EP4646034A1

EP4646034A1 - Control light module, peripheral light module and building lighting system

Info

Publication number: EP4646034A1
Application number: EP24173135.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dennis Schüttler; Dean CAMPBELL-SMITH; Abdulrahman Amr; Felix Küpper
Original assignee: Organic Response AB
Current assignee: Organic Response AB
Priority date: 2024-04-29
Filing date: 2024-04-29
Publication date: 2025-11-05

Abstract

Shown and described is a control light module (10) with a control light carrier unit (11), a control light LED unit (12), a control unit (14) attached to the control light carrier unit (11), and a control light connector (16.1, 16.2) arranged at the first end (11.1) of the control light carrier unit (11). In addition, a peripheral light module (20) with a peripheral light carrier unit (21), a peripheral light LED unit (22) and a peripheral light connector (26.1, 26.2) is described. Furthermore, a building lighting system (50) comprising at least one control light module (10) and at least one peripheral light module (20) is described.

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a control light module, a peripheral light module and a building lighting system.

Background

Luminaires and lighting systems are generally known from the state of the art. A disadvantage of the known luminaires and building lighting systems is that the luminaires regularly have to be equipped with ballasts in order to control them. If wireless control is to be used, the ballasts are usually equipped with wireless add-on modules. The large number of wireless protocols in use today makes this even more complicated. This makes the installation of building lighting systems complex and requires qualified specialists who know how to select, install and commission compatible luminaires, ballasts and wireless add-on modules.
There is therefore a need to simplify building lighting systems and make their installation and commissioning more efficient.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to simplify a building lighting system and to make its installation and commissioning more efficient.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, the problem is solved by a control light module with the features of claim 1.
The control light module has a control light carrier unit, a control light LED unit, a control unit and a control light connector.
The control light module has the control light carrier unit extending from a first end to a second end. The control light carrier unit may be made of, for example, a stable plastic or metal. If the control light carrier unit is made of metal, this may have the advantage that it is a torsion-resistant and load-bearing material. In addition, the control light carrier unit may then be particularly good at conducting heat. If the control light carrier unit is made of plastic, this may have the advantage that curved or winding geometries of the control light carrier unit can also be produced easily. In addition, such a control light carrier unit may be inexpensive to provide. Preferably, the control light carrier unit may be an extrusion. Preferably, the cross-section of the control light carrier unit may correspond to an H-profile, or corresponds to it in essential features. The advantage of an H-profile may be that an H-profile forms two separate areas. The two separate areas do not have to be the same size, i.e. the cross-section of the control light carrier unit does not have to be mirror-symmetrical in both cross-sectional directions. It may also be advantageous if the control light carrier unit is formed from a U-profile. The H-profile and the U-profile may comprise two outer legs and a connecting leg that joins the two outer legs. However, other geometries that form at least one separate area may be also suitable.
The control light module also has a control light LED unit. The control light LED unit is attached to the control light carrier unit. This may have the advantage that the control light LED unit is fixed and may be protected from deformation by the load-bearing capacity of the control light carrier unit. If the control light carrier unit may be configured as an H-shaped or U-shaped profile and the control light LED unit may be attached to the connecting leg of the H-shaped or U-shaped profile, the control light LED unit may be particularly protected from external mechanical influences.
The control light LED unit is also arranged between a first end and a second end of the control light carrier unit. The control light LED unit may extend substantially all the way between the first end and the second end of the control light carrier unit. As a result, the area between the first end and the second end may be utilized efficiently and a particularly large number of LEDs can be accommodated in the control light LED unit. In addition, dark areas at the first and second ends may thus be avoided.
The control light module also has a control unit. The control unit is attached to the control light carrier unit. The fact that the control unit is attached to the control light carrier unit may mean that the components required to control the control light module are integrated into the control light module. This may make the control light module easy to wire and install. It may be sufficient to connect the control light module to a voltage source for commissioning. This may eliminate the need for conventional ballasts, which may be used to control a downstream light source. Installation work may also be reduced as only one control luminaire module needs to be installed in or on buildings rather than two components, namely a luminaire and a ballast.
The control unit can also be connected to a DC power supply. Since the control unit can be connected to a power supply, the control light module may be easy to wire and connect. In addition, all components required for the function may be supplied with power at once. The control unit may be integral to the control light module and therefore may replace a dedicated, luminaire-external ballast. Separate wiring of a ballast and additional connection of a ballast to a light module may therefore no longer be necessary. This means that the control light module may be installed and connected in a time-efficient manner.
The control unit is connected to the control light LED unit in such a way that when the control unit is connected to the power supply, the control light LED unit can be supplied with energy by the control unit. By connecting the control unit to the control light LED unit in such a way that when the control unit is connected to the voltage supply the control light LED unit can be supplied with energy by the control unit, it may be possible to control the control light LED unit by the control unit. In this context, "control" may mean setting an operating point for the control light LED unit. This may be achieved by a specific voltage or a specific current. In the context of this description, "control" may also be understood to mean the generation of temporal changes in the voltage and/or current by the control unit. The power supply to the control light LED unit may thereby be distributed via the control unit, and in some situations the voltage and/or current of the distributed power to the control light LED unit may be controlled by the control unit before being supplied to the control light LED unit.
In addition, a control light connector is arranged at the first end of the control light carrier unit. This control light connector may be configured to be connected to a peripheral light connector of a peripheral light module with a peripheral light LED unit. The peripheral light module may be releasably attached to the control light module by means of the control light connector. Since the control light connector is arranged at the first end of the control light carrier unit and is configured to be connected to a peripheral light connector of a peripheral light module with a peripheral light LED unit, the control light module may be connected to a peripheral light module particularly easily. The control light connector may be arranged on the second side of the control light carrier unit, i.e. on the same side as the control unit when the control unit and the control light LED unit are arranged on opposite sides. Preferably, the control light connector may be arranged directly next to the control unit. This may be preferably arranged perpendicular to the cross-section of the control light carrier unit, so that the peripheral light module may be arranged and connected at the front of the control light carrier unit. This may make it particularly easy to connect a peripheral light module. In addition, when the control light connector is arranged at the first end of the control light carrier unit, the connector may be barely visible to an observer. This may also mean that the light emission of the control light LED unit may be not affected.
Preferably, the control light connector may be configured as part of the control unit. This may have the advantage that a connector, e.g. a plug, a socket or a connecting cable, may be attached directly to the control unit and fitted during manufacture. This may also have the advantage that the control light connector may be firmly mounted on the control unit, which may make it more robust during assembly and prevents the control light connector from breaking or tearing off in the event of improper assembly.
The control light connector is also configured to be connected to a peripheral light connector of a peripheral light module with a peripheral light LED unit in such a way that the peripheral light LED unit can be supplied with power from the control unit. The fact that the peripheral light LED unit can be supplied with power from the control unit may mean that no separate power supply or additional wired power supply to the peripheral light module may be required. This may reduce the amount of cabling required during installation. The power supply from the control unit to the peripheral light LED unit may be distributed correspondingly to the power supply to the control light LED unit. There may be a common distribution of power from the control unit to both the control light LED unit and the connected peripheral light LED unit. This may further apply also if two peripheral light modules are connected to the control light module, and/or if additional peripheral light modules are connected to the one or two peripheral light modules that are connected to the control light module. The same power may be supplied via the control unit to the control light LED unit and any peripheral light LED unit connected directly or indirectly to the control light module.
The control light connector may alternatively be connected to another control light module. In such situation, two control light module may be connected to each other.
The control light connectors and peripheral light connectors may be configured for connection of power lines and optionally also data lines between light modules.
In a chain of two or more light modules, including at least one control light module and at least one peripheral light module, connected to each other via light connectors, one of the light modules may be connected to the power supply. The light module connected to the power supply may be a control light module or a peripheral light module. The power to all light modules may then be distributed by a control unit of a control light module in the chain. All light modules in the chain may be supplied with power originating from the same power supply. The connection to the power supply may be at an end of the chain, i.e. via a connector at a free end of a light module at an end of the chain. Alternatively, the connection to the power supply may be via a connector that is also connected to another light module, i.e. in the middle of the chain.
The control light module may comprise two control light connectors. This may be utilized by connecting two peripheral light modules to the control light module, or a peripheral light module to one of the control light connectors and another control light module to the other of the control light connectors. One of the control light connectors may be used for connection to a power supply. The connection to the power supply may provide power connection to the control unit, such that power received by the control unit via said control light connector may be distributed by the control unit to the control light LED unit and any connected peripheral light LED units.
The control unit may comprise a transceiver unit that may be configured to transmit and receive signals wirelessly. The fact that the control unit may have a transceiver unit configured for wireless transmission and reception of signals may mean that control signals can be transmitted wirelessly to the control light module. This may allow the control light module to be controlled remotely. For example, the control light LED unit may be activated or deactivated, i.e. switching operations may be triggered. The fact that the transceiver unit may send signals may mean that the status of the control light module can also be transmitted, thus informing a building management system, for example, whether the control light module is activated or deactivated. This may be an important function for building management systems, as they should always be able to determine the status of a luminaire module.
The transceiver unit may be configured to receive control signals wirelessly from a central unit. The central unit may be a central control component that is configured as a stand-alone device and executes fixed predefined sequences to control one or more control light modules. A predefined sequence may be, for example, activating the control light LED unit at a certain time and deactivating it at a different time. However, the central unit may also be a mobile device, such as a tablet or cell phone. This may provide an easy-to-use user interface. The central unit may also be configured as a gateway. Such a gateway may connect the control light module to a network or a wide area network or the Internet. The fact that the transceiver unit may be configured to receive wireless control signals from a central unit may make it possible for a central unit to control the control light module by sending control commands from the central unit. This may make it easier to control the control light module, as it can be controlled from a central unit.
Control signals that may be received by the control unit via the transceiver unit may be used for controlling the control light LED unit as well as the peripheral light LED unit in the peripheral light module. If more than one peripheral light module is connected to the control light module and/or peripheral light module, the received control signals may be used by the control unit to control the peripheral light LED units of all connected peripheral light modules.
The control light carrier unit may extend from the first end to the second end along a straight line. The fact that the control light carrier unit extends from the first end to the second end along a straight line may make it possible for the control light module and the peripheral light module to extend along the same axis when they are connected to each other via control light connectors and peripheral light connectors. This may meet the needs of building lighting in particular, as buildings often have a large number of straight edges where lighting solutions are used. In addition, a control light carrier unit that extends along a straight line may also make it easy to mount the control light LED unit in or on the control light carrier unit.
The control light carrier unit may comprise a heat sink and the control unit may be attached to the control light carrier unit in a heat-conducting manner. The fact that the control light carrier unit comprises a heat sink and the control unit is attached to the control light carrier unit in a heat-conducting manner may have the advantage that heat loss that emerges in the control unit may be efficiently dissipated into the control light carrier unit and is released into the environment via the surface of the control light carrier unit. This may enable very slim and therefore material-saving dimensions of the control light module.
If the control light carrier unit is made of a thermally conductive material, this may have the advantage that heat loss from the control unit, which may be connected to the control light carrier unit in a thermally conductive manner, can be efficiently dissipated and released to the environment via a larger surface area than if no thermally conductive material were used for the control light carrier unit. This may enable very narrow and therefore material-saving dimensions of the control light module. Thanks to the narrow control light carrier unit, the control light modules may also be used in narrow niches in building facades. The control light carrier unit may therefore be also less conspicuous for observers on a building fagade and disturbs the architectural character of an illuminated building less.
Alternatively, the control light carrier unit may have a heat sink and the control unit may be attached to the heat sink of the control light carrier unit in a thermally conductive manner. The fact that the control light carrier unit may have a heat sink and the control unit may be attached to the heat sink in a thermally conductive manner may make it possible to make the control light carrier unit mechanically flexible or deformable in a second section and to form a thermally conductive section in a first section of the control light carrier unit, to which the control unit may be attached in a thermally conductive manner in order to dissipate the heat loss of the control unit and release it to the environment. In other words, only a section or an area of the control light carrier unit may be configured as a heat sink. This may make it possible to provide a control light module that has a shape other than a straight line, or may be deformable or even flexible in the area of the second section of the control light carrier unit. As a result, this embodiment may allow particular freedom in shaping the control light module.
A further control light connector may be arranged at the second end of the control light carrier unit. The further control light connector may be configured to connect a further peripheral light module to the control unit in such a way that the further peripheral light module can be supplied with energy by the control unit. The fact that a further control light connector may be arranged at the second end of the control light carrier unit and the further control light connector may be configured to connect a further peripheral light module to the control unit in such a way that the further peripheral light module may be supplied with energy by the control unit means that a further peripheral light module may be connected to the control light module and thus two peripheral light modules may be connected and supplied with energy by one control light module and may be controlled by the control unit in the aforementioned manner. This further may reduce the amount of wiring required during installation, as only one supply line may be required to supply power to the control light module for power supply and wireless control. The fact that a further control light connector may be arranged at the second end of the control light carrier unit may also make the energy supply to the control light module more flexible. If, for example, the control unit may be mounted near the first end of the control light module, i.e. asymmetrically between the first and second end of the control light carrier unit, the control light module may be mounted on or in a building in such a way that a supply line for supplying the control light module may be as short as possible, which saves material and effort.
The control unit may be configured to control a light intensity or color values of the control light LED unit. A light intensity may be understood as the brightness of a control light LED unit. This may be expressed in lux or candela. A color value may be understood as the color temperature of a white control light LED unit measured in Kelvin or the light color, for example red, green and blue. The fact that the control unit may be configured to control a light intensity or color values of the control light LED unit may result in a high integration density of control functions in the control light module. In particular, no external ballast or control unit may be required, which often may have to be equipped with additional modules to enable wireless communication. In addition, the control of the light intensity and the color values may be integrated in the control light module, so that compact, easy-to-install complete units may be provided. The installation steps for a control light module may therefore be limited to mechanical attachment to or in a building and connection to a power supply or voltage source. This means that installation requires only a small number of trained specialists, as no ballasts may need to be selected, correctly assigned and configured.
The control unit may be configured to address a plurality of LEDs of the control light LED unit individually for each LED of the plurality of LEDs and to set luminous intensity values or color values of the plurality of LEDs individually for each LED. The fact that the control unit may be configured to address a plurality of LEDs of the control light LED unit individually for each LED of the plurality of LEDs and to set luminous intensity values or color values of the plurality of LEDs individually for each LED may provide a very versatile control light module that may also display colored patterns or color gradients. In this way, complex lighting scenarios may be realized using a control light module. For example, a first portion of the control light LED unit may light up in a first color, a second portion of the control light LED unit may light up in a second color and the third portion of the control light LED unit may light up in a third color. Temporal sequences of color changes or color gradients may also be created in this way and particularly versatile but easy-to-install lighting installations can be realized for building lighting.
The control unit may be disposed between a connecting portion of the control light carrier unit to which the control unit may be attached to the control light carrier unit and a portion of the control light carrier unit disposed between the control unit and an environment of the control light module. The fact that the control unit may be arranged between a connecting section of the control light carrier unit, to which the control unit may be attached to the control light carrier unit, and a section of the control light carrier unit, which may be arranged between the control unit and an environment of the control light module, may mean that the control unit may be attached within the outer geometry of the control light carrier unit and may thus be better protected against mechanical influences and damage during transportation or assembly. In addition, this may enable a coherent overall impression of a control light module for the eye of an observer, as no add-on parts or additional housings may protrude from the contour of the control light module. If the control unit may be attached to a control light carrier unit that may consist at least in part of an H-shaped profile, the control unit may preferably be attached between the two outer legs on one side of the connecting leg of the H-profile. The control light LED unit may preferably be attached to the opposite side of the connecting leg to which the control unit is attached. In this way, the control unit and control light LED unit may be protected from external mechanical influences and the control unit may not require any installation space on the side of the control light LED unit. If the control unit may be attached to a control light carrier unit that consists at least in part of a U-shaped profile, the control unit may preferably be attached between the two outer legs on the outside of the U of the connecting leg of the U-profile. The control light LED unit may preferably be attached to the opposite side of the connecting leg to which the control unit is attached. The advantages may be similar to the H-shaped profile. Depending on the application, it may also be preferable for the control unit and/or the control light LED unit to be attached to an outer leg of the H-shaped or U-shaped profile.
The transceiver unit may additionally be configured to wirelessly transmit control signals to a further control light module and/or wirelessly receive control signals from a further control light module. The fact that the transceiver unit may additionally be configured to wirelessly transmit control signals to a further control light module and/or wirelessly receive control signals from a further control light module may make it possible for control light modules to form a control light network. In other words, they may form a mesh network and thus enable one-to-many or many-to-many communication. For example, when the control light module receives a control command, such as "Brightness 50%", the control unit may set the control light LED unit to 50% brightness and the control unit's transceiver unit may retransmit the control command itself, which may allow more distant control light modules to receive the wireless control signal. This principle may be repeated for all control light modules integrated in a building lighting system, which may mean that large facades or a large number of interior rooms or stories may be covered. There may be no need for any wired transmission of control signals, which considerably may reduce the amount of wiring and makes installation much easier. It may also save material and reduces the number of possible sources of error. The organization of the resulting control luminaire network may be implemented using known wireless protocols and algorithms. These wireless protocols may be part of the control unit's firmware. The firmware may also handle the routing of the wireless control signals to the respective control light modules.
The transceiver unit may be set up or can be set up to transmit and receive signals wirelessly by means of various communication protocols. The fact that the transceiver unit may be set up or can be set up to transmit and receive signals wirelessly by means of various communication protocols may mean that the transceiver unit may be configured flexibly. In this way, the control light module may be equipped with uniform hardware and the configuration of the transceiver unit with a communication protocol is carried out by means of a device, for example by means of firmware that may be installed on the transceiver unit and/or the control unit. The fact that the control light module may always be identical in configuration and has uniform hardware may make installation easier, as no hardware variants may need to be differentiated or can be mixed up. This may also have the advantage that the firmware of the control light module may be partially or completely replaced by means of over-the-air programming (OTA programming). For example, completely identical control light modules equipped with firmware that may only include basic functions for controlling the control light module may be installed in or on a building and may then be equipped with the desired firmware in a subsequent step. This may mean that only one competent person may be required to configure all the control light modules after the installation has already been completed. The transceiver unit may thus be equipped with a communication protocol that is best suited to the particular building lighting system to be installed or that can be most easily integrated into building management systems already installed in a building. This may make it easier to configure and integrate the building lighting system. The fact that the transceiver unit may be or can be set up to send and receive signals wirelessly using various communication protocols may also have advantages in terms of production, as standardized control luminaire modules can be used. Suitable communication protocols may include a Matter protocol (a connection standard for home automation), a Bluetooth^® protocol with MeshNetworking functionality, an IEEE 802.11 protocol stack (WiFi) or a ZigBee-compatible protocol. Components for the transceiver unit may be provided by manufacturers such as Espressif Systems or Nordic^® Semiconductor. The transceiver unit may also include the control unit. For example, the aforementioned manufacturers may offer semiconductor components that may have sufficient computing power to also control a control light LED unit and other peripheral light LED units.
The control light module may be operated with a DC extra-low voltage of between 11 V and 60 V. The voltage range up to 60 V for direct current may fall within the range of the so-called safety extra-low voltage (SELV range, according to IEC 61140). The extra-low voltage may be supplied to the peripheral light module by the control unit. The fact that the control light module may be operated with a DC extra-low voltage of between 11 V and 60 V may mean that the control light modules may be installed by less or less qualified specialists who do not require a specialist qualification to connect to power supply networks. This may also mean that installation work may be shortened, as only one or a few central power supplies, i.e. power supply units or voltage transformers, may need to be installed by a qualified electrician with the power supply network (e.g. 230 V or 110 V power supply networks). The majority of control light modules may then be connected to these power supplies by less or less qualified specialists. In other embodiments the control light module may operate with, and receive from the DC voltage supply, a voltage above 60 V but below 100 V, below, 200 V, below 400 V, or below 600 V. In other embodiments the control light module may operate with, and receive from the DC voltage supply, a voltage below 11 V, such as between 5-11 V.
The control light LED unit may be arranged on a first side of the control light carrier unit, and the control unit may be arranged on a second side of the control light carrier unit opposite the first side. The fact that the control unit is arranged on a second side of the control light carrier unit opposite the first side may have the advantage that the control unit may be spatially separated from the control light LED unit. This may also create a cavity or installation space within the control light carrier unit, in which the control unit can be enclosed and thus protected from damage or mechanical impact. The fact that the control unit is arranged on a second side of the control light carrier unit opposite the first side may also mean that the control light LED unit can be formed from the first to the second end of the control light carrier unit. This means that no additional area or installation space may be required on the first side of the control light carrier unit for the control unit. As a result, a uniform light pattern of the control light module can be achieved on the first side along the extension of the control light LED unit. In addition, the visual effect of the control light module may be improved, as no electronic components, such as the control unit, may need to be accommodated in the areas of the first and second ends of the control light carrier unit. The fact that the control light LED unit extends from the first to the second end of the control light carrier unit may have the further advantage that further peripheral light modules may be connected to the control light module and these further peripheral light modules may be arranged almost seamlessly in terms of appearance. This means that dark areas may be created at the first and second ends because components are housed there that are required for the function of the control light modules but may limit the installation space for the control light LED unit. There may then be dark areas at these points that do not emit any light. This may also avoid dark areas on the first side of the control light carrier unit, even if peripheral light modules may be added. This may be because if further peripheral light modules are connected to the control light module, the light distribution at the connections remains inconspicuous for the observer and is therefore hardly noticeable visually. The control unit may be connected to the control light LED unit via one or more wires through the control light carrier unit.
Alternatively, the control unit may be arranged on the same side of the control light carrier unit as the control light LED unit. The control unit may be arranged at the first end of the control light carrier unit. The control light LED unit may be arranged from the control unit to the second end of the control light carrier unit. Alternatively, the control light LED unit may be arranged between the first end and the second end of the control light carrier unit, and the control unit may be arranged next to the control light LED unit along the control light LED unit's extension. In that way the control light LED unit may still provide light emission along substantially the whole extension of the control light module. The control unit may comprise a plurality of interconnected components which may be distributed such that they fit next to the control light LED unit on the same side of the control light carrier unit.
When the control unit and the control light LED unit are arranged on opposite sides of the control light carrier unit, there may be provided one or more connection paths through and/or along the control light carrier unit from the control unit to the control light LED unit and/or to one or more control light connector.
The control light carrier unit, the control light LED unit and the control unit may be integrally formed. This may for instance mean that the components of the units are provided on or in a common substrate, which substrate may constitute the carrier material of the control light carrier unit. Connections between two or more of the formed units may be formed within the substrate. Additionally, the control light connector may be integrally formed with the control unit. If more than one control light connector is present, at least one control light connector may be integrally formed with the control unit.
The control unit may be integrally formed with control light LED unit. In such case, the components of the control unit may be provided together with the components of the control light LED unit, for instance on a common substrate. The common substrate may constitute the control light carrier unit.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the problem is solved by a peripheral light module having the features of claim 11.
The peripheral light module has a peripheral light carrier unit extending from a first end to a second end. In addition, the peripheral light module has a peripheral light LED unit. The peripheral light LED unit is attached to the peripheral light carrier unit and is arranged between the first end and the second end of the peripheral light carrier unit. The peripheral light LED unit is arranged on a first side of the peripheral light carrier unit. Furthermore, a peripheral light connector is arranged at the first end of the peripheral light carrier unit. This peripheral light connector is configured to be connected to a control light connector of a control light module. The peripheral light LED unit can thus be supplied with energy by the control unit.
The peripheral light carrier unit may extend from the first end to the second end along a straight line.
A further peripheral light connector may be arranged at the second end of the peripheral light carrier unit. This further peripheral light connector may be configured to connect a further peripheral light module to the control unit in such a way that the peripheral light LED unit of the further peripheral light module may be supplied with energy by the control unit.
The advantages described in connection with the first aspect apply analogously.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the problem according to the invention is solved by a building lighting system with the features of claim 14.
The building lighting system comprises at least one control light module according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and optionally at least one peripheral light module according to any one of claims 11 to 13. The building lighting system may comprise two or more control light modules. The control light modules in the building lighting system may be communicatively connected with each other through a wired or wireless connection. The one or more control light modules may be communicatively connected with a central unit.
The building lighting system may comprise at least one peripheral light module. Each control light connector of each control light module of the at least one control light module may be connected to a corresponding peripheral light connector of a corresponding peripheral light module such that the peripheral light LED unit of the corresponding peripheral light module can be supplied with power by the control unit of the corresponding control light module.
The building lighting system may comprise at least one further peripheral light module according to any one of claims 11 - 13, wherein each further peripheral light connector of each peripheral light module of the at least one peripheral light module may be connected to a corresponding peripheral light connector of a corresponding further peripheral light module such that the peripheral light LED unit of the corresponding further peripheral light module can be powered by the control unit of the corresponding control light module.
The advantages described in connection with the first aspect for the control light module and the advantages described in connection with the second aspect for the peripheral light module apply analogously to the building lighting system according to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

The control light module, peripheral light module and building lighting system according to the invention are shown schematically in three figures. These are not shown to scale. Identical elements are provided with identical reference signs. Furthermore, the embodiments shown are exemplary and are not intended to limit the generality of the claims.

Figures 1 a) - c): show a control light module,
Figures 2 a) - c): show a peripheral light module and
Figure 3: shows a schematic representation of the building lighting system according to the invention.
Figure 4: shows schematic representations of connected control light modules and peripheral light modules.

Detailed description of embodiments

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.
Figures 1 a) to c) schematically show a control light module according to a first embodiment from different views.
Figure 1 a) shows a schematic perspective view of a control light module 10. Figure 1 b) shows the top view of the control light module 10. Figure 1 c) shows the bottom view of the control light module 10.
The control light module 10 has a control light carrier unit 11, a control light LED unit 12, a control unit 14 and a control light connector 16.1 as well as a further control light connector 16.2.
The control light carrier unit 11 extends from a first end 11.1 to a second end 11.2 along a straight line. The control light carrier unit 11 is a carrier unit made of metal, which has the advantage that it is a torsion-resistant and load-bearing material that is also thermally conductive. In addition, the control light carrier unit 11 is designed as an H-shaped profile.
The control light carrier unit 11 has two separate sides, namely a first side, which is shown as a bottom view of the control light module 10 in Figure 1 c), and a second side, which is shown as a top view of the control light module 10 in Figure 1 b). An electronics and cabling area is thus formed on the second side, in which the control unit 14 is arranged. On the first side, an area is formed in which the control light LED unit 12 is arranged. The fact that the control light carrier unit 11 has two sides and thus forms two areas has the advantage that the control light LED unit 12 is spatially and thermally separated from the control unit 14. This also creates a cavity or installation space in the control light carrier unit 11, in which the control unit 14 can be enclosed and is protected from external mechanical influences. An H-profile is shown here as an example. However, other geometries that form at least one separate area, e.g. a U-profile, are also suitable. In other embodiments, the control unit 14 may be arranged on the first side together with the control light LED unit 12.
As already explained, the control light carrier unit 11 may be made of a thermally conductive material. In this case, the control light carrier unit 11 may be an aluminum profile. The advantage of using a thermally conductive material for the control light carrier unit 11 is that the control unit 14, which is connected to the control light carrier unit 11 in a thermally conductive manner, can dissipate heat loss efficiently and can be emitted to the environment via a larger surface area. In addition, the heat loss of the control light LED unit 12 can also be dissipated efficiently. For this purpose, the control unit 14 and the control light LED unit 12 are bonded to the control light carrier unit 11 in a thermally conductive manner. This means that they are at least in close contact with the control light carrier unit 11, so that good heat conduction is possible. This enables very narrow and therefore also material-saving dimensions of the control light module 10, which means that they can also be used in narrow niches in building facades.
In one embodiment not shown, the control light carrier unit 11 may comprise a heat sink. This is intended to mean that the control light carrier unit 11 has a first section, which is designed as a heat sink, and has a second section, which is only mechanically load-bearing but may have poorer thermal conductivity properties than the first section. The fact that the control light carrier unit 11 may have a first section, which may be designed as a heat sink, and a second section, which may only be mechanically load-bearing, makes it possible to make the control light carrier unit 11 mechanically flexible or deformable in a second section and to form a thermally conductive section in a first section of the control light carrier unit 11 in order to dissipate the heat loss of the control unit 14. This enables control light modules 10 that have shapes other than a straight line, or are deformable or even flexible. As a result, this embodiment allows particular freedom in the shaping of the control light modules 10.
As already described, the control light LED unit 12 is attached to the control light carrier unit 11. This has the advantage that the control light LED unit 12 is fixed and is protected from deformation by the load-bearing capacity of the control light carrier unit 11. The control light LED unit 12 is also arranged between a first end 11.1 and a second end 11.2 of the control light carrier unit 11. As a result, the area between the first end 11.1 and the second end 11.2 is efficiently utilized and a particularly large number of LEDs can be accommodated in the control light LED unit 12. In addition, dark areas at the first and second ends 11.2 are thus avoided, in that LEDs can be mounted close to the edge of the control light carrier unit 11.
As already described, the mounting of the control light LED unit 12 is thermally conductive, which has the advantage that the heat loss of the control light LED unit 12 is efficiently dissipated into the control light carrier unit 11 and released into the environment via the surface of the control light carrier unit 11. This enables very slim and therefore material-saving dimensions of the control light module 10. The slim control light carrier unit 11 enables that the control light modules 10 can also be used in narrow niches in building facades. The control light module 11 is therefore also less conspicuous for observers on a building fagade and disturbs the architectural character of an illuminated building less. The thermally conductive attachment of the control light LED unit 12 can be achieved using thermally conductive adhesives or self-adhesive thermally conductive pads. Thermally conductive pastes or self-adhesive thermally conductive pads are also suitable. Self-adhesive thermally conductive pads create a non-permanent thermally conductive connection that can be released again at a later time. This ensures that a control light LED unit 12 can be easily removed and replaced in the event of a defect or partial defect. This means that the non-defective part of the control light module can simply be reused. Thermally conductive adhesives or self-adhesive thermal pads permanently fix the control light LED unit 12 so that the control light LED unit 12 does not detach from the control light carrier unit 11 even under harsh environmental conditions.
Furthermore, the control unit 14 is attached to the control light carrier unit 11. Because the control unit 14 is attached to the control light carrier unit 11, the components required for controlling the control light module 10 are integrated into the control light module 10. This makes the control light module 10 easy to wire and install. For commissioning, it is sufficient to connect the control light module 10 to a DC voltage source 53 (see figure 3). This means that conventional ballasts, which are used to control a downstream light source, can be dispensed with. The installation effort is also reduced.
The control unit 14 is also arranged on a second side of the control light carrier unit 11 opposite the first side, which has the advantage that the control unit 14 is spatially separated from the control light LED unit 12. The cavity or installation space, which is formed within the control light carrier unit 11 by the outer legs of the H-shaped profile, makes it possible to enclose the control unit 14 and thus protect it from damage or mechanical effects. The fact that the control unit 14 is arranged on a second side of the control light carrier unit 11 opposite the first side also means that the control light LED unit 12 can be formed from the first to the second end 11.2 of the control light carrier unit 11. Thus, no additional area or installation space is required on the first side of the control light carrier unit 11 for the control unit 14. As a result, a uniform light pattern of the control light module 10 can be achieved on the first side along the extension of the control light LED unit 12. In addition, the visual effect of the control light module 10 is improved, since no electronic components, such as the control unit 14, are accommodated in the areas of the first and second ends 11.2 of the control light carrier unit 11. The fact that the control light LED unit 12 extends from the first to the second end 11.2 of the control light carrier unit 11 may provide that there are no dark areas at the first and second ends 11.2 because there are no components located there that are required for the function of the control light modules 10, but which limit the installation space for the control light LED unit 12. This means that areas that do not emit any light can be avoided and thus dark areas on the first side of the control light carrier unit 11 can also be avoided when the peripheral light modules are arranged in a row. This is because if further peripheral light modules are connected to the control light module 10, the light distribution at the joints remains inconspicuous to the observer and is therefore hardly noticeable visually.
The control unit 14 can be connected to a power supply 53. This is done via a control light connector 16.1 at the first end or via the other control light connector 16.2, making the control light module 10 easy to wire and connect. In addition, all components required for the function are supplied with power at once, as the control unit 14 is integral to the control light module 10 and a dedicated ballast external to the light is not required.
In addition, the control unit 14 is connected to the control light LED unit 12 in such a way that when the control unit 14 is connected to the power supply 53, the control light LED unit 12 is supplied with power by the control unit 14. This takes place via a cable connection or via a flexible conductor or flexible printed circuit board. By connecting the control unit 14 to the control light LED unit 12 in such a way that when the control unit 14 is connected to the power supply 53, the control light LED unit 12 can be energized by the control unit 14, it is possible to control the control light LED unit 12 by the control unit 14. This can be achieved by a specific voltage or current provided by the control unit.
The control unit 14 also has a transceiver unit 15, which is configured to transmit and receive signals wirelessly. The fact that the control unit 14 has a transceiver unit 15, which is configured for wireless transmission and reception of signals, means that control signals can be transmitted wirelessly to the control light module 10. This means that the control light module 10 can be controlled remotely. For example, the control light LED unit 12 can be activated or deactivated as a result of receiving a specific control signal, i.e. switching operations can be triggered. The fact that the transceiver unit 15 can also send signals means that the status of the control light module 10 can also be transmitted, thus informing a building management system, for example, whether the control light module 10 is activated or whether it is deactivated. This is an important function for building management systems, as they should always be able to determine the status of a control light module.
As seen in figure 3, the transceiver unit 15 is configured to receive wireless control signals from a central unit 51. The central unit 51 is a gateway, which on the one hand enables centralized control but also makes the control light module 10 controllable by means of a network or a wide area network or the Internet. In alternative embodiments, the central unit 51 can be a central control component that is configured as a stand-alone device and executes fixed predefined sequences to control one or more control light modules 10. A predefined sequence is, for example, activating the control light LED unit 12 at a certain time and deactivating it at a different time. In a further alternative embodiment, the central unit 51 can also be a mobile terminal device, for example a tablet or a cell phone (not shown). This provides an easy-to-use user interface.
In addition, a control light connector 16.1, 16.2 is arranged at the first end 11.1 of the control light carrier unit 11. This control light connector 16.1, 16.2 is configured to be connected to a peripheral light connector of a peripheral light module 20 shown in Figures 2 a) - c) comprising a peripheral light LED unit 22. Since the control light connector 16.1, 16.2 is arranged at the first end 11.1 of the control light carrier unit 11 and is configured to be connected to a peripheral light connector of a peripheral light module 20 with a peripheral light LED unit 22, the control light module 10 can be connected to a peripheral light module 20 particularly easily. In Figure 1 b), the control light connector 16.1, 16.2 is arranged directly next to the control unit 14. It is arranged perpendicular to the cross-section of the control light carrier unit 11, so that the peripheral light module 20 can be arranged and connected at the front of the control light carrier unit 11. This makes it particularly easy to connect a peripheral light module 20. In addition, if the control light connector 16.1, 16.2 is arranged at the first end 11.1 of the control light carrier unit 11, the connector is barely visible to an observer. In addition, the light emission of the control light LED unit 12 is not affected.
The control light connector 16.1, 16.2 can also be provided as part of the control unit 14. This has the advantage that a connector, e.g. a plug, a socket or a connecting cable, can be attached directly to the control unit 14 and fitted during manufacture. The control light connector 16.1, 16.2 is thus firmly mounted on the control unit 14, which results in improved robustness during assembly and the control light connector 16.1, 16.2 does not break off or tear off so quickly in the event of improper assembly.
The control light connector 16.1, 16.2 is further configured to be connected to a peripheral light connector of a peripheral light module 20 having a peripheral light LED unit 22 such that the peripheral light LED unit 22 can be powered by the control unit 14. Therefore no separate power supply or wired power supply to the peripheral light module 20 is required. This reduces the amount of cabling required during installation.
The control light carrier unit 11 extends from the first end 11.1 to the second end 11.2 along a straight line, which is why the peripheral light module 20 can be connected particularly easily by means of the peripheral light connector 26.1, 26.2. In addition, control light module 10 and peripheral light module 20 extend along the same axis when they are connected to each other via control light connectors 16.1, 16.2 and peripheral light connectors 26.1, 26.2. This meets the needs of building lighting in particular, as buildings often have a large number of straight edges where lighting solutions are used. In addition, a control light carrier unit 11 that extends along a straight line also enables simple mounting of the control light LED unit 12 in or on the control light carrier unit 11.
In Figures 1 a) -c), the control light carrier unit 11 is configured as a heat sink and the control unit 14 and the control light LED unit are attached to the control light carrier unit 11 in a heat-conducting manner. The fact that the control light carrier unit 11 comprises the heat sink and the control unit 14 and the control light LED unit are attached to the control light carrier unit 11 in a thermally conductive manner results in the advantage that heat losses that occur in the control unit 14 and in the control light LED unit 12 are efficiently dissipated into the control light carrier unit 11 and emitted to the environment via the surface of the control light carrier unit 11. This enables very slim and therefore also material-saving dimensions of the control light module 10.
In an alternative embodiment, the control light carrier unit 11 can have a heat sink and the control unit 14 can be attached to the heat sink of the control light carrier unit 11 in a thermally conductive manner. The fact that the control light carrier unit 11 has the heat sink and the control unit 14 is attached to the heat sink in a thermally conductive manner makes it possible to make the control light carrier unit 11 mechanically flexible or deformable in a second section and to form a thermally conductive section in a first section of the control light carrier unit 11, to which the control unit 14 is attached in a thermally conductive manner in order to dissipate the heat loss of the control unit 14. This makes it possible to provide a control light module 10 which has a shape other than a straight line, or which is deformable or even flexible in the area of the second section of the control light carrier unit 11. As a result, this embodiment allows particular freedom in the shaping of the control light module 10.
A further control light connector 16.2 is arranged at the second end 11.2 of the control light carrier unit 11. The further control light connector 16.2 is configured to connect a further peripheral light module 20 to the control unit 14 in such a way that the further peripheral light module 20 can be supplied with energy by the control unit 14. The fact that a further control light connector 16.2 is arranged at the second end 11.2 of the control light carrier unit 11 and the further control light connector 16.2 is configured to connect a further peripheral light module 20 to the control unit 14 in such a way that the further peripheral light module 20 can be supplied with energy by the control unit 14, it is achieved that a further peripheral light module 20 can be connected to the control light module 10 and thus two peripheral light modules can be connected and supplied with energy by one control light module 10 and can be controlled by the control unit 14 in the aforementioned manner. This further reduces the amount of wiring required during installation, as only one supply line is required to supply power to the control light module 10 for power supply and wireless control. The fact that a further control light connector 16.2 is arranged at the second end 11.2 of the control light carrier unit 11 also makes the energy supply to the control light module 10 more flexible. If, for example, the control unit 14 is mounted near the first end 11.1 of the control light module 10, i.e. asymmetrically between the first and second ends 11.2 of the control light carrier unit, the control light module 10 can be mounted on or in a building in such a way that the supply line for supplying the control light module 10 is as short as possible.
The control unit 14 is configured to control a light intensity or color values of the control light LED unit 12. In this way, a high integration density of control functions is achieved in the control light module 10. In particular, there is no need for an external ballast or control unit. The fact that the control of the light intensity and the color values is integrated in the control light module 10 means that a compact, easy-to-install complete unit can be provided. The installation steps of a control light module 10 are thus limited to mechanical attachment to or in a building and connection to a power supply or voltage source as well as possible connection to a peripheral light module. The installation therefore requires only a few trained specialists, as no ballasts need to be selected, correctly assigned and configured.
In an alternative embodiment not shown, the control unit 14 is configured to address a plurality of LEDs of the control light LED unit 12 individually for each LED of the plurality of LEDs and to set luminous intensity values or color values of the plurality of LEDs individually for each LED. The fact that the control unit 14 is configured to address a plurality of LEDs of the control light LED unit 12 individually for each LED of the plurality of LEDs and to set luminous intensity values or color values of the plurality of LEDs
individually for each LED provides a very versatile control light module 10, which can also display colored patterns or color gradients. Complex lighting scenarios can thus be realized using a control light module 10. For example, a first portion of the control light LED unit 12 can light up in a first color, a second portion of the control light LED unit 12 can light up in a second color and the third portion of the control light LED unit 12 can light up in a third color. Temporal sequences of color changes or color gradients can also be created in this way and particularly versatile but easy-to-install lighting installations can be realized for building lighting.
Figure 1 a) shows that the control unit 14 is arranged between a connecting portion 11.3 of the control light carrier unit 11, to which the control unit 14 is attached to the control light carrier unit 11, and a portion of the control light carrier unit 11 that is arranged between the control unit 14 and an environment of the control light module. As a result of the control unit 14 being arranged between a connecting section 11.3 of the control light carrier unit 11, to which the control unit 14 is attached to the control light carrier unit 11, and a section of the control light carrier unit 11 that is arranged between the control unit 14 and an environment of the control light module, the control unit 14 is attached within the outer geometry of the control light carrier unit 11 and is thus better protected against mechanical influences and damage during transportation or assembly. In addition, this enables a coherent overall impression of a control light module 10 for the eye of an observer, as no add-on parts or additional housings protrude from the contour of the control light module 10.
Figures 2 a) to c) schematically show a peripheral light module according to an embodiment in various views.
Figure 2 a) shows a perspective schematic representation of a peripheral light module 20. Figure 2 b) shows the top view of the peripheral light module 20. Figure 2 c) shows the bottom view of the peripheral light module 20.
The peripheral light module 20 has a peripheral light carrier unit 21, a peripheral light LED unit 22, a peripheral light connector 26.1 and a further peripheral light connector 26.2.
The peripheral light module 20 has the peripheral light carrier unit 21 extending from a first end 11.1 to a second end 11.2. The peripheral light carrier unit 21 is provided as an H-shaped profile. In addition, the peripheral light module 20 has a peripheral light LED unit 22. The peripheral light LED unit 22 is attached to the peripheral light support unit 21 and is arranged between the first end 21.1 and the second end 21.2 of the peripheral light support unit 21.
The peripheral light LED unit 22 is arranged on a first side of the peripheral light carrier unit 21. Furthermore, a peripheral light connector is arranged at the first end 21.1 of the peripheral light carrier unit 21. This peripheral light connector is configured to be connected to a control light connector 16.1, 16.2 of a control light module 10. Since a peripheral light connector is arranged at the first end 21.1 of the peripheral light carrier unit 21 and this peripheral light connector is configured to be connected to a control light connector 16.1, 16.2 of a control light module 10, the peripheral light module 20 can be connected to a control light module 10 particularly easily. In Figure 2 b), the peripheral light connector is attached to the first end 12.1 of the peripheral light carrier unit 21. This is arranged perpendicular to the cross-section of the peripheral light carrier unit 21, so that the control light module 10 can be arranged at the front of the peripheral light carrier unit 21. This makes it particularly easy to connect a peripheral light module 20. In addition, when the peripheral light connector is arranged at the first end 21.1 of the peripheral light carrier unit 21, the connector is barely visible to the observer. This means that the light emission of the peripheral light LED unit 22 is not affected.
The peripheral light LED unit 22 can thus also be supplied with energy by the control unit 14.
In the embodiment shown, the peripheral light carrier unit 21 extends from the first end 21.1 to the second end 21.2 along a straight line. Due to the fact that the peripheral light carrier unit 21 extends from the first end 21.1 to the second end 21.2 along a straight line, the area between the first end 21.1 and the second end 21.2 is efficiently utilized and a particularly large number of LEDs can be accommodated in the peripheral light LED unit 22. In addition, dark areas at the first 21.1 and second end 21.2 are thus avoided.
In the embodiment shown, a further peripheral light connector 26.2 is arranged at the second end 21.2 of the peripheral light carrier unit 21. This further peripheral light connector 26.2 is configured to connect a further peripheral light module 20 to the control unit 14 in such a way that the peripheral light LED unit 22 of the further peripheral light module 20 can be supplied with energy by the control unit 14.
The advantages described in connection with the first aspect for the control light module also apply analogously to the peripheral light module.
Figure 3 schematically shows a building lighting system according to the invention.
The building lighting system 50 comprises at least one aforementioned control light module 10 and at least one aforementioned peripheral light module. Here, each control light connector 16.1, 16.2 of each control light module 10 of the at least one control light module 10 is connected to a corresponding peripheral light connector of a corresponding peripheral light module 20 such that the peripheral light LED unit 22 of the corresponding peripheral light module 20 can be energized by the control unit 14 of the corresponding control light module 10. The control light modules 10 send and receive control signals, either from the neighboring control light modules 10 or from a central unit. The dashed arrows in Figure 3 symbolize the data communication to and from control light modules 10 or to and from a central unit 51. The transceiver unit 15 of the control light modules 10 is configured to wirelessly transmit control signals to a further control light module 10 and/or wirelessly receive control signals from a further control light module 10. The fact that the transceiver unit 15 is additionally configured to wirelessly transmit control signals to a further control light module 10 and/or wirelessly receive control signals from a further control light module 10 makes it possible for control light modules 10 to set up a control light network. In other words, they form a mesh network and thus enable one-to-many communication and/or many-to-many communication. If a control light module 10 receives a control command, for example "Brightness 50%", the control unit 14 sets the control light LED unit 12 to 50% brightness and, in addition, the transceiver unit 15 of the control unit 14 of the control light module 10 sends out the control command itself again, enabling further control light modules 10 further away to receive the wireless control signal. This principle is repeated for all control light modules 10 integrated in a building lighting system 50, whereby large facades or a large number of interior rooms or floors are covered. Wired transmission of the control signals is not required to control the control light modules, which considerably reduces the wiring effort and thus makes installation much easier. It also saves material and reduces the number of possible sources of error. The organization of the control light network in Figure 3 can be implemented using known algorithms and wireless protocols. These wireless protocols are part of the firmware of the control unit 14. The firmware also handles the routing of the control commands to the respective control light modules 10.
The transceiver unit 15 is arranged or can be arranged to transmit and receive signals wirelessly by means of various communication protocols. The fact that the transceiver unit 15 is set up or can be set up to transmit and receive signals wirelessly by means of various communication protocols means that the transceiver unit 15 can be configured flexibly. Thus, the control light module 10 can be equipped with uniform hardware and the configuration of the transceiver unit 15 with a communication protocol is carried out by means of a device, for example by means of a firmware that is installed on the transceiver unit 15 and/or the control unit 14. The fact that the control light module 10 is then always the same and has uniform hardware makes installation easier, as no hardware variants need to be differentiated or can be mixed up. This also has the advantage that the firmware of the control light module 10 can be partially or completely replaced using over-the-air programming (OTA programming). This facilitates configuration and subsequent integration into an existing building lighting system 50. The communication protocol can be a Matter protocol (a connection standard for home automation), a Bluetooth^® protocol with MeshNetworking functionality, an IEEE 802.11 protocol stack (WiFi), a ZigBee-compatible protocol or Thread protocol, whereby Matter protocol and Threadcompatible protocol are preferred. Components for a transceiver unit 15 are provided, for example, by Espressif Systems or Nordic^® Semiconductor.
The majority of the control light modules 10 are connected to the peripheral light connectors 26.1, 26.2 of the peripheral light modules 20 by means of the control light connectors 16.1, 16.2. In this way, the peripheral light modules 20 can be controlled and supplied with power by the peripheral light modules connected to the control light modules 10. The control light modules 10 are connected via a few connecting lines to a few power supplies 53 whose output voltage is in a range between 11 V and 60 V. Even if not all control light modules 10 are within the transmission range of the central unit 51 and therefore these control units 14 cannot directly receive wireless control commands from the central unit, control commands reach more distant control light modules 10 indirectly through the wireless forwarding of the control commands by neighboring control light modules 10. In other words, the control commands reach the distant control light modules 10 via several "hops".
The building lighting system 50 also shows further peripheral light modules in Figure 3, wherein further peripheral light connectors 26.1, 26.2 of the peripheral light modules 20 of the at least one peripheral light module 20 is connected to corresponding peripheral light connectors 26.1, 26.2 of a corresponding further peripheral light module 20 such that the peripheral light LED unit 22 of the corresponding further peripheral light modules 20 can be supplied with power by the control unit 14 of the corresponding control light module 10 and can be controlled.
In an alternative building lighting system, not shown, the system may comprise only control light modules 10, such as at least two control light modules. The control light modules of such system may be configured correspondingly as the control light modules of the building lighting system presented above.
The control light module 10 is supplied with a DC extra-low voltage from the power supply 53. This means that only a few central power supplies 53 need to be installed by a qualified electrician. These are then used to supply the multiple control light modules 10 with the peripheral lighting modules 20 connected to them.
Figure 4 illustrates combinations of control light modules 10 and peripheral light modules 20 that may be used in a building lighting system 50. A string of connected light modules 10, 20 may comprise one or two, or even more, control light modules 10. As seen in the second and third embodiment in figure 4, two control light modules 10 may be connected to each other. The light modules 10, 20 may be connected to each other by means of the light connectors 16.1, 16.2, 26.1, 26.2 on the respective modules. One of the light modules 10, 20 may be connected to a power supply 53, either at an end of the chain via a light connector 16.1, 16.2, 26.1, 26.2 on one of the light modules 10, 20, or via a light connector 16.1, 16.2, 26.1, 26.2 in the middle of the chain, between two light modules 10, 20. The light connectors 16.1, 16.2, 26.1, 26.2 may distribute power and/or data signals between the light modules 10, 20.
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

List of reference symbols

10: Control light module
11: Control light carrier unit
11.1: First end of the control light carrier unit
11.2: Second end of the control light carrier unit
11.3: Connection section of the control light carrier unit
12: Control light LED unit
14: Control unit
15: Transceiver unit
16.1: Control light connector (at the first end)
16.2: Further control light connector (at the second end)

20: Peripheral light module
21: Peripheral light carrier unit
21.1: First end of the peripheral light carrier unit
21.2: Second end of the peripheral light carrier unit
22: Peripheral light LED unit
26.1: Peripheral light connector (at the first end)
26.2: Additional peripheral light connector (at the second end)

50: Building lighting system
51: Central unit
53: Power supply

Claims

Control light module (10) comprising
a control light carrier unit (11) extending from a first end (11.1) to a second end (11.2),

a control light LED unit (12), wherein the control light LED unit (12) is attached to the control light carrier unit (11) and is arranged between the first end (11.1) and the second end (11.2) of the control light carrier unit (11),

a control unit (14) attached to the control light carrier unit (11), wherein the control unit (14) is configured to be connected to a DC voltage supply (53), wherein the control unit (14) is connected to the control light LED unit (12) in such a way that when the control unit (14) is connected to the DC voltage supply (53), the control light LED unit (12) can be supplied with energy by the control unit (14), and

a control light connector (16.1, 16.2) arranged at the first end (11.1) of the control light carrier unit (11), which is configured to be connected to either a peripheral light connector of a peripheral light module (20) with a peripheral light LED unit (22) in such a way that the peripheral light LED unit (22) can be supplied with energy by the control unit (14), or to a control light connector (16.1, 16.2) of another control light module (10).
Control light module (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the control light carrier unit (11) extends from the first end (11.1) to the second end (11.2) along a straight line.
Control light module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control light carrier unit (11) comprises a heat sink or is configured as a heat sink and the control unit (14) is attached to the control light carrier unit (11) in a thermally conductive manner.
Control light module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a further control light connector (16.2) is arranged at the second end (11.2) of the control light carrier unit (12), which is configured to connect a further peripheral light module (20) to the control unit (14) in such a way that the further peripheral light module (20) can be supplied with energy by the control unit (14).
Control light module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (14) is configured to control a light intensity or color values of the control light LED unit (12).
Control light module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (14) is configured to address a plurality of LEDs of the control light LED unit (12) individually for each LED of the plurality of LEDs and to set luminous intensity values and/or color values of the plurality of LEDs individually for each LED.
Control light module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (14) is arranged between a connecting portion (11.3) of the control light carrier unit (11), to which the control unit (14) is attached to the control light carrier unit (11), and a portion of the control light carrier unit (11) arranged between the control unit (14) and an environment of the control light module (10).
Control light module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (14) comprises a transceiver unit (15) configured to wirelessly transmit control signals to a further control light module (10) and/or to wirelessly receive control signals from a further control light module (10), and/or to wirelessly receive control signals from a central unit (51).
Control light module (10) according to claim 8, wherein the transceiver unit (15) is or can be set up to transmit and receive signals wirelessly by means of different communication protocols.
Control light module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control light LED unit (12) is arranged on a first side of the control light carrier unit (11) and the control unit is arranged on a second side of the control light carrier (11), opposite said first side.
Peripheral light module (20) comprising
a peripheral light carrier unit (21) extending from a first end (21.1) to a second end (21.2),

a peripheral light LED unit (22), wherein the peripheral light LED unit (22) is fixed to the peripheral light carrier unit (21) and is arranged between the first end (21.1) and the second end (21.2) of the peripheral light carrier unit (21), wherein the peripheral light LED unit (22) is arranged on a first side of the peripheral light carrier unit (21),

a peripheral light connector (26.1, 26.2) arranged at the first end (21.1) of the peripheral light carrier unit (21), which is configured to be connected to a control light connector of a control light module (10) according to one of the preceding claims in such a way that the peripheral light LED unit (22) can be supplied with energy by the control unit (14).
Peripheral light module (20) according to claim 11, wherein a further peripheral light connector (26.2) is arranged at the second end (21.2) of the peripheral light carrier unit (21), which is configured to connect a further peripheral light module (20) to the control unit (14) in such a way that a peripheral light LED unit (22) of the further peripheral light module (20) can be supplied with energy by the control unit (14).
Building lighting system (50) comprising
at least one control light module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and optionally at least one peripheral light module (20) according to one of claims 11 to 13.
Building system (50) according to claim 14, wherein each control light connector (16.1) of each control light module (10) of the at least one control light module (10) is connected to a corresponding peripheral light connector (26.1) of a corresponding peripheral light module (20) such that the peripheral light LED unit (22) of the corresponding peripheral light module (20) can be supplied with energy by the control unit (14) of the corresponding control light module (10).
Building lighting system (50) according to claim 14, further comprising at least one further peripheral light module (20) according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein each further peripheral light connector (26.2) of each peripheral light module (20) of the at least one peripheral light module (20) is connected to a corresponding peripheral light connector (26.1) of a corresponding further peripheral light module (20) such that the peripheral light LED unit (22) of the corresponding further peripheral light module (20) can be supplied with energy by the control unit (14) of the corresponding control light module (10).