remains the same in terms of its brightness even when the ambient brightness changes. In the consumer module 3.2, the control unit 18.2 also takes over the data communication to the converter 2.1. Also with regard to the electrical consumer system 1.1 of figure 6 The explanations of the electrical consumer system 1 apply equally, with the exception of the development described above.

The invention has been described using exemplary embodiments. The relevant descriptions make it clear that any consumer modules can easily be connected to such a converter. In a building installation, such converters 2, 2.1 can be installed at predetermined positions, for example for ceiling lights, also on the ceiling. In such a consumer system, a first lamp can easily be exchanged for another lamp. This can be done by anyone. A specialist is not required for this.

This enormously increases the variability in the use of electrical connection ports provided by the converters in terms of their use, it being noted that it is not just about electrical connection ports, but also about connection ports via which data be received or exchanged and due to the special configuration of the converters 2, 2.1 with an already existing scalable output signal providing sensor, a wide variety of electrical loads can be controlled.

Reference List

1

electrical consumer system

2.2.1

converter

3, 3.1, 3.2

consumer module

4

flush-mounted box

5

interface

6

centerpiece

7

frame

8, 8.1, 8.2

Contact

9

locking element

10

Wall

11

connector module

12

contact pin

13, 13.1

contact pin arrangement

14

chamfer

15

groove

16, 16.1

control input

17

position transmitter

18, 18.1, 18.2

control unit

19

LED cold white

19.1

LED warm white

20, 20.1

switching power supply

21

on-site sensors

22

brightness sensor

G

built-in device

H

holding magnet

L

circuit board

S

connector

Claims (23)

1. Method for operating a consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) having at least one electrical consumer (19, 20; 19.1, 20.1) and a drive unit (18, 18.1, 18.2) for driving the electrical consumer (19, 20; 19.1, 20.1) via a converter (2, 2.1) having an interface (5), wherein

   - the consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) with its at least one electrical consumer (19, 20; 19.1, 20.1) is supplied with constant voltage via the interface (5) of the converter (2, 2.1) and receives drive data,

   - the converter (2, 2.1) is supplied with a control signal on the input side,
   characterised in that

   - a drive signal received by the converter (2, 2.1) is converted into a digital control value which is standardised independently of the type of the at least one electrical consumer of the consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2), which control value is provided at a contact (8.2) of the interface (5) for tapping by the consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2), and

   - the at least one electrical consumer (19, 20; 19.1, 20.1) of the consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) is actuated by the drive unit (18, 18.1, 18.2) in accordance with the control value present at the contact (8.2), wherein an individualisation of the control value present as a scalable actuation signal into a consumer- or load-related actuation parameterisation only takes place in the consumer module.
2. Method in accordance with Claim 1, characterised in that the control value is provided by the converter (2, 2.1) at a predetermined repetition frequency.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the control value received by the drive unit (18, 18.1, 18.2) of the consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) is converted into control parameters by means of a characteristic curve or by means of a characteristic diagram and the at least one electrical consumer (19, 20; 19.1, 20.1) is controlled with these control parameters.
4. Method in accordance with any of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the power consumption of the consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) is reduced if the power consumed by the consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) or its at least one electrical consumer (19, 20; 19.1, 20.1) is greater or becomes greater than the maximum power provided or which can be provided by the converter (2, 2.1).
5. Method in accordance with Claim 4, characterised in that the converter (2, 2.1) transmits a load index as an indication of its maximum power to the electrical consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2), to which load index the drive unit (18, 18.1, 18.2) of the electrical consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) refers for comparing the power taken off by the converter (2, 2.1) with the additional maximum power take-off defined by the load index.
6. Method in accordance with Claim 5, characterised in that the load index is transmitted isochronously from the converter (2, 2.1) to the electrical consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2).
7. Method in accordance with Claim 5, characterised in that the load index of the converter (2, 2.1) is transmitted when the electrical consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) connected to the converter (2, 2.1) is put into operation for the first time.
8. Method in accordance with Claim 7, characterised in that the load index is stored in the electrical consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2).
9. Method in accordance with any of Claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the maximum power decrease of the electrical consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) is limited by a load index calculated in the same way as that of the converter (2, 2.1) and stored in a memory and, if this load index is greater than the load index received from the converter (2, 2.1), is reduced to a magnitude not exceeding the load index of the converter (2, 2.1).
10. Method in accordance with any of Claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the maximum power decrease of the electrical consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) is limited by a load index calculated in the same way as that of the converter (2, 2.1) and, if this load index is greater than the load index received from the converter (2, 2.1), the load index of the electrical consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) is replaced by the received load index of the converter (2, 2.1).
11. Method in accordance with any of Claims 6 to 10, characterised in that the load indices are determined by weighting the maximum output or input power of the converter (2, 2.1) and the electrical consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2).
12. Method in accordance with any of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the consumer module (3.1, 3.2) is decoupled by a local sensor system (21, 22) from a control of its at least one electrical consumer on the basis of the control values obtained via the interface of the converter (2, 2.1).
13. Method in accordance with Claim 12, characterised in that the at least one electrical consumer of the consumer module (3.1, 3.2) is controlled by the local sensor system (21, 22).
14. Method in accordance with Claim 13, characterised in that the actuation parameterisation of the at least one electrical consumer carried out with the local sensor system is stored in the consumer module (3.1, 3.2).
15. Method in accordance with any of Claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the decoupling of the actuation by the local sensor system (21, 22) of the at least one electrical consumer of the consumer module (3.1, 3.2) is terminated by the interface of the converter (2.1) if, when a signal present at the drive input (16.1) of the converter (2.1) is detected in the data stream, a changeover bit is sent to the electrical consumer module (3.1, 3.2), by means of which a drive of the drive unit (18.1, 18.2) by the local sensor system (21, 22) is deactivated.
16. Method in accordance with any of Claims 1 to 15, characterised in that bidirectional data communication between the converter (2.1) and the electrical consumer module (3.2) takes place via the data contact of the interface.
17. Method in accordance with Claim 16, characterised in that the electrical consumer module (3.2) transmits characteristic data via the converter (2.1) to a control unit connected to the converter (2.1) on the input side.
18. Method in accordance with Claim 16 or 17 characterised in that the consumer module (3.2) comprises a sensor (22) and the sensor data are transmitted to the drive unit via the converter (2.1).
19. Electrical consumer system with a converter (2, 2.1) having an interface (5) for providing a constant voltage supply and control data for a consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) to be connected thereto or connected thereto and having at least one electrical consumer (19, 20; 19.1, 20.1), the converter (2, 2.1) having a drive input (16, 16.1) for receiving drive data for driving the at least one electrical consumer (19, 20; 19.1, 20.1) of the consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2), two contacts (8, 8.1) for the voltage supply and at least one contact (8.1) as a data contact, characterised in that the converter also has a control value transmitter (17) for converting a received control signal into a standardised digital control value which is independent of the type of the at least one electrical consumer (19, 20; 19.1, 20.1) of the consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) and in that the consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) comprises connection means for making contact with the contacts (8, 8.1, 8.2) of the converter (2, 2.1) and a drive unit (18, 18.1) which is connected or connectable to the contact (8.2) on the input side provided for data transmission and by means of which the at least one electrical consumer (19, 20; 19.1, 20.1) can be controlled in accordance with the received control value, wherein individualisation of the received control value as a scalable control signal into a consumer- or load-related control parameterisation only takes place in the consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2).
20. Consumer system in accordance with Claim 19, characterised in that the converter (2, 2.1) is designed as a junction box with contacts (8, 8.1, 8.2) designed as annular contact paths arranged concentrically to one another and the consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) is designed as a plug module (11) with contact pins (12) as connection contacts, and in that the junction box and the plug module (11) of the consumer module (3, 3.1, 3.2) are equipped with holding means for holding the plug module (11) inserted into the junction box.
21. Consumer system in accordance with Claim 20, characterised in that the holding means are magnetic holding means, and the junction box and/or the plug module have a holding magnet and the respective complementary part - plug module or junction box - has a holding magnet counterpart.
22. Consumer system in accordance with Claim 20 or 21, characterised in that the interface (5) for positive locking of the plug module (11) inserted therein has at least one locking element (9) which engages in the receptacle in radial direction and engages in a circumferential groove (15) of the plug module (11).
23. Consumer system in accordance with Claim 22, characterised in that the locking element (9) is adjutable into its unlocking position by means of a release magnet positioned at a corresponding position on the interface (5).

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