Extension module for function extension of a network assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11804980-B2
Application number	US-202117462203-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 31, 2021
Priority date	Sep 7, 2020
Publication date	Oct 31, 2023
Grant date	Oct 31, 2023

Abstract

An extension module for function extension of a network assembly is provided, wherein the network assembly has a communication bus for providing communication between a logic unit of a base module of the network assembly and one or more extension modules, in particular one or more function devices and/or communication modules, and wherein the extension module is designed to be connected to the communication bus of the network assembly for function extension or function provision of the network assembly in order to provide at least one additional function of an electrical load connected to the network assembly.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An extension module for function extension of a network assembly, wherein the network assembly has a communication bus for providing communication between a logic unit of a base module of the network assembly and the extension module, and wherein the extension module is configured to be connected to the communication bus of the network assembly in order to provide at least one additional function of an electrical load connected to the network assembly, the extension module comprising:
a power section configured for integrating the extension module into a power supply circuit of the electrical load; and
a control section with a control unit configured for controlling the power section.

2. The extension module according to claim 1 , wherein the power section comprises a power switch for switching the electrical load on and off.

3. The extension module according to claim 1 , wherein the control section comprises a control interface for connecting the extension module to the communication bus of the network assembly.

4. The extension module according to claim 1 , wherein the extension module further comprises a measuring device for detecting at least one current electrical parameter of the electrical load.

5. The extension module according to claim 4 , wherein the measuring device is configured to detect at least one of power and diagnostic data for the electrical load.

6. The extension module according to claim 4 , wherein the measuring device comprises at least one of a Hall sensor and a shunt for detecting the at least one current electrical parameter.

7. The extension module according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one additional function comprises controlling the electrical load.

8. The extension module according to claim 1 , wherein the extension module is configured to operate as a master module for controlling one or more slave modules.

9. A network assembly comprising:
the extension module according to claim 1 ;
a base module comprising a logic unit; and
a communication bus for providing communication between the logic unit of the base module and the extension module;
wherein the extension module is connectable to the communication bus.

10. The network assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the network assembly further comprises a driver for driving an electrical load, and wherein the extension module is formed as a driver extension module for connecting to the driver.

11. A luminaire comprising:
a light source for generating light; and
a network assembly comprising the extension module according to claim 1 , wherein the extension module is configured to provide at least one additional function of the luminaire.

12. The luminaire according to claim 11 , wherein the extension module further comprises a measuring device for detecting at least one current electrical parameter of the luminaire.

13. The luminaire according to claim 12 , wherein the measuring device is adapted to detect at least one of power and diagnostic data for the luminaire.

14. The luminaire according to claim 13 , wherein the extension module is configured to operate as a master module for controlling one or more slave modules.

15. The extension module according to claim 1 , wherein:
the extension module comprises a circuit device; and
at least a portion of the power section and at least a portion of the control section are native to the circuit device.

16. The extension module according to claim 1 , wherein:
the extension module comprises a circuit device; and
the control unit is a constituent component of the circuit device.

17. The extension module according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is native to the extension module.

18. The extension module according to claim 17 , wherein the extension module further comprises a measuring device for detecting at least one current electrical parameter of the electrical load, wherein the measuring device is native to the extension module and communicatively coupled with the control unit.

19. The extension module according to claim 1 , wherein:
the extension module is in the form of a circuit device comprising the power section and the control section;
the power section comprises a power input terminal, a power output terminal, and a switch operatively coupled with the power input terminal and the power output terminal;
the control section further comprises a switch driver; and
the control unit is configured to cause the switch driver to operate the switch in electrically connecting the power input terminal and the power output terminal.

20. The extension module according to claim 1 , wherein the extension module comprises a circuit device which is integrated into a luminaire.

Assignees

• Ledvance Gmbh

Inventors

• Klier Philipp
• Niggebaum Alexander
• Chilachava David

Classifications

• H05B47/18

  via data-bus transmission · CPC title

• H05B47/19

  via wireless transmission · CPC title

• H05B47/183

  using digital addressable lighting interface [DALI] communication protocols · CPC title

• H05B47/175 Primary

  by remote control · CPC title

• H04L12/40039 Primary

  Details regarding the setting of the power status of a node according to activity on the bus · CPC title