EP2052584B1 - Circuit for a motor vehicle, in particular for actuating a lighting device - Google Patents

Circuit for a motor vehicle, in particular for actuating a lighting device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2052584B1
EP2052584B1 EP07801552.6A EP07801552A EP2052584B1 EP 2052584 B1 EP2052584 B1 EP 2052584B1 EP 07801552 A EP07801552 A EP 07801552A EP 2052584 B1 EP2052584 B1 EP 2052584B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
light source
circuit
light
light sources
switch
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Not-in-force
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EP07801552.6A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2052584A1 (en
Inventor
Thomas Reinle
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Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics GmbH
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Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics GmbH
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Publication of EP2052584A1 publication Critical patent/EP2052584A1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H05B45/40—Details of LED load circuits
    • H05B45/44—Details of LED load circuits with an active control inside an LED matrix
    • H05B45/46—Details of LED load circuits with an active control inside an LED matrix having LEDs disposed in parallel lines
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H05B45/30—Driver circuits
    • H05B45/37—Converter circuits

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a circuit for a motor vehicle, in particular for driving a lighting device, the circuit having a first light source and a second light source connected in parallel, wherein the first light source, a first current sink and the second light source is associated with a second current sink and the circuit a measuring means is assigned.
  • Such circuits for motor vehicles are well known.
  • the drive circuit comprises at least a first LED strand and at least one second LED strand, wherein a switch is arranged in series with each LED strand and each LED strand has a supply terminal, wherein a control loop is designed so that it controls the first switch of the first LED string so that a constant average value of the first LED strand flowing through current is achieved, wherein the control circuit is designed to control the switch of the other LED strands.
  • the drive circuit further comprises a Rescuestromedassungsvoriques, with which the sum of the currents can be determined by at least two LED strands.
  • a disadvantage of this is that a distinction between a so-called master LED strand and other LED strands takes place, so that in a malfunction of the so-called master LED strand failure of the circuit takes place, which adversely affects the reliability of the circuit.
  • Object of the present invention is to provide a drive circuit for a motor vehicle, in particular for controlling a lighting device, with failures of the lighting or the light source or other error conditions are detected and a flexible response to such errors. Furthermore, the thermal power loss should be minimized.
  • a circuit for a motor vehicle in particular for driving a lighting device, wherein the circuit connected in parallel has a first light source and a second light source, wherein the the first light source, a first current sink and the second light source is associated with a second current sink, wherein the circuit is associated with a measuring means and wherein the measuring means is provided for determining the operability of the first light source and for determining the operability of the second light source.
  • the circuit it is further preferred for the circuit to have a first switch associated with the first light source and a second switch assigned to the second light source, the control unit being associated with a control means which is switchable as a function of the functionality of the first light source and depending on the operability of the second light source of the second switch is switchable.
  • this also a cost reduction is achieved by the fact that by reducing the thermal power loss, a higher permissible ambient temperature of the circuit is possible, so that less expensive components with lower requirements according to the invention in the circuit can be used or that the durability or the life of the circuit components and in particular also the components of the light sources (in particular light emitting diodes) is increased.
  • the circuit has a regulator provided for the first light source and the second light source, in particular a current regulator or a voltage regulator.
  • a regulator provided for the first light source and the second light source, in particular a current regulator or a voltage regulator.
  • This makes it possible according to the invention to achieve a targeted adaptation of the electrical voltages or the electrical current provided at the light sources in that in each case only the voltage required is applied to provide a certain light output or by a certain current through the light source or through to achieve the LEDs.
  • This will continue, as in a partial failure of Light sources (alloy of one or more light emitting diodes), an adapted current or voltage control possible, so that further the loss line is reduced or in other possible error cases, the respective loss line is reduced. If the loss of energy due to the alloy of LEDs is too high, the respective light source can be switched off.
  • the controller is further preferred for the controller to be controllable as a function of the operability of the first light source and the second light source.
  • the regulator it is further preferred for the regulator to be controllable after a change in the functionality of the first light source or the second light source with a time delay of less than or equal to one second, preferably of less than or equal to 500 ms, more preferably of less than or equal to 300 ms , most preferably less than or equal to 100 ms.
  • the first light source has a first light-emitting diode, preferably a plurality of first light-emitting diodes, and / or that the second light source has a second light-emitting diode, preferably a plurality of second light-emitting diodes.
  • first light-emitting diode preferably a plurality of first light-emitting diodes
  • second light source has a second light-emitting diode, preferably a plurality of second light-emitting diodes.
  • the circuit is clocked at a sufficient repetition rate, in particular with a duty cycle of turn-on interval to turn-off time interval of less than or equal to 1 to 100, preferably less than or equal to 1 to 200, particularly preferably less than or equal to 1 to 500, most preferably from less than or equal to 1 to 1000.
  • a duty cycle of turn-on interval to turn-off time interval of less than or equal to 1 to 100, preferably less than or equal to 1 to 200, particularly preferably less than or equal to 1 to 500, most preferably from less than or equal to 1 to 1000.
  • FIG. 1 schematically a circuit 10 according to the invention is shown, wherein the circuit 10 is provided in particular for driving a lighting device.
  • the circuit 10 has, for example, a first light source 11 and a second light source 12.
  • the light sources 11, 12 are provided in particular as so-called chains of light emitting diodes, the first light source having a first light emitting diode 11 'or preferably a plurality of first light emitting diodes 11' and wherein the second light source 12 is a second light emitting diode 12 'and preferably a plurality of second light emitting diodes 12 'has.
  • the light sources 11, 12 are respectively connected to or associated with a current sink (alternatively a current source), wherein the first light source 11 is associated with a first current sink 21 and the second light source 12 is associated with a second current sink 22.
  • a current sink alternatively a current source
  • MOS-FET transistor metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor
  • the circuit 10 has a regulator 60, which regulates the voltage level (or current level) which is applied to the parallel-connected light sources 11, 12.
  • a connection to a measuring means 40 which controls the functionality of the first light source 11 or the second light source 12 is able to check. According to the invention, this check either takes place permanently (ie simultaneously for both the first light source 11 and the second light source 12) or sequentially (ie the light sources 11, 12 are switched on one after the other and the respective result is fed to the measuring means 40).
  • the measuring means 40 is further connected to a control means 50 or combined with this or provided integrated, wherein by means of the control means 50 influence on the behavior of the circuit 10 is taken such that in case of failure, for example, the first light source 11 and the corresponding first Current sink 21 and thus the entire circuit branch of the first light source 11 (hereinafter also referred to as light-emitting diode strand or LED strand) is turned off.
  • the control means 50 influence on the behavior of the circuit 10 is taken such that in case of failure, for example, the first light source 11 and the corresponding first Current sink 21 and thus the entire circuit branch of the first light source 11 (hereinafter also referred to as light-emitting diode strand or LED strand) is turned off.
  • the measuring means 40 by means of the measuring means 40 also it can be determined whether, for example, one of the first light-emitting diodes 11 'or one of the second light-emitting diodes 12' is alloyed (ie low-resistance) and thus no longer produce a voltage drop, which leads to a greater power loss while the supply voltage remains constant at the corresponding LED strand, the invention should be kept as low as possible. If the power loss in the current sink becomes too high due to the alloy of LEDs, this can be selectively switched off.
  • the regulator 60 comprises, in particular, a current regulator or a voltage regulator, wherein a first regulating component 61, for example in the form of an integrated circuit, can be used as an example of a current regulator, and the regulator 60 furthermore comprises a second regulating component 62, for example in the form of a so-called DC / DC Transducer parts, may have.
  • a first regulating component 61 for example in the form of an integrated circuit
  • the regulator 60 furthermore comprises a second regulating component 62, for example in the form of a so-called DC / DC Transducer parts
  • the switchable voltage gain control 50 is required If a total of two LED branches are operated (each with 150mA) and one of them fails, then the voltage at the output of the adder 50 'and voltage gain control 50 must be established be amplified by a factor of two, so that the required voltage at the feedback input 51 of the first control device 61 is doubled (which has the result of the operation of the first control device 61 with the result that the current controller 60 only 150 mA regulated).
  • the control of the circuit 10 initially reacts such that the voltage level at the input 65 of the light sources 11, 12 to the maximum set threshold voltage of the first control device 61st is up-regulated. (Because at the feedback input 51 of the first control device 61 is applied too low voltage). However, in such a situation, the current in the still functioning of the LED branches or light sources 11, 12 is still kept constant at 150 mA, which is due to the function of the constant current sinks 21, 22. Therefore, the remaining voltage drop must ultimately be intercepted via the functioning of the current sinks 21, 22, so that currently a very large power loss occurs. This condition must be prevented with the shortest possible delay time.
  • the measuring means 40 recognizes via the measuring lines 42 that one of the LED strands or one of the light sources 11, 12 has failed and the corresponding LED branch is switched off. Then the voltage at the output of the voltage gain control 50 " raised again to the level in the adjusted state, so that the controller 60 and the first control device 61 can back to the normal voltage level at the input 65 of the light sources 11, 12 back. It is thus ensured by the circuit 10 according to the invention that there are no unstable states. Thus, there is no flash or otherwise a user disturbing impairment of the function of the light source. Precisely because the defective light source is selectively switched off, it is impossible for the light source to work temporarily and then again temporarily.
  • the brightness of the illumination device (which according to the invention is a backlight device for a display device) merely decreases by a defined value and then again remains stable, which is exactly the desired behavior of such an arrangement and, if appropriate is not perceived by a user, such as when the failure of the light sources 11, 12 happens in daylight and due to the ambient illumination of the decline in the backlight is not noticeable.
  • the brightness in areas can be readjusted to the desired value of two or more light sources.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the circuit according to the invention according to the first embodiment in the case of two light sources 11, 12 shown in greater detail.
  • the adder 50 'with voltage gain control 50 "Furthermore the measuring means 40 and the control means 50 in the left part of FIG FIG. 2 shown.
  • FIG. 1 addition is in FIG.
  • first switch 31 and a second switch 32 are also shown, wherein the switches 31, 32 are provided for the controlled switching off of individual light-emitting diode branches or individual light sources 11, 12. This is performed by corresponding control lines (not individually provided with a reference numeral) via the control means 50.
  • FIG. 3 is shown in a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the circuit 10 according to the invention.
  • each of the light sources 11 to 15 according to the second embodiment of the inventive circuit 10 has a current sink, but only the first current sink 21 in the FIG. 3 is shown.
  • the control of the light sources 11, 12 takes place in the second embodiment of the invention via the controller 60 and corresponding current sinks 21 analogous to the first embodiment of the invention.
  • the controller 60 with the first control device 61 and the second control device 62, the input 65 of the light sources 11 to 15, the control input 51 and the adder 50 ' is shown. Furthermore, the measuring means 40 and the control means 50 in the left part of the FIG. 3 shown.
  • the control means 50 has an output line 52 which is connected to the Adder 50 'acts, so that at the output 51 of the adder 50' necessary for the stabilization of the control circuit voltage is also present in case of failure of each of the light emitting diode chains or light sources.For each failing LED branch is first by the measuring means 40 via measuring lines 42 (of which, for the sake of simplicity, only one measuring line 42 is shown) detected that the LED branch has failed.
  • the control means 50 subsequently controls the input 52 of the adder 50 'in such a way (in particular by means of a digital / analog converter or by means of a so-called PPG (programmable pulse generator)) that the voltage at the output 51 of the adder remains at the level which is necessary for a regulated voltage at the input 65 of the light sources.
  • PPG programmable pulse generator
  • FIG. 4 a third embodiment of the circuit 10 is shown schematically. Again, the first light source 11, the second light source 12, the first current sink 21, the second current sink 22, the first control device 61, the second control device 62, the first switch 31 and the second switch 32 and the measuring means 40 and the control means 50 are shown .
  • the first and second embodiments of the circuit 10 there is no adder 50 'for providing the voltage level necessary at the feedback input 51 of the first control device 61, but it is connected between the first current sink 21 by means of a first diode D1, in particular a Schottky diode and the feedback input 51 ensures that when the voltage level on the cathode side of the first diode D1 due to a failure of the first light source 11 largely decreases towards the ground potential, a corresponding reaction (due to a turn on of the diode D1) at the feedback input 51 (drop of the applied voltage ) takes place in such a way that in turn the input voltage at the input 65 of the light sources 11, 12 is up-regulated
  • the through-connection of the first diode D1 is then reversed again.
  • a second diode D2 in particular a Schottky diode, between the second current sink 22 and the feedback input 51 that when the voltage level on the cathode side of the second diode D2 due to a failure of the second light source 12 drops as far as possible to the ground potential, a corresponding reaction (due to a Switching through the second diode D2) at the feedback input 51 (drop of voltage applied there) takes place in such a way that in turn the input voltage at the input 65 of the light sources 11, 12 is up-regulated.
  • the provision of the information as to whether or not one of the light sources 11, 12 has failed is directed to the measuring means 40 via a common measuring line 43 (or measuring connection 43 ') for all the light sources 11, 12. It must therefore be done sequentially scanning the various light-emitting branches. About the switch 31, 32 of the failed LED branch is turned off.
  • a third diode D ' (also, for example, a Schottky diode) and a fourth diode D "(likewise, for example, a Schottky diode) are used Circuit 10, the input of the current sinks 21, 22 (ie in each case between the light sources 11, 12 and the current sinks 21, 22, whereby at this point a Meßabgriff is realized) with the anode side, either the third diode D '(first current sink) or the fourth diode D "(second current sink) connected.
  • a time-clocked manner (ie sequentially) by means of the control means 50 is a query, which voltage drop at the light sources 11, 12 is present.
  • a further measuring connection 42 ' is used to measure the voltage drop over the entire light-emitting diode chain for a specific light source 11, 12 FIG. 4
  • the control lines S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 of the control means 50 and of the measuring and control means 50 are furthermore depicted.
  • control line S1 is the periodic switching on and off of the circuit 10 with activated lighting device (such as backlighting of a display device) and with a duty cycle of Einschaltzeitintervall to Ausschaltzeitintervall depending on the required brightness of the light sources.
  • the control line S2 serves to switch the first light source 11 on or off.
  • the control line S3 serves to switch the second light source 12 on or off.
  • the control line S4 serves to separate the feedback input 51 from the ground potential.
  • the control line S5 is used to sample the voltage regulation (or current regulation) at the input 65 of the light sources and the measuring line 42 or the measuring connection 42 '.
  • FIG. 3 schematically shows a time diagram of various states of the control lines S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 of the control means 50.
  • the circuit 10 is operated clocked according to the invention. This means that at a clock output (control line S1), which turns the entire circuit on and off at regular intervals on and off.
  • control line S1 which turns the entire circuit on and off at regular intervals on and off.
  • switching on is likewise effected at the same time on the individual switching lines (control lines S2 and S3) for the individual light sources.
  • control line S5 This results in only a minimal time delay between the switch-on time of the circuit and the actual functioning of the circuit (control line S5) of, for example, about 1 to 40 microseconds, preferably about 5 microseconds (the delay time is indicated in the drawing by means of an arrow; is here provided adjustable). This is particularly due to the fact that in FIG.
  • the adder is omitted, the reaction times of the first and second diode D1 / D2 and the switches 31, 32 in the nanosecond range and additionally the reaction time of the operational amplifier of the current sinks 21, 22 could be significantly accelerated, because a) this is supplied with a high voltage (For example, the battery voltage while the voltage is limited to a defined limit) and because b) the output of the operational amplifier is biased (for example, via a resistor to the power supply). This makes it possible that the edge steepness when switching on the circuit is so large that the circuit is ready for operation, for example, in 5 microseconds.

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  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Schaltung für ein Kraftfahrzeug, insbesondere zur Ansteuerung einer Beleuchtungseinrichtung, wobei die Schaltung parallel geschaltet eine erste Lichtquelle und eine zweite Lichtquelle aufweist, wobei der ersten Lichtquelle eine erste Stromsenke und der zweiten Lichtquelle eine zweite Stromsenke zugeordnet ist und wobei der Schaltung ein Messmittel zugeordnet ist.The present invention relates to a circuit for a motor vehicle, in particular for driving a lighting device, the circuit having a first light source and a second light source connected in parallel, wherein the first light source, a first current sink and the second light source is associated with a second current sink and the circuit a measuring means is assigned.

Solche Schaltungen für Kraftfahrzeuge sind allgemein bekannt. Beispielsweise ist aus der deutschen Offenlegungsschrift DE 101 15 388 A1 eine Ansteuerschaltung für ein LED-Array bekannt, wobei die Ansteuerschaltung mindestens einen ersten LED-Strang und mindestens einen zweiten LED-Strang umfast, wobei seriell zu jedem LED-Strang ein Schalter angeordnet ist und jeder LED-Strang einen Versorgungsanschluss aufweist, wobei ein Regelkreis so ausgelegt ist, dass er den ersten Schalter des ersten LED-Strangs so ansteuert, dass ein konstanter Mittelwert des den ersten LED-Strang durchfließenden Stroms erzielt wird, wobei der Regelkreis zur Ansteuerung auch der Schalter der weiteren LED-Stränge ausgelegt ist. Die Ansteuerungsschaltung umfasst weiterhin eine Gesamtstromedassungsvorrichtung, mit der die Summe der Ströme durch mindestens zwei LED-Stränge ermittelbar ist.Such circuits for motor vehicles are well known. For example, from the German patent application DE 101 15 388 A1 a drive circuit for an LED array, wherein the drive circuit comprises at least a first LED strand and at least one second LED strand, wherein a switch is arranged in series with each LED strand and each LED strand has a supply terminal, wherein a control loop is designed so that it controls the first switch of the first LED string so that a constant average value of the first LED strand flowing through current is achieved, wherein the control circuit is designed to control the switch of the other LED strands. The drive circuit further comprises a Gesamtstromedassungsvorrichtung, with which the sum of the currents can be determined by at least two LED strands.

Nachteilig ist hieran, dass eine Unterscheidung zwischen einem sogenannten Master-LED-Strang und weiteren LED-Strängen erfolgt, so dass bei einer Funktionsstörung des sogenannten Master-LED-Strangs ein Ausfall der Schaltung erfolgt, was die Funktionssicherheit der Schaltung nachteilig beeinflusst.A disadvantage of this is that a distinction between a so-called master LED strand and other LED strands takes place, so that in a malfunction of the so-called master LED strand failure of the circuit takes place, which adversely affects the reliability of the circuit.

Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist die Bereitstellung einer Ansteuerungsschaltung für ein Kraftfahrzeug, insbesondere zur Ansteuerung einer Beleuchtungseinrichtung, wobei Ausfälle der Beleuchtung bzw. der Lichtquelle bzw. sonstige Fehlerzustände erkannt werden und eine flexible Reaktion auf solche Fehler erfolgt. Weiterhin soll die thermische Verlustleistung minimiert werden.Object of the present invention is to provide a drive circuit for a motor vehicle, in particular for controlling a lighting device, with failures of the lighting or the light source or other error conditions are detected and a flexible response to such errors. Furthermore, the thermal power loss should be minimized.

Die Aufgabe wird gelöst durch eine Schaltung für ein Kraftfahrzeug, insbesondere zur Ansteuerung einer Beleuchtungseinrichtung, wobei die Schaltung parallel geschaltet eine erste Lichtquelle und eine zweite Lichtquelle aufweist, wobei der ersten Lichtquelle eine erste Stromsenke und der zweiten Lichtquelle eine zweite Stromsenke zugeordnet ist, wobei der Schaltung ein Messmittel zugeordnet ist und wobei das Messmittel zur Bestimmung der Funktionsfähigkeit der ersten Lichtquelle und zur Bestimmung der Funktionsfähigkeit der zweiten Lichtquelle vorgesehen ist. Hierdurch ist es erfindungsgemäß in einfacher Weise möglich, periodisch nacheinander oder aber gleichzeitig parallel jede der Lichtquellen auf ihre Funktionsfähigkeit zu überprüfen und eine angepasste Reaktion herbeizuführen. Ferner ist es durch die Parallelschaltung der Lichtquellen ebenfalls möglich, die Verlustleistung so gering wie möglich zu halten.The object is achieved by a circuit for a motor vehicle, in particular for driving a lighting device, wherein the circuit connected in parallel has a first light source and a second light source, wherein the the first light source, a first current sink and the second light source is associated with a second current sink, wherein the circuit is associated with a measuring means and wherein the measuring means is provided for determining the operability of the first light source and for determining the operability of the second light source. This makes it possible according to the invention in a simple manner, periodically successively or simultaneously to check in parallel each of the light sources on their functionality and bring about an adapted reaction. Furthermore, it is also possible by the parallel connection of the light sources to keep the power loss as low as possible.

Erfindungsgemäß ist es weiterhin bevorzugt, dass die Schaltung einen der ersten Lichtquellen zugeordneten ersten Schalter und einen der zweiten Lichtquelle zugeordneten zweiten Schalter aufweist, wobei der Schaltung ein Steuermittel derart zugeordnet ist, das in Abhängigkeit der Funktionsfähigkeit der ersten Lichtquelle der erste Schalter schaltbar ist und dass in Abhängigkeit der Funktionsfähigkeit der zweiten Lichtquelle der zweite Schalter schaltbar ist. Hierdurch ist es erfindungsgemäß möglich, bei einem Totalausfall einer der Lichtquellen eine selektive Abschaltung und damit eine Minimierung der Verlustleitung herbeizuführen. Ferner wird hierdurch auch eine Kostenreduzierung dadurch erzielt, dass durch die Verringerung der thermischen Verlustleistung eine höhere zulässige Umgebungstemperatur der Schaltung möglich ist, so dass kostengünstigere Bauteile mit geringeren Anforderungen erfindungsgemäß bei der Schaltung verwendbar sind bzw. dass die Haltbarkeit bzw. die Lebensdauer der Schaltungskomponenten und insbesondere auch der Komponenten der Lichtquellen (insbesondere Leuchtdioden) vergrößert wird.According to the invention, it is further preferred for the circuit to have a first switch associated with the first light source and a second switch assigned to the second light source, the control unit being associated with a control means which is switchable as a function of the functionality of the first light source and depending on the operability of the second light source of the second switch is switchable. This makes it possible according to the invention to bring about a selective shutdown and thus a minimization of the loss line in the event of total failure of one of the light sources. Furthermore, this also a cost reduction is achieved by the fact that by reducing the thermal power loss, a higher permissible ambient temperature of the circuit is possible, so that less expensive components with lower requirements according to the invention in the circuit can be used or that the durability or the life of the circuit components and in particular also the components of the light sources (in particular light emitting diodes) is increased.

Weiterhin ist es erfindungsgemäß bevorzugt, dass die Schaltung einen für die erste Lichtquelle und die zweite Lichtquelle vorgesehenen Regler aufweist, insbesondere einen Stromregler oder eine Spannungsregler. Hierdurch ist es erfindungsgemäß möglich, eine gezielte Anpassung der an den Lichtquellen bereitgestellten elektrischen Spannungen bzw. des elektrischen Stromes dadurch zu erzielen, dass jeweils nur die benötigte Spannung anliegt um eine gewisse Lichtleistung zu erbringen bzw. um einen bestimmten Strom durch die Lichtquelle bzw. durch die Leuchtdioden zu erzielen. Hierdurch wird weiterhin, etwa bei einem Teilausfall der Lichtquellen (Legierung einer oder mehrerer Leuchtdioden), eine angepasste Strom- bzw. Spannungsregelung möglich, so dass weiterhin die Verlustleitung reduziert wird bzw. auch in weiteren möglichen Fehlerfällen die jeweilige Verlustleitung reduziert wird. Ist die Verlustenergie durch die Legierung von Leuchtdioden zu hoch, kann die jeweilige Lichtquelle abgeschaltet werden.Furthermore, it is preferred according to the invention that the circuit has a regulator provided for the first light source and the second light source, in particular a current regulator or a voltage regulator. This makes it possible according to the invention to achieve a targeted adaptation of the electrical voltages or the electrical current provided at the light sources in that in each case only the voltage required is applied to provide a certain light output or by a certain current through the light source or through to achieve the LEDs. This will continue, as in a partial failure of Light sources (alloy of one or more light emitting diodes), an adapted current or voltage control possible, so that further the loss line is reduced or in other possible error cases, the respective loss line is reduced. If the loss of energy due to the alloy of LEDs is too high, the respective light source can be switched off.

Erfindungsgemäß ist weiterhin bevorzugt, dass der Regler in Abhängigkeit der Funktionsfähigkeit der ersten Lichtquelle und der zweiten Lichtquelle ansteuerbar ist. Hierdurch kann eine flexible Anpassung der Funktionsweise der erfindungsgemäßen Schaltung an die jeweiligen Funktionsverhältnisse der Lichtquellen erzielt werden, so dass ein besonders niedriges Niveau der Verlustleitung erzielt werden kann und weiterhin auch die Beleuchtungseigenschaften der Lichtquellen sich höchstens für einen Benutzer unsichtbar bzw. zumindest weitgehend unsichtbar verändern.According to the invention, it is further preferred for the controller to be controllable as a function of the operability of the first light source and the second light source. In this way, a flexible adaptation of the operation of the circuit according to the invention to the respective functional conditions of the light sources can be achieved, so that a particularly low level of the loss line can be achieved and continue to change the lighting properties of the light sources invisible to at least a user or at least largely invisible.

Erfindungsgemäß ist weiterhin bevorzugt, dass der Regler nach einer Änderung der Funktionsfähigkeit der ersten Lichtquelle oder der zweiten Lichtquelle mit einer Zeitverzögerung von weniger als oder gleich einer Sekunde ansteuerbar ist, bevorzugt von weniger als oder gleich 500 ms besonders bevorzugt von weniger als oder gleich 300 ms, ganz besonders bevorzugt von weniger als oder gleich 100 ms. Hierdurch wird eine schnelle Reaktion bzw. Adaptierung der Funktionsweise der Schaltung an einen Fehlerfall möglich, so dass eine unzulässig hohe Verlustleistung höchstens über einen sehr kurzen Zeitraum anliegt und daher keine Bauteile bzw. Komponenten der Schaltung beschädigt. Dies reduziert weiter die Produktionskosten der Schaltung, weil kostengünstiger Bauteile Verwendung finden können.According to the invention, it is further preferred for the regulator to be controllable after a change in the functionality of the first light source or the second light source with a time delay of less than or equal to one second, preferably of less than or equal to 500 ms, more preferably of less than or equal to 300 ms , most preferably less than or equal to 100 ms. As a result, a rapid response or adaptation of the operation of the circuit to a fault is possible, so that an unacceptably high power loss at most over a very short period is applied and therefore no components or components of the circuit damaged. This further reduces the production cost of the circuit because less expensive components can be used.

Bevorzugt ist erfindungsgemäß weiterhin, dass die erste Lichtquelle eine erste Leuchtdiode, bevorzugt eine Mehrzahl von ersten Leuchtdioden aufweist und/oder dass die zweite Lichtquelle eine zweite Leuchtdiode, bevorzugt eine Mehrzahl von zweiten Leuchtdioden aufweist. Dadurch kann in vorteilhafter Weise eine sogenannte Leuchtdiodenkette als Lichtquelle herangezogen werden, was den Vorteil aufweist, dass zum einen eine hohe Flexibilität erzielt wird, weil die Anzahl der Leuchtdioden zur Anpassung an unterschiedliche Beleuchtungsstärken oder Spannungsniveaus oder dergleichen variiert werden kann. Ferner ist damit auch ein höheres Maß an Ausfallsicherheit verbunden, weil eine größere Anzahl von Einzellichtquellen in der Beleuchtungsvorrichtung Verwendung findet, so dass der Ausfall einer bestimmten Einzellichtquelle (insbesondere eine Leuchtdiode) eine weit geringere Auswirkung hat als dies bei einer Verwendung beispielsweise von vergleichsweise wenigen Glühlampen oder dergleichen hätte.According to the invention, it is furthermore preferred that the first light source has a first light-emitting diode, preferably a plurality of first light-emitting diodes, and / or that the second light source has a second light-emitting diode, preferably a plurality of second light-emitting diodes. This advantageously makes it possible to use a so-called light-emitting diode chain as the light source, which has the advantage that high flexibility is achieved on the one hand because the number of light-emitting diodes can be varied in order to adapt to different illuminance levels or voltage levels or the like. Furthermore, a higher degree of reliability is associated with it, because a larger number of individual light sources in the Lighting device is used, so that the failure of a particular individual light source (in particular a light-emitting diode) has a much lower impact than would have been the case when using, for example, comparatively few incandescent lamps or the like.

Erfindungsgemäß ist ferner bevorzugt, dass die Schaltung bei ausreichender Wiederholrate getaktet betreibbar ist, insbesondere mit einem Taktverhältnis von Einschaltzeitintervall zu Ausschaltzeitintervall von kleiner als oder gleich 1 zu 100, bevorzugt von kleiner als oder gleich 1 zu 200, besonders bevorzugt von kleiner als oder gleich 1 zu 500, ganz besonders bevorzugt von kleiner als oder gleich 1 zu 1000. Hierdurch kann die Dynamik der Beleuchtungseinrichtung in sehr großen Grenzen variiert werden, so dass ein größerer Anwendungsbereich der erfindungsgemäßen Schaltung als Ansteuerschaltung für Beleuchtungseinrichtungen möglich ist.According to the invention, it is further preferred that the circuit is clocked at a sufficient repetition rate, in particular with a duty cycle of turn-on interval to turn-off time interval of less than or equal to 1 to 100, preferably less than or equal to 1 to 200, particularly preferably less than or equal to 1 to 500, most preferably from less than or equal to 1 to 1000. As a result, the dynamics of the lighting device can be varied within very wide limits, so that a wider range of applications of the circuit according to the invention is possible as a drive circuit for lighting devices.

Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung sind in der Zeichnung dargestellt und in der nachfolgenden Beschreibung näher erläutert.

  • Figur 1 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Schaltung.
  • Figur 2 zeigt schematisch die erste Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Schaltung mit mehr Details.
  • Figur 3 zeigt schematisch eine zweite Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Schaltung.
  • Figur 4 zeigt schematisch eine dritte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Schaltung.
  • Figur 5 zeigt schematisch ein Zeitdiagramm zur Veranschaulichung verschiedener Schaltzustände an wichtigen Stellen der dritten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Schaltung.
Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the circuit according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 schematically shows the first embodiment of the circuit according to the invention with more details.
  • FIG. 3 schematically shows a second embodiment of the circuit according to the invention.
  • FIG. 4 schematically shows a third embodiment of the circuit according to the invention.
  • FIG. 5 shows schematically a timing diagram for illustrating various switching states at important points of the third embodiment of the circuit according to the invention.

In Figur 1 ist in schematischer Weise eine erfindungsgemäße Schaltung 10 dargestellt, wobei die Schaltung 10 insbesondere zur Ansteuerung einer Beleuchtungseinrichtung vorgesehen ist. Hierzu weist die Schaltung 10 beispielhaft eine erste Lichtquelle 11 und eine zweite Lichtquelle 12 auf. Die Lichtquellen 11, 12 sind insbesondere als sogenannte Ketten von Leuchtdioden vorgesehen, wobei die erste Lichtquelle eine erste Leuchtdiode 11' bzw. bevorzugt eine Mehrzahl von ersten Leuchtdioden 11' aufweist und wobei die zweite Lichtquelle 12 eine zweite Leuchtdiode 12' und bevorzugt eine Mehrzahl von zweiten Leuchtdioden 12' aufweist. Die Lichtquellen 11, 12 sind erfindungsgemäß jeweils mit einer Stromsenke (alternativ einer Stromquelle) verbunden bzw. dieser zugeordnet, wobei die erste Lichtquelle 11 einer ersten Stromsenke 21 und die zweite Lichtquelle 12 einer zweiten Stromsenke 22 zugeordnet ist. Als Stromsenken 21, 22 wird hierbei insbesondere eine Anordnung aus einem Transistor, insbesondere ein sogenannter MOS-FET-Transistor (Metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) oder alternativ ein Bipolar-Transistor, und einem Operationsverstärker vorgesehen. Weiterhin weist die Schaltung 10 einen Regler 60 auf, welcher das Spannungsniveau (oder Stromniveau), welches an den parallel geschalteten Lichtquellen 11, 12 anliegt, regelt. Sowohl von der Anordnung umfassend die erste Lichtquelle 11 und die erste Stromsenke 21 ausgehend sowie von der Anordnung umfassend die zweite Lichtquelle 12 und die zweite Stromsenke 22 ausgehend, ist erfindungsgemäß eine Verbindung zu einem Messmittel 40 vorgesehen, welches die Funktionsfähigkeit der ersten Lichtquelle 11 bzw. der zweiten Lichtquelle 12 zu überprüfen in der Lage ist. Diese Überprüfung findet erfindungsgemäß entweder dauernd statt (d.h. zeitgleich parallel sowohl für die erste Lichtquelle 11 und für die zweite Lichtquelle 12) oder aber sequentiell statt (d.h. die Lichtquellen 11, 12 werden nacheinander eingeschaltet und das jeweilige Resultat dem Messmittel 40 zugeführt). Das Messmittel 40 ist ferner mit einem Steuermittel 50 verbunden bzw. mit diesem zusammengefasst oder auch integriert vorgesehen, wobei mittels des Steuermittels 50 Einfluss auf das Verhalten der Schaltung 10 derart genommen wird, dass im Falle eines Ausfalls beispielsweise der ersten Lichtquelle 11 auch die entsprechende erste Stromsenke 21 und somit der gesamte Schaltungszweig der ersten Lichtquelle 11 (im Folgenden auch als Leuchtdioden-Strang oder LED-Strang bezeichnet) abgeschaltet wird. Gleiches gilt selbstverständlich auch für die zweite Lichtquelle 12. Ferner ist es erfindungsgemäß vorgesehen, dass mittels des Messmittels 40 auch festgestellt werden kann, ob beispielsweise eine der ersten Leuchtdioden 11' bzw. eine der zweiten Leuchtdioden 12' legiert (d.h. niederohmig) sind und somit keinen Spannungsabfall mehr erzeugen, was bei gleichbleibender an dem entsprechenden LED-Strang anliegender Speisespannung zu einer größeren Verlustleistung führt, die erfindungsgemäß möglichst niedrig gehalten werden soll. Wenn die Verlustleistung in der Stromsenke wegen der Legierung von Leuchtdioden zu hoch wird, kann diese selektiv abgeschaltet werden. Der Regler 60 umfasst erfindungsgemäß insbesondere einen Stromregler oder einen Spannungsregler, wobei als Beispiel eines Stromreglers etwa ein erstes Regelbauelement 61 beispielsweise in Form eines integrierten Schaltkreises Verwendung finden kann und wobei der Regler 60 weiterhin ein zweites Regelbauelement 62, beispielsweise in Form eines sogenannten DC/DC Wandlerteils, aufweisen kann. Hierbei wird ausgehend von der an der Schaltung 10 anliegenden Batteriespannung Ubatt durch den Regler 60 am Eingang 65 der parallelgeschalteten LED-Stränge bzw. der Lichtquellen 11, 12 die jeweils benötigte Spannung erzeugt bzw. eingeregelt, so dass der von den Lichtquellen 11, 12 benötigte Strom fließen kann.In FIG. 1 schematically a circuit 10 according to the invention is shown, wherein the circuit 10 is provided in particular for driving a lighting device. For this purpose, the circuit 10 has, for example, a first light source 11 and a second light source 12. The light sources 11, 12 are provided in particular as so-called chains of light emitting diodes, the first light source having a first light emitting diode 11 'or preferably a plurality of first light emitting diodes 11' and wherein the second light source 12 is a second light emitting diode 12 'and preferably a plurality of second light emitting diodes 12 'has. According to the invention, the light sources 11, 12 are respectively connected to or associated with a current sink (alternatively a current source), wherein the first light source 11 is associated with a first current sink 21 and the second light source 12 is associated with a second current sink 22. As current sinks 21, 22 in this case, in particular, an arrangement of a transistor, in particular a so-called MOS-FET transistor (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) or alternatively a bipolar transistor, and an operational amplifier is provided. Furthermore, the circuit 10 has a regulator 60, which regulates the voltage level (or current level) which is applied to the parallel-connected light sources 11, 12. Both starting from the arrangement comprising the first light source 11 and the first current sink 21 and starting from the arrangement comprising the second light source 12 and the second current sink 22, according to the invention a connection to a measuring means 40 is provided which controls the functionality of the first light source 11 or the second light source 12 is able to check. According to the invention, this check either takes place permanently (ie simultaneously for both the first light source 11 and the second light source 12) or sequentially (ie the light sources 11, 12 are switched on one after the other and the respective result is fed to the measuring means 40). The measuring means 40 is further connected to a control means 50 or combined with this or provided integrated, wherein by means of the control means 50 influence on the behavior of the circuit 10 is taken such that in case of failure, for example, the first light source 11 and the corresponding first Current sink 21 and thus the entire circuit branch of the first light source 11 (hereinafter also referred to as light-emitting diode strand or LED strand) is turned off. Of course, the same applies to the second light source 12. It is also provided according to the invention that by means of the measuring means 40 also it can be determined whether, for example, one of the first light-emitting diodes 11 'or one of the second light-emitting diodes 12' is alloyed (ie low-resistance) and thus no longer produce a voltage drop, which leads to a greater power loss while the supply voltage remains constant at the corresponding LED strand, the invention should be kept as low as possible. If the power loss in the current sink becomes too high due to the alloy of LEDs, this can be selectively switched off. According to the invention, the regulator 60 comprises, in particular, a current regulator or a voltage regulator, wherein a first regulating component 61, for example in the form of an integrated circuit, can be used as an example of a current regulator, and the regulator 60 furthermore comprises a second regulating component 62, for example in the form of a so-called DC / DC Transducer parts, may have. Here, starting from the voltage applied to the circuit 10 battery voltage U batt by the controller 60 at the input 65 of the parallel-connected LED strands or the light sources 11, 12, respectively, the respectively required voltage generated or adjusted so that the light sources 11, 12th required current can flow.

Die Schaltung gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung funktioniert wie folgt:

  • An einem Ausgang 64 des ersten Regelbauelementes 61 (eigentlicher Stromregler) wird das zweite Regelbauelement 62 und daran die Lichtquellen 11, 12 angeschlossen. Jede Lichtquelle 11, 12 umfasst einen der Leuchtdioden-Zweige, die über die Stromsenken 21, 22 auf möglichst eine exakt gleiche Stromstärke geregelt werden. Hierbei können die Stromsenken 21, 22 auch als Stromquellen ausgeführt sein. Die durch die Lichtquellen 11, 12 fließenden Ströme werden jeweils über einen sogenannten Sense-Widerstand 41 (beispielsweise von einer Größe von 470 mΩ) durch einen Addierer 50'aufaddiert. Parallel zu diesem Vorgang wird die Information über die Funktionsfähigkeit der ersten und zweiten Lichtquelle 11, 12 dem Messmittel 40 über entsprechende Messleitungen 42 zugeleitet. Das Messmittel 40 und das Steuermittel 50 ist nun in der Lage, den Addierer 50' (mit einer nachgeordneten Spannungsverstärkungsregelung 50") derart anzusteuern, dass an einem Ausgang 51 des Addierers 50' bzw. der Spannungsverstärkungsregelung 50" ein Spannungsniveau anliegt, welches einem Steuerungsanschluss (Feedbackanschluss, nachfolgend ebenfalls mit dem Bezugszeichen 51 bezeichnet) der ersten Regelbauelements 61 zugeführt wird, so dass die Spannungsregelung am Eingang 65 der Lichtquellen 11, 12 auf die geänderte Situation (beispielsweise Ausfall eines der LED-Stränge) adäquat, d. h. mit dem Anliegen eines ausreichenden Spannungsniveaus reagiert werden kann.
The circuit according to the first embodiment of the invention operates as follows:
  • At an output 64 of the first control device 61 (actual current controller), the second control device 62 and the light sources 11, 12 connected thereto. Each light source 11, 12 comprises one of the light-emitting diode branches, which are regulated via the current sinks 21, 22 to as accurately as possible exactly the same current intensity. In this case, the current sinks 21, 22 may also be designed as current sources. The currents flowing through the light sources 11, 12 are in each case added via a so-called sense resistor 41 (for example of a size of 470 mΩ) through an adder 50 '. Parallel to this process, the information about the functionality of the first and second light sources 11, 12 is supplied to the measuring means 40 via corresponding measuring lines 42. The measuring means 40 and the control means 50 is now able to control the adder 50 '(with a subordinate voltage gain control 50 ") such that an output 51 of the adder 50' or the voltage gain control 50" bears a voltage level which corresponds to a control connection (Feedback terminal, hereinafter also denoted by reference numeral 51) of the first control device 61 is supplied, so that the voltage regulation at the input 65 of the light sources 11, 12 on the changed situation (for example, failure of one of the LED strands) adequately, ie with the concern of sufficient voltage levels can be reacted.

Diese Funktionsweise soll nachfolgend an einem Beispiel dargestellt werden. Wenn beispielsweise zwei LED-Zweige (Lichtquellen 11, 12) mit je 150 mA betrieben werden, dann soll der Regler 60 den auf der Leitung 65 fließende Strom auf insgesamt 300 mA regeln. Wenn lediglich einer der LED-Zweige betrieben wird, dann soll der Regler 60 nur noch auf 150 mA liefern. Dafür ist in der ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Schaltung 10 die umschaltbare Spannungsverstärkungsregelung 50" erforderlich. Wenn insgesamt zwei LED-Zweige betrieben werden (mit jeweils 150mA) und einer davon ausfällt, dann muss die Spannung am Ausgang der Anordnung aus Addierer 50' und Spannungsverstärkungsregelung 50" um den Faktor zwei verstärkt werden, damit die erforderliche Spannung am Feedbackeingang 51 des ersten Regelbauelementes 61 verdoppelt wird (was aufgrund der Funktionsweise des ersten Regelbauelements 61 zur Folge hat, dass der Stromregler 60 nur noch auf 150mA regelt). Wenn bei einem solchen Ausfall eines der LED-Stränge der Stromfluss durch diesen ausgefallenen LED-Strang unterbleibt, so reagiert die Regelung der Schaltung 10 zunächst derart, dass das Spannungsniveau am Eingang 65 der Lichtquellen 11, 12 auf die maximal eingestellte Grenzspannung des ersten Regelbauelementes 61 hochgeregelt wird. (weil am Feedbackeingang 51 des ersten Regelbauelementes 61 eine zu geringe Spannung anliegt). Jedoch wird in einer solchen Situation der Strom in dem noch funktionierenden der LED-Zweige bzw. Lichtquellen 11, 12 nach wie vor konstant auf 150mA gehalten, was auf die Funktion der KonstantStromsenken 21, 22 zurückzuführen ist. Daher muss der restliche Spannungsabfall letztlich über die funktionierende der Stromsenken 21, 22 abgefangen werden, so dass momentan eine sehr große Verlustleitung auftritt. Dieser Zustand muss mit einer möglichst kurzen Verzögerungszeit unterbunden werden. Hierzu erkennt das Messmittel 40 über die Messleitungen 42, dass eine der LED-Stränge bzw. eine der Lichtquellen 11, 12 ausgefallen ist und es wird der entsprechende LED-Zweig abgeschaltet. Daraufhin wird die Spannung am Ausgang der Spannungsverstärkungsregelung 50" wieder auf das Niveau im eingeregelten Zustand angehoben, so dass der Regler 60 bzw. das erste Regelbauelement 61 wieder auf das normale Spannungsniveau am Eingang 65 der Lichtquellen 11, 12 zurückregeln kann. Es ist damit durch die erfindungsgemäße Schaltung 10 sichergestellt, dass es keine instabilen Zustände gibt. Somit gibt es auch kein Aufblitzen oder sonst eine einen Benutzer störende Beeinträchtigung der Funktion der Lichtquelle. Gerade weil die defekte Lichtquelle selektiv abgeschaltet wird, ist es ausgeschlossen, dass die Lichtquelle zeitweise funktioniert und dann wieder zeitweise nicht. Beim Ausfall von einer der Lichtquellen 11, 12 nehmen lediglich die Helligkeit der Beleuchtungseinrichtung (welche erfindungsgemäß insbesondere als eine Hintergrundbeleuchtungseinrichtung für eine Anzeigeeinrichtung ist) lediglich um einen definierten Wert ab und bleibt dann wiederum stabil, was genau das gewünschte Verhalten einer solchen Anordnung ist und gegebenenfalls von einem Benutzer gar nicht wahrgenommen wird, etwa dann, wenn der Ausfall der Lichtquellen 11, 12 bei Tageslicht passiert und aufgrund der Umgebungsausleuchtung der Rückgang der Hintergrundbeleuchtung gar nicht auffällt. Durch längere Einschaltzeiten der noch funktionierenden Lichtquellen kann in Bereichen die Helligkeit auf den Sollwert von zwei oder mehr Lichtquellen nachgeregelt werden.This mode of operation will be illustrated below using an example. For example, if two LED branches (light sources 11, 12) are each operated at 150 mA, then the controller 60 is to regulate the current flowing on the line 65 to a total of 300 mA. If only one of the LED branches is operated, then the controller 60 should deliver only 150 mA. For this, in the first embodiment of the circuit 10 according to the invention, the switchable voltage gain control 50 "is required If a total of two LED branches are operated (each with 150mA) and one of them fails, then the voltage at the output of the adder 50 'and voltage gain control 50 must be established be amplified by a factor of two, so that the required voltage at the feedback input 51 of the first control device 61 is doubled (which has the result of the operation of the first control device 61 with the result that the current controller 60 only 150 mA regulated). If in such a failure of one of the LED strands, the current flow through this failed LED strand is omitted, the control of the circuit 10 initially reacts such that the voltage level at the input 65 of the light sources 11, 12 to the maximum set threshold voltage of the first control device 61st is up-regulated. (Because at the feedback input 51 of the first control device 61 is applied too low voltage). However, in such a situation, the current in the still functioning of the LED branches or light sources 11, 12 is still kept constant at 150 mA, which is due to the function of the constant current sinks 21, 22. Therefore, the remaining voltage drop must ultimately be intercepted via the functioning of the current sinks 21, 22, so that currently a very large power loss occurs. This condition must be prevented with the shortest possible delay time. For this purpose, the measuring means 40 recognizes via the measuring lines 42 that one of the LED strands or one of the light sources 11, 12 has failed and the corresponding LED branch is switched off. Then the voltage at the output of the voltage gain control 50 " raised again to the level in the adjusted state, so that the controller 60 and the first control device 61 can back to the normal voltage level at the input 65 of the light sources 11, 12 back. It is thus ensured by the circuit 10 according to the invention that there are no unstable states. Thus, there is no flash or otherwise a user disturbing impairment of the function of the light source. Precisely because the defective light source is selectively switched off, it is impossible for the light source to work temporarily and then again temporarily. In the event of failure of one of the light sources 11, 12, only the brightness of the illumination device (which according to the invention is a backlight device for a display device) merely decreases by a defined value and then again remains stable, which is exactly the desired behavior of such an arrangement and, if appropriate is not perceived by a user, such as when the failure of the light sources 11, 12 happens in daylight and due to the ambient illumination of the decline in the backlight is not noticeable. By longer switch-on times of the still functioning light sources, the brightness in areas can be readjusted to the desired value of two or more light sources.

In Figur 2 ist eine schematische Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Schaltung gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform für den Fall von zwei Lichtquellen 11, 12 in größerem Detail dargestellt. Wiederum ist die erste Lichtquelle 11, die zweite Lichtquelle 12, die erste Leuchtdiode 11', die zweite Leuchtdiode 12', die erste Stromsenke 21, die zweite Stromsenke 22, der Regler 60 mit dem ersten Regelbauelement 61 und dem zweiten Regelbauelement 62, der Eingang 65 der Lichtquellen 11, 12 sowie der Regeleingang 51 sowie der Addierer 50' mit Spannungsverstärkungsregelung 50" dargestellt. Weiterhin ist ebenfalls das Messmittel 40 und das Steuermittel 50 im linken Teil der Figur 2 dargestellt. Über die Elemente der Figur 1 hinaus ist in Figur 2 weiterhin auch ein erster Schalter 31 und ein zweiter Schalter 32 dargestellt, wobei die Schalter 31, 32 zur gesteuerten Abschaltung einzelner Leuchtdiodenzweige bzw. einzelner Lichtquellen 11, 12 vorgesehen sind. Dies wird durch entsprechende Steuerleitungen (nicht einzeln mit einem Bezugszeichen versehen) über das Steuermittel 50 durchgeführt.In FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the circuit according to the invention according to the first embodiment in the case of two light sources 11, 12 shown in greater detail. Again, the first light source 11, the second light source 12, the first light emitting diode 11 ', the second light emitting diode 12', the first current sink 21, the second current sink 22, the regulator 60 with the first control device 61 and the second control device 62, the input 65 of the light sources 11, 12 as well as the control input 51 as well as the adder 50 'with voltage gain control 50 "Furthermore, the measuring means 40 and the control means 50 in the left part of FIG FIG. 2 shown. About the elements of FIG. 1 addition is in FIG. 2 Furthermore, a first switch 31 and a second switch 32 are also shown, wherein the switches 31, 32 are provided for the controlled switching off of individual light-emitting diode branches or individual light sources 11, 12. This is performed by corresponding control lines (not individually provided with a reference numeral) via the control means 50.

Bei der Schaltung gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform (und auch der weiteren Ausführungsformen) ist es selbstverständlich möglich, dass neben der ersten und zweiten Lichtquelle 11, 12 weitere Lichtquellen in Form von weiteren parallel geschalteten Leuchtdiodenzweigen Verwendung finden. In diesem Fall sind entsprechende Stromsenken (nicht dargestellt), entsprechende Schalter (ebenfalls nicht dargestellt) sowie die entsprechenden Steuerleitungen erforderlich.In the circuit according to the first embodiment (and also of the further embodiments), it is of course possible that, in addition to the first and second light sources 11, 12, further light sources in the form of further light-emitting diode branches connected in parallel are used. In this case, corresponding current sinks (not shown), corresponding switches (also not shown) and the corresponding control lines are required.

In Figur 3 ist in schematischer Darstellung eine zweite Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Schaltung 10 dargestellt. Hierbei sind neben der ersten Lichtquelle und der zweiten Lichtquelle 11, 12 drei weitere Lichtquellen 13, 14, 15 als Leuchtdiodenketten schematisch dargestellt. Wiederum weist jede der Lichtquellen 11 bis 15 gemäß dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Schaltung 10 eine Stromsenke auf, wobei jedoch lediglich die erste Stromsenke 21 in der Figur 3 dargestellt ist. Das Gleiche gilt für den Schalter, d. h. in Figur 3 ist lediglich der erste Schalter 31 für die erste Lichtquelle 11 dargestellt. Die Ansteuerung der Lichtquellen 11, 12 erfolgt bei der zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung über den Regler 60 und entsprechende Stromsenken 21 analog zu der ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung. Wiederum ist daher der Regler 60 mit dem ersten Regelbauelement 61 und dem zweiten Regelbauelement 62, der Eingang 65 der Lichtquellen 11 bis 15, der Regeleingang 51 sowie der Addierer 50' dargestellt. Weiterhin ist ebenfalls das Messmittel 40 und das Steuermittel 50 im linken Teil der Figur 3 dargestellt.In FIG. 3 is shown in a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the circuit 10 according to the invention. In this case, in addition to the first light source and the second light source 11, 12, three further light sources 13, 14, 15 shown schematically as light-emitting diode chains. Again, each of the light sources 11 to 15 according to the second embodiment of the inventive circuit 10 has a current sink, but only the first current sink 21 in the FIG. 3 is shown. The same applies to the switch, ie in FIG. 3 only the first switch 31 for the first light source 11 is shown. The control of the light sources 11, 12 takes place in the second embodiment of the invention via the controller 60 and corresponding current sinks 21 analogous to the first embodiment of the invention. Again, therefore, the controller 60 with the first control device 61 and the second control device 62, the input 65 of the light sources 11 to 15, the control input 51 and the adder 50 'is shown. Furthermore, the measuring means 40 and the control means 50 in the left part of the FIG. 3 shown.

Hinsichtlich des Messmittels 40 bzw. der Auswertung der einzelnen Leuchtdiodenstränge ergeben sich Unterschiede. Bei der zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung werden (im Gegensatz zur ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung) auch die Funktionen der Spannungsverstärkungsregelung 50" (gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung) von dem Steuermittel 50 übernommen. Hierzu weist das Steuermittel 50 eine Ausgangsleitung 52 auf, welche auf den Addierer 50' wirkt, so dass an dem Ausgang 51 des Addierers 50'die für die Stabilisierung des Regelkreises notwendige Spannung auch bei Ausfall von einzelnen der Leuchtdiodenketten bzw. Lichtquellen anliegt. Für jeden ausfallenden Leuchtdiodenzweig wird zunächst durch das Messmittel 40 über Messleitungen 42 (von denen der Einfachheit halber lediglich eine Messleitung 42 dargestellt ist) erkannt, dass der Leuchtdiodenzweig ausgefallen ist. Von dem Steuermittel 50 wird nachfolgend der Eingang 52 des Addierers 50'derart hochgeregelt (insbesondere mittels eines Digital/Analog-Wandlers oder mittels eines sogenannten PPG (programmable pulse generator)), dass die Spannung am Ausgang 51 des Addierers auf dem Niveau verbleibt, welches für eine geregelte Spannung am Eingang 65 der Lichtquellen notwendig ist. Im Beispiel der zweiten Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 3 ist es beispielhaft so, dass der Strom durch jede der Lichtquellen 100mA trägt, wobei jedoch dieser Wert lediglich beispielhaft zu verstehen ist. Daher ist für jede ausfallende Leuchtdiodenkette das Spannungsniveau auf der Steuerleitung 52 um (je nach vorgesehener Widerstandskonfiguration) beispielsweise 100 mV zu erhöhen.With regard to the measuring means 40 and the evaluation of the individual light-emitting diode strands, there are differences. In the second embodiment of the invention (unlike the first embodiment of the invention), the functions of the voltage gain control 50 "(according to the first embodiment of the invention) are also taken over by the control means 50. For this purpose, the control means 50 has an output line 52 which is connected to the Adder 50 'acts, so that at the output 51 of the adder 50' necessary for the stabilization of the control circuit voltage is also present in case of failure of each of the light emitting diode chains or light sources.For each failing LED branch is first by the measuring means 40 via measuring lines 42 (of which, for the sake of simplicity, only one measuring line 42 is shown) detected that the LED branch has failed. The control means 50 subsequently controls the input 52 of the adder 50 'in such a way (in particular by means of a digital / analog converter or by means of a so-called PPG (programmable pulse generator)) that the voltage at the output 51 of the adder remains at the level which is necessary for a regulated voltage at the input 65 of the light sources. In the example of the second embodiment according to FIG. 3 By way of example, it is understood that the current through each of the light sources carries 100 mA, but this value is to be understood as an example only. Therefore, for each failing LED string, the voltage level on the control line 52 is to be increased by 100 mV (depending on the intended resistance configuration), for example.

In Figur 4 ist eine dritte Ausführungsform der Schaltung 10 schematisch dargestellt. Wiederum ist die erste Lichtquelle 11, die zweite Lichtquelle 12, die erste Stromsenke 21, die zweite Stromsenke 22, das erste Regelbauelement 61, das zweite Regelbauelement 62, der erste Schalter 31 und der zweite Schalter 32 sowie das Messmittel 40 und das Steuermittel 50 dargestellt. Im Gegensatz zu den ersten und zweiten Ausführungsformen der Schaltung 10 ist kein Addierer 50' zur Bereitstellung des am Rückkopplungseingang 51 des ersten Regelbauelements 61 notwendigen Spannungsniveaus vorhanden, sondern es wird mittels einer ersten Diode D1, insbesondere eine Schottky-Diode, zwischen der ersten Stromsenke 21 und dem Rückkopplungseingang 51 sichergestellt, dass wenn das Spannungsniveau auf der Kathodenseite der ersten Diode D1 aufgrund eines Ausfalls der ersten Lichtquelle 11 weitestgehend zum Massepotential hin abfällt, eine entsprechende Reaktion (aufgrund eines Durchschaltens der Diode D1) am Rückkopplungseingang 51 (Abfall der dort anliegenden Spannung) derart erfolgt, dass wiederum die Eingangsspannung am Eingang 65 der Lichtquellen 11, 12 hochgeregelt wird. Nach einem Ausschalten des entsprechenden LED-Zweiges (im vorliegenden Fall beispielhaft der ersten Lichtquelle 11) wird dann die Durchschaltung der ersten Diode D1 wiederum rückgängig gemacht. Entsprechend zur Funktion mit dem ersten LED-Zweig wird mittels einer zweiten Diode D2, insbesondere eine Schottky-Diode, zwischen der zweiten Stromsenke 22 und dem Rückkopplungseingang 51 sichergestellt, dass wenn das Spannungsniveau auf der Kathodenseite der zweiten Diode D2 aufgrund eines Ausfalls der zweiten Lichtquelle 12 weitestgehend zum Massepotential hin abfällt, eine entsprechende Reaktion (aufgrund eines Durchschaltens der zweiten Diode D2) am Rückkopplungseingang 51 (Abfall der dort anliegenden Spannung) derart erfolgt, dass wiederum die Eingangsspannung am Eingang 65 der Lichtquellen 11, 12 hochgeregelt wird.In FIG. 4 a third embodiment of the circuit 10 is shown schematically. Again, the first light source 11, the second light source 12, the first current sink 21, the second current sink 22, the first control device 61, the second control device 62, the first switch 31 and the second switch 32 and the measuring means 40 and the control means 50 are shown , In contrast to the first and second embodiments of the circuit 10, there is no adder 50 'for providing the voltage level necessary at the feedback input 51 of the first control device 61, but it is connected between the first current sink 21 by means of a first diode D1, in particular a Schottky diode and the feedback input 51 ensures that when the voltage level on the cathode side of the first diode D1 due to a failure of the first light source 11 largely decreases towards the ground potential, a corresponding reaction (due to a turn on of the diode D1) at the feedback input 51 (drop of the applied voltage ) takes place in such a way that in turn the input voltage at the input 65 of the light sources 11, 12 is up-regulated. After switching off the corresponding LED branch (in the present case, by way of example, the first light source 11), the through-connection of the first diode D1 is then reversed again. Corresponding to the function with the first LED branch is ensured by means of a second diode D2, in particular a Schottky diode, between the second current sink 22 and the feedback input 51 that when the voltage level on the cathode side of the second diode D2 due to a failure of the second light source 12 drops as far as possible to the ground potential, a corresponding reaction (due to a Switching through the second diode D2) at the feedback input 51 (drop of voltage applied there) takes place in such a way that in turn the input voltage at the input 65 of the light sources 11, 12 is up-regulated.

Die Bereitstellung der Information, ob eine der Lichtquellen 11, 12 ausgefallen ist oder nicht, wird an das Messmittel 40 über eine für alle Lichtquellen 11, 12 gemeinsame Messleitung 43 (bzw. Messanschluss 43') geleitet. Es muss daher sequentiell eine Abtastung der verschiedenen Leuchtdioden-Zweige erfolgen. Über die Schalter 31, 32 wird der ausgefallene LED-Zweig abgeschaltet. Hierzu wird (für das Beispiel von zwei Lichtquellen 11, 12) eine dritte Diode D' (ebenfalls beispielsweise eine Schottky-Diode) und eine vierte Diode D" (ebenfalls beispielsweise eine Schottky-Diode) verwendet. Hierzu ist gemäß der dritten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Schaltung 10 der Eingang der Stromsenken 21, 22 (d.h. jeweils zwischen den Lichtquellen 11, 12 und den Stromsenken 21, 22, wodurch an dieser Stelle ein Messabgriff realisiert wird) mit der Anodenseite, entweder der dritten Diode D' (erste Stromsenke) oder der vierten Diode D" (zweite Stromsenke) verbunden. In zeitlich getakteter Weise (d.h. sequentiell) erfolgt durch Steuerung mittels des Steuermittels 50 eine Abfrage, welcher Spannungsabfall an den Lichtquellen 11, 12 vorliegt. Falls beispielsweise an beiden Lichtquellen 11, 12 eine der Leuchtdioden ausgefallen ist, kann dies im Steuermittel 50 aufgrund des gemessenen Spannungsabfalls erkannt werden und es kann das Spannungsniveau am Eingang 65 der Lichtquellen 11, 12 zur Reduzierung der Verlustleistung vermindert werden. Ein weiterer Messanschluss 42' dient der Messung des Spannungsabfalls über die gesamte Leuchtdioden-Kette für eine bestimmte Lichtquelle 11, 12. In Figur 4 sind zur Verdeutlichung der Funktionsweise weiterhin die Steuerleitungen S1, S2, S3, S4 und S5 des Steuermittels 50 bzw. des Mess- und Steuermittels 50 abgebildet. Hierbei dient die Steuerleitung S1 dem periodischen Ein- und Ausschalten der Schaltung 10 bei aktivierter Beleuchtungseinrichtung (etwa Hintergrundbeleuchtung einer Anzeigevorrichtung) und mit einem Tastverhältnis von Einschaltzeitintervall zu Ausschaltzeitintervall in Abhängig der benötigten Helligkeit der Lichtquellen. Die Steuerleitung S2 dient dem Ein- oder Ausschalten der ersten Lichtquelle 11. Die Steuerleitung S3 dient dem Ein- oder Ausschalten der zweiten Lichtquelle 12. Die Steuerleitung S4 dient der Trennung des Rückkoppelungseingangs 51 von Massepotential. Die Steuerleitung S5 dient der Abtastung der Spannungsregelung (oder Stromregelung) am Eingang 65 der Lichtquellen und der Messleitung 42 bzw. dem Messanschluss 42'.The provision of the information as to whether or not one of the light sources 11, 12 has failed is directed to the measuring means 40 via a common measuring line 43 (or measuring connection 43 ') for all the light sources 11, 12. It must therefore be done sequentially scanning the various light-emitting branches. About the switch 31, 32 of the failed LED branch is turned off. For this purpose (for the example of two light sources 11, 12), a third diode D '(also, for example, a Schottky diode) and a fourth diode D "(likewise, for example, a Schottky diode) are used Circuit 10, the input of the current sinks 21, 22 (ie in each case between the light sources 11, 12 and the current sinks 21, 22, whereby at this point a Meßabgriff is realized) with the anode side, either the third diode D '(first current sink) or the fourth diode D "(second current sink) connected. In a time-clocked manner (ie sequentially) by means of the control means 50 is a query, which voltage drop at the light sources 11, 12 is present. If, for example, one of the light-emitting diodes has failed at both light sources 11, 12, this can be detected in the control means 50 on the basis of the measured voltage drop and the voltage level at the input 65 of the light sources 11, 12 can be reduced to reduce the power loss. A further measuring connection 42 'is used to measure the voltage drop over the entire light-emitting diode chain for a specific light source 11, 12 FIG. 4 For further clarification of the mode of operation, the control lines S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 of the control means 50 and of the measuring and control means 50 are furthermore depicted. Here, the control line S1 is the periodic switching on and off of the circuit 10 with activated lighting device (such as backlighting of a display device) and with a duty cycle of Einschaltzeitintervall to Ausschaltzeitintervall depending on the required brightness of the light sources. The control line S2 serves to switch the first light source 11 on or off. The control line S3 serves to switch the second light source 12 on or off. The control line S4 serves to separate the feedback input 51 from the ground potential. The control line S5 is used to sample the voltage regulation (or current regulation) at the input 65 of the light sources and the measuring line 42 or the measuring connection 42 '.

In Figur 5 ist in schematischer Weise ein Zeitdiagramm über verschiedene Zustände von der Steuerleitungen S1, S2, S3, S4 und S5 des Steuermittels 50 dargestellt. Die Schaltung 10 wird erfindungsgemäß getaktet betrieben. Dies bedeutet, dass an einem Taktgeberausgang (Steuerleitung S1), der die gesamte Schaltung ein und ausschaltet in regelmäßigen Abständen ein und ausgeschaltet wird. Bei einem Funktionieren von beiden Lichtquellen 11 und 12 erfolgt taktgleich ebenfalls ein Einschalten an den individuellen Schaltleitungen (Steuerleitungen S2 und S3) für die einzelnen Lichtquellen. Es ergibt sich hierbei lediglich eine minimale Zeitverzögerung zwischen dem Einschaltzeitpunkt der Schaltung und dem tatsächlichen Funktionieren der Schaltung (Steuerleitung S5) von beispielsweise etwa 1 bis 40 Mikrosekunden, bevorzugt von etwa 5 Mikrosekunden (die Verzögerungszeit ist in der Zeichnung mittels eines Pfeils angedeutet; die Verzögerungszeit ist hierbei einstellbar vorgesehen). Dies ist insbesondere darauf zurückzuführen, dass in Figur 4 die Addierstufe entfällt, die Reaktionszeiten der ersten bzw. zweiten Diode D1/D2 und der Schalter 31, 32 im Nanosekundenbereich liegt und zusätzlich die Reaktionszeit der Operationsverstärker der Stromsenken 21, 22 erheblich beschleunigt werden konnte, weil a) dieser mit einer hohen Spannung versorgt wird (zum Beispiel die Batteriespannung und dabei die Spannung auf einen definierten Grenzwert begrenzt wird) und weil b) der Ausgang des Operationsverstärkers vorgespannt wird (beispielsweise über einen Widerstand zu dessen Spannungsversorgung). Hierdurch ist es möglich, dass die Flankensteilheit beim Einschalten der Schaltung derart groß ist, dass die Schaltung zum Beispiel in 5 Mikrosekunden betriebsbereit ist. Es ist dadurch möglich, dass innerhalb von einer Wiederholzeit von beispielsweise 5 Millisekunden (bei einer Wiederholrate von zum Beispiel etwa 200 pro Sekunde oder auch von etwa 50 pro Sekunde bis etwa 600 pro Sekunde) die Schaltung im Extremfall etwa mit einer Dynamik von 1:1000 oder sogar noch höher betrieben werden kann.In FIG. 5 FIG. 3 schematically shows a time diagram of various states of the control lines S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 of the control means 50. The circuit 10 is operated clocked according to the invention. This means that at a clock output (control line S1), which turns the entire circuit on and off at regular intervals on and off. When two light sources 11 and 12 are functioning, switching on is likewise effected at the same time on the individual switching lines (control lines S2 and S3) for the individual light sources. This results in only a minimal time delay between the switch-on time of the circuit and the actual functioning of the circuit (control line S5) of, for example, about 1 to 40 microseconds, preferably about 5 microseconds (the delay time is indicated in the drawing by means of an arrow; is here provided adjustable). This is particularly due to the fact that in FIG. 4 the adder is omitted, the reaction times of the first and second diode D1 / D2 and the switches 31, 32 in the nanosecond range and additionally the reaction time of the operational amplifier of the current sinks 21, 22 could be significantly accelerated, because a) this is supplied with a high voltage (For example, the battery voltage while the voltage is limited to a defined limit) and because b) the output of the operational amplifier is biased (for example, via a resistor to the power supply). This makes it possible that the edge steepness when switching on the circuit is so large that the circuit is ready for operation, for example, in 5 microseconds. It is thereby possible that within a repetition time of, for example, 5 milliseconds (at a repetition rate of, for example, about 200 per second or also from about 50 per second to about 600 per second), the circuit in extreme cases with about a 1: 1000 dynamics or even higher.

BezugszeichenlisteLIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1010
Schaltungcircuit
1111
Erste LichtquelleFirst light source
1212
Zweite LichtquelleSecond light source
2121
Erste StromsenkeFirst current sink
2222
Zweite StromsenkeSecond current sink
3131
Erster SchalterFirst switch
3232
Zweiter SchalterSecond switch
4040
Messmittelmeasuring Equipment
5050
Steuermittelcontrol means
6060
Reglerregulator
6161
Erstes RegelbauelementFirst control component
6262
Zweites RegelbauelementSecond control component
6565
Eingang der LichtquellenEntrance of the light sources
6363
Ausgang des ersten RegelbauelementesOutput of the first control device
4141
SensewiderständeSense resistors
50'50 '
Addiereradder
50"50 "
SpannungsverstärkungsregelungVoltage gain control
5151
Ausgang der Addier und Steuerregelung bzw. Feedbackeingang des ersten RegelbauelementsOutput of the adder and control regulation or feedback input of the first control device
5252
Steuereingang der AddierersControl input of adder
D1, D2, D', D"D1, D2, D ', D "
Diodendiodes

Claims (5)

  1. Circuit (10) for a motor vehicle, in particular for actuating a lighting device, the circuit (10) having a first light source (11) and a second light source (12) connected in parallel, the first light source (11) being assigned a first current sink (21) and the second light source (12) being assigned a second current sink (22), the circuit (10) being assigned a measuring means (40), the measuring means (40) being intended to determine the functionality of the first light source (11) and to determine the functionality of the second light source (12), characterized in that the circuit (10) has a first switch (31) which is assigned to the first light source (11) and a second switch (32) which is assigned to the second light source (12), the circuit (10) being assigned a control means (50) in such a manner that the first switch (31) can be switched on the basis of the functionality of the first light source (11) and it being possible for the second switch (32) to be switched on the basis of the functionality of the second light source (12), the circuit (10) having a regulator (60), in particular a current regulator or a voltage regulator, which is provided for the first light source (11) and the second light source (12) and it being possible for the regulator (60) to be driven on the basis of the functionality of the first light source (11) and the second light source (12).
  2. Circuit (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that, following a change in the functionality of the first light source (11) or the second light source (12), the regulator (60) can be driven with a time delay of less than or equal to one second, preferably less than or equal to 500 milliseconds, particularly preferably less than or equal to 300 milliseconds.
  3. Circuit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first light source (11) has a first light-emitting diode (11'), preferably a plurality of first light-emitting diodes, and/or in that the second light source (12) has a second light-emitting diode (12'), preferably a plurality of light-emitting diodes.
  4. Circuit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, with an adequate repetition rate, the circuit (10) can be operated in clocked fashion, in particular with a duty ratio of the switch-on time interval to the switch-off time interval of less than or equal to 1:100, preferably less than or equal to 1:200, particularly preferably less than or equal to 1:500, very particularly preferably less than or equal to 1:1000.
  5. Circuit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a measuring tap having a diode (D', D ") is respectively provided between the first light source (11) and the first current sink (21) and between the second light source (12) and the second current sink (22).
EP07801552.6A 2006-08-08 2007-08-08 Circuit for a motor vehicle, in particular for actuating a lighting device Not-in-force EP2052584B1 (en)

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DE102006037342A DE102006037342B4 (en) 2006-08-08 2006-08-08 Circuit for a motor vehicle, in particular for controlling a lighting device
PCT/EP2007/007010 WO2008017467A1 (en) 2006-08-08 2007-08-08 Circuit for a motor vehicle, in particular for actuating a lighting device

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US8143808B2 (en) 2012-03-27
US20090184663A1 (en) 2009-07-23
EP2052584A1 (en) 2009-04-29
ES2471977T3 (en) 2014-06-27
DE102006037342B4 (en) 2013-07-18
DE102006037342A1 (en) 2008-02-21
WO2008017467A1 (en) 2008-02-14

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