JP2002324684A - Lighting control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting control device, a controlling part of which automatically makes and memorizes a correction table with unevenness and change with time of circuit components, outputs light control signals suitably corrected and light a lighting load with accuracy at required level of light control. SOLUTION: The device is provided with a light control signal short-circuiting part 14 which enables to input a light control signal outputted from a light control signal output circuit 12 directly into a light control signal input circuit 13. In a closing state of the light control signal short-circuiting part 14, the relation between the input light control signal obtained through the light control signal input circuit when the output light control signals are changed gradually and the output light control signals, is found and memorized as a correction table, and also, an output signal to correspond to the input signal from the light control signal input circuit 13 is determined in reference to the correction table, in an open state of the light control signal short-circuiting part 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting control device for controlling a lighting load output by giving a dimming signal to a lighting fixture having a lighting load.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 shows a configuration of a conventional lighting fixture and a conventional lighting control device for controlling a dimming level of a lighting load by changing a duty ratio of a dimming signal. The lighting fixture 3 includes a lighting load 5 such as a fluorescent lamp and an electronic ballast 4 whose output can be adjusted. The lighting control device 1
Upon receiving a signal from the external dimming signal transmitter 2, a predetermined dimming signal is given to the electronic ballast 4 of the lighting fixture 3. Thus, the lighting load 5 is controlled to be turned on at a desired lighting output (brightness) set by the external dimming signal transmitter 2.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a conventional lighting control device 1. As shown in FIG. The lighting control device 1 includes a control unit 11, a dimming signal output circuit unit 12, and a dimming signal input circuit unit 13. The control unit 11 includes a microprocessor 111
And a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112.

When a dimming signal having a predetermined duty ratio is externally input to the control unit 11 via the dimming signal input circuit unit 13, the control unit 11 outputs a dimming signal having substantially the same duty ratio as a dimming signal output. The light control signal is output to the circuit unit 12, and the light control signal is supplied from the light control signal output circuit unit 12 to the electronic ballast 4 of the lighting fixture 3.

The duty ratio caused by the waveform distortion of the dimming signal input to the dimming signal input circuit section 13 and the variation of the components of the dimming signal input circuit section 13 (particularly, the variation of the switching time of the photocoupler). A correction table (correction table) is stored in the ROM 112 of the control unit 11 to correct the variation. The microprocessor 111 of the control unit 11 determines the duty ratio of the output dimming signal by referring to the correction table based on the duty ratio of the input dimming signal.

[0006]

However, when a general-purpose photocoupler is used as a component of the dimming signal input circuit section 13, the deviation of the duty ratio caused by the photocoupler with a standard switching time can be corrected. However, it cannot be corrected in consideration of the variation in the switching time. In particular, in a general-purpose photocoupler, the variation in the switching time is large, so that the deviation of the duty ratio caused by the variation cannot be ignored.

For example, when the duty ratio varies within the range of 5% due to the variation of the switching time of the photocoupler, the input dimming signal is obtained even if the correction table is created with the center value of the variation range. The duty ratio of the output dimming signal is
It will shift by 2.5%. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, when controlling the output of the lighting load 5 of the lighting fixture 3 from the external dimming signal transmitter 2 via the lighting control device 1, the lighting load is controlled at a desired dimming level. It becomes difficult to light.

The dimming signal input circuit 1
If it is necessary to change the correction table when the photocoupler 3 is replaced, the ROM 112 storing the new correction table must be created and replaced with an old one.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and a control unit automatically creates and stores a correction table that takes into account variations and aging of circuit components. An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting control device capable of accurately lighting a lighting load at a desired light control level by outputting a light control signal corrected appropriately.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a lighting control apparatus comprising: a light control signal input circuit for inputting a light control signal from the outside; and a light control signal based on the signal from the light control signal input circuit. A dimming signal output circuit for outputting a dimming signal from the control unit to the outside, and a dimming signal output from the dimming signal output circuit to the dimming signal input circuit. And a dimming signal short-circuiting section that enables direct input to the dimming signal output circuit section, wherein the dimming signal output from the dimming signal output circuit section is directly input to the dimming signal input circuit section. In the closed state of the dimming signal short-circuit portion, the relationship between the input dimming signal and the output dimming signal obtained via the dimming signal input circuit when the output dimming signal is changed stepwise. Calculated and stored as a correction table, and in the dimming signal output circuit section. In the open state of the dimming signal short-circuit portion where the dimming signal to be output is not directly input to the dimming signal input circuit portion, the dimming input from the dimming signal input circuit portion is referred to by referring to the correction table. An output dimming signal corresponding to the signal is determined.

With such a configuration, the control unit automatically creates and stores a correction table in consideration of variations in components of the dimming signal input circuit unit and changes over time. A dimming signal substantially equivalent to an optical signal can be output, and the lighting load can be accurately turned on at a desired dimming level.

Preferably, the dimming signal is a pulse signal having a variable duty ratio in a plurality of stages.

In an initial operation mode executed after reset, the control section determines whether or not the correction table exists. If the correction table does not exist, the control section controls the input light control signal and the output light control signal. It is preferable to execute a process of obtaining a relationship between optical signals and storing the relationship as the correction table. In this way, in an inspection process or the like, a correction table is automatically created after the power is turned on.

In the initial operation mode executed after resetting, the control section determines whether or not there is a dimming signal input to the dimming signal input circuit section. It is also preferable to execute a process of obtaining a relationship between an optical signal and the output dimming signal and storing the relationship as the correction table. Thus, depending on the state of the dimming signal input to the dimming signal input circuit unit, a correction table can be created as appropriate, not only after the power is turned on. Specifically, the control unit executes a process of obtaining a relationship between the input dimming signal and the output dimming signal in accordance with an external input signal and storing the relationship as the correction table. This makes it possible to appropriately create a correction table based on an external signal. As an external input signal, for example, a remote control transmitter can be used.

In still another embodiment, the control section determines the relationship between the input dimming signal and the output dimming signal and stores the dimming signal short-circuit section only during execution of processing for storing the correction dimming signal as the correction table. Close. This allows
The control unit can automatically create and store the correction table without an external operation.

[0016] In the normal operation mode, the control unit is configured to execute the following when there is no light control signal input from the light control signal input circuit unit.
A dimming signal with a preset duty ratio is output, and when there is a dimming signal input from the dimming signal input circuit unit,
It is preferable that a dimming signal having a duty ratio determined with reference to the correction table is output based on the dimming signal.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) In the first embodiment, the correction table is automatically created when the power is turned on. FIG.
It is a block diagram of a lighting control device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. The lighting control device 1 includes a control unit 11, a dimming signal output circuit unit 12, a dimming signal input circuit unit 13, and a dimming signal short-circuit unit 14. The control unit 11 includes a microprocessor 111 and an EEPROM (hereinafter simply referred to as a ROM) 112 which is a writable nonvolatile memory. The dimming signal short-circuit unit 14 is configured by a switch as shown in FIG.

The dimming signal input to the lighting control device 1 and the dimming signal output from the lighting control device 1 take 256 discrete values from 0% to 100%. Specifically, it is a value of 256 steps (the molecule increases by 1) from 0/255% to 255/255%.

When the switch of the dimming signal short-circuiting unit 14 is closed and the power is turned on in a state where the external dimming signal transmitter is not connected to the illumination control device 1, the control unit 11 (microprocessor 111) operates as shown in FIG. The following processing is executed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process executed by the control unit 11 including the microprocessor 111 after the power is turned on. In step # 101, the control unit 11
It is checked whether a correction table has already been written in the ROM 112. If not, the control section 11 outputs (transmits) a dimming signal having a duty ratio of 1/255% to the dimming signal output circuit section 12 (step #).
102 to step # 104). At this time, the value of the variable X representing the numerator of the duty ratio of the output dimming signal is 1.

After that, it waits for the lapse of time A (step #).
105), when the time A has elapsed, the control unit 11 reads the duty ratio of the dimming signal input from the dimming signal input circuit unit 13. This duty ratio is set to Y (step # 10).
6), and store it in the ROM 112 in association with the above X (step # 107). The dimming signal having the duty ratio Y is obtained by inputting the dimming signal output from the dimming signal output circuit section 12 to the dimming signal input circuit section 13 through the dimming signal short circuit section 14.

At step # 108, time B (time A
The value of X is increased by one (step # 103), and the above processing is repeated. That is, until the value of X becomes 255 (Yes in step # 109), the value of X is increased by one while the value of X is increased by one.
The duty ratio Y of the input dimming signal corresponding to the value is calculated and stored in the ROM 112 (step # 107). In this way, a correspondence table (correction table) of 256 levels of the value of X and the value of Y is created and stored in the ROM 112.

The process of creating the correction table need only be performed once when the power is first turned on. For example, it can be performed in an inspection process before shipping. At the next power-on, since the correction table has already been created, step # 101
Then, the operation shifts to the normal operation, and the processing after step # 102 is not performed. In normal operation, the dimming signal input circuit 1
When there is an input of a dimming signal, the control unit 11 outputs a dimming signal having a predetermined duty ratio according to the duty ratio of the dimming signal. Output a dimming signal with a given duty ratio.
When there is an input of a dimming signal, the control unit 11 refers to the correction table created as described above and determines a predetermined duty ratio (of the output dimming signal) corresponding to the duty ratio of the input dimming signal. Determine the ratio.

By doing so, the deviation of the duty ratio caused by the variation of the components such as the photocoupler constituting the dimming signal input circuit 13 is appropriately corrected. In other words, the above-described correction table is created for each lighting control device 1, and the duty ratio of the output dimming signal corresponding to the duty ratio of the input dimming signal is determined with reference to this correction table. Absorbed and lighting control device 1
There is no difference between them.

The dimming signal short-circuiting section 14 can be composed of, for example, a dip switch. However, a switch is provided on the inspection jig, and the inspection pin of the inspection jig contacts the printed circuit board of the dimming signal shorting section 14. Only connection lands may be provided. This is because, in the inspection process or the like, it is only necessary to short-circuit (close the switch) only in the process of creating the above-described correction table.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a lighting control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The lighting control device 1 includes a control unit 11, a dimming signal output circuit unit 12, a dimming signal input circuit unit 13, and a dimming signal short-circuit unit 14. The control unit 11 includes a microprocessor 111,
ROM 112 is included. As shown in FIG. 5, the dimming signal short-circuit unit 14 includes a relay 141 and a relay driving circuit 14.
2 is comprised. The relay drive circuit 142 receives a signal from the microprocessor 111 and
Is closed or opened.

The power is turned on in a state where the external dimming signal transmitter is not connected to the illumination control device 1. FIG.
5 is a flowchart of a process executed by the control unit 11 including the microprocessor 111 after power is turned on.

After the power is turned on, that is, the microprocessor 1
After the reset of 11, the control unit 11 checks the presence or absence of a dimming signal input (step # 201). If there is no light control signal input, the microprocessor 111 closes the relay 141. That is, it is turned ON (step # 202).

Thereafter, from step # 203 to step #
At 210, the same operation as that of the first embodiment, that is, the same operation as Steps # 102 to # 109 in FIG. 3 is executed, and a correction table is created. After the creation of the correction table, the control unit 11 sets the relay 1 in step # 211.
41 is opened (OFF), and the operation shifts to the normal operation.

When the operation shifts to the normal operation, the user can control the output of the lighting load via the lighting control device using the external dimming signal transmitter. For example, a predetermined display such as blinking an LED while the correction table is being created is provided so that the controller 11 can determine at a glance whether the above-described correction table is being created or whether the processing has been completed and the mode has shifted to the normal mode. Is desirable.

In the case of this embodiment, when the power is turned on in a state where the external dimming signal transmitter is not connected, a correction table is always created.
Since the deviation of the duty ratio of the input dimming signal due to the deterioration with time of the circuit components is corrected, the duty ratio between the input and output can be maintained substantially constant over many years of use.

The relay 141 constituting the dimming signal short-circuit section 14 is not limited to an electromagnetic relay, but may be a semiconductor relay. The relay drive circuit and the contact configuration (normally open or normally closed) of the relay are also arbitrary.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a lighting control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a dimming signal blocking unit 15 is added to the configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. The light control signal cutoff unit 15 is configured by a relay and a relay drive circuit, similarly to the light control signal short-circuit unit 14 illustrated in FIG.

In this embodiment, after the power is turned on, that is, after the microprocessor 111 is reset, the control unit 11 including the microprocessor 111 closes the relay 141 of the dimming signal short-circuiting unit 14 and sets the dimming signal interrupting unit. Open 15 relays. As a result, the dimming signal output circuit 12
Is input directly to the dimming signal input circuit 13 and the dimming signal input from the external dimming signal transmitter to the dimming signal input circuit 13 is cut off. In this state, the control unit 11 creates a correction table as in the second embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the dimming signal input from the external dimming signal transmitter to the dimming signal input circuit 13 is:
An external dimming signal is transmitted to the lighting control device 1 in order to avoid interference with a dimming signal input directly from the dimming signal output circuit 12 to the dimming signal input circuit 13 via the dimming signal short circuit 14. It was necessary to create a correction table with no equipment connected. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the dimming signal input from the external dimming signal transmitter to the dimming signal input circuit unit 13 is forcibly shut off by the function of the dimming signal blocking unit 15. The correction table can be created regardless of whether an external dimming signal transmitter is connected to the lighting control device 1 or not.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a lighting control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a remote control (remote operation) receiving unit 16 is added to the configuration of the third embodiment shown in FIG. Thus, in the present embodiment, it is possible to activate the dimming signal short-circuiting unit 14 and generate a correction table using the electric signal given to the lighting control device 1 by operating the remote control transmitter 9 as a trigger.

After the power is turned on, the control unit 11 including the microprocessor 111 operates the relay 141 of the dimming signal short-circuiting unit 14.
Is opened, and the relay of the dimming signal cutoff unit 15 is closed to start the normal operation.

When a signal requesting creation of a correction table is input to the remote control receiving unit 16 from the remote control transmitter 9,
The control unit 11 closes the relay 141 of the dimming signal short-circuiting unit 14 and opens the relay of the dimming signal blocking unit 15 to create a correction table. When the creation of the correction table is completed, the control unit 11 again controls the relay 14 of the dimming signal short-circuit unit 14.
1 and the relay of the dimming signal cutoff unit 15 is closed to start the normal operation.

In the case of this embodiment, the correction table can be created at any time by operating the remote control transmitter 9 without turning off and on the power of the lighting control device 1 by the user. The configurations of the remote control transmitter 9 and the remote control receiving unit 16 may be any of a wired system and a wireless system. In the case of the wireless system, wireless communication using any medium such as infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, and radio waves may be used. The format of the communication signal and the configuration of the signal processing circuit are also arbitrary. Further, the remote control transmitter 9 and the remote control receiving unit 16 do not need to be dedicated to use only for a correction table creation request.
It is desirable that the lighting control device 1 is also used for other remote operations.

The embodiments described above may be implemented in combination. In addition, the present invention can be implemented in various embodiments. For example, the illumination load is not limited to a discharge lamp such as a fluorescent lamp, but may be heat generation. in this case,
Instead of an inverter-type electronic ballast, a triac-type electronic dimmer can be used.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, when an output of a lighting load is controlled from an external device via a lighting control device, a correction table is created for each lighting control device and an appropriate correction table is prepared. Since a dimming signal is output, a shift in dimming level due to variations in circuit components can be minimized. Further, by appropriately updating the correction table, it is possible to suppress the shift of the dimming level due to the deterioration over time. In addition, the creation of the correction table is automatically executed when the power is turned on.

[0043]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a lighting control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a dimming signal short-circuit unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process executed by a control unit including a microprocessor after power is turned on.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a lighting control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a dimming signal short-circuit unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process executed by a control unit including a microprocessor after power is turned on.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a lighting control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a lighting control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional lighting fixture and a conventional lighting control device that controls a dimming level of a lighting load by changing a duty ratio of a dimming signal.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a conventional lighting control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lighting control device 11 Control part 12 Light control signal output circuit part 13 Light control signal input circuit part 14 Human body detection part 15 Remote controller communication part

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Mikako Kamoi 1048 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka F-term in Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd. (reference) 5K048 AA05 BA07 DB02 EA03 EB02 GB10 HA04 HA06

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A dimming signal input circuit for inputting a dimming signal from the outside, a control unit for outputting a dimming signal based on a signal from the dimming signal input circuit, A dimming signal output circuit for outputting a dimming signal to the outside, and a dimming signal for enabling a dimming signal output from the dimming signal output circuit to be directly input to the dimming signal input circuit A short-circuiting section, wherein the control section is in a closed state of the dimming signal short-circuit section in which a dimming signal output from the dimming signal output circuit section is directly input to the dimming signal input circuit section. When the output dimming signal is changed stepwise, the relationship between the input dimming signal obtained through the dimming signal input circuit unit and the output dimming signal is obtained and stored as a correction table, and the dimming is performed. The dimming signal output from the optical signal output circuit unit is the dimming signal input circuit. In an open state of the dimming signal short circuit portion which is not directly input to, by referring to the correction table,
A lighting control device, wherein an output dimming signal corresponding to an input dimming signal from the dimming signal input circuit is determined. 2. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the dimming signal is a pulse signal having a variable duty ratio in a plurality of stages. 3. The control unit determines whether or not the correction table exists in an initial operation mode executed after reset, and when the correction table does not exist,
3. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein a process of obtaining a relationship between the input dimming signal and the output dimming signal and storing the relationship as the correction table is executed. 4. In an initial operation mode executed after resetting, the control unit determines whether a dimming signal is input to the dimming signal input circuit unit. The illumination control device according to claim 1, wherein a process of obtaining a relationship between an optical signal and the output dimming signal and storing the relationship as the correction table is executed. 5. The control unit according to claim 3, wherein, based on an external input signal, a process of obtaining a relationship between the input dimming signal and the output dimming signal and storing the relationship as the correction table is performed. 5. The lighting control device according to 4. 6. The lighting control device according to claim 5, wherein the external input signal is input using a remote control transmitter. 7. The control unit closes the dimming signal short-circuit unit only while executing a process of obtaining the relationship between the input dimming signal and the output dimming signal and storing the relationship as the correction table. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein: 8. In a normal operation mode, when there is no light control signal input from the light control signal input circuit unit, the control unit outputs a light control signal having a preset duty ratio, and outputs the light control signal. 2. A dimming signal having a duty ratio determined by referring to the correction table based on the dimming signal when there is a dimming signal input from a signal input circuit unit. The lighting control device according to claim 7.