JP6618014B2 - Light control device and lighting control system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates generally to a light control device and a lighting control system, and more particularly to a light control device and a light control system that control a lighting load.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a dimming device that dims an illumination load is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

  The dimming device described in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of terminals, a control circuit unit, a control power supply unit that supplies control power to the control circuit unit, and a dimming operation unit that sets a dimming level of an illumination load. It has.

  A control circuit unit and a control power supply unit are connected in parallel between the pair of terminals. In addition, a series circuit of an AC power source and a lighting load is connected between the pair of terminals. The illumination load includes a plurality of LED (Light Emitting Diode) elements and a power supply circuit that lights each LED element. The power supply circuit includes a smoothing circuit of a diode and an electrolytic capacitor.

  The control circuit unit includes a switch unit that controls the phase of the AC voltage supplied to the illumination load, a switch drive unit that drives the switch unit, and a control unit that controls the switch drive unit and the control power supply unit.

  The control power supply unit is connected in parallel to the switch unit. The control power supply unit converts the AC voltage of the AC power supply into a control power supply. The control power supply unit includes an electrolytic capacitor that stores the control power supply.

  The control unit is supplied with control power from the control power unit through an electrolytic capacitor. The control unit includes a microcomputer. The microcomputer performs anti-phase control for cutting off the power supply to the illumination load during the period of every half cycle of the AC voltage according to the dimming level set by the dimming operation unit.

JP 2013-149498 A

  By the way, depending on how the light control device is used, various devices such as various illumination loads and switch devices with indicator lights can be electrically connected to the light control device in series. Therefore, depending on the device connected in series with the light control device, there is a possibility that the light control device or the device connected to the light control device operates abnormally.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said reason, and it aims at providing the light control apparatus and illumination control system which can respond to more usage modes.

  A light control device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of input terminals, an opening / closing element, a detection unit, an input unit, an opening / closing control unit, and a mode switching unit. The pair of input terminals are electrically connected between a lighting load and an AC power source. The open / close element is electrically connected between the pair of input terminals and can be switched on / off. The detection unit detects a voltage value applied between the pair of input terminals, and outputs a detection signal for switching between a first value and a second value depending on whether the voltage value is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The input unit receives a dimming level that specifies the magnitude of the light output of the illumination load. The open / close control unit controls the open / close element according to the dimming level. The mode switching unit switches the operation mode of the open / close control unit based on the length of a specific period in which the signal level of the detection signal is at the first value in one cycle of the detection signal.

  A lighting control system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a switch device that is electrically connected in series with the light control device and can be switched on / off between the light control device, a lighting load, and an AC power supply. And comprising. The switch device has an indicator lamp that lights up when the switch device is off.

  The present invention has an advantage that it can cope with more usage modes.

FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a lighting control system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a detection unit of the light control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the dimming operation of the dimmer described above. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the turn-off operation of the dimmer. FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the light control device according to the first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of an illumination control system according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram of an illumination control system according to Modification 3 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

(Embodiment 1)
(1) Overview Hereinafter, an illumination control system according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration described below is merely an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and the scope of the invention does not depart from the technical idea of the present invention, even if it is other than this embodiment. If so, various changes can be made according to the design and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the illumination control system 10 according to the first embodiment includes a light control device 1 and a switch device 100. The switch device 100 is a device that is electrically connected in series with the dimming device 1 between the lighting load 8 and the AC power supply 9 and can be switched on / off. The light control device 1 and the switch device 100 are attached to, for example, a house wall in a state of being adjacent to each other. The illumination load 8 is an illumination device that includes, for example, a light source having an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a lighting circuit that turns on the light source. In the illumination load 8, the light source is turned on when power is supplied from the AC power supply 9. The AC power supply 9 is, for example, a single-phase 100 [V], 60 [Hz] commercial power supply.

  The switch device 100 includes a contact portion 101 that is switched on / off according to an operation of the switch handle, and an indicator lamp 102 that is electrically connected in parallel to the contact portion 101. The indicator lamp 102 is lit when the switch device 100 is off, that is, when the contact portion 101 is off. In short, if the contact portion 101 is off, power is not supplied from the AC power supply 9 to the lighting load 8, the lighting load 8 is turned off, and the indicator lamp 102 of the switch device 100 is turned on. Therefore, the indicator lamp 102 is used, for example, for confirming the position of the switch device 100 when the illumination load 8 is turned off.

  The light control device 1 is a two-wire light control device, and is used in a state of being electrically connected in series with the illumination load 8 with respect to the AC power source 9. The light control device 1 includes a pair of input terminals 11 and 12 that are electrically connected between the lighting load 8 and the AC power source 9, and a switching element 2 that is electrically connected between the pair of input terminals 11 and 12. And. The opening / closing element 2 is composed of a semiconductor switch such as a bidirectional thyristor and a transistor, for example. The dimmer 1 switches between conduction / non-conduction between the pair of input terminals 11 and 12 by turning on and off the switching element 2. Here, the light control device 1 changes the length of time (ON time) for which the switching element 2 is turned on every half cycle of the AC voltage of the AC power supply 9 according to the light control level. Therefore, the time during which the input terminals 11 and 12 are conductive in the half cycle of the AC voltage is determined according to the dimming level. That is, when the light output of the illumination load 8 is reduced, the on time is short, and when the light output of the illumination load 8 is increased, the on time is long.

  As a basic operation of the illumination control system 10 having the above-described configuration, the illumination load 8 is turned off when the switch device 100 is turned off, and the illumination load 8 is turned on when the switch device 100 is turned on. When the switch device 100 is on, the light control device 1 determines the length of the on time according to the light control level, and the light output of the illumination load 8 changes accordingly. That is, it is possible to change the magnitude of the light output of the illumination load 8 according to the dimming level.

(2) Details (2.1) Configuration of Light Control Device Hereinafter, the configuration of the light control device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the light control device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a pair of input terminals 11, 12, an opening / closing element 2, a detection unit 3, an input unit 4, an opening / closing control unit 51, and mode switching. Part 52. Further, the light control device 1 includes a frequency specifying unit 53, a power supply unit 6, a drive unit 7, and diodes D1 and D2. The open / close control unit 51, the mode switching unit 52, and the frequency specifying unit 53 are provided in the control circuit 5.

  The pair of input terminals 11 and 12 are electrically connected between the lighting load 8 and the AC power supply 9. The “input terminal” here may not have an entity as a component (terminal) for connecting an electric wire or the like, for example, a lead of an electronic component or a part of a conductor included in a circuit board Good.

  The switching element 2 is electrically connected between the pair of input terminals 11 and 12 and can be switched on / off. Here, the switching element 2 is configured to switch between blocking / passing of bidirectional current between the input terminals 11 and 12. The switching element 2 is composed of, for example, two MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors) electrically connected in series between the input terminals 11 and 12. Each of the two MOSFETs is, for example, an enhancement type n-channel MOSFET. In the two MOSFETs, the source terminals are connected to each other, that is, are connected in a so-called anti-series, thereby switching between blocking and passing of bidirectional current.

  The detection unit 3 detects a voltage value applied between the pair of input terminals 11 and 12, and a detection signal ZC1 that switches between a first value and a second value depending on whether the voltage value is equal to or greater than a threshold value. ZC2 is output. In the present embodiment, as an example, the first value is L level (Low level) and the second value is H level (High level). Hereinafter, the voltage applied between the pair of input terminals 11 and 12 is referred to as “input voltage Vin”. Since the input voltage Vin is an AC voltage applied from the AC power supply 9, the polarity of the input voltage Vin with respect to the pair of input terminals 11 and 12 changes. In the following description, the polarity of the input voltage Vin when the input terminal 11 is positive is referred to as “positive polarity”, and the polarity of the input voltage Vin when the input terminal 12 is positive is referred to as “negative polarity”.

  In the present embodiment, the detection unit 3 compares the magnitude (absolute value) of the input voltage Vin with a threshold value, and outputs detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 representing the comparison result to the control circuit 5. Specifically, the detection unit 3 includes a diode D31, a first detection unit 31, a diode D32, and a second detection unit 32. The first detection unit 31 is electrically connected to the input terminal 11 via the diode D31. The second detection unit 32 is electrically connected to the input terminal 12 via the diode D32. The first detection unit 31 detects whether or not the voltage value of the input voltage Vin is equal to or higher than a threshold value in the positive half cycle of the input voltage Vin, and outputs a detection signal ZC1. The second detection unit 32 detects whether or not the voltage value of the input voltage Vin is greater than or equal to a threshold value in the negative half cycle of the input voltage Vin, and outputs a detection signal ZC2. Details of the first detection unit 31 and the second detection unit 32 will be described in the section “(2.2) Configuration of Detection Unit”.

  Further, the threshold value is a value (absolute value) set in the vicinity of 0 [V], for example, about several [V]. Therefore, the detection unit 3 also functions as a zero cross detection unit that detects a zero cross point (0 [V]) of the AC voltage of the AC power supply 9. That is, the 1st detection part 31 detects the zero crossing point at the time of AC voltage of AC power supply 9 shifting from a negative half cycle to a positive half cycle. In addition, the second detection unit 32 detects a zero cross point when the AC voltage of the AC power supply 9 shifts from the positive half cycle to the negative half cycle. However, strictly speaking, the zero crossing detection point in the detection unit 3 is slightly delayed from the zero crossing point of the AC voltage. The signal levels of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 are L level (first value) when the absolute value of the input voltage Vin is greater than or equal to a threshold value, and H level (second value) when the absolute value of the input voltage Vin is less than the threshold value. Become.

  The input unit 4 receives a dimming level that specifies the magnitude of the light output of the illumination load 8. The input unit 4 receives a signal indicating the dimming level from the operation unit operated by the user, and outputs the signal to the control circuit 5 as a dimming signal. In the present embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the dimming level is specified in the range of 5 [%] to 97 [%]. The light output of the illumination load 8 increases as the dimming level increases. The input unit 4 may or may not process the received signal when outputting the dimming signal. The dimming signal is a numerical value or the like that specifies the magnitude of the light output of the lighting load 8 and may include an “OFF level” that turns off the lighting load 8. The operation unit may be configured to output a signal indicating a dimming level to the input unit 4 in response to a user operation, such as a variable resistor, a rotary switch, a touch panel, a remote controller, or a communication terminal such as a smartphone. It is.

  The control circuit 5 includes, for example, a microcomputer as a main configuration. The microcomputer realizes functions as an open / close control unit 51, a mode switching unit 52, and a frequency specifying unit 53 by executing a program recorded in the memory of the microcomputer by a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The program may be recorded in advance in a memory of a microcomputer, may be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided through an electric communication line. In other words, the program is a program for causing the microcomputer to function as the open / close control unit 51, the mode switching unit 52, and the frequency specifying unit 53.

  The open / close control unit 51 controls the open / close element 2 according to the dimming level. Further, the open / close control unit 51 controls the open / close element 2 based on the detection signals ZC 1 and ZC 2 from the detection unit 3. The opening / closing control unit 51 generates a control signal S1 for turning on or off the opening / closing element 2 and outputs the control signal S1 to the driving unit 7. Thereby, the open / close control unit 51 controls the open / close element 2 so as to switch the open / close element 2 on / off.

  More specifically, when receiving the dimming signal from the input unit 4, the open / close control unit 51 extracts information corresponding to the dimming level from the dimming signal. Here, since the dimming signal includes a numerical value specifying the magnitude of the light output of the illumination load 8, information such as this numerical value corresponds to the dimming level. The memory of the control circuit 5 stores a table representing the correspondence between the light control level and the on time. The open / close control unit 51 uses this table to obtain the ON time corresponding to the dimming level extracted from the dimming signal. The open / close control unit 51 controls the open / close element 2 so that the open / close element 2 is turned on for an ON time every half cycle of the AC voltage of the AC power supply 9.

  The light control device 1 according to the present embodiment has a reverse phase control method (trailing edge method) in which the pair of input terminals 11 and 12 are electrically connected during a period from the zero cross point of the AC voltage of the AC power supply 9 to the middle of the half cycle. ). Therefore, the open / close control unit 51 turns on the open / close element 2 over the on-time from the detection point of the zero cross of the AC voltage of the AC power supply 9 based on the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 from the detection unit 3.

  However, since the on-time is set within a specified range, the on-time may not be set depending on the dimming level input to the input unit 4. For example, even if the user operates the operation unit to maximize the light output of the illumination load 8, the on time is limited within a specified range, and the on time is set according to the dimming signal from the input unit 4. It may not be done. The on-time at this time is the upper limit value of the specified range.

  Here, the operation modes of the open / close control unit 51 include at least two operation modes, a normal mode and a stop mode. If the operation mode is the normal mode, the open / close control unit 51 controls the open / close element 2 according to the dimming level as described above. On the other hand, if the operation mode is the stop mode, the open / close control unit 51 is configured to keep the open / close element 2 off. That is, in the stop mode, the opening / closing control unit 51 stops the output of the control signal S1, and stops the control of the opening / closing element 2 in a state where the opening / closing element 2 is kept off.

  The mode switching unit 52 sets the operation mode of the open / close control unit 51 based on the length of a specific period in which the signal levels of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 are at L level (first value) in one cycle of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2. Switch. That is, in the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 in which the binary values of the L level and the H level are periodically switched, one cycle can be divided into a period in which the signal level is the L level and a period in which the signal level is the H level. . Among these, the period in which the signal level is L level is the specific period.

  Here, as a result, the switching of the operation mode of the open / close control unit 51 only needs to be performed based on the length of the specific period, and it is not essential for the mode switching unit 52 to obtain the length of the specific period. . For example, based on the length of a period in which the signal level of the detection signals ZC1, ZC2 is at the H level (second value) in one cycle of the detection signals ZC1, ZC2, or based on the duty ratio of the detection signals ZC1, ZC2 The operation mode of the open / close control unit 51 may be switched. The “duty ratio” referred to here is a ratio of the period of the L level (or H level) of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 to one cycle of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2. That is, in the configuration in which the operation mode of the open / close control unit 51 is switched based on the length of the specific period, the length of the period when the signal level is at the H level (second value) or the duty ratio of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 Based on this, a configuration for switching the operation mode of the opening / closing control unit 51 is also included.

  In the present embodiment, the L level (first value) of the L level and the H level that are the signal levels of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 is the detection signal ZC1 and ZC2 when the voltage value of the input voltage Vin is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Signal level. The mode switching unit 52 is configured to switch the operation mode of the opening / closing control unit 51 to the stop mode when it is determined that the length of the specific period is equal to or less than the specified value. That is, when the length of the L level period occupying one cycle of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 is equal to or less than the specified value, the mode switching unit 52 switches the operation mode of the open / close control unit 51 to the stop mode. On the other hand, when determining that the length of the specific period exceeds the specified value, the mode switching unit 52 switches the operation mode of the open / close control unit 51 to the normal mode.

  The frequency specifying unit 53 is configured to obtain the frequency of the AC voltage of the AC power supply 9 from the frequencies of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2. That is, since the detection unit 3 also functions as a zero-cross detection unit as described above, the frequency specifying unit 53 starts from the cycle in which the detection unit 3 detects the zero-cross point of the AC voltage of the AC power source 9. The frequency of the AC voltage can be obtained. For example, in the detection signal ZC1 output from the first detection unit 31, the point of switching from the H level to the L level is that when the AC voltage of the AC power supply 9 shifts from the negative half cycle to the positive half cycle. It becomes the detection point of zero cross. Therefore, the frequency specifying unit 53 can determine the frequency of the AC voltage of the AC power supply 9 by regarding the frequency of the detection signal ZC1 as the frequency of the AC voltage of the AC power supply 9.

  The power supply unit 6 includes a control power supply unit 61 that generates a control power supply and a drive power supply unit 62 that generates a drive power supply. Furthermore, the power supply unit 6 includes a capacitor C1. The control power supply is a power supply for operating the control circuit 5. The drive power supply is a power supply for driving the drive unit 7. The control power supply unit 61 steps down the drive power supplied from the drive power supply unit 62 to generate control power, and outputs the control power to the capacitor C1. The power supply unit 6 is electrically connected to the input terminal 11 via the diode D1, and is electrically connected to the input terminal 12 via the diode D2. Thereby, when the switching element 2 is off, the input voltage Vin rectified by the diodes D1 and D2 is applied to the power supply unit 6.

  The drive unit 7 receives the control signal S1 from the control circuit 5 (open / close control unit 51), applies a drive voltage to the open / close element 2, and drives (turns on / off) the open / close element 2.

  Further, in the light control device 1 of the present embodiment, the control circuit 5 has a function as a mask unit. The mask unit invalidates the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 from the detection unit 3 over the mask period. Details will be described in the column “(2.4.2) Dimming operation”. When the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 are invalidated in the mask portion, the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 viewed from the control circuit 5 are The signal level is fixed at the L level.

(2.2) Configuration of Detection Unit FIG. 2 shows a specific circuit configuration example of the first detection unit 31. Since the second detection unit 32 has the same configuration as the first detection unit 31, the description thereof is omitted here.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the first detection unit 31 includes resistors R1, R2, and R3, a capacitor C2, and a transistor Q1. The resistors R1 and R2 are electrically connected in series between the cathode terminal of the diode D31 and the ground of the power supply unit 6. The capacitor C2 is electrically connected in parallel to the resistor R2 on the low potential side of the resistors R1 and R2. The transistor Q1 is an npn-type bipolar transistor. A capacitor C2 is electrically connected between the base terminal and the emitter terminal of the transistor Q1. The resistor R3 is electrically connected in series with the transistor Q1, and a control power supply is applied to the series circuit of the resistor R3 and the transistor Q1.

  With this configuration, the first detection unit 31 outputs the detection signal ZC1 from the connection point between the resistor R3 and the collector terminal of the transistor Q1. That is, if the voltage value of the input voltage Vin is less than the threshold value, the signal level of the detection signal ZC1 becomes H level by turning off the transistor Q1. On the other hand, when the voltage value of the input voltage Vin exceeds the threshold value, the capacitor C2 is charged and the transistor Q1 is turned on, so that the signal level of the detection signal ZC1 becomes L level.

(2.3) Configuration of Switch Device In the example of FIG. 1, the switch device 100 is a so-called one-sided switch that can connect two wires. The switch device 100 is electrically connected to the AC power source 9 in series with the illumination load 8 and the light control device 1.

  As described above, the switch device 100 includes the contact portion 101 and the indicator lamp 102 that is electrically connected to the contact portion 101 in parallel. The indicator lamp 102 is turned off when the contact portion 101 is on, and is turned on when the contact portion 101 is off. The indicator lamp 102 is configured using, for example, an LED.

  With such a switch device 100, a current flows through the indicator lamp 102 even when the contact portion 101 is in an off state. However, the current flowing through the indicator lamp 102 is extremely small compared to the current flowing through the switch device 100 when the contact portion 101 is on. Therefore, if the switch device 100 is off, that is, the contact portion 101 is off, the power supply from the AC power supply 9 to the lighting load 8 is not performed and the lighting load 8 is turned off.

(2.4) Operation (2.4.1) Start-up Operation First, the start-up operation at the start of energization of the light control device 1, that is, immediately after the switch device 100 is turned on will be described.

  According to the light control device 1 having the above-described configuration, when the switch device 100 (contact portion 101) is turned on and the AC power supply 9 is connected between the input terminals 11 and 12 via the illumination load 8, the AC power supply 9 An AC voltage is applied between the input terminals 11 and 12, and the control circuit 5 is activated.

  When the control circuit 5 is activated, the frequency specifying unit 53 specifies the frequency of the AC power supply 9 based on the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 of the detecting unit 3. Then, the control circuit 5 sets parameters such as various times by referring to a numerical table stored in advance in the memory according to the specified frequency. Then, the light control device 1 starts a light control operation. Here, as the operation mode of the open / close control unit 51, the normal mode is selected by default.

(2.4.2) Light Control Operation Next, the light control operation of the light control device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the input voltage “Vin”, the detection signals “ZC1, ZC2”, and the control signal “S1” are shown in order from the top.

  In FIG. 3, the detection signal ZC1 output from the first detection unit 31 and the detection signal ZC2 output from the second detection unit 32 are collectively represented as one detection signal. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 3, regardless of the polarity of the input voltage Vin, the signal levels of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 are L level when the absolute value of the input voltage Vin is greater than or equal to the threshold value Vzc, and the absolute value of the input voltage Vin is It is at the H level when it is less than the threshold value Vzc. In addition, since the pair of input terminals 11 and 12 are short-circuited while the switching element 2 is on, the input voltage Vin is actually 0 [V]. However, in FIG. 3, the input voltage Vin is represented on the assumption that the input voltage Vin does not vary due to ON / OFF of the switching element 2 (that is, the switching element 2 is always OFF). That is, the input voltage Vin shown in FIG. 3 is different from the input voltage Vin actually applied between the pair of input terminals 11 and 12. In the example of FIG. 3, the signal level of the control signal S1 when the switching element 2 is turned on is represented by “ON”, and the signal level of the control signal S1 when the switching element 2 is turned off is represented by “OFF”. ing.

  First, the operation of the light control device 1 in a half cycle in which the input voltage Vin is positive will be described. In the light control device 1, the detection unit 3 detects the zero cross point of the input voltage Vin serving as a reference for phase control. When the input voltage Vin shifts from the negative half cycle to the positive half cycle, the signal level of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 is H level when the input voltage Vin reaches the positive threshold “Vzc”. To L level. The point at which the signal level of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 switches from the H level to the L level is a zero cross detection point in the detection unit 3. When the signal levels of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 are switched from the H level to the L level, the open / close control unit 51 sets the signal level of the control signal S1 to “ON”. Then, when the on-time elapses after the signal level of the control signal S1 is set to “ON”, the opening / closing control unit 51 sets the signal level of the control signal S1 to “OFF”. Thereby, the switching element 2 is turned on over the on-time from the detection point of the zero cross in the detection unit 3. At this time, electric power is supplied from the AC power source 9 to the lighting load 8 via the switching element 2, and the lighting load 8 is turned on.

  The operation of the light control device 1 in the negative half cycle of the input voltage Vin is basically the same as that of the positive half cycle. That is, in the negative half cycle, when the input voltage Vin reaches the negative threshold “−Vzc”, the detection unit 3 detects a zero cross, and the signal levels of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 change from the H level to the L level. Switch to When the signal levels of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 are switched from the H level to the L level, the open / close control unit 51 sets the signal level of the control signal S1 to “ON” from the zero cross detection point in the detection unit 3 over the on time. As a result, electric power is supplied from the AC power source 9 to the lighting load 8 via the switching element 2, and the lighting load 8 is lit.

  The light control device 1 according to the present embodiment alternately performs the positive half-cycle operation and the negative half-cycle operation described above for each half cycle of the input voltage Vin, so that the light control of the lighting load 8 is performed. I do. Here, since the ON time is a time corresponding to the dimming level input to the input unit 4, the time during which the input terminals 11 and 12 are conducted in a half cycle is determined according to the dimming level. . When the light output of the lighting load 8 is reduced, the on time is short, and when the light output of the lighting load 8 is large, the on time is long.

  By the way, the light control apparatus 1 of this embodiment is provided with the mask part, and is performing the mask process which invalidates the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 over a mask period. The mask period is set at least from the time when the signal level of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 switches from the H level to the L level, that is, from the detection point of the zero cross in the detection unit 3 over the on time. The length of the mask period is set on the basis of the half cycle of the input voltage Vin, and is set to a time slightly shorter than the half cycle, for example. Therefore, the signal levels of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 are not switched depending on whether the switching element 2 is on or off, and the signal levels of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 are fixed to the L level at least during the period when the switching element 2 is on.

  In FIG. 3, “T1” indicates a specific period in which the signal levels of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 are at the L level (first value) in one cycle of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2. That is, the specific period T1 is a period from when the absolute value of the input voltage Vin reaches the threshold value Vzc to when the absolute value of the input voltage Vin falls below the threshold value Vzc. The length of the specific period T1 exceeds the specified value.

  In addition, depending on the type of the lighting load 8, the impedance state in the lighting load 8 may become unstable when the lighting load 8 is started (at the start of energization). With such an illumination load 8, the length of the specific period may become unstable when the illumination load 8 is activated. Therefore, the mode switching unit 52 does not have to compare the length of the specific period with a specified value for the specific period for a plurality of times (for example, 10 times) when the lighting load 8 is activated.

  Note that the lighting circuit of the lighting load 8 reads the dimming level from the waveform of the AC voltage phase-controlled by the dimming device 1 and changes the magnitude of the light output of the LED element. Here, the lighting circuit has a current securing circuit such as a bleeder circuit as an example. Therefore, even when the switching element 2 of the light control device 1 is turned off, a current can be passed through the illumination load 8.

(2.4.3) Light-off Operation Next, the light-off operation at the end of energization of the light control device 1, that is, immediately after the switch device 100 is turned off, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows the input voltage “Vin”, the detection signals “ZC1, ZC2”, and the control signal “S1” in order from the top as in FIG.

  Also in FIG. 4, similarly to FIG. 3, the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 are collectively expressed as one detection signal, and it is assumed that the input voltage Vin does not fluctuate due to ON / OFF of the switching element 2. Vin is represented. Furthermore, the signal level of the control signal S1 when the switching element 2 is turned on is represented by “ON”, and the signal level of the control signal S1 when the switching element 2 is turned off is represented by “OFF”.

  When the switch device 100 (contact portion 101) is turned off, the power supply from the AC power supply 9 to the lighting load 8 is stopped, and thus the lighting load 8 is turned off. At this time, the current from the AC power supply 9 slightly flows through the indicator lamp 102 to the light control device 1 and the illumination load 8. Therefore, the light control device 1 can secure the control power supply and the drive power supply even after the switch device 100 is turned off, and the control circuit 5 continues to operate.

  By the way, in the state where the switch device 100 is turned off, the AC voltage of the AC power supply 9 is divided by the switch device 100 (indicator lamp 102), the light control device 1, and the lighting load 8. In this state, since the impedance of the switch device 100 is increased as compared with the state in which the switch device 100 (contact portion 101) is on, the voltage applied to the light control device 1 is reduced. That is, the amplitude of the input voltage Vin applied between the pair of input terminals 11 and 12 in the light control device 1 becomes small as shown by a solid line in FIG. In FIG. 4, the input voltage Vin when the switch device 100 is on, that is, the same input voltage Vin as in FIG. 3 is indicated by a broken line.

  When the amplitude of the input voltage Vin decreases, the change in the voltage value of the input voltage Vin becomes gradual, and the timing at which the input voltage Vin reaches the threshold value Vzc is delayed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection point of the zero cross in the detection unit 3 is delayed, and the timing at which the signal levels of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 are switched from the H level to the L level is delayed. Further, since the timing when the input voltage Vin falls below the threshold value Vzc is advanced, the timing at which the signal levels of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 are switched from the L level to the H level is advanced as shown in FIG. Therefore, the specific period T2 in which the signal levels of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 are at the L level (first value) in one cycle of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 is shorter than the specific period T1 in FIG. 3 (T2 <T1). .

  At this time, if the length of the specific period T2 is equal to or less than the specified value, the mode switching unit 52 switches the operation mode of the opening / closing control unit 51 to the stop mode. However, in the present embodiment, the mode switching unit 52 does not switch the operation mode only once detecting that the length of the specific period T2 is equal to or less than the specified value, and the length of the specific period T2 is equal to or less than the specified value. When it is detected a plurality of times continuously, the operation mode is switched. That is, for example, the mode switching unit 52 determines that the length of the specific period T2 is equal to or less than the specified value until the length of the specific period T2 is continuously equal to or less than the specified value a plurality of times. The operation mode switches to the stop mode. In the example of FIG. 4, the mode switching unit 52 operates the opening / closing control unit 51 at time t <b> 1 when the length of the specific period T <b> 2 is continuously detected a plurality of times (here, three times) continuously. Switch mode to stop mode.

  Therefore, before the time point t1, the operation mode of the open / close control unit 51 is the normal mode, and, similar to the dimming operation, the open / close control unit 51 controls the control signal S1 over the on time from the zero crossing detection point in the detection unit 3. Set the signal level to “ON”. Thereby, the switching element 2 is repeatedly turned on / off every half cycle of the input voltage Vin. When the switching element 2 is on, the impedance of the light control device 1 is smaller than when the switching element 2 is off, so that the voltage applied to the indicator lamp 102 is large. Therefore, when the on / off element 2 is repeatedly turned on / off, the magnitude of the current flowing through the indicator lamp 102 changes, and the magnitude of the light output of the indicator lamp 102 may change. As a result, the indicator lamp 102 may flicker.

  On the other hand, after time t1, the operation mode of the open / close control unit 51 is the stop mode, and the open / close control unit 51 stops the output of the control signal S1 and maintains the signal level of the control signal S1 at “OFF”. As a result, the switching element 2 is fixed off, and the impedance of the light control device 1 is constant, so that the voltage applied to the switch device 100 is also constant. Therefore, the magnitude of the current flowing through the indicator lamp 102 is stabilized, the change in the magnitude of the light output of the indicator lamp 102 is suppressed, and the flicker of the indicator lamp 102 is suppressed.

(3) Advantages The light control device 1 of the present embodiment includes a pair of input terminals 11 and 12, an opening / closing element 2, a detection unit 3, an input unit 4, an opening / closing control unit 51, a mode switching unit 52, It has. The pair of input terminals 11 and 12 are electrically connected between the lighting load 8 and the AC power supply 9. The switching element 2 is electrically connected between the pair of input terminals 11 and 12 and can be switched on / off. The detection unit 3 detects a voltage value applied between the pair of input terminals 11 and 12, and the first value (L level) and the second value (H level) depending on whether the voltage value is equal to or higher than a threshold value. Detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 are switched. The input unit 4 receives a dimming level that specifies the magnitude of the light output of the illumination load 8. The open / close control unit 51 controls the open / close element 2 according to the dimming level. The mode switching unit 52 operates the switching control unit 51 based on the length of the specific period T1 (or T2) in which the signal levels of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 are at the first value in one cycle of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2. Switch modes.

  According to this configuration, for example, even if various devices such as the various lighting loads 8 and the switch device 100 with the indicator lamp 102 are electrically connected to the light control device 1 in series, the light control device 1 or Abnormal operation of the device connected to the light control device 1 can be suppressed. That is, depending on the device connected in series with the light control device 1, for example, the voltage applied to the light control device 1 and the device changes due to the operation of the light control device 1 in which the opening / closing element 2 is repeatedly turned on / off. There is a possibility of leading to abnormal operation of the device 1 or the device. As an example, when the switch device 100 with the indicator lamp 102 is connected in series to the light control device 1 as in the present embodiment, the switching element 2 is turned on / off when the switch device 100 is turned off. By repeating, flickering of the indicator light 102 may occur. In the light control device 1 of the present embodiment, the amplitude of the voltage (input voltage Vin) applied between the pair of input terminals 11 and 12 is detected based on the length of the specific period T1 (or T2), and indirectly. In addition, the state of the device connected in series to the light control device 1 can be detected. For example, in a state where the switch device 100 with the indicator light 102 is connected to the light control device 1, the light control device 1 detects that the switch device 100 is off and sets the operation mode of the open / close control unit 51. By switching, flickering of the indicator light 102 can be suppressed. As a result, according to the light control device 1 of the present embodiment, there is an advantage that it is possible to cope with more usage modes.

  Further, as in the present embodiment, the first value (L level) is preferably the signal level of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 when the voltage value is equal to or greater than the threshold value. In this case, the mode switching unit 52 is preferably configured to switch the operation mode of the open / close control unit 51 to the stop mode when it is determined that the length of the specific period is equal to or less than the specified value. In this case, the open / close control unit 51 is preferably configured to keep the open / close element 2 off in the stop mode. According to this configuration, when the amplitude of the voltage (input voltage Vin) applied between the pair of input terminals 11 and 12 becomes small, the switching element 2 can be kept off. Therefore, for example, in a state where the switch device 100 with the indicator light 102 is connected to the dimmer 1, the dimmer 1 detects that the switch device 100 is off and maintains the switching element 2 off. In addition, flickering of the indicator light 102 can be suppressed. However, when the length of the specific period is determined to be equal to or less than the specified value, it is not essential for the light control device 1 that the mode switching unit 52 switches the operation mode of the opening / closing control unit 51 to the stop mode. For example, the mode switching unit 52 may be configured to switch the operation mode of the opening / closing control unit 51 to the stop mode when it is determined that the length of the specific period exceeds a specified value.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the light modulation apparatus 1 is further provided with the frequency specific | specification part 53 comprised so that the frequency of the alternating voltage of the alternating current power supply 9 might be calculated | required from the frequency of detection signal ZC1, ZC2 like this embodiment. . According to this configuration, the detection unit 3 can be used not only for specifying the mode switching unit 52 but also for specifying the frequency of the AC voltage of the AC power supply 9 in the frequency specifying unit 53. However, the frequency specifying unit 53 is not essential for the light control device 1, and the frequency specifying unit 53 may be omitted.

  Moreover, the lighting control system 10 according to the present embodiment is electrically connected in series with the light control device 1 between the light control device 1, the lighting load 8, and the AC power source 9, and can be switched on / off. Switch device 100. Here, the switch device 100 preferably includes an indicator lamp 102 that is lit when the switch device 100 is off. According to this configuration, the light control device 1 can suppress flickering of the indicator lamp 102 by detecting that the switch device 100 is off and switching the operation mode of the open / close control unit 51. As a result, according to the lighting control system 10 of the present embodiment, there is an advantage that it is possible to deal with more usage modes.

  By the way, as a control method of the light control device, a pair of input terminals 11 and 12 are electrically connected in the period from the middle of the half cycle of the AC voltage to the zero cross point in addition to the antiphase control method (trailing edge method). There is a positive phase control method (leading edge method). In the anti-phase control method, power supply is started from the vicinity of the zero cross point to the illumination load 8 including an LED element as a light source, so that current waveform distortion at the start of power supply can be suppressed to a low level. Thereby, there are advantages that the number of lighting loads 8 (the number of lamps) that can be connected to the light control device is increased, and generation of a beep can be suppressed.

  Note that the light control device 1 of the present embodiment basically adopts the antiphase control method, but at a time slightly delayed from the start point (zero cross point) of the half cycle (zero cross detection point in the detection unit 3). The power supply to the lighting load 8 is started. Therefore, there is a possibility that the current waveform distortion is larger than that in the anti-phase control method in which power supply to the lighting load 8 is started at a strict zero cross point. However, since the absolute value of the input voltage Vin at the zero crossing detection point in the detection unit 3 is not so large, the influence of the current waveform distortion is so small that it can be ignored.

(4) Modification (4.1) Modification 1
FIG. 5 shows a light control device 1 according to the first modification of the first embodiment. In the first modification, the light control device 1 is not used in combination with the switch device 100 (see FIG. 1) but is used alone. That is, in the first modification, the series circuit of the light control device 1 and the illumination load 8 is directly connected to the AC power supply 9 without using the switch device 100.

  Here, for example, when the lighting load 8 is started (when energization starts), the impedance state in the lighting load 8 may become unstable. With such an illumination load 8, the length of the specific period may become unstable when the illumination load 8 is activated. The light control device 1 according to the modified example 1 detects such an unstable state from the length of the specific period, for example, when the lighting load 8 is activated, the opening / closing control unit 51 is operated in the stop mode. Thus, the abnormal operation of the illumination load 8 can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the light control device 1 of the modified example 1, there is an advantage that it is possible to deal with more usage modes.

(4.2) Modification 2
FIG. 6 shows an illumination control system 10A according to the second modification of the first embodiment. In the second modification, the light control device 1 constitutes the illumination control system 10A together with the two switch devices 100A and 100B. In the second modification, the switch devices 100A and 100B are so-called three-way switches that can connect three wires. Therefore, in the illumination control system 10A in which the two switch devices 100A and 100B are combined, the energization state to the illumination load 8 can be switched at two locations. For example, when two switch devices 100A and 100B are respectively installed on an upper floor portion and a lower floor portion of a staircase in a building, lighting loads are provided at two locations on the upper floor portion and the lower floor portion of the staircase in the building. 8 can be switched.

  Each of the switch devices 100A and 100B includes three terminals and contact portions 101A and 101B that switch a connection relationship between the three terminals. In each of the switch devices 100A and 100B, the indicator lights 102A and 102B are electrically connected between two terminals of the three terminals excluding the common terminal. Thereby, in a state where the switch devices 100A and 100B are off, that is, in a state where power is not supplied from the AC power supply 9 to the lighting load 8, both the indicator lights 102A and 102B of the switch devices 100A and 100B are lit.

  In the illumination control system 10A, since the two switch devices 100A and 100B are connected in series to the light control device 1, the switching element 2 is repeatedly turned on / off as compared with the case where there is one switch device. The flickering of the indicator lamps 102A and 102B is likely to occur. Therefore, in the lighting control system 10A, the effect of suppressing the flickering of the indicator lights 102A and 102B becomes more remarkable.

(4.3) Modification 3
FIG. 7 shows an illumination control system 10B according to the third modification of the first embodiment. In the modification 3, the light control apparatus 1 comprises the illumination control system 10B with three switch apparatus 100A, 100B, 100C. In the third modification, the switch devices 100A and 100B are so-called three-way switches that can connect three wires, as in the second modification. On the other hand, the switch device 100C is a so-called four-way switch that can connect four wires. Therefore, in the lighting control system 10B in which the three switch devices 100A, 100B, and 100C are combined, the energization state to the lighting load 8 can be switched at three locations.

  The switch device 100C includes four terminals and a contact portion 101C that switches a connection relationship between the four terminals. In the switch device 100C, the indicator lamp 102C is electrically connected between two terminals connected to the switch device 100B among the four terminals. Thereby, in a state where the switch devices 100A, 100B, and 100C are off, that is, in a state where power is not supplied from the AC power supply 9 to the lighting load 8, all the indicator lamps 102A, 102B, and 102C of the switch devices 100A, 100B, and 100C are Light.

  In the lighting control system 10B, since the three switch devices 100A, 100B, and 100C are connected to the light control device 1, the indicator lamp 102A is generated by repeatedly turning on and off the switching element 2 as compared with the case of one switch device. , 102B, 102C are likely to flicker. Therefore, in the lighting control system 10B, the effect of suppressing the flickering of the indicator lights 102A, 102B, 102C becomes more remarkable.

(4.4) Other Modifications Modifications of Embodiment 1 other than the above-described Modifications 1 to 3 are listed below.

  The light control devices of the first embodiment and the first to third modifications described above are not limited to the illumination load 8 using an LED element as a light source, but are applied to the illumination load 8 of various light sources such as an organic EL (Electroluminescence) element and a discharge lamp. Applicable.

  In addition, the switching element 2 is not limited to a MOSFET, and may be composed of, for example, two IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors) connected in reverse series. Furthermore, the switching element 2 may be a semiconductor element having a double gate (dual gate) structure using a wide band gap semiconductor material such as GaN (gallium nitride). According to this configuration, the conduction loss of the switching element 2 can be reduced.

  Moreover, the control system of the switching element 2 by the switching controller 51 is not limited to the above-described example. For example, a system in which two MOSFETs constituting the switching element 2 are alternately turned on at the same cycle as the AC voltage of the AC power source 9. It may be. In this case, the open / close element 2 becomes conductive during the period in which the MOSFET on the high potential side of the input voltage Vin is on. In other words, in this modification, so-called reverse phase control is realized in which the pair of input terminals 11 and 12 are electrically connected during a period from the zero cross point of the AC voltage to the middle of the half cycle. In this case, the on-time of the switching element 2 can be adjusted by adjusting the phase difference between the control signal S1 and the input voltage Vin.

  Further, the control method is not limited to the anti-phase control method, and a normal phase control method in which the pair of input terminals 11 and 12 are electrically connected in the period from the middle of the half cycle of the AC voltage to the zero cross point may be adopted. Good. In this case, the switching element 2 is constituted by, for example, a three-terminal bidirectional thyristor (triac), and the switching control unit 51 turns on the switching element 2 in the half cycle of the AC voltage. The switching element 2 formed of a bidirectional thyristor becomes non-conductive near the zero cross point (0 [V]) of the AC voltage of the AC power supply 9.

  Further, the operation mode of the opening / closing control unit 51 is not limited to the normal mode and the stop mode, and may include, for example, a restriction mode for increasing or shortening the ON time and a forced ON mode for maintaining the opening / closing element 2 ON. Good.

  Further, the first value (L level) of the first value and the second value which are the signal levels of the detection signals ZC1 and ZC2 is the detection signal ZC1 and ZC2 when the voltage value of the input voltage Vin is less than the threshold value. It may be a signal level. Further, in the first embodiment, the first value is the L level and the second value is the H level. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first value may be the H level and the second value may be the L level.

  In addition, the mode switching unit 52 determines that the length of the specific period is equal to or less than the specified value by detecting once that the length of the specific period is equal to or less than the specified value, and switches the operation mode. It may be configured. Alternatively, the mode switching unit 52 determines that the length of the specific period is equal to or less than the predetermined value when detecting that the length of the specific period is equal to or less than the predetermined value, and determines that the length of the specific period is equal to or less than the predetermined value. It may be configured to perform switching.

  The detection unit 3 may be configured to detect the voltage value of the input voltage Vin after full-wave rectification. Furthermore, the detection unit 3 is not limited to the configuration that is also used as the zero cross detection unit, and the detection unit 3 may be provided separately from the zero cross detection unit. Furthermore, the specific circuit of the detection unit 3 is not limited to the circuit shown in FIG. 2 and can be changed as appropriate.

  Moreover, the drive part 7 is not a structure essential to the light control apparatus 1, and may be abbreviate | omitted suitably. When the drive unit 7 is omitted, the control circuit 5 directly drives the open / close element 2. When the drive unit 7 is omitted, the drive power supply unit 62 is omitted.

  The timing at which the switching element 2 is turned on is not limited to the zero-crossing detection point in the detection unit 3, but may be the time when a certain delay time (for example, 300 [μs]) has elapsed from the detection point. The delay time is not limited to 300 [μs], but is appropriately set in the range of 0 [μs] to 500 [μs].

  Note that the diodes D1 and D2 in the first embodiment are not essential to the light control device 1, and the diodes D1 and D2 may be omitted as appropriate.

  In addition, in the comparison between two values such as a voltage value and a threshold value, “more than” includes both the case where the two values are equal and the case where one of the two values exceeds the other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and “more than” here may be synonymous with “greater than” including only when one of the binary values exceeds the other. That is, whether or not the case where the two values are equal can be arbitrarily changed depending on the setting of the threshold value or the like, so there is no technical difference between “more than” and “greater than”. Similarly, “less than” may be synonymous with “below”.

(Embodiment 2)
The light control device 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the mode switching unit 52 switches the operation mode of the opening / closing control unit 51 according to the magnitude of variation in the length of the specific period with time. Thus, it is different from the light control device 1 of the first embodiment. The circuit configuration of the light control device 1 is the same as that of the light control device 1 of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the mode switching unit 52 operates the opening / closing control unit 51 depending on how much the length of the specific period varies, not whether or not the length of the specific period is equal to or less than a specified value. Switch modes. Specifically, the mode switching unit 52 calculates the length of the specific period for a plurality of consecutive times (for example, 10 times), calculates the magnitude of the variation in the length for the specific period for the plurality of times, Compare with the value. The magnitude of the fluctuation here is, for example, a difference or rate of change in a specific period of two consecutive times, or a degree of variation (variance) in length. And the mode switching part 52 will switch the operation mode of the opening / closing control part 51 to a stop mode, for example, when the magnitude | size of a fluctuation | variation becomes more than a reference value.

  Here, for example, when the lighting load 8 is started (when energization starts), the impedance state in the lighting load 8 may become unstable. With such an illumination load 8, the length of the specific period may become unstable when the illumination load 8 is activated. The light control device 1 according to the present embodiment detects such an unstable state from the magnitude of the fluctuation of the length of the specific period, for example, when the lighting load 8 is activated, the opening / closing control unit 51 is controlled. By operating in the stop mode, the abnormal operation of the illumination load 8 can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the light control device 1 of this embodiment, there exists an advantage that it can respond to more usage forms.

  The configuration of the second embodiment can be applied in combination with each configuration described in the first embodiment (including the modification).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Light control apparatus 2 Switching element 3 Detection part 4 Input part 8 Illumination load 9 AC power supply 10, 10A, 10B Illumination control system 11, 12 Input terminal 51 Opening / closing control part 52 Mode switching part 53 Frequency specific part 100, 100A, 100B, 100C switch device 102, 102A, 102B, 102C Indicator light T1, T2 Specific period Vzc threshold ZC1, ZC2 detection signal

Claims (5)

A pair of input terminals electrically connected between the lighting load and the AC power source;
An opening / closing element electrically connected between the pair of input terminals and capable of switching on and off;
A detection unit that detects a voltage value applied between the pair of input terminals and outputs a detection signal that switches between a first value and a second value depending on whether the voltage value is equal to or greater than a threshold;
An input unit to which a dimming level specifying the magnitude of the light output of the lighting load is input;
An open / close control unit for controlling the open / close element according to the dimming level;
A mode switching unit that switches an operation mode of the open / close control unit based on a length of a specific period in which the signal level of the detection signal is in the first value in one cycle of the detection signal;
A light control device comprising: The first value is the signal level of the detection signal when the voltage value is greater than or equal to the threshold value,
The mode switching unit is configured to switch the operation mode of the open / close control unit to a stop mode when it is determined that the length of the specific period is a specified value or less,
The open / close control unit is configured to keep the open / close element off in the stop mode.
The light control device according to claim 1. The mode switching unit is configured to switch the operation mode of the opening / closing control unit according to the magnitude of the variation in the length of the specific period over time.
The light control apparatus of Claim 1 or 2. A frequency specifying unit configured to obtain the frequency of the AC voltage of the AC power supply from the frequency of the detection signal is further provided,
The light control apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3. The light control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A switch device electrically connected in series with the light control device between the lighting load and the AC power source and capable of switching on / off;
The switch device has an indicator lamp that lights when the switch device is off.
Lighting control system.

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