EP1031258B1 - Interface for a lamp operating device - Google Patents

Interface for a lamp operating device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1031258B1
EP1031258B1 EP98952717A EP98952717A EP1031258B1 EP 1031258 B1 EP1031258 B1 EP 1031258B1 EP 98952717 A EP98952717 A EP 98952717A EP 98952717 A EP98952717 A EP 98952717A EP 1031258 B1 EP1031258 B1 EP 1031258B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
interface appliance
circuit
interface
output circuit
control
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP98952717A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1031258A1 (en
Inventor
Martin Ammann
Michael BÖHNEL
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tridonicatco GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Tridonicatco GmbH and Co KG
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Publication of EP1031258A1 publication Critical patent/EP1031258A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1031258B1 publication Critical patent/EP1031258B1/en
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/26—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc
    • H05B41/28—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters
    • H05B41/282—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices
    • H05B41/2825—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices by means of a bridge converter in the final stage
    • H05B41/2828—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices by means of a bridge converter in the final stage using control circuits for the switching elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/36—Controlling
    • H05B41/38—Controlling the intensity of light
    • H05B41/39—Controlling the intensity of light continuously
    • H05B41/392—Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor
    • H05B41/3921—Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor with possibility of light intensity variations

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an interface device for a lamp operating device according to the preamble of claim 1 and an electronic ballast for gas discharge lamps or an electronic transformer for halogen lamps with a corresponding interface device.
  • the electronic ballast shown in FIG. 3 schematically shows the structure of a known electronic ballast for operating a gas discharge lamp 10, control signals a for dimming the electronic ballast or the gas discharge lamp 10 connected to it being supplied to the electronic ballast via an interface 1.
  • the electronic ballast shown in FIG. 3 comprises a rectifier 4 and an inverter 5, in the load circuit of which the gas discharge lamp 10 is arranged.
  • the rectifier 4 converts that from a supply voltage source, e.g. a mains voltage source, alternating voltage supplied into a rectified intermediate circuit voltage, which is fed to the inverter 5.
  • the inverter 5 typically comprises two controllable switches (not shown) connected in series, e.g.
  • MOS field effect transistors which are alternately driven by the rectified intermediate circuit voltage, so that one of the switches is always on when the other switch is off.
  • An output connection of the inverter 5 is connected on the one hand to the connection point between these two alternately controlled switches and on the other hand to a series resonance circuit consisting of a coil 6 and a capacitor 7, the capacitor 7 of the series resonance circuit being connected in parallel with the gas discharge lamp 10 via a coupling capacitor 8.
  • the alternating activation of the switches of the inverter 5 generates a clocked, ie “chopped”, high-frequency AC voltage on the output side of the inverter 5, which serves as the operating voltage for the gas discharge lamp 10.
  • the output frequency of the inverter 5 is shifted into the vicinity of the resonance frequency of the series resonant circuit with the coil 6 and the capacitor 7, so that a voltage surge occurs on the capacitor 7, which ultimately leads to the ignition of the gas discharge lamp 10.
  • a heating transformer can be provided with a primary winding 9A and secondary windings 9B and 9C, the primary winding 9A being connected to the series resonant circuit, while the secondary windings 9B and 9C are each connected to one of the lamp filaments are connected in parallel.
  • the secondary windings 9B and 9C By connecting the secondary windings 9B and 9C to the.
  • Lamp filaments of the gas discharge lamp 10 it is possible to supply the lamp filaments with energy even when the gas discharge lamp 10 is in the ignited mode.
  • the interface 1 of the lamp operating device shown in FIG. 3 is designed as an analog 1-10V interface.
  • the external control signals received by the interface 1 are fed directly to a control unit 2 of the electronic ballast via an appropriately designed input transformer of the interface 1, the control unit 2 e.g. controls a bridge driver 3 of the inverter 5.
  • the interface automatically sets a minimum dimmer corresponding to 1V, for example, so that control voltages ⁇ 1V have no direct influence on the dimming process, since they are regarded as a 1V control voltage.
  • Another interface device for controlling a lamp is known from DE 33 45 559 A1. This is connected via lines to several remotely located switches, control pulses for operating the lamp being generated by the interface device depending on the position of these switches.
  • an interface to a serial data bus can also be used, the corresponding control commands then being transmitted in digital form.
  • WO 97/06655 also describes an electronic ballast for operating a lamp, in which an interface device is used. This is designed in such a way that it is able to distinguish different methods for transmitting dimming commands via a modification of the supply voltage and accordingly to generate control signals for the lamp. In this way, a very flexible use of the electronic ballast is made possible.
  • Dimming control signals are received and transmitted.
  • the control unit 2 controls, for example, the bridge driver 3 in such a way that it changes the frequency or the duty cycle of the alternating voltage supplied by the inverter 5 by switching the on and off times of the two to a full or half bridge interconnected inverter switch of the inverter 5 can be varied accordingly.
  • the known interface 1 shown in FIG. 3 is not able to receive switch-on and / or switch-off commands and to forward it accordingly to the electronic ballast, ie the electronic ballast cannot be switched on and / or off via the interface 1. Rather, with the conventional interface 1, it is necessary to switch the lamp operating device on and off via the mains cable. However, this requires the use of additional relays, since the high starting currents must be taken into account, especially when switching on via the mains cable. This results in a significantly higher wiring and installation effort, whereby the individual relays must also be dimensioned accordingly to ensure reliable switching on and off.
  • the article "Smart Power IC Simplifies Dimmer Circuit" by Helmuth Lemmo, Electronics 24/1996, p. 106/107 describes a leading edge circuit for dimming a lamp.
  • External control signals can be supplied to the circuit, for example via an optocoupler, according to which the brightness of the lamp is changed.
  • the possibility of switching the lamp on and off the switching on taking place when the amplitude of the control signal exceeds a first limit value.
  • a second limit value which does not necessarily have to be identical to the first limit value
  • the lamp is switched off again.
  • This phase control circuit thus offers the possibility of switching a lamp on and off and dimming by means of a single control signal.
  • a disadvantage is that the circuit continuously consumes current even when the lamp is switched off in order to monitor the external control signal and to switch on the lamp when a dimming signal arrives.
  • the present invention is therefore based on the object of providing an interface device for a lamp operating device, which enables the electronic ballast to be switched on and / or off more easily without any major circuit outlay. At the same time, the power consumption of the interface device should be as low as possible.
  • the subclaims describe advantageous embodiments of the interface according to the invention, which in turn enable an improved function of the interface according to the invention and also ensure that the lamp operating device controlled by the interface can be reliably switched on and dimmed depending on an external control signal present at the interface.
  • the interface according to the invention is preferably used in an electronic ballast for gas discharge lamps or in an electronic transformer for halogen incandescent lamps.
  • the interface device is designed in such a way that it evaluates a received control signal and, depending on the received control signal, in particular depending on its amplitude, controls the operation of a lamp operating device connected to the interface device.
  • the control signals received are not simply transferred or forwarded to the electronics of the lamp operating device, but the interface evaluates the control signal present.
  • the interface either converts the control signal into corresponding dimming information for the lamp operating device or causes the lamp operating device to be switched on or off.
  • the interface according to the invention is also designed and connected in such a way that it is supplied with energy from the control voltage of the external control signal present at the interface during the start of the lamp operating device connected to it or during a standby mode, the interface, for example, a current of maximum 2 mA is supplied. In this way, the stand-by losses can be kept very low, since the interface or its electronic components are only supplied with power from corresponding internal power supply means when changing from stand-by mode to operating mode.
  • the amplitude of the received control signal is evaluated in particular by the interface device according to the invention, the interface device causing the connected lamp operating device to be switched off if the amplitude of the received control signal is below a predetermined amplitude limit value.
  • the interface device according to the invention is advantageously designed as a 0-10V interface, the interface switching off, for example, the inverter of the lamp operating device connected to it when there is a control signal with an amplitude of less than 1V.
  • an internal control unit is used to apply control signals with an amplitude less than 1V always set a minimum core value for the lamp operating device or the gas discharge lamp connected to it.
  • the control voltage of the external control signal present is advantageously evaluated with the aid of a microcontroller, which generates corresponding dimming target information as a function of the external control signal present, the microcontroller, for example, preferably converting the analog control signals into pulse-width-modulated signals or into digital control words which correspond to the dimming target information.
  • the dimming curve can be adapted to the sensitivity of the human eye.
  • the human eye is not linearly sensitive. This non-linearity is approximately logarithmic.
  • the use of a linear dimming curve for a desired brightness would not produce a corresponding linear brightness sensation in the human eye. For example, starting from a given brightness, the human impression of brightness is doubled by multiplying the electrical light output.
  • the microcontroller can be designed in such a way that it converts the external control signal or the Dinunsteli values contained therein according to a logarithmic dimming into the pulse-width-modulated dimming target information, which is finally output on the output side by the interface and in a lamp operating device connected to the interface for dimming the in turn connected to it Lamp can be used.
  • the pulse-width-modulated signal of the microcontroller can advantageously be further processed both analog and digital.
  • the interface according to the invention can be connected both to lamp operating devices with externally controlled or positively controlled inverter switches (which are controlled, for example, with the aid of an ASIC as a control unit), and to lamp operating devices with self-controlled or freely oscillating inverter switches (which are controlled by control transformers).
  • the interface 1 shown in FIG. 1 essentially consists of an input circuit 20, a control circuit 30, an output circuit 40 and a power supply circuit 50.
  • the input circuit 20 is connected directly to the output circuit 40 via a controllable switch 60.
  • the input circuit 20 comprises connections A, B which receive external control signals a. These external control signals a can be, in particular, analog dimming signals.
  • a diode 21 serves as input-side protection of the subsequent circuit components against voltage and incorrect polarity.
  • the input circuit 20 comprises two resistors 22 and 23 and a capacitor 24, so that these components serve as a voltage divider and low-pass filter for the A / D converter of a microcontroller 31 present in the control circuit 30. In this way, a low-resistance input resistance for the microcontroller and a low-pass behavior are achieved, which improves interference suppression.
  • the control circuit 30 comprises - as has already been mentioned - the microcontroller 31 as an essential component. Diodes 32 and 33 and a capacitor 34 are used to generate a stable supply voltage for the microcontroller 31. To operate the microcontroller 31 there are resistors 35, 37 and 38 and a capacitor 36 is connected to the microcontroller 31 as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the output circuit comprises an optocoupler 41 and output connections C, D, the output signal of the optocoupler 41 being fed to the output connections C D via a resistor 42.
  • the actual electronics of a lamp operating device, in particular an electronic ballast, are connected to the connections C, D of the output circuit 40, so that - as shown in FIG. 3 - the output circuit 40 has, for example, a control unit 2 of the electronic ballast for controlling the inverter 5 of the electronic ballast is connected.
  • the power supply circuit 50 serves as an energy source for the entire interface 1 and in particular for the microcontroller 31.
  • the power supply circuit 50 has input connections E, F to which an input voltage is applied.
  • the input voltage can in particular be an internal supply voltage of the electronics of an electronic ballast connected to the output circuit 40, such as an inverter voltage, or the (AC) voltage for controlling the half-bridge of the inverter.
  • This input voltage is fed via a capacitor 51 to an insulation transformer 52 with a primary winding 52A and two secondary windings 52B, 52C.
  • the actual supply voltage -V B or + V B occurs at the output connections of the secondary windings 52B, 52C and is provided via diodes 56 or 53 at output connections G, H of the power supply circuit 50.
  • the capacitors 57 and 58 serve as buffers for the voltage supply.
  • the resistors 54, 55 and 59 in cooperation with the resistor 42 of the output circuit 40 ensure that the voltage -V B is delayed in relation to the voltage + V B , in order to ensure correct timing of the start-up phase To ensure power supply.
  • the supply voltage + V B is applied to an input connection I of the control circuit 30 and serves as the actual supply voltage for the microcontroller 31.
  • the supply voltage -V B is at the controllable switch 60 shown in FIG. 1 applied, wherein according to this embodiment, the controllable switch 60 is designed as an n-channel junction field effect transistor.
  • the function of the interface shown in Fig. 1 is as follows, starting from the assumption that interface 1, i.e. The microcontroller 31 has not yet been activated and the lamp operating device connected to the output connections C, D of the output circuit 40 has not yet been switched on.
  • a (control) voltage ie a control signal a
  • a current flows into the optocoupler 41 via the junction field-effect transistor 60, since in the initial state, the supply circuit 50 does not yet generate a supply voltage -V B and thus the junction field effect transistor 60 is initially conductive.
  • neither the supply voltage -V B nor the supply voltage + V B occurs at the output connections G, H of the power supply circuit 50 since, due to the switched-off state of the electronics of the lamp operating device, there is no input voltage at the input connections E, F of the power supply circuit 50.
  • the interface 1 is supplied solely with energy from the control voltage of the control signal a, the interface 1 being supplied with a current of at most 2 mA, for example.
  • the interface according to the invention is designed in such a way that the interface 1 only in the operating case, i.e. after activation of the power supply circuit 50 and the microcontroller 31, is supplied with current from the isolation transformer 52 of the power supply circuit 50. This enables standby losses to be kept very low.
  • the junction field effect transistor 60 is conductive during this switch-on or start-up phase, so that the input circuit 20 is switched through and connected to the output circuit 40 or its optocoupler 41 via a current-limiting resistor 61. Due to the current thus supplied to the optocoupler 41, a signal is generated on the output side of the optocoupler 41, which signal is fed on the output side via the connections C, D analogously to FIG. 3 to a control unit or a bridge driver of the inverter of the lamp operating device connected to the output circuit 40, so that the inverter can swing as a result of this signal.
  • an input voltage occurs at the input connections E, F of the power supply circuit 50, so that the current or voltage supply of the interface 1 or, of the Microcontrollers 31 can run up.
  • the supply voltage + V B builds up faster than the supply voltage -V B due to the resistors 54, 55 59 and 42. This has the effect that the supply voltage + V B has already been supplied to the microcontroller 31 via the connections H and I, and the microcontroller 31 is already supplied with a stable supply voltage and has run up when the supply voltage -V B at the output connection G of the power supply circuit 50 occurs, which leads to the blocking of the junction field effect transistor 60.
  • the microcontroller 31 When the supply voltage + V B is applied to the control circuit 30, the microcontroller 31 is activated and, depending on the control signals a present, generates corresponding dimming setpoint information which is supplied to the optocoupler 41 as the aforementioned control signals b, the microcontroller 31 depending on the dimming setpoint information b Control signal a generated in the form of a pulse width modulated signal.
  • These pulse-width modulated signals b are fed via the optocoupler 41 and the output connections C, D to the output circuit 40 of the electronics of the electronic ballast connected to it, so that, as shown for example in FIG.
  • a corresponding control unit 2 depends on the pulse-width-modulated dimming information b
  • Bridge driver 3 of the inverter 5 in the electronic ballast can be activated accordingly in order to dim a gas discharge lamp 10 connected to the electronic ballast in accordance with the control signal a or the pulse-width-modulated dimming setpoint signal b by changing the frequency or duty cycle of the inverter 5.
  • the interface 1 shown in FIG. 1 is designed, for example, as a 0-10 V interface.
  • the interface 1 is designed such that it not only generates dimming setpoint signals b as a function of externally applied control signals a, but also enables the electronic ballast connected to the connections C, D to be switched on and / or off via the interface itself.
  • the switching on of the electronic ballast is selectively preferably determined by the output circuit 40, the optocoupler 41 being dimensioned and designed such that it only signals for input voltages greater than 1 V to the output connections C, D forwards.
  • the microcontroller 31 After switching on the electronic ballast and thus activating the microcontroller 31 via the power supply circuit 50, the microcontroller 31 continuously monitors the amplitude of the control signal a via its input connection AN2 and only generates corresponding dimming setpoint information b at its output connection AN0 if the amplitude of the control signal a is sufficient is great. Obviously, 1 volt could be used as the limit value. However, in order to compensate for environmental influences or voltage fluctuations, the microcontroller 31 causes the lamp operating device connected to the connections C, D to be switched off taking into account a hysteresis, so that, for example, a voltage of 0.4-0.5 V is used as the limit value for switching off the lamp operating device can.
  • the control signal a is evaluated as a function of the software programming of the microcontroller 31.
  • the shutdown of the operating device connected to the connections C, D can be brought about, for example, by the microcontroller 31 by the fact that if the amplitude of the control signal a drops below that previously described Amplitude limit value no more dimming setpoint information b are generated at the output AN0 of the microcontroller 31, so that accordingly no signals are transmitted to the electronic ballast via the optocoupler 41, which is accordingly interpreted by the control unit 2 of the electronic ballast shown in FIG. 3 as a shutdown command can.
  • the microcontroller 31 immediately sends a correspondingly coded pulse-width-modulated command via the optocoupler 41 to the control unit 2 of the electronic ballast.
  • a lamp operating device connected to the connections C, D can be switched almost without power via the interface 1 according to the invention, so that in addition to the usual dimming, the lamp operating device can also be switched on and off via the interface 1 is possible.
  • the interface 1 is in particular designed such that the lamp operating device depends on the amplitude of the control signal a present at the interface 1 is either dimmed or switched on or off.
  • FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the interface according to the invention, corresponding components being provided with the same reference numerals.
  • the power supply circuit 50 has a simplified structure and generates a supply voltage + V B only at the output connection H as a function of an input voltage present at the input connections E, F via the isolation transformer 52 and the diodes 53, 56. Furthermore, instead of the n-channel junction field effect transistor 60 shown in FIG. 1, the npn bipolar transistor 60 is connected to the optocoupler 41 of the output circuit 40, but the optocoupler 41 is connected directly to the input circuit 20, ie without the interposition of a switch.
  • the bipolar transistor 60 is driven on the input side by the microcontroller 31, which in turn generates corresponding dimming setpoint value information b in pulse-width-modulated form at its output AN1 as a function of the control signal a and supplies it to the base of the bipolar transistor 60 via the resistor 38.
  • the startup of the interface or the power supply circuit 50 takes place analogously to the circuit shown in FIG. 1, ie when a voltage a occurs at the input connections A, B, a current flows directly from the input circuit 20 into the optocoupler 41, which generates a signal on the output side , which is fed via the connections C, D to a lamp operating device connected to it and thus brings about the switching on of the lamp operating device.
  • the input voltage branched off from the lamp operating device at the connections E, F consequently leads to the generation of the supply voltage + V B on the output side, which enables the microcontroller 31 to start up.
  • the microcontroller 31 As soon as the microcontroller 31 has started up, it generates a corresponding pulse-width-modulated dimming signal b depending on the control signal a present at its input connection AN2, which corresponds to the desired setpoint for the dimming of the lamp operating device connected to the connections C, D or the lamp connected to it.
  • the signal b With the occurrence of the signal b at the base of the bipolar transistor 60, the potential present at the collector of the bipolar transistor 60 is continuously pulled to ground, so that only the dimming setpoint information b is supplied to the optocoupler 41 and thus the connection between the output circuit 40 and the input circuit 20 is deactivated or made ineffective.
  • two additional diodes 62 and 63 are shown in broken lines in FIG.
  • One diode 62 is connected in series with the resistor 61, while the other diode 63 is connected on the one hand to the supply voltage + V B and on the other hand to the diode 62.
  • the optocoupler 41 is supplied by the supply voltage + V B as soon as it has built up.
  • the optocoupler 41 thus switches through even with a small interface input voltage, so that a lamp operating device connected to the connections C and D can be reliably switched off even with small input voltages.
  • the standard high-voltage strength of 1500 V between the control circuit and the network side is ensured with the aid of the insulation transformer 52 and the optocoupler 41.
  • the microcontroller 31 can be programmed such that it determines the corresponding dimming setpoint value information b for the electronic ballast as a function of a logarithmic dimming curve depending on the amplitude of the control signal applied to it on the input side, in order to adapt the dimming to the actual human eye sensitivity ,
  • the interface according to the present invention can be used in an electronic ballast for gas discharge lamps.
  • Use in an electronic transformer for halogen incandescent lamps is also possible, the electronic transformer likewise having an inverter supplied with a rectified voltage, which generates a high-frequency AC voltage.
  • an electrical transformer does not have a series resonance circuit, but rather an output transformer which is connected between the inverter and at least one halogen incandescent lamp to be controlled. The AC voltage generated by the inverter is thus present at the primary winding of the output transformer, while at least one halogen incandescent lamp is connected to the secondary winding (s) of the output transformer.

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  • Discharge-Lamp Control Circuits And Pulse- Feed Circuits (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an interface device (1) that receives an external control signal (a) intended for the lamp operating device and supplies relevant information (b) on lamp operation to the lamp operating device which can be connected to the interface device (1) on the output side of said control signal (a). To this end, the interface device (1) has switching means (30, 40) enabling the lamp operating device that can be connected to the interface device (1) to be turned on and/or off depending on the control signal (a) received so that the lamp operating device connected to the interface device (1) can be dimmed depending on the external control signal (a) and can be also switched by means of the interface device (1) with practically no power consumption.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Schnittstellenvorrichtung für ein Lampenbetriebsgerät nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruches 1 sowie ein elektronisches Vorschaltgerät für Gasentladungslampen bzw. einen elektronischen Transformator für Halogenglühlampen mit einer entsprechenden Schnittstellenvorrichtung.The present invention relates to an interface device for a lamp operating device according to the preamble of claim 1 and an electronic ballast for gas discharge lamps or an electronic transformer for halogen lamps with a corresponding interface device.

Fig. 3 zeigt schematisch den Aufbau eines bekannten elektronischen Vorschaltgerätes zum Betreiben einer Gasentladungslampe 10, wobei dem elektronischen Vorschaltgerät über einen Schnittstelle 1 Steuersignale a zum Dimmen des elektronischen Vorschaltgerätes bzw. der daran angeschlossenen Gasentladungslampe 10 zugeführt werden. Des weiteren umfaßt das in Fig. 3 gezeigte elektronische Vorschaltgerät einen Gleichrichter 4 und einen Wechselrichter 5, in dessen Lastkreis die Gasentladungslampe 10 angeordnet ist. Der Gleichrichter 4 wandelt die von einer Versorgungsspannungsquelle, z.B. einer Netzspannungsquelle, gelieferte Wechselspannung in eine gleichgerichtete Zwischenkreisspannung um, die dem Wechselrichter 5 zugeführt wird. Der Wechselrichter 5 umfaßt in der Regel zwei (nicht gezeigte) in Serie geschaltete steuerbare Schalter, z.B. MOS-Feldeffekttransistoren, die von der gleichgerichteten Zwischenkreisspannung abwechselnd angesteuert werden, so daß stets einer der Schalter eingeschaltet ist, wenn der andere Schalter ausgeschaltet ist. Ein Ausgangsanschluß des Wechselrichters 5 ist einerseits mit dem Verbindungspunkt zwischen diesen beiden alternierend angesteuerten Schaltern und andererseits mit einem aus einer Spule 6 und einem Kondensator 7 bestehenden Serienresonanzkreis verbunden, wobei der Kondensator 7 des Serienresonanzkreis über einen Koppelkondensator 8 parallel zu der Gasentladungslampe 10 geschaltet ist.3 schematically shows the structure of a known electronic ballast for operating a gas discharge lamp 10, control signals a for dimming the electronic ballast or the gas discharge lamp 10 connected to it being supplied to the electronic ballast via an interface 1. Furthermore, the electronic ballast shown in FIG. 3 comprises a rectifier 4 and an inverter 5, in the load circuit of which the gas discharge lamp 10 is arranged. The rectifier 4 converts that from a supply voltage source, e.g. a mains voltage source, alternating voltage supplied into a rectified intermediate circuit voltage, which is fed to the inverter 5. The inverter 5 typically comprises two controllable switches (not shown) connected in series, e.g. MOS field effect transistors, which are alternately driven by the rectified intermediate circuit voltage, so that one of the switches is always on when the other switch is off. An output connection of the inverter 5 is connected on the one hand to the connection point between these two alternately controlled switches and on the other hand to a series resonance circuit consisting of a coil 6 and a capacitor 7, the capacitor 7 of the series resonance circuit being connected in parallel with the gas discharge lamp 10 via a coupling capacitor 8.

Durch das alternierende Ansteuern der Schalter des Wechselrichters 5 wird ausgangsseitig des Wechselrichters 5 eine getaktete, d.h. "zerhackte" hochfrequente Wechselspannung erzeugt, die als Betriebsspannung für die Gasentladungslampe 10 dient. Zum Zünden der Gasentladungslampe 10 wird die Ausgangsfrequenz des Wechselrichters 5 in die Nähe der Resonanzfrequenz des Serienresonanzkreises mit der Spule 6 und dem Kondensator 7 verschoben, so daß an dem Kondensator 7 eine Spannungsüberhöhung auftritt, die schließlich zum Zünden der Gasentladungslampe 10 führt. Um die Lebensdauer der Gasentladungslampe 10 zu verlängern, ist es wünschenswert, die beiden Lampenwendeln der Gasentladungslampe 10 vor dem Zünden vorzuheizen. Zu diesem Zweck kann ein Heiztransformator mit einer Primärwicklung 9A und Sekundärwicklungen 9B und 9C vorgesehen sein, wobei die Primärwicklung 9A mit dem Serienresonanzkreis verbunden ist, während die Sekundärwicklungen 9B und 9C jeweils zu einer der Lampenwendeln parallel geschaltet sind. Durch den Anschluß der Sekundärwicklungen 9B und 9C an die. Lampenwendeln der Gasentladungslampe 10 ist es möglich, auch im gezündeten Betrieb der Gasentladungslampe 10 die Lampenwendein mit Energie zu versorgen.The alternating activation of the switches of the inverter 5 generates a clocked, ie “chopped”, high-frequency AC voltage on the output side of the inverter 5, which serves as the operating voltage for the gas discharge lamp 10. To ignite the gas discharge lamp 10, the output frequency of the inverter 5 is shifted into the vicinity of the resonance frequency of the series resonant circuit with the coil 6 and the capacitor 7, so that a voltage surge occurs on the capacitor 7, which ultimately leads to the ignition of the gas discharge lamp 10. In order to extend the life of the gas discharge lamp 10, it is desirable to preheat the two lamp filaments of the gas discharge lamp 10 before starting. For this purpose, a heating transformer can be provided with a primary winding 9A and secondary windings 9B and 9C, the primary winding 9A being connected to the series resonant circuit, while the secondary windings 9B and 9C are each connected to one of the lamp filaments are connected in parallel. By connecting the secondary windings 9B and 9C to the. Lamp filaments of the gas discharge lamp 10, it is possible to supply the lamp filaments with energy even when the gas discharge lamp 10 is in the ignited mode.

Gemäß der derzeitigen Norm ist die Schnittstelle 1 des in Fig. 3 gezeigten Lampenbetriebsgeräts als eine analoge 1-10V Schnittstelle ausgebildet. Die von der Schnittstelle 1 empfangenen externen Steuersignale werden über einen entsprechend ausgebildeten Eingangstransformator der Schnittstelle 1 direkt einer Steuereinheit 2 des elektronischen Vorschaltgerätes zugeführt, wobei die Steuereinheit 2 z.B. einen Brückentreiber 3 des Wechselrichters 5 ansteuert. Liegt ein Steuersignal mit einer Steuerspannung < 1V an der Schnittstelle an, stellt die Schnittstelle selbständig einen beispielsweise 1V entsprechenden Mindestdimmer ein, so daß grundsätzlich Steuerspannungen < 1V keinen direkten Einfluß auf den Dimmvorgang haben, da sie als 1V-Steuerspannung angesehen werden.According to the current standard, the interface 1 of the lamp operating device shown in FIG. 3 is designed as an analog 1-10V interface. The external control signals received by the interface 1 are fed directly to a control unit 2 of the electronic ballast via an appropriately designed input transformer of the interface 1, the control unit 2 e.g. controls a bridge driver 3 of the inverter 5. If a control signal with a control voltage <1V is present at the interface, the interface automatically sets a minimum dimmer corresponding to 1V, for example, so that control voltages <1V have no direct influence on the dimming process, since they are regarded as a 1V control voltage.

Eine weitere Schnittstellenvorrichtung zum Ansteuern einer Lampe ist aus der DE 33 45 559 A1 bekannt. Diese ist über Leitungen mit mehreren entfernt angeordneten Schaltern verbunden, wobei je nach Stellung dieser Schalter von der Schnittstellenvorrichtung Steuerimpulse zum Betreiben der Lampe erzeugt werden. Alternativ zu den verschiedenen Schaltern kann auch eine Schnittstelle zu einem seriellen Datenbus verwendet werden, wobei die entsprechenden Steuerbefehle dann in digitaler Form übertragen werden.Another interface device for controlling a lamp is known from DE 33 45 559 A1. This is connected via lines to several remotely located switches, control pulses for operating the lamp being generated by the interface device depending on the position of these switches. As an alternative to the various switches, an interface to a serial data bus can also be used, the corresponding control commands then being transmitted in digital form.

Schließlich beschreibt auch die WO 97/06655 ein elektronisches Vorschaltgerät zum Betreiben einer Lampe, bei dem eine Schnittstellenvorrichtung zum Einsatz kommt. Diese ist derart ausgebildet, daß sie in der Lage ist, unterschiedliche Verfahren zum Übertragen von Dimmbefehlen über eine Modifikation der Versorgungsspannung zu unterscheiden und dementsprechend Steuersignale für die Lampe zu erzeugen. Auf diese Weise wird ein sehr flexibler Einsatz des elektronischen Vorschaltgeräts ermöglicht.Finally, WO 97/06655 also describes an electronic ballast for operating a lamp, in which an interface device is used. This is designed in such a way that it is able to distinguish different methods for transmitting dimming commands via a modification of the supply voltage and accordingly to generate control signals for the lamp. In this way, a very flexible use of the electronic ballast is made possible.

Mit Hilfe der in Fig. 3 gezeigten Schnittstelle 1 können jedoch ausschließlich. Dimm-Steuersignale empfangen und übertragen werden. Abhängig von dem empfangenen Dimm-Steuersignalen steuert die Steuereinheit 2 beispielsweise den Brückentreiber 3 derart an, daß dieser die Frequenz bzw. das. Tastverhältnis der von dem Wechselrichter 5 gelieferten Wechselspannung verändert, indem die Ein- und Ausschaltzeiten der beiden zu einer Voll- oder Halbbrücke verschalteten Wechselrichterschalter des Wechselrichters 5 entsprechend variiert werden.With the help of the interface 1 shown in FIG. 3, however, only. Dimming control signals are received and transmitted. Depending on the received dimming control signals, the control unit 2 controls, for example, the bridge driver 3 in such a way that it changes the frequency or the duty cycle of the alternating voltage supplied by the inverter 5 by switching the on and off times of the two to a full or half bridge interconnected inverter switch of the inverter 5 can be varied accordingly.

Die in Fig. 3 gezeigte bekannte Schnittstelle 1 ist jedoch nicht in der Lage, Ein- und/oder Ausschaltbefehle zu empfangen und entsprechend an das elekrronische Vorschaltgerät weiterzuleiten, d.h. das elektronische Vorschaltgerät kann nicht über die Schnittstelle 1 ein- und/oder ausgeschaltet werden. Vielmehr ist es bei der herkömmlicben Schnittstelle 1 erforderlich, das Lampenbetriebsgerät über die Netzleitung ein- und auszuschalten. Hierzu ist jedoch die Verwendung zusätzlicher Relais erforderlich, da insbesondere beim Einschalten über die Netzleitung die hohen Anlaufströme berücksichtigt werden müssen. Dies hat einen deutlich höheren Verdrahtungs- und Installationsaufwand zur Folge, wobei zudem die einzelnen Relais entsprechend dimensioniert werden müssen, um ein zuverlässiges Ein- und Ausschalten zu gewährleisten.However, the known interface 1 shown in FIG. 3 is not able to receive switch-on and / or switch-off commands and to forward it accordingly to the electronic ballast, ie the electronic ballast cannot be switched on and / or off via the interface 1. Rather, with the conventional interface 1, it is necessary to switch the lamp operating device on and off via the mains cable. However, this requires the use of additional relays, since the high starting currents must be taken into account, especially when switching on via the mains cable. This results in a significantly higher wiring and installation effort, whereby the individual relays must also be dimensioned accordingly to ensure reliable switching on and off.

Das Ein- und Ausschalten eines elektronischen Vorschaltgeräts aufgrund eines externen Steuersignals ist beispielsweise in der EP A 0 490 329 beschrieben. Allerdings werden bei diesem Beleuchtungssystem die Steuersignale nicht in analoger sondern in digitaler Form über einen Bus übertragen, wobei jeweils ein digitales Befehlswort zum Einschalten oder Ausschalten vorgesehen ist.Switching an electronic ballast on and off on the basis of an external control signal is described, for example, in EP A 0 490 329. In this lighting system, however, the control signals are not transmitted in analog but in digital form via a bus, with a digital command word being provided for switching on or switching off.

Schließlich beschreibt der Artikel "Smartpower-IC vereinfacht Dimmerschaltung", von Helmuth Lemmo, Elektronik 24/1996, S. 106/107 eine Phasenanschnittschaltung zum Dimmen einer Lampe. Der Schaltung können beispielsweise über einen Optokoppler externe Steuersignale zugeführt werden, gemäß denen die Helligkeit der Lampe verändert wird. Hierbei besteht insbesondere die Möglichkeit, die Lampe ein- und auszuschalten, wobei das Einschalten dann erfolgt, wenn die Amplitude des Steuersignals einen ersten Grenzwert überschreitet. Fällt hingegen die Amplitude unter einen zweiten Grenzwert, der nicht zwangsläufig identisch zu dem ersten Grenzwert sein muß, so wird die Lampe wieder ausgeschaltet. Diese Phasenanschnittschaltung bietet somit die Möglichkeit, eine Lampe mittels einem einzigen Steuersignal Ein- und Auszuschalten sowie zu Dimmen. Nachteilig ist allerdings, daß die Schaltung auch im ausgeschalteten Zustand der Lampe permanent Strom verbraucht, um das externe Steuersignal zu überwachen und die Lampe beim Eintreffen eines Dimmsignales einzuschalten.Finally, the article "Smart Power IC Simplifies Dimmer Circuit" by Helmuth Lemmo, Electronics 24/1996, p. 106/107 describes a leading edge circuit for dimming a lamp. External control signals can be supplied to the circuit, for example via an optocoupler, according to which the brightness of the lamp is changed. In this case, there is in particular the possibility of switching the lamp on and off, the switching on taking place when the amplitude of the control signal exceeds a first limit value. On the other hand, if the amplitude falls below a second limit value, which does not necessarily have to be identical to the first limit value, the lamp is switched off again. This phase control circuit thus offers the possibility of switching a lamp on and off and dimming by means of a single control signal. A disadvantage, however, is that the circuit continuously consumes current even when the lamp is switched off in order to monitor the external control signal and to switch on the lamp when a dimming signal arrives.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt deshalb die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Schnittstellenvorrichtung für ein Lampenbetriebsgerät zu schaffen, welche ein einfacheres Ein- und/oder Ausschalten des elektronischen Vorschaltgeräts ohne größeren Schaltungsaufwand ermöglicht. Gleichzeitig soll der Stromverbrauch der Schnittstellenvorrichtung möglichst gering sein.The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing an interface device for a lamp operating device, which enables the electronic ballast to be switched on and / or off more easily without any major circuit outlay. At the same time, the power consumption of the interface device should be as low as possible.

Diese Aufgabe wird gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung durch eine Schnittstellenvorrichtung mit den Merkmalen des Anspruches 1 gelöst.This object is achieved according to the present invention by an interface device with the features of claim 1.

Die Unteransprüche beschreiben vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Schnittstelle, die ihrerseits eine verbesserte Funktion der erfindungsgemäßen Schnittstelle ermöglichen und zudem sicherstellen, das abhängig von einem an der Schnittstelle anliegenden externen Steuersignal das von der Schnittstelle angesteuerte Lampenbetriebsgerät zuverlässig ein- ausgeschaltet sowie gedimmt werden kann.The subclaims describe advantageous embodiments of the interface according to the invention, which in turn enable an improved function of the interface according to the invention and also ensure that the lamp operating device controlled by the interface can be reliably switched on and dimmed depending on an external control signal present at the interface.

Bevorzugt wird die erfindungsgemäße Schnittstelle gemäß Anspruch 18 in einem elektronischen Vorschaltgerät für Gasentladungslampen oder gemäß Anspruch 19 in einem elektronischen Transformator für Halogenglühlampen eingesetzt.The interface according to the invention is preferably used in an electronic ballast for gas discharge lamps or in an electronic transformer for halogen incandescent lamps.

Die erfindungsgemäße Schnittstellenvorrichtung ist derart ausgestaltet, daß sie ein empfangenes Steuersignal auswertet und abhängig von dem empfangenen Steuersignal, insbesondere abhängig von dessen Amplitude, dem Betrieb eines mit der Schnittstellenvorrichtung verbundenen Lampenbetriebsgerät steuert. Geinäß der vorliegenden Erfindung erfolgt somit keine einfache Übemagung oder Weiterleitung der empfangenen Steuersignale an die Elektronik des Lampenbetriebsgeräts, sondern die Schnittstelle bewertet das anliegende Steuersignal.The interface device according to the invention is designed in such a way that it evaluates a received control signal and, depending on the received control signal, in particular depending on its amplitude, controls the operation of a lamp operating device connected to the interface device. According to the present invention, the control signals received are not simply transferred or forwarded to the electronics of the lamp operating device, but the interface evaluates the control signal present.

Die Schnittstelle wandelt dabei abhängig von dem empfangenen Steuersignal entweder das Steuersignal in entsprechende Dimminformationen für das Lampenbetriebsgerät um oder verursacht das Ein- bzw. Abschalten des Lampenbetriebsgerät.Depending on the control signal received, the interface either converts the control signal into corresponding dimming information for the lamp operating device or causes the lamp operating device to be switched on or off.

Die erfmdungsgemäße Schnittstelle ist ferner derart ausgestaltet und verschaltet, daß sie während des Startens des daran angeschlossenen Lampenbetriebsgerätes oder während eines Stand-by-Modus mit Energie aus der an der Schnittstelle anliegenden Steuerspannung des externen Steuersignals versorgt wird, wobei der Schnittstelle beispielsweise ein Strom von maximal 2 mA zugeführt wird. Auf diese Weise können die Stand-by-Verluste sehr niedrig gehalten werden, da die Schnittstelle bzw. ihre elektronischen Bauteile erst bei Übergang vom Stand-by-Modus in den Betriebsmodus mit Strom aus entsprechend vorgesehenen internen Stromversorgungsmitteln versorgt wird.The interface according to the invention is also designed and connected in such a way that it is supplied with energy from the control voltage of the external control signal present at the interface during the start of the lamp operating device connected to it or during a standby mode, the interface, for example, a current of maximum 2 mA is supplied. In this way, the stand-by losses can be kept very low, since the interface or its electronic components are only supplied with power from corresponding internal power supply means when changing from stand-by mode to operating mode.

Wie bereits zuvor angedeutet worden ist, wird insbesondere von der erfindungsgemäßen Schnittstellenvorrichtung die Amplitude des empfangenen Steuersignales ausgewertet, wobei die Schnittstellenvorrichtung das Abschalten des angeschlossenen Lampenbetriebsgerät herbeiführt, falls die Amplitude des empfangenen Steuersignals betragsmäßig unter einen vorgegebenen Amplitudengrenzwert liegt. Vorteilhafterweise ist die erfindungsgemäße Schnittstellenvorrichtung als eine 0-10V Schnittstelle ausgestaltet, wobei die Schnittstelle bei einem Steuersignal mit einer Amplitude kleiner als 1V beispielsweise den Wechselrichter des daran angeschlossenen Lampenbetriebsgeräts abschaltet. Im Gegensatz dazu wird bei der in Fig. 3 gezeigten bekannten Schnittstelle mit Hilfe einer internen Steuereinheit bei anliegenden Steuersignalen mit einer Amplitude kleiner als 1V stets ein Mindestdirnrnwert für das Lampenbetriebsgerät bzw. die daran angeschlossene Gasentladungslampe eingestellt.As has already been indicated above, the amplitude of the received control signal is evaluated in particular by the interface device according to the invention, the interface device causing the connected lamp operating device to be switched off if the amplitude of the received control signal is below a predetermined amplitude limit value. The interface device according to the invention is advantageously designed as a 0-10V interface, the interface switching off, for example, the inverter of the lamp operating device connected to it when there is a control signal with an amplitude of less than 1V. In contrast, in the known interface shown in FIG. 3, an internal control unit is used to apply control signals with an amplitude less than 1V always set a minimum core value for the lamp operating device or the gas discharge lamp connected to it.

Um Spannungsschwankungen und Umgebungsemflüsse auszugleichen, ist es jedoch vorteilhaft, zwar das Lampenbetriebsgerät bei einer anliegenden Spannung größer als 1V einzuschalten, jedoch das Betriebsgerät erst dann abzuschalten, falls die Amplitude des anliegenden Steuersignales kleiner als beispielsweise 0,4-0,5V ist.In order to compensate for voltage fluctuations and environmental influences, it is advantageous to switch on the lamp operating device when the voltage is greater than 1 V, but to switch off the operating device only if the amplitude of the control signal present is less than 0.4-0.5 V, for example.

Die Auswertung der Steuerspannung des anliegenden externen Steuersignals erfolgt vorteilhafterweise mit Hilfe eines Microcontrollers, der abhängig von dem anliegenden externen Steuersignal entsprechende Dimmsollinformationen erzeugt, wobei der Microcontroller beispielsweise die analogen Steuersignale bevorzugt in pulsweitenmodulierte Signale oder in digitale Steuerworte, welche den Dimmsollinformationen entsprechen, umwandelt.The control voltage of the external control signal present is advantageously evaluated with the aid of a microcontroller, which generates corresponding dimming target information as a function of the external control signal present, the microcontroller, for example, preferably converting the analog control signals into pulse-width-modulated signals or into digital control words which correspond to the dimming target information.

Des weiteren kann durch die Verwendung eines Microcontrollers die Dimmkurve der menschlichen Augenempfindlichkeit angepaßt werden. Das menschliche Auge ist nicht linear empfindlich. Diese Nichtlinearität ist näherungsweise logarithmisch. Somit würde der Einsatz einer linearen Dimmkurve für eine erwünschte Helligkeit kein entsprechendes lineares Helligkeitsempfinden des menschlichen Auges hervorrufen. So wird beispielsweise ausgehend von einer vorgegebenen Helligkeit eine Verdoppelung des menschlichen Helligkeitseindrucks durch eine Vervielfachung der elektrischen Lichtleistung erreicht. Demgemäß kann der Microcontroller derart ausgestaltet sein, daß er das externe Steuersignal bzw. die darin enthaltenen Dinunsteliwerte gemäß einer logarithmischen Dimme in die pulsweitenmodulierten Dimmsollinfonnationen umwandelt, die schließlich ausgangsseitig von der Schnittstelle ausgegeben und in einem an die Schnittstelle angeschlossenen Lampenbetriebsgerät zum Dimmen der wiederum daran angeschlossenen Lampe verwendet werden.Furthermore, by using a microcontroller, the dimming curve can be adapted to the sensitivity of the human eye. The human eye is not linearly sensitive. This non-linearity is approximately logarithmic. Thus, the use of a linear dimming curve for a desired brightness would not produce a corresponding linear brightness sensation in the human eye. For example, starting from a given brightness, the human impression of brightness is doubled by multiplying the electrical light output. Accordingly, the microcontroller can be designed in such a way that it converts the external control signal or the Dinunsteli values contained therein according to a logarithmic dimming into the pulse-width-modulated dimming target information, which is finally output on the output side by the interface and in a lamp operating device connected to the interface for dimming the in turn connected to it Lamp can be used.

Des weiteren erhöht die Verwendung eines Microcontrollers die Betriebssicherheit der Schnittstelle, da Störungen oder Temperaturdrifts in diesem Fall unkritisch sindFurthermore, the use of a microcontroller increases the operational reliability of the interface, since malfunctions or temperature drifts are not critical in this case

Das pulsweitenmodulierte Signal des Microcontrollers kann vorteilhafterweise sowohl analog als auch digital weiterverarbeitet werden. Dies bedeutet, daß die erfindungsgemäße Schnittstelle sowohl an Lampenbetriebsgeräte mit fremdgeführten oder zwangsgesteuerten Wechselrichterschaltern (die beispielsweise mit Hilfe eines ASIC als Steuereinheit angesteuert werden) als auch an Lampenbetriebsgeräte mit selbstgeführten oder freischwingenden Wechselrichterschaltern (die durch Steuertransformatoren angesteuert werden) angeschlossen werden kann.The pulse-width-modulated signal of the microcontroller can advantageously be further processed both analog and digital. This means that the interface according to the invention can be connected both to lamp operating devices with externally controlled or positively controlled inverter switches (which are controlled, for example, with the aid of an ASIC as a control unit), and to lamp operating devices with self-controlled or freely oscillating inverter switches (which are controlled by control transformers).

Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend anhand bevorzugter Ausführungsbeispiele unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnung näher erläutert.

  • Fig. 1 zeigt den Aufbau eines ersten Ausfühnmgsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Schnittstelle,
  • Fig. 2 zeigt ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Schnittstelle, und
  • Fig. 3 zeigt beispielhaft den schematischen Aufbau eines elektronischen Vorschaltgerätes mit einer Schnittstelle zum Empfangen von externen Steuersignalen, wobei die erfindungsgemäße Schnittstelle in analoger Weise mit dem elektronischen Vorschaltgerät verschaltet sein kann.
The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing.
  • 1 shows the structure of a first exemplary embodiment of the interface according to the invention,
  • 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the interface according to the invention, and
  • 3 shows an example of the schematic structure of an electronic ballast with an interface for receiving external control signals, the interface according to the invention being able to be connected in an analogous manner to the electronic ballast.

Fig. 1 zeigt ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Schnittstelle. Die in Fig. 1 gezeigte Schnittstelle 1 besteht im wesentlichen aus einer Eingangsschaltung 20, einer Steuerschaltung 30, einer Ausgangsschaltung 40 und einer Stromversorgungsschaltung 50. Die Eingangsschaltung 20 ist über einen steuerbaren Schalter 60 direkt mit der Ausgangsschaltung 40 verbunden.1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the interface according to the invention. The interface 1 shown in FIG. 1 essentially consists of an input circuit 20, a control circuit 30, an output circuit 40 and a power supply circuit 50. The input circuit 20 is connected directly to the output circuit 40 via a controllable switch 60.

Die Eingangsschaltung 20 umfaßt Anschlüsse A, B, die externe Steuersignale a empfangen. Bei diesen externen Steuersignalen a kann es sich insbesondere um analoge Dimmsignale handeln. Eine Diode 21 dient als eingangsseitiger Schutz der nachfolgenden Schaltungsbestandteile gegenüber Spannung und Falschpolung. Des weiteren umfaßt die Eingangsschaltung 20 zwei Widerstände 22 und 23 sowie einen Kondensator 24, so daß diese Bauelemente als Spannungsteiler und Tiefpaß für den A/D-Wandler eines in der Steuerschaltung 30 vorhandenen Microcontrollers 31 dienen. Auf diese Weise wird ein niederohmiger Eingangswiderstand für den Microcontroller sowie ein Tiefpaßverhalten erreicht, wodurch die Störunterdrückung verbessert wird.The input circuit 20 comprises connections A, B which receive external control signals a. These external control signals a can be, in particular, analog dimming signals. A diode 21 serves as input-side protection of the subsequent circuit components against voltage and incorrect polarity. Furthermore, the input circuit 20 comprises two resistors 22 and 23 and a capacitor 24, so that these components serve as a voltage divider and low-pass filter for the A / D converter of a microcontroller 31 present in the control circuit 30. In this way, a low-resistance input resistance for the microcontroller and a low-pass behavior are achieved, which improves interference suppression.

Die Steuerschaltung 30 umfaßt - wie bereits erwähnt worden ist - als wesentliches Bauteil den Microcontroller 31. Dioden 32 und 33 sowie ein Kondensator 34 dienen zur Erzeugung einer stabilen Versorgungsspannung für den Microcontroller 31. Zum Betreiben des Microcontrollers 31 sind Widerstände 35,37 und 38 sowie ein Kondensator 36 wie in Fig. 1 gezeigt mit dem Microcontroller 31 verschaltet.The control circuit 30 comprises - as has already been mentioned - the microcontroller 31 as an essential component. Diodes 32 and 33 and a capacitor 34 are used to generate a stable supply voltage for the microcontroller 31. To operate the microcontroller 31 there are resistors 35, 37 and 38 and a capacitor 36 is connected to the microcontroller 31 as shown in FIG. 1.

Die Ausgangsschaltung umfaßt einen Optokoppler 41 sowie Ausgangsanschlüsse C, D, wobei das Ausgangssignal des Optokopplers 41 den Ausgangsanschlüssen C D über einen Widerstand 42 zugeführt wird. An die Anschlüsse C, D der Ausgangsschaltung 40 wird die eigentliche Elektronik eines Lampenbetriebsgerätes, insbesondere eines elektronischen Vorschaltgerätes, angeschlossen, so daß - wie in Fig. 3 gezeigt ist - die Ausgangsschaltung 40 beispielsweise mit einer Steuereinheit 2 des elektronischen Vorschaltgerätes zur Ansteuerung des Wechselrichters 5 des elektronischen Vorschaltgerätes verbunden wird.The output circuit comprises an optocoupler 41 and output connections C, D, the output signal of the optocoupler 41 being fed to the output connections C D via a resistor 42. The actual electronics of a lamp operating device, in particular an electronic ballast, are connected to the connections C, D of the output circuit 40, so that - as shown in FIG. 3 - the output circuit 40 has, for example, a control unit 2 of the electronic ballast for controlling the inverter 5 of the electronic ballast is connected.

Die Stromversorgungsschaltung 50 dient als Energiequelle für die gesamte Schnittstelle 1 sowie insbesondere für den Microcontroller 31. Die Stromversorgungsschaltung 50 besitzt Eingangsanschlüsse E, F. an denen eine Eingangsspannung angelegt wird. Bei der Eingangsspannung kann es sich insbesondere um eine interne Versorgungsspannung der an die Ausgangsschaltung 40 angeschlossenen Elektronik eines elektronischen Vorschaltgerätes, wie z.B. eine Wechselrichterspannung oder um die (Wechsel-)Spannung zur Ansteuerung der Halbbrücke des Wechselrichters, handeln. Diese Eingangsspannung wird über einen Kondensator 51 einem Isolationsübertrager 52 mit einer Primärwicklung 52A und zwei Sekundärwicklungen 52B, 52C zugeführt. An den Ausgangsanschlüssen der Sekundärwicklungen 52B, 52C tritt die eigentliche Versorgungsspannung -VB bzw. +VB auf, die über Dioden 56 bzw. 53 an Ausgangsanschlüssen G, H der Stromversorgungsschaltung 50 bereitgestellt wird. Die Kondensatoren 57 und 58 dienen als Puffer fiir die Spannungsversorgung. Die Widerstände 54, 55 und 59 stellen, wie nachfolgend noch näher beschrieben wird, zusammenwirkend mit dem Widerstand 42 der Ausgangsschaltung 40 sicher, daß die Spannung -VB verzögert zu der Spannung +VB aufgebaut wird, um somit ein korrektes Timing der Hochlaufphase der Spannungsversorgung zu gewährleisten.The power supply circuit 50 serves as an energy source for the entire interface 1 and in particular for the microcontroller 31. The power supply circuit 50 has input connections E, F to which an input voltage is applied. The input voltage can in particular be an internal supply voltage of the electronics of an electronic ballast connected to the output circuit 40, such as an inverter voltage, or the (AC) voltage for controlling the half-bridge of the inverter. This input voltage is fed via a capacitor 51 to an insulation transformer 52 with a primary winding 52A and two secondary windings 52B, 52C. The actual supply voltage -V B or + V B occurs at the output connections of the secondary windings 52B, 52C and is provided via diodes 56 or 53 at output connections G, H of the power supply circuit 50. The capacitors 57 and 58 serve as buffers for the voltage supply. The resistors 54, 55 and 59, as will be described in more detail below, in cooperation with the resistor 42 of the output circuit 40 ensure that the voltage -V B is delayed in relation to the voltage + V B , in order to ensure correct timing of the start-up phase To ensure power supply.

Die Versorgungsspannung +VB ist an einen Eingangsanschluß I der Steuerschaltung 30 angelegt und dient als eigentliche Versorgungsspannung für den Microcontroller 31. Die Versorgungsspannung -VB ist hingegen an den in Fig. 1 gezeigten steuerbaren Schalter 60 angelegt, wobei gemäß diesem Ausführungsbeispiel der steuerbare Schalter 60 als n-Kanal-Sperrschichtfeldeffekttransistor ausgebildet ist.The supply voltage + V B is applied to an input connection I of the control circuit 30 and serves as the actual supply voltage for the microcontroller 31. The supply voltage -V B , on the other hand, is at the controllable switch 60 shown in FIG. 1 applied, wherein according to this embodiment, the controllable switch 60 is designed as an n-channel junction field effect transistor.

Die Funktion der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Schnittstelle ist wie folgt, wobei zunächst davon ausgegangen wird, daß die Schnittstelle 1, d.h. der Microcontroller 31, zunächst noch nicht aktiviert und das an die Ausgangsanschlüsse C, D der Ausgangsschaltung 40 angeschlossene Lampenbetriebsgerät noch nicht eingeschaltet ist.The function of the interface shown in Fig. 1 is as follows, starting from the assumption that interface 1, i.e. The microcontroller 31 has not yet been activated and the lamp operating device connected to the output connections C, D of the output circuit 40 has not yet been switched on.

Wird an die Eingangsanschlüsse A, B eine (Steuer-)Spannung, d.h. ein Steuersignal a, angelegt, fließt über den Sperrschichtfeldeffektransistor 60 ein Strom in den Optokoppler 41, da im Ausgangszustand von der Stromversorgungsschaltung 50 noch keine Versorgungsspannung -VB erzeugt wird und somit der Sperrschichtfeldeffekttransistor 60 zunächst leitend ist. In dieser Phase tritt an den Ausgangsanschlüssen G, H der Stromversorgungsschaltung 50 weder die Versorgungsspannung -VB noch die Versorgungsspannung +VB auf, da aufgrund des Ausschaltzustandes der Elektronik des Lampenbetriebsgeräts keine Eingangsspannung an den Eingangsanschlüssen E, F der Stromversorgungsschaltung 50 anliegt.If a (control) voltage, ie a control signal a, is applied to the input connections A, B, a current flows into the optocoupler 41 via the junction field-effect transistor 60, since in the initial state, the supply circuit 50 does not yet generate a supply voltage -V B and thus the junction field effect transistor 60 is initially conductive. In this phase, neither the supply voltage -V B nor the supply voltage + V B occurs at the output connections G, H of the power supply circuit 50 since, due to the switched-off state of the electronics of the lamp operating device, there is no input voltage at the input connections E, F of the power supply circuit 50.

In diesem Zustand, der auch als Bereitschaft- oder Stand-by-Zustand bezeichnet werden kann, wird die Schnittstelle 1 allein mit Energie aus der Steuerspannung des Steuersignals a versorgt, wobei der Schnittstelle 1 beispielsweise ein Strom von maximal 2mA zugeführt wird. Die erfindungsgemäße Schnittstelle ist derart ausgestaltet, daß die Schnittstelle 1 erst im Betriebsfall, d.h. nach Aktivierung der Stromversorgungsschaltung 50 und des Microcontrollers 31, mit Strom aus dem Isolationstransformator 52 der Stromversorgungsschaltung 50 versorgt wird. Dadurch können Stand-by-Verluste sehr niedrig gehalten werden.In this state, which can also be referred to as a standby or standby state, the interface 1 is supplied solely with energy from the control voltage of the control signal a, the interface 1 being supplied with a current of at most 2 mA, for example. The interface according to the invention is designed in such a way that the interface 1 only in the operating case, i.e. after activation of the power supply circuit 50 and the microcontroller 31, is supplied with current from the isolation transformer 52 of the power supply circuit 50. This enables standby losses to be kept very low.

Während dieser Einschalt- bzw. Hochlaufphase ist - wie bereits erwähnt worden ist - der Sperrschichtfeldeffekttransistor 60 leitend, so daß die Eingangsschaltung 20 über einen strombegrenzenden Widerstand 61 zu der Ausgangsschaltung 40 bzw. deren Optokoppler 41 durchgeschaltet und damit verbunden ist. Aufgrund des somit dem Optokoppler 41 zugeführten Stroms wird an der Ausgangsseite des Optokopplers 41 ein Signal generiert, welches ausgangsseitig über die Anschlüsse C, D analog zu Fig. 3 einer Steuereinheit bzw. einem Brückentreiber des Wechselrichters des an die Ausgangsschaltung 40 angeschlossenen Lampenbetriebsgeräts zugeführt wird, so daß infolge dieses Signals der Wechselrichter anschwingen kann. Nach Anschwingen des Wechselrichters tritt an den Eingangsanschlüssen E, F der Stromversorgungsschaltung 50 eine Eingangsspannung auf, so daß langsam die Strom- bzw. Spannungsversorgung der Schnittstelle 1 bzw, des Microcontrollers 31 hochlaufen kann. Bei Auftreten der Eingangsspannung an den Anschlüssen E, F der Stromversorgungsschaltung 50 baut sich aufgrund der Widerstände 54, 55 59 sowie 42 die Versorgungsspannung +VB schneller auf als die Versorgungsspannung -VB. Dies bewirkt, daß die Versorgungsspannung +VB über die Anschlüsse H und I bereits dem Microcontroller 31 zugeführt worden ist und der Microcontroller 31 bereits mit einer stabilen Versorgungsspannung versorgt wird und hochgelaufen ist, wenn an dem Ausgangsanschluß G der Stormversorgungsschaltung 50 die Versorgungsspannung -VB auftritt, welche zum Sperren des Sperrschichtfeldeffekttransistors 60 führt.As already mentioned, the junction field effect transistor 60 is conductive during this switch-on or start-up phase, so that the input circuit 20 is switched through and connected to the output circuit 40 or its optocoupler 41 via a current-limiting resistor 61. Due to the current thus supplied to the optocoupler 41, a signal is generated on the output side of the optocoupler 41, which signal is fed on the output side via the connections C, D analogously to FIG. 3 to a control unit or a bridge driver of the inverter of the lamp operating device connected to the output circuit 40, so that the inverter can swing as a result of this signal. After the inverter has started to vibrate, an input voltage occurs at the input connections E, F of the power supply circuit 50, so that the current or voltage supply of the interface 1 or, of the Microcontrollers 31 can run up. When the input voltage occurs at the terminals E, F of the power supply circuit 50, the supply voltage + V B builds up faster than the supply voltage -V B due to the resistors 54, 55 59 and 42. This has the effect that the supply voltage + V B has already been supplied to the microcontroller 31 via the connections H and I, and the microcontroller 31 is already supplied with a stable supply voltage and has run up when the supply voltage -V B at the output connection G of the power supply circuit 50 occurs, which leads to the blocking of the junction field effect transistor 60.

Mit Sperren des Sperrschichtfeldeffekttransistors 60 wird der Stromfluß zwischen der Eingangsschaltung 20 und der Ausgangsschaltung 40 unterbrochen, so daß dem Optokoppler 41 ausschließlich Steuersignale b von dem Microcontroller 31 über einen Widerstand 39 zugeführt werden können.When the junction field effect transistor 60 is blocked, the current flow between the input circuit 20 and the output circuit 40 is interrupted, so that only control signals b can be supplied to the optocoupler 41 from the microcontroller 31 via a resistor 39.

Mit Anliegen der Versorgungsspannung +VB an der Steuerschaltung 30 wird der Microcontroller 31 aktiviert und erzeugt abhängig von den anliegenden Steuersignalen a entsprechende Dimmsollwertinformationen, die als die zuvor erwähnten Steuersignale b dem Optokoppler 41 zugeführt werden, wobei der Microcontroller 31 die Dimmsollwertinformation b abhängig von dem Steuersignal a in Form eines pulsweitenmodulierten Signals erzeugt. Diese pulsweitenmodulierten Signale b werden über den Optokoppler 41 und die Ausgangsanschlüsse C, D der Ausgangsschaltung 40 der Elektronik des daran angeschlossenen elektronischen Vorschaltgerätes zugeführt, so daß, wie beispielsweise in Fig. 3 gezeigt ist, eine entsprechende Steuereinheit 2 abhängig von den pulsweitenmodulierten Dimminformationen b den Brückentreiber 3 des Wechselrichters 5 in dem elektronischen Vorschaltgerät entsprechend ansteuern kann, um durch Frequenz- oder Tastverhältnisveränderung des Wechselrichters 5 eine an das elektronische Vorschaltgerät angeschlossene Gasentladungslampe 10 entsprechend dem Steuersignal a bzw. dem pulsweitenmodulierten Dimmsollwertsignal b zu Dimmen.When the supply voltage + V B is applied to the control circuit 30, the microcontroller 31 is activated and, depending on the control signals a present, generates corresponding dimming setpoint information which is supplied to the optocoupler 41 as the aforementioned control signals b, the microcontroller 31 depending on the dimming setpoint information b Control signal a generated in the form of a pulse width modulated signal. These pulse-width modulated signals b are fed via the optocoupler 41 and the output connections C, D to the output circuit 40 of the electronics of the electronic ballast connected to it, so that, as shown for example in FIG. 3, a corresponding control unit 2 depends on the pulse-width-modulated dimming information b Bridge driver 3 of the inverter 5 in the electronic ballast can be activated accordingly in order to dim a gas discharge lamp 10 connected to the electronic ballast in accordance with the control signal a or the pulse-width-modulated dimming setpoint signal b by changing the frequency or duty cycle of the inverter 5.

Die in Fig. 1 gezeigte Schnittstelle 1 ist beispielsweise als 0-10V Schnittstelle ausgebildet. Dabei ist die Schnittstelle 1 derart ausgestaltet, daß sie nicht nur Dimmsollwertsignale b abhängig von extern anliegenden Steuersignalen a erzeugt, sondern auch ein Ein- und/oder Ausschalten des an die Anschlüsse C, D angeschlossenen elektronischen Vorschaltgerätes über die Schnittstelle selbst ermöglicht. Das Einschalten des elektronischen Vorschaltgerätes wird dabei selektiv vorzugsweise durch die Ausgangsschaltung 40 festgelegt wobei der Optokoppler 41 derart dimensioniert und ausgestaltet ist, daß er nur für Eingangsspannungen größer als 1V Signale an die Ausgangsanschlüsse C, D weiterleitet. Dies bedeutet, daß während der zuvor beschriebenen Hochlaufphase der erfindungsgemäßen Schnittstelle 1, während der der Sperrschichtfeldeffekttransistor 60 leitend ist, ein Einschalten des an die Ausgangsanschlüsse C, D angeschlossenen elektronischen Betriebsgeräts über den Optokoppler 41 nur dann möglich ist, falls das an den Eingangsanschlüssen A, B anliegende Steuersignal a eine Amplitude von mindestens 1V aufweist.The interface 1 shown in FIG. 1 is designed, for example, as a 0-10 V interface. The interface 1 is designed such that it not only generates dimming setpoint signals b as a function of externally applied control signals a, but also enables the electronic ballast connected to the connections C, D to be switched on and / or off via the interface itself. The switching on of the electronic ballast is selectively preferably determined by the output circuit 40, the optocoupler 41 being dimensioned and designed such that it only signals for input voltages greater than 1 V to the output connections C, D forwards. This means that during the start-up phase of the interface 1 according to the invention described above, during which the junction field effect transistor 60 is conductive, the electronic operating device connected to the output connections C, D can only be switched on via the optocoupler 41 if this occurs at the input connections A, B applied control signal a has an amplitude of at least 1V.

Nach Einschalten des elektronischen Vorschaltgeräts und der damit über die Stromversorgungsschaltung 50 herbeigeführten Aktivierung des Microcontrollers 31 überwacht der Microcontroller 31 ständig über seinen Eingangsanschluß AN2 die Amplitude des Steuersignals a und erzeugt nur dann entsprechende Dimmsollwertinformationen b an seinen Ausgangsanschluß AN0, falls die Amplitude des Steuersignals a ausreichend groß ist. Naheliegenderweise könnte hierfür als Grenzwert wiederum 1 Volt angesetzt werden. Um jedoch Umgebungseinflüsse oder Spannungsschwankungen auszugleichen, veranlaßt der Microcontroller 31 das Abschalten des an die Anschlüsse C, D angeschlossenen Lampenbetriebsgerätes unter Berücksichtigung einer Hysterese, so daß beispielsweise als Grenzwert fiir das Abschalten des Lampenbetriebsgeräts eine Spannung von 0,4-0,5 V verwendet werden kann. Die Auswertung des Steuersignals a erfolgt dabei in Abhängigkeit von der softwaremäßigen Programmierung des Microcontrollers 31. Die Abschaltung des an die Anschlüsse C, D angeschlossenen Betriebsgeräts kann beispielsweise durch den Microcontroller 31 dadurch herbeigeführt werden, daß bei Abfallen der Amplitude des Steuersignals a unter den zuvor beschriebenen Amplitudengrenzwert keine Dimmsollwertinformation b an dem Ausgang AN0 des Microcontrollers 31 mehr erzeugt werden, so daß entsprechend auch keine Signale über den Optokoppler 41 an das elektronische Vorschaltgerät übertragen werden, was von der in Fig. 3 gezeigten Steuereinheit 2 des elektronischen Vorschaltgerätes entsprechend als Abschaltbefehl aufgefaßt werden kann. Alternativ kann beispielsweise auch vorgesehen sein, daß der Microcontroller 31 unmittelbar einen entsprechend codierten pulsweitenmodulierten Befehl über den Optokoppler 41 an die Steuereinheit 2 des elektronischen Vorschaltgerätes sendet.After switching on the electronic ballast and thus activating the microcontroller 31 via the power supply circuit 50, the microcontroller 31 continuously monitors the amplitude of the control signal a via its input connection AN2 and only generates corresponding dimming setpoint information b at its output connection AN0 if the amplitude of the control signal a is sufficient is great. Obviously, 1 volt could be used as the limit value. However, in order to compensate for environmental influences or voltage fluctuations, the microcontroller 31 causes the lamp operating device connected to the connections C, D to be switched off taking into account a hysteresis, so that, for example, a voltage of 0.4-0.5 V is used as the limit value for switching off the lamp operating device can. The control signal a is evaluated as a function of the software programming of the microcontroller 31. The shutdown of the operating device connected to the connections C, D can be brought about, for example, by the microcontroller 31 by the fact that if the amplitude of the control signal a drops below that previously described Amplitude limit value no more dimming setpoint information b are generated at the output AN0 of the microcontroller 31, so that accordingly no signals are transmitted to the electronic ballast via the optocoupler 41, which is accordingly interpreted by the control unit 2 of the electronic ballast shown in FIG. 3 as a shutdown command can. Alternatively, it can also be provided, for example, that the microcontroller 31 immediately sends a correspondingly coded pulse-width-modulated command via the optocoupler 41 to the control unit 2 of the electronic ballast.

Aufgrund der vorhergehenden Beschreibung wird deutlich, daß gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung ein an die Anschlüsse C, D angeschlossenes Lampenbetriebsgerät nahezu leistungslos über die erfmdungsgemäße Schnittstelle 1 geschaltet werden kann, so daß zusätzlich zu dem gewöhnlichen Dimmen auch ein Ein- und Abschalten des Lampenbetriebsgerätes über die Schnittstelle 1 möglich ist. Dabei ist die Schnittstelle 1 insbesondere derart ausgestaltet, daß das Lampenbetriebsgerät abhängig von der Amplitude des an der Schnittstelle 1 anliegenden Steuersignals a entweder gedimmt oder aber ein- bzw. ausgeschaltet wird.Based on the preceding description, it is clear that, according to the present invention, a lamp operating device connected to the connections C, D can be switched almost without power via the interface 1 according to the invention, so that in addition to the usual dimming, the lamp operating device can also be switched on and off via the interface 1 is possible. The interface 1 is in particular designed such that the lamp operating device depends on the amplitude of the control signal a present at the interface 1 is either dimmed or switched on or off.

Fig. 2 zeigt ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Schnittstelle, wobei entsprechende Bauteile mit denselben Bezugszeichen versehen sind.2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the interface according to the invention, corresponding components being provided with the same reference numerals.

Im Gegensatz zu dem in Fig. 1 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel ist die Stromversorgungsschaltung 50 vereinfacht aufgebaut und erzeugt abhängig von einer an den Eingangsanschlüssen E, F anliegenden Eingangsspannung über den Isolationstransformator 52 und die Dioden 53, 56 lediglich am Ausgangsanschluß H eine Versorgungsspannung +VB. Des weiteren ist anstelle des in Fig. 1 dargestellten n-Kanal-Sperrschichtfeldeffekttransistors 60 in npn-Bipolartransistor 60 mit dem Optokoppler 41 der Ausgangsschaltung 40 verschaltet, wobei jedoch der Optokoppler 41 direkt mit der Eingangsschaltung 20, d.h. ohne Zwischenschaltung eines Schalters, verbunden ist. Der Bipolartransistor 60 wird eingangsseitig von dem Microcontroller 31 angesteuert, der wiederum abhängig von dem Steuersignal a an seinem Ausgang AN1 entsprechende Dimmsollwertinformationen b in pulsweitenmodulierter Form erzeugt und über den Widerstand 38 der Basis des Bipolartransistors 60 zuführt.In contrast to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the power supply circuit 50 has a simplified structure and generates a supply voltage + V B only at the output connection H as a function of an input voltage present at the input connections E, F via the isolation transformer 52 and the diodes 53, 56. Furthermore, instead of the n-channel junction field effect transistor 60 shown in FIG. 1, the npn bipolar transistor 60 is connected to the optocoupler 41 of the output circuit 40, but the optocoupler 41 is connected directly to the input circuit 20, ie without the interposition of a switch. The bipolar transistor 60 is driven on the input side by the microcontroller 31, which in turn generates corresponding dimming setpoint value information b in pulse-width-modulated form at its output AN1 as a function of the control signal a and supplies it to the base of the bipolar transistor 60 via the resistor 38.

Das Hochlaufen der Schnittstelle bzw. der Stromversorgungsschaltung 50 erfolgt analog zu der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Schaltung, d.h. beim Auftreten einer Spannung a an den Eingangsanschlüssen A, B fließt direkt ein Strom von der Eingangsschaltung 20 in den Optokoppler 41, der ausgangsseitig ein Signal erzeugt, welches über die Anschlüsse C, D einem daran angeschlossenen Lampenbetriebsgerät zugeführt wird und somit das Einschalten des Lampenbetriebsgerätes herbeiführt. Die von dem Lampenbetriebsgerät abgezweigte Eingangsspannung an den Anschlüssen E, F führt infolgedessen zu der ausgangsseitigen Erzeugung der Versorgungsspannung +VB, welche das Hochlaufen des Microcontrollers 31 ermöglicht. Sobald der Microcontroller 31 hochgelaufen ist, erzeugt er abhängig von dem an seinem Eingangsanschluß AN2 anliegenden Steuersignal a ein entsprechendes pulsweitenmoduliertes Dimmsignal b, welches dem gewünschten Sollwert für die Dimmung des an die Anschlüsse C, D angeschlossenen Lampenbetriebsgerät es bzw. der daran angeschlossenen Lampe entspricht. Mit Auftreten des Signals b an der Basis des Bipolartransistors 60 wird kontinuierlich das an dem Kollektor des Bipolartransistors 60 anliegende Potential auf Masse gezogen, so daß dem Optokoppler 41 nurmehr die Dimmsollwertinformation b zugeführt werden und somit die Verbindung zwischen der Ausgangsschaltung 40 und der Eingangsschaltung 20 deaktiviert bzw. wirkungslos gemacht wird.The startup of the interface or the power supply circuit 50 takes place analogously to the circuit shown in FIG. 1, ie when a voltage a occurs at the input connections A, B, a current flows directly from the input circuit 20 into the optocoupler 41, which generates a signal on the output side , which is fed via the connections C, D to a lamp operating device connected to it and thus brings about the switching on of the lamp operating device. The input voltage branched off from the lamp operating device at the connections E, F consequently leads to the generation of the supply voltage + V B on the output side, which enables the microcontroller 31 to start up. As soon as the microcontroller 31 has started up, it generates a corresponding pulse-width-modulated dimming signal b depending on the control signal a present at its input connection AN2, which corresponds to the desired setpoint for the dimming of the lamp operating device connected to the connections C, D or the lamp connected to it. With the occurrence of the signal b at the base of the bipolar transistor 60, the potential present at the collector of the bipolar transistor 60 is continuously pulled to ground, so that only the dimming setpoint information b is supplied to the optocoupler 41 and thus the connection between the output circuit 40 and the input circuit 20 is deactivated or made ineffective.

Darüber hinaus sind in Fig. 2 zwei zusätzliche Dioden 62 und 63 gestrichelt dargestellt, die zwar für den Betrieb der erfindungsgemäßen Schnittstelle nicht unbedingt erforderlich sind, jedoch zu einem sichereren Betrieb beitragen. Die eine Diode 62 ist in Serie mit dem Widerstand 61 geschaltet, während die andere Diode 63 einerseits an die Versorgungsspannung +VB und andererseits an die Diode 62 angeschlossen ist. Mit Hilfe der Dioden 62 und 63 kann sichergestellt werden, daß der Optokoppler 41 von der Versorgungsspannung +VB versorgt wird, sobald sich diese aufgebaut hat. Der Optokoppler 41 schaltet somit auch bei einer kleinen Schnittstellen-Eingangsspannung durch, so daß ein an die Anschlüsse C und D angeschlossenen Lampenbetriebsgerät auch bei kleinen Eingangsspannungen zuverlässig abgeschaltet werden kann.In addition, two additional diodes 62 and 63 are shown in broken lines in FIG. One diode 62 is connected in series with the resistor 61, while the other diode 63 is connected on the one hand to the supply voltage + V B and on the other hand to the diode 62. With the help of the diodes 62 and 63 it can be ensured that the optocoupler 41 is supplied by the supply voltage + V B as soon as it has built up. The optocoupler 41 thus switches through even with a small interface input voltage, so that a lamp operating device connected to the connections C and D can be reliably switched off even with small input voltages.

Die weitere Funktionsweise des in Fig. 2 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiels entspricht dem in Fig. 1 dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel.The further functioning of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

Bei den in den Fig. 1 und 2 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispielen der erfindungsgemäßen Schnittstelle wird die normgemäße Hochspannurigsfestigkeit von 1500 V zwischen dem Steuerkreis und der Netzseite mit Hilfe des Isolationstransformators 52 und des Optokopplers 41 gewährleistet.In the exemplary embodiments of the interface according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the standard high-voltage strength of 1500 V between the control circuit and the network side is ensured with the aid of the insulation transformer 52 and the optocoupler 41.

Wie bereits zuvor erläutert worden ist, kann der Microcontroller 31 derart programmmiert sein, daß er abhängig von der Amplitude des an ihm eingangsseitig anliegenden Steuersignals die entsprechenden Dimmsollwertinformationen b für das elektronische Vorschaltgerät abhängig von einer logarithmischen Dimmkurve ermittelt, um die Dimmung der tatsächlichen menschlichen Augenempfindlichkeit anzupassen.As has already been explained above, the microcontroller 31 can be programmed such that it determines the corresponding dimming setpoint value information b for the electronic ballast as a function of a logarithmic dimming curve depending on the amplitude of the control signal applied to it on the input side, in order to adapt the dimming to the actual human eye sensitivity ,

Die Schnittstelle gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung kann analog zu Fig. 3 in einem elektronischen Vorschaltgerät für Gasentladungslampen eingesetzt werden. Ebenso ist die Verwendung in einem elektronischen Transformator für Halogenglühlampen möglich, wobei der elektronische Transformator ebenfalls einen mit einer gleichgerichteten Spannung versorgten Wechselrichter aufweist, der eine hochfrequente Wechselspannung erzeugt. Im Gegensatz zu Fig. 3 ist jedoch bei einem elektroischen Transformator kein Serienresonanzkreis, sondern ein Ausgangsübertrager vorgesehen, der zwischen den Wechselrichter und mindestens eine anzusteuernde Halogenglühlampe geschaltet ist. Somit liegt an der Primärwicklung des Ausgangsübertragers die von dem Wechselrichter erzeugte Wechselspannung an, während an die Sekundärwicklung(en) des Ausgangsübertragers mindestens eine Halogenglühlampe angeschlossen ist.Analogously to FIG. 3, the interface according to the present invention can be used in an electronic ballast for gas discharge lamps. Use in an electronic transformer for halogen incandescent lamps is also possible, the electronic transformer likewise having an inverter supplied with a rectified voltage, which generates a high-frequency AC voltage. In contrast to FIG. 3, however, an electrical transformer does not have a series resonance circuit, but rather an output transformer which is connected between the inverter and at least one halogen incandescent lamp to be controlled. The AC voltage generated by the inverter is thus present at the primary winding of the output transformer, while at least one halogen incandescent lamp is connected to the secondary winding (s) of the output transformer.

Claims (19)

  1. Interface appliance (1) for a lamp operating device, with a receiving circuit (20) for receiving an external analog control signal (a) for the lamp operating device, and with an output circuit (40) for outputting operating setpoint information (b), corresponding to the control signal (a), for the lamp operating device which can be connected to it,
    and with a control circuit (30) which is designed in such a way that it evaluates the external analog control signal (a) received by the receiving circuit (20) and switches on the lamp operating device, which can be connected to the output circuit (40), if the value of the amplitude of the received control signal (a) exceeds a first amplitude limiting value, and switches off the lamp operating device if the value of the amplitude of the received control signal (a) falls below a second amplitude limiting value,
    characterized by
    a power supply circuit (50) which converts an internal voltage, applied to it, of the lamp operating device connected to the output circuit (40) into an operating voltage (+VB) for the interface appliance (1), a controllable switch (60) being connected between the receiving circuit (20) and the output circuit (40) so that, prior to generation of the adequate operating voltage (+VB), the output circuit (40) is supplied, in a standby mode, with energy from the control signal (a) applied to the receiving circuit (20),
    and the controllable switch (60) being controlled by a second operating voltage (-VB) generated by the power supply circuit (50), so that the switch (60) is opened when an adequate second operating voltage (-VB) is present.
  2. Interface appliance according to Claim 1,
    characterized in that
    the first amplitude limiting value is higher than the second amplitude limiting value.
  3. Interface appliance according to Claim 2,
    characterized in that
    the first amplitude limiting value is approximately 1V and the second amplitude limiting value is approximately 0.4 - 0.5V.
  4. Interface appliance according to any one of the preceding Claims,
    characterized by
    a control device (30, 60) for evaluating the received control signal (a) and for converting the control signal into the operating setpoint information (b) for the lamp operating device which can be connected to the output means (40).
  5. Interface appliance according to Claim 4,
    characterized in that
    the control device (30) comprises a microcontroller (31).
  6. Interface appliance according to either of Claims 4 or 5,
    characterized in that
    the control device (30) is designed in such a way that it can evaluate analog control signals (a) and convert them into the operating setpoint information (b).
  7. Interface appliance according to any one of Claims 4 - 6,
    characterized in that
    the operating setpoint information (b) generated by the control device (30) comprises dimming setpoint values for the lamp operating device which can be connected to the output means (40).
  8. Interface appliance according to Claim 7,
    characterized in that
    the control device (30) converts the received signal (a), in dependence on its amplitude, into the dimming setpoint values (b) according to a logarithmic characteristic.
  9. Interface appliance according to any one of Claims 4 - 8,
    characterized in that
    the control device (30) generates the operating setpoint information (b) in the form of a pulse-width-modulated signal or a digital control word.
  10. Interface appliance according to any one of Claims 4 - 9,
    characterized in that
    the receiving circuit (20) is connected to the output circuit (40), the interface appliance (1) deactivating the connection between the receiving circuit (20) and the output circuit (40) following generation of an adequate operating voltage (+VB) for the control device (30).
  11. Control appliance according to Claim 1,
    characterized in that
    the power supply circuit (50) has a delay device (54, 55, 59) for the purpose of generating the second operating voltage (-VB) with a time delay relative to the first operating voltage (+VB) supplied to the control means (30).
  12. Interface appliance according to Claim 10,
    characterized in that
    a switch (60) controlled by the control device (30) is coupled by means of a connection point between the receiving circuit (20) and the output circuit (40) so that, following activation of the control device (30) as a result of the presence of the adequate operating voltage (+VB), the operating setpoint information (b) of the control device (30) is supplied to the output circuit (40) via the switch (60).
  13. Interface appliance according to any one of Claims 1 - 3 and any one of Claims 4 - 12,
    characterized in that
    the control circuit comprises the control device (30), the second amplitude limiting value being defined by the control device (30).
  14. Interface appliance according to Claim 13,
    characterized in that
    the control device (30) only generates the operating setpoint information (b) as long as the amplitude of the received control signal (a) exceeds the second amplitude limiting value.
  15. Interface appliance according to any one of Claims 1- 3 or either of Claims 13 or 14,
    characterized in that
    the control circuit comprises the output circuit (40), the first amplitude limiting value being defined by the output circuit (40).
  16. Interface appliance according to Claim 15,
    characterized in that
    the output circuit (40) only transfers the information applied to its input over to its output if the amplitude of the information signal applied to its input exceeds the first amplitude limiting value.
  17. Interface appliance according to any one of the preceding Claims,
    characterized in that
    the output circuit (40) comprises an optocoupler (41).
  18. Use of an interface appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding Claims in an electronic ballast for a gas discharge lamp (10),
    the electronic ballast comprising:
    an inverter (5), supplied with a direct voltage, for generating an alternating voltage,
    a serial resonant circuit (6, 7) which is controlled by means of the alternating voltage generated by the inverter (5) and which can be connected to the at least one gas discharge lamp (10), and
    a control unit (2) for controlling the inverter (5), the output circuit (40) of the interface appliance (1) being connected to the control unit (2), so that the control unit (2), in dependence on the operating setpoint information (b) supplied to the output circuit (40) of the interface appliance (1), controls the operation of the inverter (5) and activates and/or deactivates the inverter (5).
  19. Use of an interface appliance (1) according to any one of Claims 1 - 18 in an electronic transformer for a halogen incandescent lamp (10),
    the electronic transformer comprising:
    an inverter (5), supplied with a direct voltage, for generating an alternating voltage,
    an output transformer, the primary winding of which is operated by means of the alternating voltage generated by the inverter, the output transformer having at least one secondary winding to which a halogen incandescent lamp can be connected, and
    a control unit (2) for controlling the inverter (5), the output circuit (40) of the interface appliance (1) being connected to the control unit (2), so that the control unit (2), in dependence on the operating setpoint information (b) supplied to the output circuit (40) of the interface appliance (1), controls the operation of the inverter (5) and activates and/or deactivates the inverter (5).
EP98952717A 1997-10-30 1998-10-19 Interface for a lamp operating device Expired - Lifetime EP1031258B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19748007A DE19748007A1 (en) 1997-10-30 1997-10-30 Interface for a lamp control gear
DE19748007 1997-10-30
PCT/EP1998/006612 WO1999023858A1 (en) 1997-10-30 1998-10-19 Interface for a lamp operating device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1031258A1 EP1031258A1 (en) 2000-08-30
EP1031258B1 true EP1031258B1 (en) 2003-01-29

Family

ID=7847143

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98952717A Expired - Lifetime EP1031258B1 (en) 1997-10-30 1998-10-19 Interface for a lamp operating device

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1031258B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE232041T1 (en)
AU (1) AU1030699A (en)
DE (2) DE19748007A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1999023858A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA989827B (en)

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US6333605B1 (en) 1999-11-02 2001-12-25 Energy Savings, Inc. Light modulating electronic ballast
DE10329876B4 (en) * 2003-07-02 2016-06-02 Tridonic Gmbh & Co Kg Interface for a lamp operating device with low standby losses and method for driving a lamp operating device via such an interface
US7619539B2 (en) 2004-02-13 2009-11-17 Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Multiple-input electronic ballast with processor
DE102004050655A1 (en) 2004-10-18 2006-06-01 Volkswagen Ag A vehicle lighting device and method for controlling a vehicle lighting device
US7369060B2 (en) 2004-12-14 2008-05-06 Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Distributed intelligence ballast system and extended lighting control protocol
DE102005018774A1 (en) * 2005-04-22 2006-10-26 Tridonicatco Gmbh & Co. Kg Adjustable digital lamp power control
US7446488B1 (en) * 2007-08-29 2008-11-04 Osram Sylvania Metal halide lamp ballast controlled by remote enable switched bias supply
US7932682B2 (en) * 2008-06-30 2011-04-26 Osram Sylvania, Inc. Internal power supply for a ballast
DE102010036444B4 (en) * 2010-07-16 2012-03-22 Vossloh-Schwabe Deutschland Gmbh Method and device for dimming a light source by means of a microcontroller
DE102010043613A1 (en) 2010-11-09 2012-05-10 Tridonic Gmbh & Co. Kg Interference-proof lighting control
DE102019208960A1 (en) * 2019-06-19 2020-12-24 Ellenberger & Poensgen Gmbh Procedure for operating a dimmer

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DE4039161C2 (en) * 1990-12-07 2001-05-31 Zumtobel Ag Dornbirn System for controlling the brightness and operating behavior of fluorescent lamps
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE59807092D1 (en) 2003-03-06
ZA989827B (en) 1999-05-04
AU1030699A (en) 1999-05-24
ATE232041T1 (en) 2003-02-15
DE19748007A1 (en) 1999-05-12
WO1999023858A1 (en) 1999-05-14
EP1031258A1 (en) 2000-08-30

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