KR101598987B1 - Dimming Control Method for LED Lamp including streetlamp and tunnellamp and LED Lamp System - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a dimming control method for an LED lamp device including a street lamp and a tunnel lamp, and an LED lamp system. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dimming control method for an LED lamp device comprises the following steps of: detecting a variation in the level of a main power supply by measuring the level of the main power supply for driving an LED lamp device; determining information related to dimming control by counting the number of variation in the level of the main power supply within a predetermined time interval; generating a dimming control signal for controlling the dimming of the LED lamp device in accordance with the determination results; and adjusting the voltage level and/or the current level of the driving signal for driving LED lamp device in response to the dimming control signal, and outputting the same.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a dimming control method for an LED light fixture, such as a streetlight, a tunnel, and the like,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a dimming control method for an LED lamp, and more particularly, to an LED lamp dimming control method for a street lamp, a tunnel, etc., and an LED lamp system.

Generally, a security light such as a street light, a tunnel, etc. is a lighting device installed along a road or a road for safety of street lighting or traffic, and an LED light can be used as a security light as the demand of the LED increases. LED lighting is driven by low voltage or low current, and SMPS is installed in the field where LED lighting is installed to convert the power supplied to the LED lighting fixture.

Brightness control (or dimming control) needs to be performed according to the environment (e.g., position, time, etc.) in which the LED lamp is used. However, in the conventional case, a wireless system is installed in each of a plurality of SMPSs to perform wireless communication control, or communication equipment is installed in each of a plurality of SMPSs, and control is performed through power line communication. In this case, communication may not be properly performed depending on the installation state of the LED lighting device or the surrounding environment. For example, communication troubles may occur due to problems such as underground cable tightness, moisture, distance, quantity, etc., or communications may be obstructed due to structures such as signs / walls in wireless communication. According to this, not only a high cost is incurred in installing the communication means but also a problem that the LED lighting fixture control can not be performed properly due to a communication failure occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an LED lighting device capable of dimming control of an LED lamp with a simple structure, A dimming control method, and an LED lighting system.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an LED lighting device, the method comprising: detecting a variation in level of the main power source by measuring a level of the main power source for driving the LED lighting device; Determining information related to dimming control by counting the number of variations of the level of the main power within a predetermined time interval; generating a dimming control signal for controlling dimming of the LED lamp according to the determination result; And adjusting and outputting a voltage level and / or a current level of a driving signal for driving the LED lamp in response to the dimming control signal.

Preferably, the LED lighting device dimming control method further includes a step of entering the dimming preparation step by detecting that the level of the main power source is changed for the first time.

Preferably, the level of the constant voltage of the main power source corresponds to a first level, the voltage level of the main power source changes to a second level for entering the dimming preparation step, The voltage level of the main power source varies to a third level for providing the third level, the third level has a value lower than the first level by a predetermined ratio, and the second level is different from the third level .

Preferably, the LED lighting apparatus dimming control method further includes a step of initially measuring a level of the main power source and a reference value having a level lower than the level of the main power source by a predetermined ratio in accordance with a result of measuring the level of the main power source Wherein counting the number of fluctuations of the level of the main power source is performed when the level of the main power source is lower than the reference value.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: receiving an external power supply; converting the external power supply to the main power source; referring to the time information and the dimming information stored in the table, To at least one time.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a dimming control method for an LED lamp, comprising the steps of: receiving an external power supply; controlling a dimming control for controlling a converting operation to the external power supply, Generating a signal by converting a voltage level of the main power source into a voltage having a different level from a normal level during a predetermined time interval at least once in response to the dimming control signal, And providing the main power source as a main power source for driving the LED lamp.

According to the LED lighting fixture control method and the LED lighting system of the present invention as described above, since the dimming is controlled according to the voltage change value measurement counter system, not only the structure is simple but also the failure rate can be reduced.

According to the LED lighting control method and the LED lighting system of the present invention, when an additional LED lighting fixture is installed, it is not necessary to perform operation such as address setting for controlling the dimming of an additional LED lighting fixture, The dimming control can be performed in the simple wiring method, so that ease of installation can be improved.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an LED lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the distribution board of Fig.
3 is a block diagram showing a more specific embodiment of the distribution board of Fig.
4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the drive controller of Fig.
5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the drive controller of Fig.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an LED lamp dimming according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7A and 7B are diagrams showing various examples of dimming control and waveforms of a main power source.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an LED lamp dimming according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In order to fully understand the present invention, operational advantages of the present invention, and objects achieved by the practice of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference symbols in the drawings denote like elements.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an LED lighting system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 1, the LED lighting system 100 includes a management system 110, one or more distribution boards 120, one or more drive controllers 130, and one or more LED (LED) lamps 140 . In the example of FIG. 1, the management system 110 manages M distribution boards 120 and one distribution board 120 drives the N LED lamps 140. However, in the present invention, The LED panel 110, the distribution panel 120, the drive controller 130, and the LED lamp 140 can be arranged in various shapes and numbers. Further, although one drive controller 130 is shown as driving one LED lamp 140, this is also only one embodiment, and the embodiment of the present invention may be variously varied. For example, one drive controller 130 may drive a plurality of LED lamps 140.

The management system 110 can be used by a user to manage the driving status of a plurality of LED lamps 140, and various management operations can be performed through the terminal since a plurality of user terminals (not shown) are provided. For example, the management system 110 can transmit various requests and controls to the distribution board 120 and can receive various information from the distribution board 120 by communicating with the distribution board 120 via the Internet / CDMA system . In addition, the management system 110 can receive image information through means (for example, a camera) installed in the distribution panel 120, and monitor the corresponding area through a monitor included in the terminal.

Also, in one embodiment, the management system 110 may request the distribution board 120 to transmit the result of the amount of power measurement. The distribution board 120 may include power measurement means therein and the distribution board 120 may provide a result of the electric power measurement in response to the request of the management system 110. [

The distribution board 120 may be disposed at a site where the LED lighting device 140 is installed and the distribution board 120 receives a predetermined supply power (for example, AC power, AC) The main power for the LED lamp 140 can be generated. The main power source may correspond to an AC power source. As an example, the distribution board 120 receives three-phase four-wire (R, S, T, N) AC power (AC) The main power source for controlling the lamp 140 may be generated and provided to each of the plurality of the drive controllers 130. [

The driving controller 130 may include an SMPS (Switching Mode Power Supply) (not shown) and may also include a dimming controller (not shown) for performing dimming control in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention . The drive controller 130 receives the main power corresponding to the AC power from the distribution board 120 and converts the received main power into a DC voltage having a suitable level for driving the LED lamp 140 / Current signal. In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the drive controller 130 detects the level fluctuation of the main power supplied from the distribution board 120, and adjusts the dimming of the LED lamp 140 based on the detection result . In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the drive controller 130 can detect the number of times the level change of the main power source is detected, and for example, detects the number of times the level change of the main power source occurs within a predetermined time period So that dimming of the LED lamp 140 can be controlled.

In FIG. 1, the distribution board 120 and the drive controller 130 are shown as being separate structures, but the embodiment of the present invention need not be limited thereto. Some functions of the distribution board 120 described in the embodiment of the present invention may be performed by the drive controller 130 and some functions of the drive controller 130 may be performed by the distribution board 120. [

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dimming can be variously adjusted depending on the environment in which the LED lamp 140 is used. For example, it is possible to drive the LED lighting device 140 from the sunset to the sunrise so as to generate a lighting effect. Particularly, in driving the LED lighting device 140, the time of frequent movement of a vehicle or a person, Thereby adjusting the dimming of the LED lamp 140 so that the lighting effect can be varied. For example, the illumination of the LED lamp 140 is set relatively bright during the period from sunset to 24:00 (or 00:00), and the illumination of the LED lamp 140 is set to the intermediate brightness between 00:00 and 03:00 , The illumination of the LED lamp 140 can be set relatively low between 03:00 and the sunrise. This may be changed by the setting of the user or the manager. In addition to the above-described three-step lighting setting, lighting control by more steps or lighting by different time settings may be applied.

For such dimming control, according to the embodiment of the present invention, timing detection means (not shown) is provided in the distribution board 120, dimming can be controlled according to predetermined timing detection (or time detection) Or the dimming can be controlled by providing the dimming request from the management system 110 to the distribution panel 120 via communication. The distribution board 120 may determine whether dimming should be performed and generate information related to the dimming control by converting the main power according to the determination result. For example, a predetermined time interval is set, and the distribution panel 120 can generate information related to the dimming control by varying the level of the main power source a predetermined number of times within the set interval. That is, the distribution panel 120 provides the main power to the drive controller 130, and information related to the dimming control can be included in the main power by adjusting the level of the main power.

The drive controller 130 performs a measurement operation with respect to the main power supplied from the distribution board 120 (for example, measures a voltage level), and detects the number of times the level of the main power source fluctuates within the set time interval The corresponding dimming control signal can be generated. Also, the level of the DC power (for example, DC voltage or DC current) provided to the LED lighting device 140 can be adjusted by the dimming control signal.

2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the distribution board of Fig.

2, the distribution board 200 may include various components for receiving and converting the power supply to generate the main power, and the power distribution board 200 may transmit information related to the dimming control to the main power As shown in FIG. According to the above-described embodiment, the information related to the dimming control can be provided by the variation characteristic of the level of the main power source (for example, the voltage level).

The distribution board 200 may include a main power controller 210, a voltage converter 220, and a magnet switch M / G 230.

The main power controller 210 controls the voltage converter 220 so that the power supply converts the power supply voltage to an appropriate main power for driving the LED lamp 140. [ The magnet switch 230 receives the supply voltage and supplies the supply voltage to the inside of the distribution panel 200 based on the control of the main power controller 210 or may block the supply of the supply voltage. The main power controller 210 controls the ON / OFF state of the main power controller 210 by using control (e.g., reception of a communication signal) from an external (e.g., management system) or various detection means A signal can be provided to the magnet switch 230.

The main power controller 210 may include various means (not shown) associated with dimming control therein. For example, as the timer portion is provided therein, it may generate information related to dimming control of the LED lamp based on time information. Alternatively, the main power controller 210 may include means for outputting a contact signal within the main power controller 210. For example, the main power controller 210 may generate a contact signal by controlling contacts using a plurality of switches. The main power controller 210 may generate information related to dimming control of the LED lamp using the contact signal.

The voltage converter 220 receives the power supply from the magnet switch 230 and generates a main power at a suitable level (for example, 220 V) for driving the LED lamp through the conversion operation. Meanwhile, the main power controller 210 may generate a dimming control signal for generating information related to dimming control (hereinafter, referred to as dimming information) by varying the level of the main power output from the voltage converter 220. For example, the level of the main power source may be varied in at least two steps, and the dimming information may be generated using the number of times the level of the main power source is varied. If the level of the main power source varies in two steps (for example, 220V and 190V repeatedly), a dimming control signal (e.g., analog voltage 7V or 10V) To a voltage converter (220).

The voltage converter 220 can provide the main power source at all times corresponding to AC 220V when dimming is not controlled and the LED lamp is driven normally. On the other hand, if dimming of the LED luminaire is controlled, the voltage converter 220 provides a mains power of AC 220V in response to the dimming control signal, or provides a mains power of AC 190V. For example, when a dimming control signal having a level of 7V is provided, the voltage converter 220 can perform a converting operation so that a main power source having a level of AC 190V is generated from the supplied power source.

The dimming control signal may be generated in various ways. For example, the voltage converter 220 may generate a main power of 190 V during a period in which a dimming control signal having a level of 7 V is provided, and then, when a dimming control signal having a level of 10 V is provided, Can generate a main power of 220V. In another embodiment, when a dimming control signal having a level of 7V is provided, the voltage converter 220 generates a main power of 190V having a predetermined width and then generates and supplies a main power of 220V again. Thereafter, when the dimming control signal is supplied again with a variation of 10 V, the voltage converter 220 generates a main power of 190 V having a predetermined width again, and then generates and supplies a main power of 220 V again. It may be generated. In addition, the dimming information may be generated according to various other methods.

3 is a block diagram showing a more specific embodiment of the distribution board of Fig. In Fig. 3, various means for generating information related to generation and dimming control of the main power source are shown, but the embodiment of the present invention need not be limited thereto. That is, the block diagram shown in FIG. 3 is merely an example of a device that can be implemented for the operation of the present invention. In performing the same function and achieving the effect, some of the configurations may be included in other functional blocks, Some configurations may be eliminated, or other configurations may be added.

1 to 3, the distribution board 200 may include a main power controller 210 and a voltage converter 220. The main power controller 210 may include a system controller 211, a timer 212, a communication signal transmitter / receiver 213, a power meter 214, A magnet switch control unit 215, a table information storage unit 216, and a conversion control unit 217.

The system control unit 211 can control the overall operation of the distribution board 200. For example, as described above, it is possible to control the operation of generating the main power source and the operation of generating the information related to the dimming control.

The timer unit 212 may generate various time information related to driving the LED lamp. For example, the timer unit 212 can detect the current time and can generate the detection result. Also, the timer unit 212 may generate information related to a time interval of a predetermined interval, and various detection results of the timer unit 212 as described above may be used in connection with the dimming control.

The communication signal transmitting / receiving unit 213 communicates with the management system 110, thereby supporting a user operating the management system to perform various controls of the LED lighting device remotely. For example, the communication signal transmitting / receiving unit 213 performs an operation corresponding to the request of the management system 110, and based on this, various means of the distribution board 200 are controlled, or predetermined information is transmitted to the management system 110 As shown in FIG. The power measuring unit 214 may measure the amount of power associated with driving the LED lamp and generate the result. The system control unit 211 determines whether or not the measurement result from the power amount measuring unit 214 is received by the communication signal transmitting and receiving unit 213 To be provided to the management system 110 via the network.

On the other hand, the magnet switch control unit 215 generates a control signal for controlling ON / OFF of the magnet switch 230 described above. In addition, the table information storage unit 216 and the conversion control unit 217 may be involved in an operation for generating information related to the dimming control as in the above-described embodiment.

As described above, the brightness of the LED lamp can be adjusted as the dimming is controlled in various stages according to the time, as described above. The timer unit 212 can adjust the brightness of the LED lamp, for example, from 00:00 to 00:00, Time information indicating time from sunrise to sunrise. The system controller 211 may store the information from the timer unit 212 and the table information storage unit 216 in the table information storage unit 216. The table information storage unit 216 may store information related to the brightness level of the LED lamp, And generates a dimming control signal with reference to the information stored in the memory. For example, the system controller 211 may output dimming control signals having different values according to the time.

The conversion control unit 217 provides a dimming control voltage for causing the voltage converter 220 to convert the power supply to a main power having different levels according to the dimming control signal. For example, when information related to the dimming control is generated by varying the level of the main power source in two steps (for example, 220 V and 190 V) as described above, the conversion control unit 217 generates two levels (for example, Va and Vb) And supplies the dimming control voltage to the voltage converter 220. In Fig. 3, as an example, a dimming control voltage of 7V and a dimming control voltage of 10V are repeatedly generated.

3, the conversion control unit 217 is shown as providing the dimming control voltage for controlling the voltage converter 220, but the embodiment of the present invention need not be limited thereto. For example, the conversion control unit 217 may provide a current having at least two different levels to the voltage converter 220 so that the conversion operation to the main power source is performed. Alternatively, the conversion control unit 217 may be provided with variable resistance means (not shown) inside the conversion control unit 217 so that the conversion operation to the main power supply can be performed by changing the resistance value. At this time, the voltage converter 220 is electrically connected to the variable resistance means and can perform the main power conversion operation according to the resistance value variation.

The voltage converter 220 performs a conversion operation on the power supply to generate the main power. In order to constantly drive the LED lamp as described above, the constant voltage power supply corresponding to 220 V is provided as the main power, The main power source may perform the converting operation so as to include information related to the dimming control. For example, the voltage converter 220 generates and outputs a main power of 190 V according to the reception of the dimming control voltage of 7 V, and generates and outputs a main power of 220 V according to the reception of the dimming control voltage of 10 V. Alternatively, as a deformable embodiment, the voltage converter 220 generates a main power of 190 V having a predetermined width every time the dimming control voltage fluctuates between 7 V and 10 V, while main power of 220 V is being supplied, .

In one embodiment, when the voltage converter 220 provides the main power source including the information related to the dimming control, the converting operation to the main power source may be performed differently depending on the degree of the brightness of the LED lamp. For example, the brightness of an LED luminaire can be adjusted in a number of steps, for example, assuming a brightness of 10 steps. The voltage converter 220 may adjust the number of times of variation of the level of the main power within a predetermined time interval. For example, the predetermined time period is set to 30 seconds, and the voltage converter 220 performs the level varying operation of the main power source within 30 seconds in response to the dimming control voltages Va and Vb from the conversion control unit 217 . When the brightness is adjusted in one step (for example, low brightness possible), the voltage converter 220 can perform the operation of lowering the level of the main power source to 190 V within 30 seconds once. Or the brightness is adjusted in five steps (e.g., medium brightness), the voltage converter 220 may perform the operation of lowering the level of the main power source to 190 V within five seconds.

4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the drive controller of Fig. In Fig. 4, an LED luminaire is shown which is driven by the drive controller and dimmed with the drive controller.

As shown in FIG. 4, the driving controller 300 may include various configurations for receiving main power and controlling dimming of the LED lamp using information related to dimming control included in the main power. The driving controller 300 may include a switching mode power supply (SMPS) 310 and a dimming controller 320. In addition, the SMPS 310 may include an AC-DC converter 311 for converting the AC main power source to a DC driving signal.

The dimming controller 320 can receive the main power and perform the measurement operation on the main power. In addition, the dimming controller 320 may generate a dimming control signal based on the measurement result and provide the dimming control signal to the SMPS 310. The SMPS 310 may generate a driving signal having a predetermined level (e.g., a voltage level and / or a current level) based on the main power supply at all times and provide the driving signal to the LED lamp. In addition, the SMPS 310 may adjust and output at least one level of the driving signal in response to the dimming control signal from the dimming controller 320. For example, the SMPS 310 may adjust the voltage level and / or the current level of the driving signal in response to the dimming control signal.

The dimming controller 320 may extract information related to the dimming control included in the main power source. For example, the dimming controller 320 may detect the level change of the main power source and extract information relating to the dimming control from it. Similar to the above-described embodiment, the dimming controller 320 can extract information related to the dimming control by detecting the number of times the level of the main power source has fluctuated within a predetermined time period. The dimming controller 320 may generate a dimming control signal corresponding to the number of times of level variation of the main power and provide the dimming control signal to the SMPS 310. [

The dimming control signal may be provided in the form of an analog voltage. As an example, if the brightness of the LED lamp is adjusted in 10 steps, the dimming adjustment signal can be controlled so that its voltage level changes in 10 ways. As an example, if the LED lamp is adjusted to one level (e.g., the lowest brightness) according to the information related to dimming control, the dimming controller 320 generates a dimming regulation signal having a level of 1V and sends the dimming regulation signal to the SMPS 310 . In addition, when the LED lamp is adjusted to five levels (e.g., intermediate brightness), the dimming controller 320 may generate a dimming control signal having a level of 5V and provide the dimming control signal to the SMPS 310. [ Also, when the LED lamp is adjusted to 10 levels (e.g., the brightest brightness), the dimming controller 320 may generate a dimming regulation signal having a level of 10V and provide it to the SMPS 310

5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the drive controller of Fig. In Fig. 5, various means for extracting information related to the dimming control and generating the dimming control signal are shown, but the embodiment of the present invention need not be limited thereto. That is, the block diagram shown in FIG. 5 is only an example of a device that can be implemented for the operation of the present invention, and in order to perform the same function and achieve the effect, some of the configurations may be included in other functional blocks, Some configurations may be eliminated, or other configurations may be added.

As shown in FIG. 5, the driving controller 400 may include a dimming controller 410 and an SMPS 420. The dimming controller 410 may include a system controller 411, a timer 412, a counter 413, a meter 414, a reference value calculator 415, and a dimming adjustment signal generator 416 . In addition, the SMPS 420 may include an AC-DC converter 421 and a current regulator 422. 5, the current of the driving signal is regulated in order to adjust the dimming of the LED lamp. Alternatively, the voltage of the driving signal may be adjusted in another embodiment. In this case, the current regulator 422 may be replaced with a voltage regulator .

The system controller 411 can control the overall operation of the dimming controller 410. For example, as described above, it is possible to extract information related to the dimming control and to control the operation for generating the dimming control signal.

Timer 412 may generate various time information related to dimming control. For example, the information related to the dimming control included in the main power source may be provided by the number of level fluctuations of the main power source within a predetermined time period, and the timer 412 may provide information related to a predetermined time period . Alternatively, the dimming control may be performed through a predetermined dimming preparation step, and the main power source may further include information indicating the entry into the dimming preparation step. For example, when the level of the main power source changes for the first time, the variation of the level may indicate the entry into the dimming preparatory step. The timer 412 may generate time information indicating a duration of the dimming preparatory step after the level of the main power source changes for the first time.

The counter 413 may perform the counting operation in response to the level change of the main power source and generate the counting result. For example, as described above, the information related to the dimming control may correspond to the number of times the level of the main power source fluctuates within a predetermined time period. The counter 413 counts the number of fluctuations of the level of the main power within the time interval.

Meanwhile, according to one embodiment, the counter 413 may be deactivated before the dimming preparatory step, and the operation power supply to the counter 413 may be blocked, for example, before the dimming preparation step. On the other hand, when entering the dimming preparatory step, it is necessary to count the variation of the level of the main power supply, and the operation voltage can be provided to the counter 413 at this time. Similarly, prior to the dimming preparation step, the provision of the operating voltage may also be blocked for one or more configurations of the dimming controller 410 to extract information related to the dimming control.

The measuring unit 414 can detect the level (e.g., voltage level) of the main power and generate the detection result. The measuring unit 414 may provide information indicating the level value itself of the main power source. Alternatively, although not shown in FIG. 5, the measuring unit 414 may be provided with a comparator (not shown) therein as a deformable embodiment. At this time, the measuring unit 414 compares the level of the main power source with a predetermined reference value, and can provide information indicating when the level of the main power source is lower than the reference value. Alternatively, as another embodiment, a comparator (not shown) may be disposed outside the measuring unit 414, and the comparator may perform an operation of comparing the measurement result of the measuring unit 414 with a reference value.

The reference value calculating section 415 calculates and provides a reference value for recognizing information related to dimming control included in the main power source. As an example, when the main power source is always supplied with 220 V and the level of the main power source is converted into a predetermined constant value (for example, 190 V) in order to provide information related to the dimming control, the reference value may not be calculated separately . In one embodiment, the reference value may be calculated corresponding to the level of the main power source, and may be specifically calculated as follows.

The reference value may be set to a value that is lower than a normal level of the main power by a predetermined ratio. For example, the voltage level of the main power source initially provided to the dimming controller 410 may be measured by the measuring unit 414. [ If the voltage level of the initially provided main power source corresponds to 200 V and the reference value is set to be 15% lower than the voltage level of the main power source, the reference value calculation unit 415 calculates a value corresponding to 170 V Can be calculated as a reference value. The calculated reference value may be stored in the dimming controller 410.

The reference value calculation may be performed by the distribution board 120 of FIG. 1 or may be performed by the management system 110. As an example, the management system 110 may receive information related to the voltage level of the main power source and store the reference value in the distribution board 120 and the dimming controller 410 through communication. Alternatively, the distribution board 120 may control the reference value to be stored in the dimming controller 410 while calculating the reference value. That is, the distribution panel 120 also recognizes the reference value and can adjust the level of the main power source to be lower than the reference value in the case of including information related to dimming control in the main power source.

The system controller 411 may control the dimming adjustment signal generator 416 based on the operation of the various configurations as described above. For example, the system controller 411 may provide the dimming control signal generator 416 with a control signal according to a result of detecting information related to dimming control included in the main power source. The dimming control signal generator 416 may generate a dimming control signal Vol_adj and provide it to the SMPS 420.

In one embodiment, the SMPS 420 may generate a DC drive signal using a mains supply having a high voltage. For example, the DC driving signal may correspond to 10 V, and the driving signal may be provided to the dimming control signal generator 416. The dimming adjustment signal generator 416 may provide a dimming adjustment signal Vol_adj having an analog voltage and the dimming adjustment signal Vol_adj may be supplied to the DC driving circuit 420 provided from the SMPS 420, And adjusting the voltage level of the signal. Also, similar to the above embodiment, the dimming adjustment can be performed in various steps, wherein the dimming adjustment signal Vol_adj can have a value between 0V and 10V.

The AC-DC converter 421 of the SMPS 420 converts the main power to generate DC power, and the current regulator 422 adjusts the voltage / current level of the DC power supply in response to the dimming control signal Vol_adj Thereby outputting a drive signal Sig_Drv for driving the LED lamp.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an LED lamp dimming according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 6, an example is shown in which the distribution board controls dimming of the LED luminaire based on a request from the management system or a judgment inside thereof.

As shown in Fig. 6, it is determined whether or not the dimming control timing has arrived (S11). As described above, the dimming control timing can be judged when a request is received from the management system or by referring to various information (for example, time information, etc.) inside the distribution board.

When it is determined that the dimming control timing is determined, it is determined at which stage the dimming control of the LED lamp is to be performed. For example, the dimming information can be determined by referring to the table information (S12). For example, it is determined what time is the current time as described above, and by referring to the table information, it can be judged at which stage the dimming of the LED lamp is controlled from the current time.

According to the determination result, information related to the dimming control can be generated by varying the level of the main power. As an operation example, first, the dimming preparation signal is generated by changing the level one time such that the level of the main power source is lower than the reference value (S13). On the drive controller side receiving the main power, it can be determined that the dimming control will be performed when the level of the main power is lowered below the reference value at the first time during the measurement of the level of the main power.

Thereafter, the level of the main power source is changed by the number corresponding to the determined dimming information within a predetermined time interval (S14). That is, information related to the dimming control may be generated according to the number of times the level of the main power source has fallen below the reference value within a predetermined time period.

Similar to the above-described embodiment, the predetermined time interval can be set in various ways. For example, the level of the main power may be varied within a period of 30 seconds after the dimming preparation signal is generated. Further, a time period from when the dimming preparation signal is generated until the variation of the level of the main power source is started can be further defined. From this, the time required for the dimming preparatory operation on the drive controller side can be secured. As an example, it is possible to prevent the level change of the main power source from being generated for 5 seconds after the dimming preparation signal is generated, and to control the level of the main power source to change within the remaining time period of 25 seconds.

7A and 7B are diagrams showing various examples of dimming control and waveforms of the main power source. 7A shows an example in which the voltage level fluctuates between 180 V and 220 V as an example of variation of the level of the main power source.

As shown in FIG. 7A, LED dimmers can be dimmed in a number of steps (e.g., ten steps). The panel of FIG. 1 may refer to a value related to dimming control of the current LED lamp based on the internal table information, and may generate information related to the corresponding dimming control.

In order to adjust the dimming of the LED lamp, the level of the main power source may be varied within a predetermined time period, and different information is provided depending on the number of variations thereof. As an example, when the main power of 220V is lowered to 180V and then converted back to 220V, it can be counted as a single voltage level change. If the voltage level of the main power source changes within 10 time, And information indicating that dimming is to be output at 100%. Similarly, if the voltage level of the main power source fluctuates five times within the time period, this may include information indicating that dimming of the LED lamp is to be output at 50%. Also, if the voltage level of the main power source fluctuates once within the time period, it may include information indicating that the dimming of the LED lamp is to be output at 10%.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, the voltage level of the main power source can be variously varied, and various time intervals can be defined. If the first one of the voltage levels of the main power source fluctuates, this may correspond to information indicating the entry into the dimming preparation stage. In one embodiment, the voltage level of the main power source may be varied to 180V to generate information indicative of the dimming preparation step. Alternatively, the information indicating the dimming preparation step and the information related to the dimming control may be generated by adjusting the voltage level of the main power source to be different from each other. 7B shows an example in which the information indicating the dimming preparatory step varies the voltage level of the main power source to 160 V once.

On the other hand, the voltage level of the main power source may be changed at least once during a predetermined time period after entering the dimming preparatory step. In FIG. 7B, a time period t1 of 30 seconds is set after the dimming preparatory step, and the brightness of the LED lamp 60 is dimmed by 60% as the voltage level of the main power source is changed six times during the time period t1 A controlled example is shown.

7B shows an example in which the time period t2 from when the apparatus enters the dimming preparation stage until the information related to the dimming control is provided is set. For example, the time period t2 may be set to 5 seconds. The dimming control unit (not shown) may detect dimming of the LED lamp by detecting the number of times of level variation of the main power source after 5 seconds after entering the dimming preparatory step.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an LED lamp dimming according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 8, an example is shown in which the drive controller drives the LED lamp using the main power from the distribution panel, and adjusts the dimming of the LED lamp.

First, the initial main power supplied from the distribution panel is received by the drive controller (S21), and the drive controller can calculate the reference value for measuring the level of the main power and generating information related to the dimming control (S22) . For example, similar to the above-described embodiment, the reference value may be set to a value that is lower than a predetermined value by measuring the level of the main power. As an example, a value 15% lower than the level of the main power source may be set as the reference value. In addition, the level of the main power may measure an instantaneous level value, or may measure an average level value of the main power during a predetermined time interval.

The reference value calculated as described above can be stored in the LED lighting system (S23). For example, as described above, the reference value may be stored in the distribution board or may be stored in the drive controller.

Thereafter, when the main power for driving the LED is provided, the main power is measured. Then, an operation of comparing the measured main power level with the reference value is performed (S24). As a result of the comparison, when the level of the main power source is lowered below the reference value for the first time, the process proceeds to the dimming control preparing step for adjusting the dimming of the LED lamp (S25).

Thereafter, the number of times the level of the main power source is varied during a predetermined time interval is counted. For example, the number of fluctuations in which the level of the main power source falls below a reference value is counted (S26). A dimming control signal is generated according to the counting result, and a voltage signal having different voltage levels is generated as the dimming control signal, for example, according to the counting result. The dimming control signal is provided as a means for converting the AC main power to DC power, and the SMPS adjusts the voltage and / or current level of the DC power in response to the dimming control signal (S28) . The dimming of the LED lamp may be adjusted according to the driving signal whose voltage and / or current level is adjusted as described above.

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the appended claims.

Claims (8)

Setting a reference value for detecting a level variation of the main power source by initially measuring a level of the main power source for driving the LED lighting unit and calculating a value lower than the initial measured level by a predetermined ratio;
Detecting a variation in the level of the main power by comparing a result of measuring the level of the main power to the reference value;
Entering a dimming preparatory step as a variation in the level of the main power supply is detected;
Determining information related to dimming control by counting the number of fluctuations of the level of the main power within a predetermined time interval without using a separate communication device for information transmission after the dimming preparation step;
Generating a dimming control signal for controlling dimming of the LED lamp according to the determination result; And
Adjusting a voltage level and / or a current level of a driving signal for driving the LED lamp in response to the dimming control signal,
Wherein the dimming adjustment signal is an analog voltage having different levels according to the counting result,
Wherein the main power source is provided as a constant power source having an AC voltage whose level is constant so that the LED lamp is driven and the number of times the level is varied within the predetermined time period according to the degree of dimming of the LED lamp is different Lt; / RTI >
Wherein the outputting step includes generating a direct current driving signal in which the voltage level and / or the current level is adjusted using the main power provided as the constant power supply in response to the dimming control signal Dimming control method of LED light fixture. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the step of entering the dimming preparation step is performed by detecting that the level of the main power source changes for the first time. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the main power supply has a level of a normal power supply corresponding to a first level and a voltage level of the main power supply changes to a second level in order to enter the dimming preparation step, Lt; / RTI > changes to the third level,
Wherein the third level has a value lower than the first level by a predetermined ratio, and the second level is different from the third level. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein counting the number of variations of the level of the main power supply is performed when the level of the main power supply is lower than the reference value. The method according to claim 1,
Receiving an external power supply;
Further comprising the step of changing the level of the main power source at least once by referring to the time information and the dimming information stored in the table when converting the external power supply to the main power supply. 6. The method of claim 5,
Further comprising the step of providing a main power source for generating the direct current drive signal including information related to dimming control by varying the level at least once without using a separate communication device for information transmission Dimming control method of LED light fixture.
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