Circuit configuration for signal transmitters with light-emitting diodes

• US 6,069,452 A
• Filed: 01/08/1999
• Issued: 05/30/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Rossner, Holger
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US09/227,672
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 315/192, 315/169.3, 315/312, 315/185 R, 315/135, 315/53, 362/800, 340/907, 340/825.79, 340/825.82, 345/83, 345/208
• US Class Current: 315/192
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/23 of two or more light sources connected in series

Abstract

A circuit configuration for emitting light signals in a road traffic systems. A plurality of LEDs for emitting colored light are supplied with an a.c. voltage. The LEDs are arranged in two groups of LEDs which are connected antiparallel to one another. Two respective LEDs of the two groups are disposed together in a housing and the groups are cross-connected to form a multiply redundant matrix. An intrinsically safe signal transmitter configuration is provided that is simple and can easily be monitored.

Claims

1. A circuit configuration, comprising:

an electrical circuit supplied with an a.c. voltage having two a.c. phases;

a plurality of LEDs for emitting colored light connected in said electrical circuit, said plurality of LEDs being arranged in a matrix of LEDs including a first group of LEDs and a second group of LEDs;

said LEDs being arranged in electrical sections connected antiparallel to one another and each including only LEDs of said first or second group, respectively, such that said first group of LEDs is connected antiparallel to said second group of LEDs;

said first and second groups of LEDs being respectively driven by the two a.c. phases;

an LED of said first group of LEDs and an LED of said second group of LEDs being disposed in a combined housing; and

cross-connections interconnecting said electrical sections at all junction nodes between said LEDs, defining a multiply redundant matrix of LEDs.

2. The circuit configuration according to claim 1, wherein said first group of LEDs contains a number of LEDs equal to a number of LEDs in said second group of LEDs.

3. The circuit configuration according to claim 1, which comprises a transformer supplying said electrical circuit with an a.c. voltage of between 10 and 40 V during operation of the circuit configuration.

4. The circuit configuration according to claim 1, which comprises semiconductor diodes for protecting said LEDs connected into said electrical sections.

5. The circuit configuration according to claim 1, which comprises a series resistor connected in said electrical circuit.

6. The circuit configuration according to claim 1, wherein each junction node formed between two LEDs of one section is in each case connected to exactly one junction node between two LEDs of every other section by means of a respective said cross connection.

7. The circuit configuration according to claim 1, wherein said matrix of LEDs define a traffic light in a traffic control system.