(19)
(11) EP 3 900 494 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
20.09.2023 Bulletin 2023/38

(21) Application number: 18938325.0

(22) Date of filing: 29.10.2018
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
H05B 47/00(2020.01)
H05B 45/382(2020.01)
H05B 45/32(2020.01)
(52) Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
H05B 45/382; H05B 45/32; H05B 45/39
(86) International application number:
PCT/CN2018/112333
(87) International publication number:
WO 2020/087199 (07.05.2020 Gazette 2020/19)

(54)

POWER SUPPLY FOR LAMP

STROMVERSORGUNG FÜR LAMPE

ALIMENTATION ÉLECTRIQUE POUR LAMPE


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(43) Date of publication of application:
27.10.2021 Bulletin 2021/43

(73) Proprietor: Tridonic GmbH & Co. KG
6851 Dornbirn (AT)

(72) Inventors:
  • ZHOU, Cui
    Shenzhen, Guangdong 518109 (CN)
  • HE, Xingming
    Shenzhen, Guangdong 518109 (CN)

(74) Representative: Rupp, Christian 
Mitscherlich PartmbB Patent- und Rechtsanwälte Karlstraße 7
80333 München
80333 München (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A1- 3 319 217
US-A1- 2005 271 149
CN-A- 106 992 664
US-A1- 2011 204 803
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    TECHNICAL FIELD



    [0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of electrical apparatus, and more particularly to a power supply for a lamp. In particular the invention relates to a power supply for a lamp according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined by the dependent claims.

    BACKGROUND



    [0002] This section introduces aspects that may facilitate better understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is in the prior art or what is not in the prior art.

    [0003] Nowadays, power supplies for lamps are becoming more and more intelligent and safe. For example, the power supply isolates the input side (primary side) and output side (secondary side), thus it is safer for users to use. Furthermore, some power supplies have dimming function, the users may change an output state of the power supply according to various applications.

    [0004] In an existing isolated power supply, electrical signals may be transmitted between the primary side and the secondary side by using the coupling characteristics of isolation components. For example, CN 106 992 664 A discloses a power supply for a lamp according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

    [0005] To change the output state of the power supply, there are two existing solutions. The first solution is as follows: a feedback signal is detected by a detection circuit on the secondary side, and the feedback signal is transmitted to a control circuit on the primary side via an isolator. The control circuit adjusts the work state according to the feedback signal, until the output state of the power supply is in accordance with the state of the input adjustment signal.

    [0006] The second solution is as follows: a feedback signal on the secondary side is encoded by a modulator and transmitted to a control circuit on the primary side by means of a preferably electrically isolated signal transformer. Then the signal decoded by a demodulator and transmission through a filter or a frequency discriminator to the control circuit. And the control circuit outputs an adjustment signal to a main circuit according to the feedback signal. By detecting the operation state of the secondary side and coupling the feedback signal to the primary side, then the main control circuit adjusts the working state according to the feedback signal, so that the working state of the power supply is consistent with requirements.

    SUMMARY



    [0007] Inventors of this disclosure found that in the above existing solutions, the working state of the power supply is adjusted on the primary side. Thus, the control of the output state of the power supply is not very accurate.

    [0008] In general, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a power supply for a lamp. In the embodiments, an adjustment signal is detected and processed by a first controller on a primary side, and the processed adjustment signal is transmitted to a second controller on a secondary side via an isolator. Thus, the quality of the adjustment signal is ensured in the transmission, and the output state of the power supply may be adjusted accurately by the second controller on the secondary side. Furthermore, no additional circuit for translating and encoding or decoding signals is needed.

    [0009] In a first aspect, there is provided a power supply for a lamp, including: a first controller on a primary side of the power supply; a second controller on a secondary side of the power supply; and an isolator between the primary side and the secondary side, the first controller detects and processes an adjustment signal, and transmits the processed adjustment signal to the second controller via the isolator.

    [0010] According to the invention, the second controller adjusts an output state of the power supply according to the adjustment signal.

    [0011] In an embodiment, the first controller translates and encodes the adjustment signal, to obtain the processed adjustment signal, the second controller decodes and translates the processed adjustment signal, to obtain the adjustment signal.

    [0012] In an example not forming part of the invention, the isolator includes an optocoupler.

    [0013] In an example not forming part of the present disclosure, an input voltage and an output voltage of the optocoupler are square waves with a same frequency and different duty cycles.

    [0014] According to the invention, the isolator includes a capacitor.

    [0015] In an embodiment, an input voltage and an output voltage of the capacitor are square waves with different frequencies and a same duty cycle.

    [0016] In an embodiment, the first controller comprises a first MCU (Microcontroller Unit).

    [0017] In an embodiment, the second controller comprises a second MCU.

    [0018] In an embodiment, the adjustment signal is a variable signal, a digital signal, e. g. a DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) signal or an analog signal, e. g. a 0 - 10 V signal.

    [0019] In an embodiment, the lamp is a LED light.

    [0020] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an adjustment signal is detected and processed by a first controller on a primary side, and the processed adjustment signal is transmitted to a second controller on a secondary side via an isolator. Thus, the quality of the adjustment signal is ensured in the transmission, and the output state of the power supply may be adjusted accurately by the second controller on the secondary side. Furthermore, no additional circuit for translating and encoding or decoding signals is needed.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0021] The above and other aspects, features, and benefits of various embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully apparent, by way of example, from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals or letters are used to designate like or equivalent elements. The drawings are illustrated for facilitating better understanding of the embodiments of the disclosure and not necessarily drawn to scale, in which:

    Fig. 1 is a diagram of a power supply for a lamp in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

    Fig. 2 is another diagram of a power supply for a lamp in accordance with an example not forming part of the present disclosure;

    Fig. 3 is a diagram of the voltages of the processed adjustment signal before input into the optocoupler and output from it in accordance with an example not forming part of the present disclosure;

    Fig. 4 is another diagram of a power supply for a lamp in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

    Fig. 5 is a diagram of the voltages of the processed adjustment signal before input into the capacitor and output from it in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

    Fig. 6 is another diagram of a power supply for a lamp in accordance with an example not forming part of the present disclosure.


    DETAILED DESCRIPTION



    [0022] The present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to several example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are discussed only for the purpose of enabling those skilled persons in the art to better understand and thus implement the present disclosure, rather than suggesting any limitations on the scope of the present disclosure.

    [0023] As used herein, the terms "first" and "second" refer to different elements. The singular forms "a" and "an" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "has," "having," "includes" and/or "including" as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components and the like, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and/or combinations thereof. The term "based on" is to be read as "based at least in part on." The term "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" are to be read as "at least one embodiment." The term "another embodiment" is to be read as "at least one other embodiment." Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below.

    First embodiment



    [0024] A power supply for a lamp is provided in a first embodiment.

    [0025] Fig. 1 is a diagram of a power supply for a lamp with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, a power supply 100 includes:

    a first controller 101 on a primary side of the power supply;

    a second controller 102 on a secondary side of the power supply; and

    an isolator 103 between the primary side and the secondary side,

    the first controller 101 detects and processes an adjustment signal, and transmits the processed adjustment signal to the second controller 102 via the isolator 103.



    [0026] In an embodiment, the power supply 100 may be any type of dimmable power supply. For example, the power supply 100 is dimmable with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), or amplitude modulation or a combination of PWM and amplitude modulation.

    [0027] In an embodiment, the power supply 100 may further include a rectifier 104 and a flyback circuit 105.

    [0028] As shown in Fig. 1, the rectifier 104 may be a bridge rectifier (BR), which includes a diode D1.

    [0029] As shown in Fig. 1, the flyback circuit 105 may include a switch S 1, a transformer T, capacitors C1 and C2 and a diode D2.

    [0030] In an embodiment, other constructions and functions of the rectifier 104 and the flyback circuit 105 may be similar to those in the related art, and more details of these parts shall not be described herein any further.

    [0031] In an embodiment, the lamp 10 may be any type of lamp. For example, the lamp 10 is a LED light.

    [0032] In an embodiment, the first controller 101 and the second controller 102 may be any type of controller.

    [0033] For example, the first controller 101 includes a first MCU (Microcontroller Unit), and the second controller 102 includes a second MCU.

    [0034] In an embodiment, the adjustment signal is detected by the first controller 101 on the primary side.

    [0035] The adjustment signal may be various types of signals. For example, the adjustment signal is a variable signal, a digital signal, e. g. DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) signal or an analog signal, e. g. a 0 - 10 V signal. The adjustment signal could be sent also over the AC power lines of the power supply 100.

    [0036] When the adjustment signal is a variable signal, the voltage of the variable signal may be changed in a range of 0 - 10V.

    [0037] When the adjustment signal is detected by the first controller 101, the first controller 101 may translate and encode the adjustment signal, to obtain the processed adjustment signal. And the processed adjustment signal is transmitted to the second controller 102 via the isolator 103.

    [0038] When the processed adjustment signal is received, the second controller may decode and translate the processed adjustment signal, to obtain the adjustment signal.

    [0039] Therefore, the adjustment signal may be transmitted from the primary side to the secondary side with good quality and without any additional circuit for translating and encoding or decoding signals.

    [0040] When the processed adjustment signal is decoded and translated the adjustment signal is acquired by the second controller 102, the second controller 102 may adjust the output state of the power supply according to the adjustment signal.

    [0041] The second controller 102 may use an existing method for adjusting the output state of the power supply.

    [0042] As can be seen from the above embodiments, an adjustment signal is detected and processed by a first controller on a primary side, and the processed adjustment signal is transmitted to a second controller on a secondary side via an isolator. Thus, the quality of the adjustment signal is ensured in the transmission, and the output state of the power supply may be adjusted accurately by the second controller on the secondary side. Furthermore, no additional circuit for translating and encoding or decoding signals is needed.

    Second embodiment



    [0043] A power supply for a lamp is provided in a second embodiment.

    [0044] Fig. 2 is another diagram of a power supply for a lamp in accordance with an example not forming part of the present disclosure.

    [0045] As shown in Fig. 2, a power supply 200 includes:

    a first MCU 201 on a primary side of the power supply;

    a second MCU 202 on a secondary side of the power supply; and

    an optocoupler 203 between the primary side and the secondary side,

    the first MCU 201 detects and processes an adjustment signal, and transmits the processed adjustment signal to the second MCU 202 via the optocoupler 203.



    [0046] In an example not forming part of the present disclosure, the optocoupler 203 is applied as an isolator.

    [0047] Functions of the first MCU 201, the second MCU 202 and the optocoupler 203 may be similar to those of the first controller 101, the second controller 102 and the isolator 103 in the first embodiment, and shall not be described herein any further.

    [0048] In an example not forming part of the present disclosure, constructions and functions of other parts of the power supply 200 may be similar to those in the related art, and shall not be described herein any further.

    [0049] As shown in Fig. 2, the adjustment signal is input and detected by the first MCU 201, and the processed adjustment signal is output by the first MCU 201. Vp1 is the voltage of the processed adjustment signal and is input into the optocoupler 203. Vs1 is the voltage of the processed adjustment signal output from the optocoupler 203.

    [0050] Fig. 3 is a diagram of the voltages of the processed adjustment signal before input into the optocoupler and output from it in accordance with an example not forming part of the present disclosure.

    [0051] As shown in Fig. 3, Vp1 and Vs1 are square waves with a same frequency and different duty cycles.

    [0052] For example, the duty cycle of the Vp1 may be in a range of 1% to 100%.

    [0053] As can be seen from the above examples, an adjustment signal is detected and processed by a first controller on a primary side, and the processed adjustment signal is transmitted to a second controller on a secondary side via an isolator. Thus, the quality of the adjustment signal is ensured in the transmission, and the output state of the power supply may be adjusted accurately by the second controller on the secondary side. Furthermore, no additional circuit for translating and encoding or decoding signals is needed.

    Third embodiment



    [0054] A power supply for a lamp is provided in a third embodiment.

    [0055] Fig. 4 is another diagram of a power supply for a lamp with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

    [0056] As shown in Fig. 4, a power supply 300 includes:

    a first MCU 301 on a primary side of the power supply;

    a second MCU 302 on a secondary side of the power supply; and

    a capacitor 303 between the primary side and the secondary side,

    the first MCU 301 detects and processes an adjustment signal, and transmits the processed adjustment signal to the second MCU 302 via the capacitor 303.



    [0057] In an embodiment, the capacitor 303 is applied as an isolator.

    [0058] Functions of the first MCU 301, the second MCU 302 and the capacitor 303 may be similar to those of the first controller 101, the second controller 102 and the isolator 103 in the first embodiment, and shall not be described herein any further.

    [0059] In an embodiment, constructions and functions of other parts of the power supply 300 may be similar to those in the related art, and shall not be described herein any further.

    [0060] As shown in Fig. 4, the adjustment signal is input and detected by the first MCU 301, and the processed adjustment signal is output by the first MCU 301. Vp2 is the voltage of the processed adjustment signal and is input into the capacitor 303. Vs2 is the voltage of the processed adjustment signal output from the capacitor 303.

    [0061] Fig. 5 is a diagram of the voltages of the processed adjustment signal before input into the capacitor and output from it with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

    [0062] As shown in Fig. 5, Vp2 and Vs2 are square waves with different frequencies and a same duty cycle.

    [0063] For example, the duty cycle of the Vp2 and VS2 may be 50%.

    [0064] As can be seen from the above embodiments, an adjustment signal is detected and processed by a first controller on a primary side, and the processed adjustment signal is transmitted to a second controller on a secondary side via an isolator. Thus, the quality of the adjustment signal is ensured in the transmission, and the output state of the power supply may be adjusted accurately by the second controller on the secondary side. Furthermore, no additional circuit for translating and encoding or decoding signals is needed.

    Fourth embodiment



    [0065] A power supply for a lamp is provided in a fourth embodiment.

    [0066] Fig. 6 is another diagram of a power supply for a lamp in accordance with an example not forming part of the present disclosure.

    [0067] As shown in Fig. 6, a power supply 400 includes:

    a first MCU 401 on a primary side of the power supply;

    a second MCU 402 on a secondary side of the power supply; and

    an optocoupler 403 between the primary side and the secondary side,

    the first MCU 401 detects and processes an adjustment signal, and transmits the processed adjustment signal to the second MCU 402 via the optocoupler 403.



    [0068] In an example not forming part of the present disclosure, the optocoupler 403 is applied as an isolator.

    [0069] Functions of the first MCU 401, the second MCU 402 and the optocoupler 403 may be similar to those of the first controller 101, the second controller 102 and the isolator 103 in the first embodiment, and shall not be described herein any further.

    [0070] As shown in Fig. 6, a switching regulator, e.g. a half bridge converter, supplied from a DC voltage VDC with a high switch HS and a low switch LS connected in a half bridge. The switches of the half bridge can be transistors, e.g. FETs or MOSFETs .

    [0071] From a midpoint between the half bridge switches HS, LS an LLC series is connected with capacity Cr followed by an inductivity Lr (forming a resonant LC circuit) and the primary side inductivity Lm of the transformer.

    [0072] On the secondary side, the secondary side inductivity Lt of the transformer is shown connected to diodes Dl and D2 providing a DC LED current ILED to the lighting means, in this case the LED. The LED current ILED is shunt to ground via shunt resistor Rsns.

    [0073] In an example not forming part of the present disclosure, other constructions and functions of these parts may be similar to those in the related art, and more details shall not be described herein any further.

    [0074] As can be seen from the above examples, an adjustment signal is detected and processed by a first controller on a primary side, and the processed adjustment signal is transmitted to a second controller on a secondary side via an isolator. Thus, the quality of the adjustment signal is ensured in the transmission, and the output state of the power supply may be adjusted accurately by the second controller on the secondary side. Furthermore, no additional circuit for translating and encoding or decoding signals is needed.

    [0075] Generally, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.


    Claims

    1. A power supply (100; 300) for a lamp (10), comprising:

    a first controller (101; 301) on a primary side of the power supply (100; 300);

    a second controller (102; 302) on a secondary side of the power supply (100; 300); and

    an isolator (103; 303) comprising a capacitor between the primary side and the secondary side, wherein

    the first controller (101; 301) is configured to detect and process an adjustment signal, and transmit the processed adjustment signal to the second controller (102; 302) via the isolator (103; 303), wherein,

    the second controller (102; 302) is configured to adjust an output state of the power supply (100; 300) according to the processed adjustment signal;

    chracterized in that

    the first controller is configured to translate and encode the adjustment signal to obtain the processed adjustment signal.


     
    2. The power supply (100; 300) according to claim 1, wherein,
    the second controller (102; 302) is configured to decode and translate the processed adjustment signal, to obtain the adjustment signal.
     
    3. The power supply according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein,
    an input voltage and an output voltage of the capacitor are square waves with different frequencies and a same duty cycle.
     
    4. The power supply (100; 300) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,
    the first controller (101; 301) comprises a first MCU (Microcontroller Unit).
     
    5. The power supply (100; 300) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein,
    the second controller (102; 302) comprises a second MCU.
     
    6. The power supply (100; 300) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein,
    the adjustment signal is a variable signal, a digital signal or an analog signal.
     
    7. The power supply (100; 300) according to claim 6, wherein,

    the digital signal is a DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) signal,

    the analog signal is a 0 - 10 V signal.


     
    8. The power supply (100; 300) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein,
    the lamp (10) is a LED light.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Stromversorgung (100; 300) für eine Lampe (10), umfassend:

    eine erste Steuerung (101; 301) auf einer Primärseite der Stromversorgung (100; 300);

    eine zweite Steuerung (102; 302) auf einer Sekundärseite der Stromversorgung (100; 300); und

    einen Isolator (103; 303), umfassend einen Kondensator zwischen der Primärseite und der Sekundärseite, wobei

    die erste Steuerung (101; 301) konfiguriert ist, um ein Einstellsignal zu erfassen und zu verarbeiten und das verarbeitete Einstellsignal über den Isolator (103; 303) an die zweite Steuerung (102; 302) zu übertragen, wobei

    die zweite Steuerung (102; 302) konfiguriert ist, um einen Ausgangszustand der Stromversorgung (100; 300) gemäß dem verarbeiteten Einstellsignal einzustellen;

    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

    die erste Steuerung konfiguriert ist, um das Einstellsignal zu übersetzen und zu codieren, um das verarbeitete Einstellsignal zu erhalten.


     
    2. Stromversorgung (100, 300) nach Anspruch 1, wobei
    die zweite Steuerung (102; 302) konfiguriert ist, um das verarbeitete Einstellsignal zu decodieren und zu übersetzen, um das Einstellsignal zu erhalten.
     
    3. Stromversorgung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei
    eine Eingangsspannung und eine Ausgangsspannung des Kondensators Rechteckwellen mit unterschiedlichen Frequenzen und einem gleichen Arbeitszyklus sind.
     
    4. Stromversorgung (100; 300) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei
    die erste Steuerung (101; 301) eine erste MCU (Microcontroller-Einheit) umfasst.
     
    5. Stromversorgung (100; 300) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei
    die zweite Steuerung (102; 302) eine zweite MCU umfasst.
     
    6. Stromversorgung (100; 300) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei
    das Einstellsignal ein variables Signal, ein digitales Signal oder ein analoges Signal ist.
     
    7. Stromversorgung (100, 300) nach Anspruch 6, wobei

    das digitale Signal ein DALI-Signal (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface-Signal) ist,

    das analoge Signal ein 0 bis 10 V-Signal ist.


     
    8. Stromversorgung (100, 300) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei
    die Lampe (10) eine LED-Leuchte ist.
     


    Revendications

    1. Alimentation électrique (100 ; 300) pour une lampe (10), comprenant :

    un premier contrôleur (101 ; 301) sur un côté primaire de l'alimentation électrique (100 ; 300) ;

    un second contrôleur (102 ; 302) sur un côté secondaire de l'alimentation électrique (100 ; 300) ; et

    un isolateur (103 ; 303) comprenant un condensateur entre le côté primaire et le côté secondaire, dans lequel

    le premier contrôleur (101 ; 301) est configuré pour détecter et traiter un signal d'ajustement, et transmettre le signal d'ajustement traité au second contrôleur (102 ; 302) par l'intermédiaire de l'isolateur (103 ; 303), dans lequel,

    le second contrôleur (102 ; 302) est configuré pour ajuster un état de sortie de l'alimentation électrique (100 ; 300) selon le signal d'ajustement traité ;

    caractérisé en ce que

    le premier contrôleur est configuré pour traduire et coder le signal d'ajustement afin d'obtenir le signal d'ajustement traité.


     
    2. Alimentation électrique (100 ; 300) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle,
    le second contrôleur (102 ; 302) est configuré pour décoder et traduire le signal d'ajustement traité, afin d'obtenir le signal d'ajustement.
     
    3. Alimentation électrique selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans laquelle,
    une tension d'entrée et une tension de sortie du condensateur sont des ondes carrées avec des fréquences différentes et un même rapport cyclique.
     
    4. Alimentation électrique (100 ; 300) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans laquelle, le premier contrôleur (101 ; 301) comprend une première MCU (unité de microcontrôleur).
     
    5. Alimentation électrique (100 ; 300) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans laquelle, le second contrôleur (102 ; 302) comprend une seconde MCU.
     
    6. Alimentation électrique (100 ; 300) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans laquelle, le signal d'ajustement est un signal variable, un signal numérique ou un signal analogique.
     
    7. Alimentation électrique (100 ; 300) selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle,

    le signal numérique est un signal DALI (interface d'éclairage adressable numérique),

    le signal analogique est un signal 0-10 V.


     
    8. Alimentation électrique (100 ; 300) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans laquelle,
    la lampe (10) est une lumière LED.
     




    Drawing

















    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description