EP1095543A1 - Ballast for at least one gas discharge lamp and method for operating such a ballast - Google Patents

Ballast for at least one gas discharge lamp and method for operating such a ballast

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Publication number
EP1095543A1
EP1095543A1 EP00941880A EP00941880A EP1095543A1 EP 1095543 A1 EP1095543 A1 EP 1095543A1 EP 00941880 A EP00941880 A EP 00941880A EP 00941880 A EP00941880 A EP 00941880A EP 1095543 A1 EP1095543 A1 EP 1095543A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
duty cycle
switch
ballast
control circuit
gas discharge
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP00941880A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1095543B1 (en
Inventor
Franz Raiser
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.)
Osram GmbH
Original Assignee
Patent Treuhand Gesellschaft fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Patent Treuhand Gesellschaft fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen mbH filed Critical Patent Treuhand Gesellschaft fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
Publication of EP1095543A1 publication Critical patent/EP1095543A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1095543B1 publication Critical patent/EP1095543B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • H05B41/295—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 and specially adapted for lamps with preheating electrodes, e.g. for fluorescent lamps
    • 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
    • H05B41/26—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
    • H05B41/295—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 and specially adapted for lamps with preheating electrodes, e.g. for fluorescent lamps
    • H05B41/298—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions
    • H05B41/2988—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions for protecting the lamp against abnormal operating conditions
    • 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
    • H05B41/3927—Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor with possibility of light intensity variations by pulse width modulation
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S315/00—Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
    • Y10S315/04—Dimming circuit for fluorescent lamps
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S315/00—Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
    • Y10S315/07—Starting and control circuits for gas discharge lamp using transistors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a ballast for at least one gas discharge lamp according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for operating a ballast for at least one gas discharge lamp according to the preamble of claim 7.
  • FIGS. 2a and 2b shown there show the control signals of the two switches in the unburned operating state, ie when maximum power is being supplied to the gas discharge lamp
  • the duty cycle mentioned several times below is defined as the quotient of the time period in which the control signal assumes the high voltage value and the sum of the time periods of the high and low voltage values, based on a duty cycle. It can be seen that the pulse duty factor of the one switch has been changed, in the present case starting from a value of 50% according to FIG.
  • Another object of the present invention is to develop a method for operating a ballast of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the gas discharge lamp is prevented from lighting up unevenly.
  • the invention is based on the knowledge that dimming operation with control signals provided by the control circuit according to FIGS. 3a and 3b of WO 94/06261 leads to a different temperature of the two lamp electrodes. As experiments have shown, when the thermal load on the two electrodes of the gas discharge lamp is essentially the same, there is no longer a non-uniform glow.
  • the solution according to the invention not only offers advantages in the dimming operation of a gas discharge lamp, it can also be used to change a predetermined ballast by varying the pulse duty factor in an inventive manner for the operation of a wide variety of gas discharge lamps with completely different lamp parameters, in particular lamp line to make available.
  • a ballast is dimensioned so that it operates with a duty cycle of 50% to operate the gas discharge lamp, which requires maximum power. All other lamps that are to be operated with the same ballast are then operated with a duty cycle of less than 50% without fear of uneven lighting of these lamps.
  • the first and second switches are operated in push-pull, i.e. while one switch receives an input signal at a high level, the other switch receives one at a low level and vice versa.
  • the duty cycle of both switches is changed periodically with the control circuit. This is preferably expressed in that the control circuit controls the duty cycle so that the sum of the ON times of the first switch is on average equal to the sum of the ON times of the second switch.
  • the first and the second switch are operated with N different duty cycles, where N> 2 and the change between the different duty cycles takes place with a period which in the shortest case is determined by the fact that each duty cycle is only carried out exactly once before switching to the next, and which in the longest case is determined by the thermal inertia of the first and second electrodes.
  • N 2
  • the first duty cycle being D
  • the second duty cycle E 100-D.
  • ballast for gas discharge lamps of different powers which can be stored in the control circuit to match the respective lamp, can also be provided to additionally provide an input to the control circuit via which the duty cycle can be changed by an operator, for example for dimming the gas discharge lamp .
  • FIG. 1 shows in schematic form the structure of a ballast according to the invention
  • FIG. 3 shows in a schematic form the time course of various signals of a ballast according to the present invention or a ballast which is operated according to the inventive method.
  • FIG. 1 shows a ballast 10 according to the invention with a component 12, which is connected on the input side to a mains voltage source UN, and one Rectifiers, filters known to the person skilled in the art and optionally also devices for correcting the power factor on the network side.
  • the DC voltage signal provided by the module 12 is stabilized via a capacitor CO and applied to a bridge circuit with a switch T1 and a switch T2.
  • the bridge center is connected to the load circuit 14, which comprises a gas discharge lamp 26 with a first and a second electrode 28, 30.
  • the switches T1 and T2 form a half-bridge arrangement together with the capacitors C1 and C2.
  • a control circuit 16 supplies the control signals for the switches T1 and T2 via lines 18 and 20, respectively.
  • a line 22 can be used to provide the control circuit 16 with lamp data, for example data about the current power converted in the lamp and about the lamp current during generation the control signals applied to the switches T1 and T2 via the lines 18 and 20 can be taken into account.
  • the control circuit 16 can have a microcontroller in which the configuration of the control signals provided via the lines 18, 20 to the switches T1 and T2 is stored, for example for operating the respective gas discharge lamp 26 with maximum power.
  • an input signal to the control circuit can optionally be supplied via a line 24, with which an operator can influence the control signals of the switches T1 and T2, for example by actuating a rotary knob or the like for dimming of the gas discharge lamp 26.
  • the control signals provided by the control circuit 16 via the lines 18 and 20 are described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3:
  • Fig. 2 shows first in the curves A and B, the time course of the control signals of the first and second switches Tl, T2 according to the teaching of State of the art.
  • Switch T1 is operated according to the curve with a pulse duty factor of 30%.
  • Switch T2 is operated according to curve B with a duty cycle of 70%.
  • the curves C and D show the time profiles of the associated currents II and 12 through the switch Tl and through the switch T2.
  • Curve E shows the time profile of the load current II. Due to the differently long ON times of switch T1 and switch T2, different currents result through electrodes 28, 30 of the gas discharge lamp 26, depending on whether switch T1 or T2 is in the ON state. This leads to an uneven thermal loading of the electrodes 28, 30 of the gas discharge lamp 26.
  • FIG. 3 shows, corresponding to FIG. 2, the time profile of the same circuit parameters when the ballast is modified in accordance with the teaching according to the invention.
  • Both switches T1 and T2 are operated in push-pull mode, i.e. with the exception of switching operations that are negligible, one switch has a high level signal as the drive signal, while the other switch has a low level drive signal and vice versa.
  • curve A is considered: While switch Tl is operated with a duty cycle of 70% between times t1 and t2, control circuit 16 changes the duty cycle to 30% at time t2. This duty cycle is maintained until time t3, after which the switch is made to a duty cycle of 70%. With reference to curve B of FIG. 3, switch T2 is operated with the corresponding inverse duty cycle, ie between times t2 and t3 with a duty cycle of 70% and after t3 there is again a duty cycle of 70%. Curves C, D and E in turn show the time profiles of currents II, 12 and load current II. While switching between two duty cycles, ie a duty cycle of 70% and a duty cycle of 30%, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, implementations are also conceivable in which there is a switchover between several duty cycles.
  • FIG. 3 shows a changeover from one duty cycle to another immediately after passing through a duty cycle of a certain duty cycle.
  • provision can also be made to maintain a specific duty cycle over a longer period of time before switching to the next duty cycle, provided that there are no substantially different thermal loads on the two electrodes 28, 30 of the gas discharge lamp 26.
  • the point in time at which it is necessary to switch to a different duty cycle at the latest depends on the physical properties of the electrodes used in the respective gas discharge lamp.
  • Switching from one duty cycle to another, not immediately after executing a certain duty cycle has the advantage that 16 components can be used in the control circuit which are designed for lower frequencies and are therefore cheaper. For example, a cheaper microcontroller can be used, since a smaller amount of data has to be processed with longer switching times.
  • the circuit described can be used not only for externally controlled but also for free-swinging inverters.
  • Bipolar transistors were chosen as switches in FIG. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that other types of switches, for example field effect transistors, can also be considered.

Abstract

A ballast for a gas discharge lamp having an inverter. A DC voltage source feeds the ballast. A bridge circuit is arranged in parallel with the DC voltage source. The bridge circuit has first and second controllable switches. The midpoint of the bridge is connected to a load circuit having the gas discharge lamp. The gas discharge lamp has first and second electrodes. A control circuit controls the pulse duty factor of the first and second switches. The pulse duty factor is not equal to 50%. The control circuit controls the pulse duty factor such that the first and second electrodes are subjected to essentially the same thermal load on average.

Description

Vorschaltgerät für mindestens eine Gasentladungslampe und Verfahren zum Betreiben eines derartigen VorschaltgerätsBallast for at least one gas discharge lamp and method for operating such a ballast
Technisches GebietTechnical field
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Vorschaltgerät für mindestens eine Gasentladungslampe nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 sowie ein Verfahren zum Betreiben eines Vorschaltgeräts für mindestens eine Gasentladungslampe nach dem Oberbegriff von Anspruch 7.The present invention relates to a ballast for at least one gas discharge lamp according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for operating a ballast for at least one gas discharge lamp according to the preamble of claim 7.
Stand der TechnikState of the art
Ein derartiges Vorschaltgerät bzw. ein derartiges Verfahren ist bekannt aus der WO 94/06261. Die dort dargestellten Figuren 2a und 2b zeigen die Ansteuersi- gnale der beiden Schalter im ungedirnniten Betriebszustand, d.h. beim Zuführen maximaler Leistung an die Gasentladungslampe, während die dortigen Figuren 3a und 3b die Ansteuersignale der beiden Schalter im gedimmten Be- triebszustand, d.h. beim Zuführen reduzierter Leistung zeigen. Das nachfolgend mehrfach erwähnte Tastverhältnis sei definiert als der Quotient aus der Zeitdauer, in der das Steuersignal den hohen Spannungswert annimmt, und der Summe der Zeitdauer des hohen und des niedrigen Spannungswerts, bezogen auf eine Tastperiode. Man erkennt, daß das Tastverhältnis des einen Schalters geändert wurde und zwar vorliegend ausgehend von einem Wert von 50 % gemäß der dortigen Fig. 2a, reduziert wurde auf einen Wert kleiner als 50 %. In der Praxis hat sich jedoch gezeigt, daß, werden die Schalter gemäß den Figuren 3a und 3b der zitierten Entgegenhaltung angesteuert, insbesonde- re bei niedrigen Temperaturen ungleichmäßiges Leuchten der Gasentladungslampe auftreten kann. Beispielsweise beim Einsatz von Gasentladungslampen als Außenbeleuchtung ist dies unerwünscht.Such a ballast or such a method is known from WO 94/06261. FIGS. 2a and 2b shown there show the control signals of the two switches in the unburned operating state, ie when maximum power is being supplied to the gas discharge lamp, while FIGS. 3a and 3b there show the control signals of the two switches in the dimmed operating state, ie when the supply is reduced Show performance. The duty cycle mentioned several times below is defined as the quotient of the time period in which the control signal assumes the high voltage value and the sum of the time periods of the high and low voltage values, based on a duty cycle. It can be seen that the pulse duty factor of the one switch has been changed, in the present case starting from a value of 50% according to FIG. 2a there, and has been reduced to a value less than 50%. In practice, however, it has been shown that if the switches are actuated according to FIGS. 3a and 3b of the cited citation, in particular re uneven glow of the gas discharge lamp can occur at low temperatures. This is undesirable, for example, when using gas discharge lamps as external lighting.
Darstellung der ErfindungPresentation of the invention
Es ist deshalb Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, ein Vorschaltgerät der ein- gangs genannten Art derart weiterzubilden, daß dieser Nachteil vermieden wird.It is therefore an object of the present invention to develop a ballast of the type mentioned in the introduction in such a way that this disadvantage is avoided.
Diese Aufgabe wird durch die Lehre von Patentanspruch 1 gelöst.This object is achieved by the teaching of claim 1.
Eine weitere Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung besteht darin, ein Verfahren zum Betreiben eines Vorschaltgeräts der eingangs genannten Art derart wei- terzubilden, daß ein ungleichmäßiges Leuchten der Gasentladungslampe verhindert wird.Another object of the present invention is to develop a method for operating a ballast of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the gas discharge lamp is prevented from lighting up unevenly.
Diese Aufgabe wird gelöst durch ein Verfahren mit den Merkmalen von Patentanspruch 7.This object is achieved by a method with the features of claim 7.
Der Erfindung liegt die Erkenntnis zugrunde, daß ein Dimmbetrieb mit von der Steuerschaltung bereitgestellten Ansteuersignalen gemäß den Figuren 3a und 3b der WO 94/06261 zu einer unterschiedlichen Temperatur der beiden Lampenelektroden führt. Wie Versuche gezeigt haben, tritt bei im wesentlichen gleicher thermischer Belastung der beiden Elektroden der Gasentladungslampe kein ungleichmäßiges Leuchten mehr auf.The invention is based on the knowledge that dimming operation with control signals provided by the control circuit according to FIGS. 3a and 3b of WO 94/06261 leads to a different temperature of the two lamp electrodes. As experiments have shown, when the thermal load on the two electrodes of the gas discharge lamp is essentially the same, there is no longer a non-uniform glow.
Die erfindungsgemäße Lösung bietet nicht nur Vorteile beim Dimmbetrieb einer Gasentladungslampe, sie kann vielmehr auch dazu verwendet werden, ein vorgegebenes Vorschaltgerät durch Variation des Tastverhältnisses in erfinderischer Art und Weise für den Betrieb verschiedenster Gasentladungslampen mit völlig unterschiedlichen Lampenparametern, insbesondere Lampenlei- stungen verfügbar zu machen. In anderen Worten: ein Vorschaltgerät wird so dimensioniert, daß es zum Betrieb der Gasentladungslampe, die maximale Leistung erfordert, mit einem Tastverhältnis von 50 % arbeitet. Alle übrigen Lampen, die mit demselben Vorschaltgerät betrieben werden sollen, werden dann mit einem Tastverhältnis kleiner 50 % betrieben ohne daß ungleichmäßiges Leuchten dieser Lampen zu befürchten wäre.The solution according to the invention not only offers advantages in the dimming operation of a gas discharge lamp, it can also be used to change a predetermined ballast by varying the pulse duty factor in an inventive manner for the operation of a wide variety of gas discharge lamps with completely different lamp parameters, in particular lamp line to make available. In other words, a ballast is dimensioned so that it operates with a duty cycle of 50% to operate the gas discharge lamp, which requires maximum power. All other lamps that are to be operated with the same ballast are then operated with a duty cycle of less than 50% without fear of uneven lighting of these lamps.
Bei einer Ausgestaltung der erfinderischen Lösung werden der erste und zweite Schalter im Gegentakt betrieben, d.h. während der eine Schalter ein Eingangssignal auf hohem Pegel erhält, erhält der andere Schalter eines auf niedrigem Pegel und umgekehrt. In Weiterbildung des Grundgedankens der Erfindung kann dann vorgesehen werden, daß mit der Steuerschaltung das Tastverhältnis beider Schalter periodisch gewechselt wird. Dies äußert sich vorzugsweise darin, daß mit der Steuerschaltung das Tastverhältnis so gesteuert wird, daß die Summe der EIN-Zeiten des ersten Schalters im Mittel gleich ist der Summe der EIN-Zeiten des zweiten Schalters.In one embodiment of the inventive solution, the first and second switches are operated in push-pull, i.e. while one switch receives an input signal at a high level, the other switch receives one at a low level and vice versa. In a further development of the basic idea of the invention it can then be provided that the duty cycle of both switches is changed periodically with the control circuit. This is preferably expressed in that the control circuit controls the duty cycle so that the sum of the ON times of the first switch is on average equal to the sum of the ON times of the second switch.
In besonders vorteilhafter Weise kann vorgesehen werden, daß der erste und der zweite Schalter mit N unterschiedlichen Tastverhältnissen betrieben werden, wobei N > 2 ist und der Wechsel zwischen den unterschiedlichen Tastverhältnissen mit einer Periode erfolgt, die im kürzesten Fall dadurch bestimmt ist, daß jedes Tastverhältnis nur genau einmal ausgeführt wird bevor zum nächsten gewechselt wird, und die im längsten Fall bestimmt ist durch die thermische Trägheit der ersten und der zweiten Elektrode. Die letztgenannte Grenze hat ihre Ursache darin, daß ein Tastverhältnis nicht solange beibehalten werden darf bis es bereits zu merklichen unterschiedlichen thermischen Bela- stungen der beiden Elektroden gekommen ist. Je nach den physikalischen Eigenschaften der Elektroden, mit denen eine Gasentladungslampe bestückt ist, ergeben sich hier unterschiedliche Zeitdauern. Bei einem konkreten Ausführungsbeispiel ist N = 2, wobei das erste Tastverhältnis D und das zweite Tastverhältnis E = 100 - D beträgt.In a particularly advantageous manner it can be provided that the first and the second switch are operated with N different duty cycles, where N> 2 and the change between the different duty cycles takes place with a period which in the shortest case is determined by the fact that each duty cycle is only carried out exactly once before switching to the next, and which in the longest case is determined by the thermal inertia of the first and second electrodes. The reason for the latter limit is that a pulse duty factor must not be maintained until there have already been noticeably different thermal loads on the two electrodes. Depending on the physical properties of the electrodes with which a gas discharge lamp is fitted, there are different periods of time. In a specific exemplary embodiment, N = 2, the first duty cycle being D and the second duty cycle E = 100-D.
Während für den obengenannten Einsatzbereich der Erfindung, d.h. ein Vorschaltgerät für Gasentladungslampen unterschiedlicher Leistung, das zur je- weiligen Lampe passende Tastverhaltnis in der Steuerschaltung abgelegt sein kann, kann überdies vorgesehen werden, zusätzlich einen Eingang der Steuerschaltung vorzusehen, über den das Tastverhältnis durch eine Bedienperson geändert werden kann, beispielsweise zum Dimmen der Gasentladungslampe.While for the above application of the invention, i.e. A ballast for gas discharge lamps of different powers, which can be stored in the control circuit to match the respective lamp, can also be provided to additionally provide an input to the control circuit via which the duty cycle can be changed by an operator, for example for dimming the gas discharge lamp .
Weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung sind in den Unteransprü- chen definiert.Further advantageous developments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.
Beschreibung der ZeichnungenDescription of the drawings
Ein Ausführungsbeispiel wird im folgenden unter Hinweis auf die beigefügten Zeichnungen näher beschrieben. Es stellen dar:An embodiment is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They represent:
Fig. 1 in schematischer Form den Aufbau eines erfindungsgemäßen Vorschaltgeräts;1 shows in schematic form the structure of a ballast according to the invention;
Fig. 2 in schematischer Form den zeitlichen Verlauf verschiedener Signale eines nach der Lehre des Stands der Technik betriebenen Vorschaltgeräts; und2 shows in a schematic form the time course of various signals of a ballast operated according to the teaching of the prior art; and
Fig. 3 in schematischer Form den zeitlichen Verlauf verschiedener Signale eines Vorschaltgeräts gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung bzw. ei- nes Vorschaltgeräts, das gemäß dem erfinderischen Verfahren betrieben wird.3 shows in a schematic form the time course of various signals of a ballast according to the present invention or a ballast which is operated according to the inventive method.
Fig. 1 zeigt ein erfindungsgemäßes Vorschaltgerät 10 mit einem Baustein 12, der eingangsseitig mit einer Netzspannungsquelle UN verbunden ist, und einen Gleichrichter, dem Fachmann bekannte Filter sowie gegebenenfalls auch Vorrichtungen zur Korrektur des netzseitigen Leistungsfaktors umfaßt. Das vom Baustein 12 bereitgestellte Gleichspannungssignal wird über einen Kondensator CO stabilisiert und an eine Brückenschaltung mit einem Schalter Tl und ei- nem Schalter T2 angelegt. Der Brückenmittelpunkt ist mit dem Lastkreis 14 verbunden ist, der eine Gasentladungslampe 26 mit einer ersten und einer zweiten Elektrode 28, 30 umfaßt.1 shows a ballast 10 according to the invention with a component 12, which is connected on the input side to a mains voltage source UN, and one Rectifiers, filters known to the person skilled in the art and optionally also devices for correcting the power factor on the network side. The DC voltage signal provided by the module 12 is stabilized via a capacitor CO and applied to a bridge circuit with a switch T1 and a switch T2. The bridge center is connected to the load circuit 14, which comprises a gas discharge lamp 26 with a first and a second electrode 28, 30.
Gemäß dem Ausführungsbeispiel in Fig. 1 bilden die Schalter Tl und T2 zusammen mit den Kondensatoren Cl und C2 eine Halbbrückenanordnung. Eine Steuerschaltung 16 liefert die Ansteuersignale für die Schalter Tl und T2 über Leitungen 18 bzw. 20. Über eine Leitung 22 können der Steuerschaltung 16 Lampendaten bereitgestellt werden, beispielsweise Daten über die aktuelle in der Lampe umgesetzte Leistung sowie über den Lampenstrom, die bei der Erzeugung der über die Leitungen 18 und 20 an die Schalter Tl und T2 angeleg- ten Steuersignale berücksichtigt werden können. Die Steuerschaltung 16 kann über einen MikroController verfügen, in dem die Konfiguration der über die Leitungen 18, 20 an die Schalter Tl und T2 bereitgestellten Steuersignale abgelegt ist, beispielsweise zum Betrieb der jeweiligen Gasentladungslampe 26 mit Maximalleistung. Für den Fall, daß ein Dimrnen der Gasentladungslampe be- absichtigt ist, kann optional über eine Leitung 24 ein Eingangssignal der Steuerschaltung zugeführt werden, mit dem eine Bedienperson die Ansteuersignale der Schalter Tl und T2 beeinflussen kann, beispielsweise durch Betätigen eines Drehknopfes oder dergleichen zum Dimmen der Gasentladungslampe 26. Die von der Steuerschaltung 16 über die Leitungen 18 und 20 bereitgestellten Steu- ersignale werden im folgenden mit Bezug auf die Figuren 2 und 3 näher beschrieben:According to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, the switches T1 and T2 form a half-bridge arrangement together with the capacitors C1 and C2. A control circuit 16 supplies the control signals for the switches T1 and T2 via lines 18 and 20, respectively. A line 22 can be used to provide the control circuit 16 with lamp data, for example data about the current power converted in the lamp and about the lamp current during generation the control signals applied to the switches T1 and T2 via the lines 18 and 20 can be taken into account. The control circuit 16 can have a microcontroller in which the configuration of the control signals provided via the lines 18, 20 to the switches T1 and T2 is stored, for example for operating the respective gas discharge lamp 26 with maximum power. In the event that a diminution of the gas discharge lamp is intended, an input signal to the control circuit can optionally be supplied via a line 24, with which an operator can influence the control signals of the switches T1 and T2, for example by actuating a rotary knob or the like for dimming of the gas discharge lamp 26. The control signals provided by the control circuit 16 via the lines 18 and 20 are described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3:
Fig. 2 zeigt zunächst in den Kurvenzügen A und B den zeitlichen Verlauf der Ansteuersignale des ersten und zweiten Schalters Tl, T2 gemäß der Lehre des Standes der Technik. Schalter Tl wird gemäß Kurvenzug mit einem Tastverhältnis von 30 % betrieben. Schalter T2 wird gemäß Kurvenzug B mit einem Tastverhältnis von 70 % betrieben. Die Kurvenzüge C und D zeigen die zeitlichen Verläufe der zugehörigen Ströme II und 12 durch den Schalter Tl bzw. durch den Schalter T2. Kurvenzug E zeigt den zeitlichen Verlauf des Laststroms II. Aufgrund der unterschiedlich langen EIN-Zeiten von Schalter Tl und Schalter T2 ergeben sich unterschiedliche Ströme durch Elektroden 28, 30 der Gasentladungslampe 26, je nachdem ob Schalter Tl oder T2 im EIN- Zustand ist. Dies führt zu einer ungleichmäßige thermischen Belastung der Elektroden 28, 30 der Gasentladungslampe 26.Fig. 2 shows first in the curves A and B, the time course of the control signals of the first and second switches Tl, T2 according to the teaching of State of the art. Switch T1 is operated according to the curve with a pulse duty factor of 30%. Switch T2 is operated according to curve B with a duty cycle of 70%. The curves C and D show the time profiles of the associated currents II and 12 through the switch Tl and through the switch T2. Curve E shows the time profile of the load current II. Due to the differently long ON times of switch T1 and switch T2, different currents result through electrodes 28, 30 of the gas discharge lamp 26, depending on whether switch T1 or T2 is in the ON state. This leads to an uneven thermal loading of the electrodes 28, 30 of the gas discharge lamp 26.
Fig. 3 zeigt nun korrespondierend zu Fig. 2 den zeitlichen Verlauf der gleichen Schaltungsparameter bei Modifikation des Vorschaltgeräts gemäß der erfindungsgemäßen Lehre. Beide Schalter Tl und T2 werden im Gegentakt betrieben, d.h. mit Ausnahme von zu vernachlässigenden Umschaltvorgängen hat der eine Schalter ein Signal mit hohem Pegel als Ansteuersignal anliegen, während der andere Schalter ein Ansteuersignal mit niedrigem Pegel anliegen hat und umgekehrt.3 shows, corresponding to FIG. 2, the time profile of the same circuit parameters when the ballast is modified in accordance with the teaching according to the invention. Both switches T1 and T2 are operated in push-pull mode, i.e. with the exception of switching operations that are negligible, one switch has a high level signal as the drive signal, while the other switch has a low level drive signal and vice versa.
Zunächst wird Kurvenzug A betrachtet: Während zwischen den Zeitpunkten tl und t2 der Schalter Tl mit einem Tastverhältnis von 70 % betrieben wird, wechselt im Zeitpunkt t2 die Steuerschaltung 16 das Tastverhältnis auf 30 %. Dieses Tastverhältnis wird beibehalten bis zum Zeitpunkt t3, wonach wiederum gewechselt wird auf ein Tastverhältnis von 70 %. Mit Bezug auf Kurvenzug B von Fig. 3 wird Schalter T2 mit dem entsprechenden inversen Tastverhältnis betrieben, d.h. zwischen den Zeitpunkten t2 und t3 mit einem Tastverhältnis von 70 % und nach t3 schließt sich wieder ein Tastverhältnis von 70 % an. Die Kurvenzüge C, D und E zeigen wiederum die zeitlichen Verläufe der Ströme II, 12 sowie des Laststroms II. Während in dem Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Fig. 3 zwischen zwei Tastverhältnissen, d.h. einem Tastverhältnis von 70 % und einem Tastverhältnis von 30 % umgeschaltet wird, sind auch Realisierungen denkbar, bei denen zwischen mehreren Tastverhältnissen umgeschaltet wird.First, curve A is considered: While switch Tl is operated with a duty cycle of 70% between times t1 and t2, control circuit 16 changes the duty cycle to 30% at time t2. This duty cycle is maintained until time t3, after which the switch is made to a duty cycle of 70%. With reference to curve B of FIG. 3, switch T2 is operated with the corresponding inverse duty cycle, ie between times t2 and t3 with a duty cycle of 70% and after t3 there is again a duty cycle of 70%. Curves C, D and E in turn show the time profiles of currents II, 12 and load current II. While switching between two duty cycles, ie a duty cycle of 70% and a duty cycle of 30%, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, implementations are also conceivable in which there is a switchover between several duty cycles.
Fig. 3 zeigt ein Umschalten bzw. Wechseln von einem Tastverhältnis zu einem anderen unmittelbar nach Durchlaufen einer Tastperiode eines bestimmten Tastverhältnisses. Es kann jedoch auch vorgesehen werden, ein bestimrntes Tastverhältnis über einen längeren Zeitraum beizubehalten bevor zum nächsten Tastverhältnis umgeschaltet wird, dies jedoch unter der Bedingung, daß sich keine wesentlichen unterschiedlichen thermischen Belastungen der beiden Elektroden 28, 30 der Gasentladungslampe 26 ergeben. Der Zeitpunkt, zu dem spätestens auf ein anderes Tastverhältnis umgeschaltet werden muß, hängt mitunter von den physikalischen Eigenschaften der in der jeweiligen Gasentladungslampe verwendeten Elektroden ab. Ein Umschalten von einem Tastver- hältnis auf ein anderes nicht unmittelbar bereits nach einmaliger Ausführung eines bestimmten Tastverhältnisses hat den Vorteil, daß in der Steuerschaltung 16 Bauelemente verwendet werden können, die für niedrigere Frequenzen ausgelegt und daher billiger sind. Beispielsweise kann ein günstigerer Mikro- controller verwendet werden, da bei längeren Umschaltzeiten eine geringere Datenmenge verarbeitet werden muß.FIG. 3 shows a changeover from one duty cycle to another immediately after passing through a duty cycle of a certain duty cycle. However, provision can also be made to maintain a specific duty cycle over a longer period of time before switching to the next duty cycle, provided that there are no substantially different thermal loads on the two electrodes 28, 30 of the gas discharge lamp 26. The point in time at which it is necessary to switch to a different duty cycle at the latest depends on the physical properties of the electrodes used in the respective gas discharge lamp. Switching from one duty cycle to another, not immediately after executing a certain duty cycle, has the advantage that 16 components can be used in the control circuit which are designed for lower frequencies and are therefore cheaper. For example, a cheaper microcontroller can be used, since a smaller amount of data has to be processed with longer switching times.
Für den Fachmann ist offensichtlich, daß die vorliegende Erfindung auch bei Vorschaltgeräten mit Vollbrückenanordnung verwendet werden kann, wobei dann vorgesehen sein kann, daß die Steuerschaltung 16 für die zwei weiteren Schalter zwei weitere Steuersignale bereitstellt.It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention can also be used in ballasts with a full bridge arrangement, it then being possible for the control circuit 16 to provide two further control signals for the two further switches.
Die beschriebene Schaltung ist nicht nur für fremdgesteuerte sondern auch für freischwingende Wechselrichter einsetzbar. Als Schalter wurden in Fig. 1 beispielhaft Bipolartransistoren gewählt. Für den Fachmann ist offensichtlich, daß auch andere Arten von Schaltern, beispielsweise Feldeffekttransistoren in Betracht kommen. The circuit described can be used not only for externally controlled but also for free-swinging inverters. Bipolar transistors were chosen as switches in FIG. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that other types of switches, for example field effect transistors, can also be considered.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Vorschaltgerät für mindestens eine Gasentladungslampe (26) mit einem von einer Gleichspannungsquelle (CO) gespeisten Wechselrichter, der eine parallel zur Gleichspannungsquelle (CO) angeordnete Brückenschaltung mit einem ersten und einem zweiten steuerbaren Schalter (Tl, T2) aufweist, wobei der Brückenmittelpunkt mit einem Lastkreis1. Ballast for at least one gas discharge lamp (26) with an inverter powered by a DC voltage source (CO), which has a bridge circuit arranged in parallel with the DC voltage source (CO) with a first and a second controllable switch (Tl, T2), the bridge center point with a load circuit
(14) verbunden ist, der die mindestens eine Gasentladungslampe (26) umfaßt, wobei jede Gasentladungslampe (26) eine erste und eine zweite Elektrode (28, 30) aufweist, und einer Steuerschaltung (16), mit der das Tastverhältnis des ersten und zweiten Schalters (Tl, T2) beeinflußbar ist, und das Tastverhältnis ungleich 50% beträgt,(14) which comprises the at least one gas discharge lamp (26), each gas discharge lamp (26) having a first and a second electrode (28, 30), and a control circuit (16) with which the duty cycle of the first and second Switch (Tl, T2) can be influenced, and the duty cycle is not equal to 50%,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,characterized,
daß durch die Steuerschaltung (16) das Tastverhältnis so steuerbar ist, daß die erste und zweite Elektrode (28, 30) im Mittel im wesentlichen gleich thermisch belastet werden.that the duty cycle can be controlled by the control circuit (16) in such a way that the first and second electrodes (28, 30) are thermally stressed essentially the same.
2. Vorschaltgerät nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der erste und der zweite Schalter (Tl, T2) im Gegentakt betreibbar sind.2. Ballast according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and the second switch (Tl, T2) can be operated in push-pull.
3. Vorschaltgerät nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mit der Steuerschaltung das Tastverhältnis beider Schalter (Tl, T2) periodisch wechselbar ist.3. Ballast according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the duty cycle of the two switches (Tl, T2) can be changed periodically with the control circuit.
4. Vorschaltgerät nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mit der4. Ballast according to claim 3, characterized in that with the
Steuerschaltung (16) das Tastverhältnis so steuerbar ist, daß die Summe der EIN-Zeiten des ersten Schalters im Mittel gleich ist der Summe der EIN-Zeiten des zweiten Schalters.Control circuit (16) the duty cycle is controllable so that the sum of the ON times of the first switch is on average equal to the sum of the ON times of the second switch.
5. Vorschaltgerät nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mit der Steuer Schaltung (16) der erste und der zweite Schalter (Tl, T2) mit N unterschiedlichen Tastverhältnissen betreibbar sind, wobei N größer oder gleich 2 ist, und der Wechsel zwischen den unterschiedlichen Tastverhältnissen mit einer Periode steuerbar ist, die im kürzesten Fall dadurch bestimmt ist, daß jedes Tastverhältnis nur ge- nau einmal ausgeführt wird bevor zum nächsten gewechselt wird, und die im längsten Fall bestimmt ist durch die thermische Trägheit der ersten und zweiten Elektrode (28, 30).5. Ballast according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that with the control circuit (16), the first and the second switch (Tl, T2) can be operated with N different duty cycles, N being greater than or equal to 2, and the change between the different duty cycles can be controlled with a period which is determined in the shortest case by the fact that each duty cycle is carried out only exactly once before changing to the next one and which in the longest case is determined by the thermal inertia of the first and second electrodes (28, 30).
6. Vorschaltgerät nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß N gleich zwei ist, wobei das erste Tastverhältnis D und das zweite Tastverhältnis E = 100 % - D beträgt.6. Ballast according to claim 5, characterized in that N is two, the first duty cycle D and the second duty cycle E = 100% - D.
7. Vorschaltgerät nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Steuer Schaltung (16) einen Eingang aufweist, über den das Tastverhältnis durch eine Bedienperson beeinflußbar ist.7. Ballast according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control circuit (16) has an input via which the duty cycle can be influenced by an operator.
8. Verfahren zum Betreiben eines Vorschaltgeräts für mindestens eine Ga- sentladungslampe (26), wobei das Vorschaltgerät einen von einer8. Method for operating a ballast for at least one gas discharge lamp (26), the ballast being one of one
Gleichspannungsquelle (C0) gespeisten Wechselrichter umfaßt, der eine parallel zur Gleichspannungsquelle (C0) angeordnete Brückenschaltung mit einem ersten und einem zweiten steuerbaren Schalter (Tl, T2) aufweist, wobei der Brückenmittelpunkt mit einem Lastkreis (14) verbun- den ist, der die mindestens eine Gasentladungslampe (26) umfaßt, wobei jede Gasentladungslampe (26) eine erste und eine zweite Elektrode (28, 30) aufweist, und eine Steuerschaltung (16), mit der das Tastverhältnis des ersten und zweiten Schalters (Tl, T2) beeinflußbar ist, und das Tastverhältnis ungleich 50% beträgt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß durch die Steuerschaltung (16) das Tastverhältnis so gesteuert wird, daß die erste und zweite Elektrode (28, 30) im Mittel im wesentlichen gleich thermisch belastet werden.DC voltage source (C0) fed inverter which has a bridge circuit arranged in parallel with the DC voltage source (C0) with a first and a second controllable switch (T1, T2), the bridge center being connected to a load circuit (14) which connects the at least comprises a gas discharge lamp (26), each gas discharge lamp (26) having a first and a second electrode (28, 30), and a control circuit (16) with which the pulse duty factor of the first and second switch (Tl, T2) can be influenced, and the pulse duty factor is not equal to 50%, characterized in that that the duty cycle is controlled by the control circuit (16) so that the first and second electrodes (28, 30) are thermally stressed essentially the same.
9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der erste und der zweite Schalter (Tl, T2) im Gegentakt betrieben werden.9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the first and the second switch (Tl, T2) are operated in push-pull.
10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8 oder 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß durch die Steuerschaltung (16) das Tastverhältnis beider Schalter (Tl, T2) periodisch gewechselt wird.10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the duty cycle of the two switches (Tl, T2) is changed periodically by the control circuit (16).
11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Tastverhältnis so gesteuert wird, daß die Summe der EIN-Zeiten des ersten Schalters im Mittel gleich ist der Summe der EIN-Zeiten des zweiten Schalters.11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the pulse duty factor is controlled so that the sum of the ON times of the first switch is on average equal to the sum of the ON times of the second switch.
12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10 oder 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der erste und der zweite Schalter (Tl, T2) mit N unterschiedlichen Tastver- hältnissen betrieben werden, wobei N größer oder gleich 2 ist, und der12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the first and the second switch (Tl, T2) are operated with N different duty ratios, N being greater than or equal to 2, and the
Wechsel zwischen den unterschiedlichen Tastverhältnissen mit einer Periode erfolgt, die im kürzesten Fall dadurch bestimmt ist, daß jedes Tastverhältnis nur genau einmal ausgeführt wird bevor zum nächsten gewechselt wird, und die im längsten Fall bestimmt ist durch die ther- mische Trägheit der ersten und zweiten Elektrode (28, 30).There is a change between the different duty cycles with a period which is determined in the shortest case by the fact that each duty cycle is carried out only exactly once before switching to the next, and which is determined in the longest case by the thermal inertia of the first and second electrodes (28, 30).
13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß N gleich zwei ist, wobei das erste Tastverhältnis D und das zweite Tastverhältnis E = 100 % - D beträgt.13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that N is two, the first duty cycle D and the second duty cycle E = 100% - D.
14. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Steuerschaltung (16) einen Eingang aufweist, über den das14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the control circuit (16) has an input through which the
Tastverhältnis durch eine Bedienperson beeinflußt wird. Duty cycle is influenced by an operator.
EP00941880A 1999-05-12 2000-04-19 Ballast for at least one gas discharge lamp and method for operating such a ballast Expired - Lifetime EP1095543B1 (en)

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DE19922039 1999-05-12
DE19922039A DE19922039A1 (en) 1999-05-12 1999-05-12 Fluorescent lamp choke for a gas discharge lamp and method for operating it includes a DC-AC converter fed by a DC source having a bridge circuit with first and second controllable switches fitted parallel to the DC source.
PCT/DE2000/001226 WO2000070921A1 (en) 1999-05-12 2000-04-19 Ballast for at least one gas discharge lamp and method for operating such a ballast

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