DE102008035219A1 - Control circuit for use in electronic ballast of illumination system, has communication interface receiving hardware instructions for adjustment of parameters of circuit, and storage register storing hardware instructions - Google Patents

Abstract

The circuit (42) has a communication interface (43) receiving hardware instructions (51) for adjustment of parameters of the circuit. A storage register (44) stores the instructions received from the interface. A lamp operating circuit (6) is designed for production of voltage for operating an illuminant (8). A processing block (45) is designed to convert a value stored in the register into switching information (52). A driver circuit (46) generates an output-control signal (53) to operate the operating circuit depending on the instructions. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) an illumination system comprising a CPU for calculation of hardware instructions and transferring the instructions to an electronic fluorescent lamp ballast (2) a method for controlling an operating device.

Description

The The present invention relates generally to devices and methods by means of which light sources such as fluorescent lamps, Gas discharge lamps, high pressure lamps, LEDs, OLEDs (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) etc. can be operated.

in the Area of fluorescent lamps are such electronic control gear generally called electronic ballast (ECG).

First, reference should be made 1 a circuit arrangement in a non-dimmable electronic ballast will be explained. The entrance of such electronic ballast 1 typically forms one to the power supply network 2 . 3 connected rectifier circuit 4 , which preferably also includes a high frequency filter. That of the rectifier circuit 4 rectified supply voltage U0 is a smoothing circuit 5 such as a step-up converter for generating an intermediate circuit voltage Uz supplied. An inverter powered by the intermediate circuit voltage 6 Finally, generates a high-frequency AC voltage UH, which to a load circuit 7 with a lamp arranged therein 8th such as gas discharge lamp is applied.

The high-frequency AC voltage UH has a fixed frequency F0. The operation with this high-frequency AC voltage UH has, inter alia, a reduction of the electrode losses and an improved lamp efficiency result. In such electronic ballasts 1 However, it is not intended that the gas discharge lamp 8th can be operated with different services.

The gas discharge lamp 8th is operated with the fixed and fixed frequency F0. Thus, it is not possible, the gas discharge lamp 8th to dim or set the output power by means of an external control or regulation of the frequency F0 to a desired value.

As a result, such electronic ballasts 1 not dimmable, ie the lamp brightness can not be controlled. However, due to a simple interconnection of this electronic ballast 1 be produced inexpensively.

On the other hand, electronic ballasts are also known, which allow an external control of the lamp brightness. The 2 shows such a known electronic ballast 10 for operating a gas discharge lamp 8th , The ballast 10 essentially comprises one on a power supply network 2 . 3 connected rectifier / rectifier circuit 4 , a smoothing circuit 5 , and an inverter 6 , in its load circuit 7 the gas discharge lamp 8th is arranged. The load circuit 7 is from the inverter 6 supplied adjustable high-frequency AC voltage UH supplies.

The the gas discharge lamp 8th containing load circuit 7 includes a series resonant member, whereby a control of the gas discharge lamp 8th supplied power is made possible. A frequency change to the load circuit 7 applied AC voltage UH in the direction of the resonant frequency of this series resonant member or away therefrom an increase or reduction of the power result. This allows the brightness of the gas discharge lamp 8th controlled or regulated and the gas discharge lamp 8th be dimmed to a desired level.

The inverter 6 is from a control unit 11 of the electronic ballast 10 controlled. The control unit executed in the form of a microcontroller 11 has an interface 12 , about the external control information from a bus 13 and a digital line 16 can be received. The bus 13 and the electronic ballast 10 are preferably DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) capable. With the DALI standard, it is possible to control or communicate with electronic ballasts, control units or sensors of a lighting system via digital signals in accordance with the DALI protocol.

The external control information or control signals are dimming setpoints 17 coming from the control unit 11 be evaluated, so this control unit 11 accordingly the inverter 6 Taxes 15 or with the help of load circuit parameters 14 can regulate. This is achieved by the control unit 11 in a signal 15 the frequency f or the duty cycle d of the inverter 6 supplied AC voltage UH determined.

From the EP 0 965 250 B1 It is known that an electronic ballast 20 for dimming a bulb 8th not a control unit designed as a microcontroller 11 contains, but a software-controlled first control unit 23 and a purely hardware-controlled second control unit or control unit 21 which contains a memory and the flow control / "state machine" for the control.

This in 3 shown electronic ballast 20 is able to have an interface 22 the software-controlled first control unit 23 externally supplied external control information. The external control information is dimming setpoints or dimming commands 17 , in particular via a digital data bus 13 be transmitted and via a branched line 16 from the electronic ballast 20 be received.

The software-controlled first control unit 23 can additionally provide internal operating status information of the electronic ballast 20 monitor. Depending on the external control information and the internal operating state information, the software is controlled by the first control unit 23 Operating control information generated and to the hardware-controlled second control unit 21 via a data transmission line 24 transfer.

The hardware-controlled second control unit 21 then generates depending on the internal operating status information and the operation control information, the control signals for the operation of the lamp or the gas discharge lamp 8th These control signals are the switching on and off of switches in the inverter 6 Taxes.

In the known dimmable electronic ballasts, it is therefore advantageous that the frequency at which the light source is operated depends on a data bus 13 can be controlled or regulated transmitted external control information. In this way, the light source can be operated with a variable brightness.

The disadvantage, however, is that the known dimmable electronic ballasts compared to non-dimmable ballasts require a significantly higher effort in terms of flow control, since the in 2 shown control unit 11 and the in 3 shown software controlled control unit 23 including external dimming commands 17 to edit. Furthermore, complex storage options are necessary because of this complex flow control. In addition, it is at the in 3 shown electronic ballast, the task of the software controlled control units 23 , for the hardware-controlled control unit 21 Specify control information.

outgoing from this prior art, it is an object of the present invention the complexity of dimming the bulb or change to reduce the brightness used by the control unit.

These The object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims form the central idea of the invention in a particularly advantageous manner.

According to one The first aspect of the present invention is a control circuit proposed for controlling a lamp operation circuit for lamps, wherein the lamp operating circuit for generating a voltage for the operation of the lamp is formed. The control circuit points a communication interface for receiving hardware commands for setting the control circuit. She adds one more Memory register for storing the from the communication interface received hardware commands.

advantageously, For example, a machining block may be provided which is designed to do so is the value stored in the memory register in a switching information implement.

The Control circuit may include a driver circuit for generating a Output control signal for operating the lamp operation circuit depending on the hardware commands.

A Driver circuitry may also be used to generate an output control signal provided for driving switches of the lamp operating circuit be.

The Hardware commands can provide information about the required switch-on time or the duty cycle of switches of the lamp operation circuit include.

The Hardware commands can change the state of hardware blocks and / or set reference values thereof.

Farther The control circuit can be controlled by hardware be.

The Control circuit can be used as an integrated circuit (IC), in particular be designed as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

The Lamp operating circuit of the control circuit can be used as an inverter be educated. The inverter can be a half-bridge, a full bridge or a so-called push-pull converter.

According to one Another aspect of the present invention is an electronic one Ballast provided, which has a control circuit described above having.

According to one Still another aspect of the present invention is a lighting system provided, which at least one inventive electronic ballast and a central unit for Compute the hardware commands.

The Lighting system can be a data bus for sending the Hardware commands from the central unit to the communication interface have the control circuit.

• – Übersendung eines Hardware-Befehl von der Zentraleinheit zu dem Betriebsgerät, wobei der Hardware-Befehl in dem Betriebsgerät unmittelbar Betriebsparameter von Hardwareblöcken des Betriebsgeräts anweist.

According to the invention, a method is also proposed for controlling a control device for lighting means starting from a central unit, comprising the step:

• - Sending a hardware command from the central unit to the operating device, wherein the hardware command in the operating device directly instructs operating parameters of hardware blocks of the operating device.

According to the invention So proposed the benefits of a non-dimmable electronic ballast - limited Complexity of the control unit and reduced effort regarding the flow control (also called "state machine") in the control unit - with the advantages of a dimmable electronic ballast - change the brightness and possibility generated by the bulb an external control of dimming behavior - to combine.

It This is especially about the reduction of complexity the flow control of the control unit or the control module a dimmable electronic ballast.

at The invention is the flow control of a dimmable ballast almost to the extent of a non-dimmable electronic ballast reduced. The device itself has the functionality a non-dimmable electronic ballast. The Control unit or the control module for controlling the lamp operating circuit, which for generating a voltage for the operation of Bulb is formed, but has an input for an interface or for an interface. about This interface can be on registers of the hardware blocks the control unit can be accessed directly.

This allows an external logic or central control the electronic ballast via an interface cable to control and thus from a non-dimmable ballast to make a dimmable ballast.

The Interface or the interface could be, for example be a DALI interface, which is extended by special commands becomes.

simultaneously it should also be possible to use the dimming behavior with help to control external control information.

• – Bei einem Beleuchtungssystem, das eine globale Helligkeitssteuerung der angeschlossenen Leuchtmittel unterstützt (sogenanntes „dimming an demand") müssen keine teuren dimmbaren Vorschaltgeräte vorgesehen werden. Der Aufwand, der mit dieser Helligkeitssteuerung verbunden ist, steckt in der Zentralsteuerung, welche erst bei Aktivierung angeschlossen wird.
• – Der Aufwand für die Ablaufsteuerung (zum Beispiel für die Speicherfunktion der Dimm-Befehle) ist zentral und nur einmalig vorhanden, d. h. nicht in jedem Vorschaltgerät des Beleuchtungssystems.
• – Es wird dank der Erfindung nun möglich sein, kostengünstige dimmbare Vorschaltgeräte für Leuchtmittel sowie kostengünstige Beleuchtungssysteme anzubieten.
• – Detektionen oder Sensoren können im Vorschaltgerät selbst eingespart werden. So kann beispielsweise eine ACDC-Erkennung in der Zentralsteuerung erfolgen.
• – Das elektronische Vorschaltgerät erscheint dem Benutzer als nicht dimmbares Vorschaltgerät, welches an das normale Wechselspannungsnetz angeschlossen wird. Es wird also kein Zentralspannungssystem oder ähnliches benötigt.
• – Die Erfindung ist besonders sinnvoll, wenn mehrere Vorschaltgeräte gleichzeitig betrieben werden sollen. Weiterhin ist es vorgesehen, dass ein Kontroller die Steuerbefehle pro Vorschaltgerät oder Vorschaltgerätgruppe adressieren kann.
• – Erfindungsgemäße elektronische Vorschaltgeräte verfügen über eine Schnittstelle bzw. über ein Interface, die eine externe Steuerung oder Regelung des Leuchtmittel-Betriebs ermöglichen.

In particular, the following advantages arise for the electronic ballast according to the invention:

• - In a lighting system that supports a global brightness control of the connected bulbs (so-called "dimming on demand") no expensive dimmable ballasts must be provided.The effort that is associated with this brightness control, is in the central control, which is connected only when activated ,
• - The cost of the flow control (for example, for the memory function of the dimming commands) is central and only once available, ie not in each ballast of the lighting system.
• It will now be possible thanks to the invention to offer cost-effective dimmable ballasts for lighting and cost-effective lighting systems.
• - Detections or sensors can be saved in the ballast itself. For example, ACDC detection can be performed in the central control.
• - The electronic ballast appears to the user as a non-dimmable ballast, which is connected to the normal AC mains. So no central voltage system or the like is needed.
• The invention is particularly useful when several ballasts are to be operated simultaneously. Furthermore, it is provided that a controller can address the control commands per ballast or ballast group.
• - Electronic ballasts according to the invention have an interface or via an interface, which allow an external control or regulation of the lighting means operation.

Further Features, advantages and characteristics of the present invention Reference will now be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings as well as the following description of exemplary embodiments explained in more detail.

1 shows a known circuit arrangement of a non-dimmable electronic ballast for lighting,

2 shows a known electronic ballast with an external lamp brightness control and a microcontroller,

3 shows another known electroni Nice ballast for dimming a light source with a software-controlled first control unit and a purely hardware-controlled second control unit,

4 shows an electronic ballast according to the present invention,

5 and 6 show an illumination system according to the present invention,

7 shows a non-dimmable according to the prior art electronic ballast, and

8th shows an inventive control circuit for an electronic ballast.

That in the 4 illustrated inventive electronic ballast 40 is input preferably via a high frequency filter 41 to the mains supply voltage 2 . 3 connected. At the output of the high frequency filter 41 there is a rectifier circuit 4 in the form of, for example, a full-bridge rectifier. The rectifier circuit 4 sets the mains supply voltage 2 . 3 in a rectified input voltage U0 for the smoothing circuit 5 around.

This smoothing circuit 5 Used for harmonic filtering and smoothing the input voltage 2 . 3 and comprises a smoothing capacitor C1 and a step-up converter, which preferably has an inductance L1, a controllable switch in the form of a MOS field-effect transistor S1 and a diode D1. However, other switching regulators can be used instead of the boost converter.

By a corresponding switching of the MOS field-effect transistor S1 is in a known manner, one above the itself to the smoothing circuit 5 subsequent storage capacitor C2 applied intermediate circuit voltage UZ generated that the inverter 6 is supplied. This inverter 6 is formed by two further arranged in a half-bridge arrangement MOS field effect transistors S2 and S3.

By a high-frequency driving of the two field effect transistors S2, S3 an AC voltage UH is generated at the center tap, which the load circuit 7 with the light source connected to it 8th , such as gas discharge lamp, LED or OLED is supplied. This is done in a known manner and should therefore not be explained in more detail below.

Alternatively to the half-bridge arrangement of the inverter 6 can the electronic ballast 40 also have an inverter in the form of a full bridge or a push-pull converter.

The driving of the inverter 6 or the driving of the MOS field-effect transistors S2, S3 of the inverter 6 is done by a control circuit 42 , which generates corresponding switching information and to a driver circuit 46 the control circuit 42 transmitted.

The control circuit 42 points next to the driver circuit 46 another interface 43 , a memory register 44 and a processing block 45 on.

The memory 44 can be implemented in a cost effective manner as a volatile memory, ie as a memory that loses its memory content when switching off the supply voltage.

About one in 4 shown data bus 49 be from a central unit 50 Hardware commands 51 for the electronic ballast 40 over ends. These hardware commands 51 are preferably broadcasted to all on the data bus 49 connected electronic ballasts 40 Posted. Instead of the data bus 49 could the hardware commands 51 be transmitted by means of a data line. It is also envisaged that individual ballasts 40 or groups of ballasts 40 can be addressed. Furthermore, in an illumination system, one or more central units 50 be provided.

The central unit 50 preferably has a nonvolatile memory.

"Hardware-command" is therefore a command that directly, but possibly digitizes control values for a hardware component (transistor, etc.). This So in contrast to commands such as. Dimmvorgaben, the first in the concrete control values of the participating hardware are implemented. A hardware command can also change the state of hardware blocks (eg. a circuit for heating coils of a gas discharge lamp) control, for example in the sense of ON / OFF, setting of reference values (In the case of the heating circuit, for example: strength of the heating power, shutdown thresholds the heating circuit).

Task of the central unit 50 is it the hardware commands 51 , Which, for example, control information for the switches S2, S3 and for the MOS field-effect transistors S2, S3 to calculate, and over the data bus 49 to send.

Such control information 51 (Hardware command), which in the form of an analog or digital value information about, for example, the required switch-on time or the duty cycle for the switches S2, S3 of the inverter 6 includes, via the data bus 49 from the interface 43 received and in the memory register 44 stored.

The in the memory register 44 stored value is then from the processing block 45 directly into a corresponding switching information 52 implemented and to the driver circuit 46 transmitted, which is a corresponding control signal 53 to operate the inverter 6 or for driving the switches S2, S3 via the lines 47 . 48 transfers.

In the present invention is thus of the electronic ballast 40 a direct hardware command 51 (the control information) from the interface 43 received and from the hardware control circuit 42 For example, to operate the inverter 6 or other controllable components used.

In contrast, by the interface 12 of in 2 shown known electronic ballast 10 a DALI command or a dimming command 17 received by the control unit 11 must first be interpreted such that a hardware interface the switches (not shown) of the inverter 6 can be switched on and off accordingly. This DALI command 17 contains a specific brightness information, according to which the controller in the control unit 11 adapts its behavior and its corresponding parameters to control the inverter 6 out looking. A DALI command is represented by default using an 8-bit number so that a total of 128 intensities - from 0% to 100% - can be defined for brightness or luminous intensity.

According to the invention in the memory register 44 stored hardware command 51 or the control information as well via a trained as a DALI bus data bus 49 be transmitted. The hardware command is a special hardware command and not a standardized DALI dimming value 17 ,

A software-controlled control unit is the electronic ballast according to the invention 40 not needed because the control of the hardware only with the help of the hardware command 51 he follows.

The parameters for controlling the inverter 6 , such as the required turn-on time or the duty cycle for the switches S2, S3, are applied directly to the control circuit 42 transfer. But since these parameters also from the connected bulbs 8th Depending on the type of luminaire, it may be necessary for the central unit to use the electronic ballasts connected to it 40 and their bulbs 8th knows.

6 shows a lighting system 60 according to the present invention, wherein it can be seen that the central unit 50 with the electronic ballasts 40 over the data bus 49 connected is. A power supply 61 for every electronic ballast 40 is planned.

If no central unit to the lighting system 60 connected, see 5 , or if the central unit has no hardware commands 51 sends, so are the electronic ballasts 40 connected bulbs 8th operated with the maximum brightness.

The central unit 50 is responsible for the current hardware command 51 over the data bus 49 to send. The current hardware command 51 is lamp-specific, which requires that the central unit has knowledge of the connected type of lamp.

The one from the central unit 50 sent hardware command 51 is also adapted to the desired dimming value. The from the control circuit 42 received and in the memory register 44 stored control information thus takes into account the brightness to be achieved.

In addition, the central unit 50 preferably a condition monitoring unit 54 , see 4 which information regarding the current operating phase of the bulb 8th and / or parameters of the electronic ballast 40 or the bulb 8th can collect.

So it is possible that the central unit 50 For example, by means of a sensor (not shown), the current brightness in the vicinity of a light source 8th of the lighting system 60 determined. Alternatively or additionally, lamp current information can also be determined by the central unit in a known manner.

This information is provided by the central unit 50 used as actual value or controlled variable for controlling to a desired dimming setpoint.

Opposite the in 3 Thus, according to the invention, a control parameter specification is taken out of the electronic ballast and into the central unit 50 which does not transmit abstract dimming setpoints, but rather specific control parameters for controlling the hardware of the ECG.

The central unit 50 takes over part of the controller function and extends the ability of the electronic ballast from non-dimmable to dimmable. The from this central unit 50 sent hardware commands 51 are transmitted in a simple implementation in a kind of broadcast, that is not addressed.

7 shows again a non-dimmable according to the prior art electronic ballast with a closed-loop control (state machine).

In the 8th shown control circuit according to the invention 42 differs from this known prior art in that the control circuit according to the invention an interface 43 which causes communication with the central processing unit 50 made possible. By in the central unit 50 localized external control unit can thus also an extended dimming functionality can be achieved.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - EP 0965250 B1 [0011]

Claims (17)

Control circuit ( 42 ) for controlling a lamp operation circuit ( 6 ) for illuminants ( 8th ), the lamp operating circuit ( 6 ) for generating a voltage for the operation of the illuminant ( 8th ), comprising: - a communication interface ( 43 ) for receiving hardware commands ( 51 ) for setting parameters of the control circuit ( 42 ), and - a memory register ( 44 ) for storing the data from the communication interface ( 43 ) received hardware commands ( 51 ). Control circuit ( 42 ) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a processing block ( 45 ) adapted to store in the memory register ( 44 ) stored value in a switching information ( 52 ) implement. Control circuit ( 42 ) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a driver circuit ( 46 ) for generating an output control signal ( 53 ) for operating the lamp operation circuit ( 6 ) depending on the hardware commands ( 51 ). Control circuit ( 42 ) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a driver circuit ( 46 ) for generating an output control signal ( 53 ) for driving switches (S2, S3) of the lamp operating circuit ( 6 ). Control circuit ( 42 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hardware commands ( 51 ) Information about the required switch-on time duration or the duty cycle of switches (S2, S3) of the lamp operating circuit ( 6 ). Control circuit ( 42 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hardware commands ( 51 ) Changes in the states of a state machine of the lamp operating circuit ( 6 ). Control circuit ( 42 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control circuit ( 42 ) is controlled by hardware. Control circuit ( 42 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control circuit ( 42 ) is designed as an integrated circuit (IC), in particular as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Control circuit ( 42 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lamp operating circuit ( 6 ) is designed as an inverter. Control circuit ( 42 ) according to claim 9, wherein the inverter ( 6 ) is a half bridge. Control circuit ( 42 ) according to claim 9, wherein the inverter ( 6 ) is a full bridge. Control circuit ( 42 ) according to claim, wherein the inverter ( 6 ) is a push-pull converter. Electronic Ballast ( 40 ) comprising a control circuit ( 42 ) according to any one of the preceding claims. Lighting system ( 60 ) comprising at least one electronic ballast ( 40 ) according to claim 13, and a central processing unit ( 50 ) for calculating the hardware commands ( 51 ) and transferring them to the electronic ballast ( 40 ). Lighting system ( 60 ) according to claim 14, comprising a data bus ( 49 ) for sending the hardware commands ( 51 ) from the central unit ( 50 ) to the communication interface ( 43 ) of the control circuit ( 42 ). Lighting system according to claim 14 or 15 comprising Bulbs such as gas discharge lamps, high pressure lamps, LEDs and / or OLEDs. Method for controlling an operating device for lamps starting from a central unit, comprising the steps: - Sending a hardware command from the central unit to the operating device, wherein the Hardware command in the operating device directly operating parameters of hardware blocks of the operating device instructs.